Chapter 320: Extra Dose
Sure enough, when Xia Yu and Xia Ling went downstairs, their family had already started packing up to go pay respects: “You finally decided to join us? Help carry some things, or this will look pretty silly.”
Under Wang Wenjuan’s organization, Xia Yu and Xia Ling were quickly assigned two bags. One contained joss paper and incense, the other cookies and candies, both considered rather light tasks.
Xia Le, however, didn’t have his mother’s favor and was tasked with carrying a bundle of firecrackers. Despite that, he seemed quite content with this assignment.
Before they set off, Grandma took the final check: “Did you bring everything you need? Your lighter? Don’t tell me we’ll be stranded without fire.” “Yes, yes,” Xia Hong laughed, somewhat resigned, as he pulled out his lighter. “We’re good to go now. Just be careful where you step at night.” So, the family set off in a grand procession.
On the way, they inevitably bumped into villagers heading to the temple to pray.
Xia Yu was still dressed in her lovely, warm women’s clothes, attracting more than a few curious glances. Her grandmother, grandfather, and father noticed too but couldn’t really do anything about it. Wang Wenjuan had said Xia Yu had chosen to dress this way herself. It seemed Xia Yu had made up her mind.
Thinking about it, Xia Yu had always been this way. They could either follow her lead, since she was happier, or just accept that they were too tired to deal with it.
These looks were all too familiar to Xia Yu and she ignored them. Life would be exhausting if she worried too much. Xia Ling linked arms with Xia Yu, noticing Xia Yu seemed more grown-up.
It didn’t matter though. As long as Xia Yu wanted to be her sister, everything was fine. She loved Xia Yu’s spirit.
At the temple, they left their belongings, and adults took over. Xia Yu and Xia Ling stepped back not to disturb them.
Xia Ling clung close, whispering something to make Xia Yu happy: “That big bad guy Jiang Kekai is coming back day after tomorrow. Excited?”
Of course, Xia Yu was particularly sensitive to those words: “Really?”
“No kidding! I was playing games with Hanhang, and she mentioned their grandfather made things less fun there. So they plan to come and spend New Year together, arriving on the second.”
“Morning or evening?”
“How should I know? Probably morning start, evening arrival.” Xia Ling playfully poked Xia Yu’s side: “Can’t wait?”
A little impatient indeed, but Xia Yu wouldn’t admit it: “Not at all, I’m just worried their parents might get upset having them stay over too much.”
“Come on, can you still think of others? That old man wasn’t exactly kind to you before—almost got you killed once…”
Seeing everyone around didn’t notice them, Xia Ling whispered closer, voice low: “You almost died that time, remember?”
Xia Yu understood that, but she hadn’t known what was going on. She couldn’t hate someone she didn’t know.
Xia Ling sighed at Xia Yu’s calmness: “The calmer you are, the more I’ll worry about you later.” Xia Yu: “No need to.”
“Xiao Yu, Xiao Ling, what are you doing hiding back there? Hurry and light the incense so Buddha can bless your studies. Come on over.”
With Grandma calling them, Xia Yu and Xia Ling couldn’t dawdle anymore, so they followed obediently to light the incense.
Whether Buddha existed, no one knew; for adults, what they said was law. Xia Yu and Xia Ling lit their incense, offering their silent prayers.
In candlelight, Xia Yu found herself drawn to her sleeves. Somewhere along the way, she had become less resistant to dresses. Maybe she had changed.
She realized why people mentioned she seemed different. Xia Yu did feel like she’d transformed.
She wouldn’t dare say her wishes out loud, not knowing if Buddha even listened. After Xia Yu’s silent prayer, she and Xia Ling placed their incense sticks together.
Then, they quietly stepped back to the corner. They didn’t want adults’ attention focused on them.
Finally, they burned paper money and set off firecrackers. With that done, they could head home.
But before that, Xia Yu and Xia Ling carried the lingering scent of gunpowder from the firecrackers. Post-temple activities included a bath, which dragged on until two thirty.
Exhausted, Xia Yu and Xia Ling finally flopped onto bed, ready for sleep. Tomorrow meant red envelopes.
Beside her, quiet Xia Yu closed her eyes. Xia Ling found this dull. Jiang Hanhang was much more entertaining.
Still, she preferred this peaceful Xia Yu. If Xia Yu acted like Jiang Hanhang—noisy and exuberant—it wouldn’t be charming.
Xia Ling wrapped her arm around Xia Yu, using her as a pillow—an old fantasy. Xia Yu actually leaned into her, making it comfy…
Rude Xia Yu! Xia Ling knew better, yet Jiang Kekai had turned her sister into a perfect snuggle buddy. d*mn that big bad guy.
Pulled the covers tight, Xia Ling rested her chin on Xia Yu’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
Then her phone buzzed—
“Penguin Wallet received 100,000 RMB.”
Xia Ling: “……”
Checking Xia Yu, she was asleep soundly. Xia Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
Her phone buzzed again—
“Penguin Wallet received 100,001 RMB.”
“Who sent it?”
Xia Yu stirred, annoyed.
“Who sent you the money?”
