290 Seekong Altar (2/2)
”Oh.”
Ji Siying nodded then continued with her dinner.
Xiao Luo's grandfather then spoke, ”Xiao Luo, our family has close ties with your Aunt Taoxiu's family. Ping's great-great-grandfather and your great-great-grandfather are brothers by blood. Over the years, Aunt Taoxiu has also been rather caring towards your Grandma and me. If you can help, then do so, alright?”
”Mmm, I got it, Grandpa,” Xiao Luo replied with a smile.
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At precisely eight o'clock that night, the Seekong Shrine burst into life. The place was bustling with visitors amid a cacophony of gongs, drums, and cymbals being struck and the distinctive report of firecrackers being set off. A bonfire raged in front of the shrine's entrance, adding to the mystical ambiance of the event. Many youngsters who had returned out of town joined the festivities and sounded the ox horns and conch horns. In front of the altar, incense and candles were lit, and people were kneeling in worship.
Xiao Luo and Ji Siying's appearance immediately caught everyone's attention.
”Xiao Luo, your girlfriend is here with you too!”
”Hurry up, get your girlfriend, and pray to Seekong together. She is going to become Luo Village's future daughter-in-law.”
”Yes, yes!”
The crowd said excitedly.
”Alright,” Xiao Luo replied with a smile.
Under the flickering glow of the candle-lit altar, Ji Siying's cheeks took on a scarlet shade, giving her an alluring blush like someone flushed after having several drinks. She stared at the Seekong Altar with a deep curiosity. The building itself was ancient, with its two pillars showing signs of having outlived the vicissitude of times. The rhythmic beat of gongs and cymbals filled the air, and the old shaman, Xiao Quanren, was drawing fulu symbols in the air with a burning paper talisman in his hands while reciting Taoist chants.
This was an old traditional ceremony carried out countless times over the centuries, and what she saw made her feel like she had been transported back to ancient times!
Caught up in the moment, she was most certainly unaware that many of Luo Village's young men were ogling. Her beauty made them all somewhat envious of Xiao Luo, none more so than Xiao Qiudong. When he laid eyes on Ji Siying, he couldn't help thinking how she resembled those female lead actresses in the movies. On the other hand, his wife, Li Honglian, had unfortunately not taken care of her looks after childbirth, and all he saw now was a grotesque and obese woman whom he kept at home. Comparing her to Ji Siying left him feeling depressed.
”Luo!”
A young man with a round, smiling face came over and gently punched Xiao Luo's chest. He said, ”Wow, Xiao Luo, you found yourself such a beautiful girlfriend.”
It was Xiao Ping. He was only two years older than Xiao Luo. However, the stress from having three children showed on his wrinkled face, adding quite a few years to his countenance.
”Ping!”
Xiao Luo greeted him. Seeing that he wasn't looking gloomy, he assumed that Xiao Qiudong had lent him the money.
”Are you not going to introduce me to your girlfriend? You must know that all the single men in this village are envious of you,” Xiao Ping said with a smirk.
”Haha, stop teasing me.”
Xiao Luo forced a smile, in a sense wishing that it was true, but unfortunately, he and Ji Siying were merely colleagues.
He duly introduced Xiao Ping and Ji Siying.
”Miss Ji, welcome to Luo Village, and I hope you will enjoy your stay here. Let me take this opportunity to tell you that Xiao Luo is a good, honest, and dedicated man. He is without a doubt the most outstanding man in our village,” Xiao Ping said.
”A-he-hem…”
Just when Xiao Ping had finished speaking, a faint cough drew their attention. Xiao Qiudong stepped over.
Footnote:[1] Suona: Chinese double-reeded horn
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