The Green Dragon Temple was dedicated to the Taoist God, and the incense offerings were flourishing.
In the courtyard of the main hall grew a massive ginkgo tree, its trunk tied with countless red ribbons, intertwining with the golden yellow leaves, creating a deeply artistic impression.
Due to the heavy rain, few people were seen within the temple, except for a figure in a plain-colored long skirt, kneeling in front of the ginkgo tree, praying devoutly.
It was Luo Meili, who had been missing for several days.
By now, she looked like a drowned rat, her clothes soaked as if steeped in water, extremely damp. Her hair had already come loose, adding to her disheveled appearance, and she looked utterly exhausted.
However, her face was flushed, clearly indicative of a fever.
In the rain, she could no longer remain kneeling steadily, her body half-collapsing to the ground.
The torrential rain from the sky seemed as if poured from a basin, becoming more and more ferocious.
Zhang Xiaoshan felt a pang of heartache upon seeing this, and wanted to approach, but someone else had already taken the initiative.
In the main hall, a young Taoist priest with an umbrella approached Luo Meili.
"Miss, you have been kneeling for nearly seven days and nights without taking even a sip of water or a grain of rice," said the young Taoist priest. "Given the severe weather, you really can’t continue kneeling. Please get up, otherwise it might cost you your life."
The young Taoist tried to help Luo Meili up but was pushed away by her.
"No, I appreciate your kindness, little master, but I must continue to kneel and pray for seven days and nights. Just a few more hours and it will be enough, I absolutely cannot abandon my efforts now."
"Ah, very well then."
Seeing the stubborn look on Luo Meili’s face, the young Taoist could only give up and turn to leave.
Meanwhile, Luo Meili continued to kneel on the ground, her head bowed, praying earnestly.
Zhang Xiaoshan watched this scene from the corridor, his expression turning cold.
"To go to such extremes to pray for the soul of your deceased husband?"
"Then what am I, merely a substitute to comfort your loneliness?"
"No wonder you are so tolerant of me seeking other women, not angry at all. I thought you were magnanimous, but it seems that it’s just because you don’t have me in your heart after all."
Zhang Xiaoshan felt incredibly disheartened at that moment.
This time, Luo Meili had sneaked out; Zhang Xiaoshan had learned of her destination from Jia Lanhua, and he had already felt a bit bitter then, but now he was deeply upset.
Although Zhang Xiaoshan did not lack for women like Luo Meili, he had truly developed genuine feelings for her.
Seeing her so devoted and committed to another man, even if he was deceased, made him deeply uncomfortable.
He no longer wished to stay there.
Just as he was about to leave, a group of people entered the courtyard from outside. Read full story at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱
A lean middle-aged man in a grey robe led a young woman in her early twenties and several buzz-cut men directly towards the great ginkgo tree.
"Master Ge, thank you for letting me cut in line," the young woman said with a giggly expression to the grey-robed middle-aged man.
The grey-robed middle-aged man said nonchalantly.
"Back in the day, your father and I studied together, as close as brothers. It’s only natural for me to help you with such a small favor."
By then, they had reached the ginkgo tree.
"Go ahead and take it yourself," the grey-robed middle-aged man said.
Hearing this, the young woman immediately excitedly took down a bundle of purple-gold ribbon tied to the ginkgo tree.
The tree was adorned with hundreds of red ribbons, but there was only one purple-gold ribbon, clearly holding a special significance.
"No, that’s mine, give it back to me," Luo Meili saw this scene and immediately became frantic, shaking as she stood up from the ground and snatched the purple-gold ribbon from the young woman’s hand.
"Crazy woman, you, you dare to steal from my junior sister, give it back," a roughly thirty-year-old buzz-cut man rushed forward, violently snatching the ribbon from Luo Meili’s hand, and harshly pushing her, making her fall back into the muddy puddle.
"No, that’s mine, give it back to me," Luo Meili struggled to stand up attempting to snatch it back, but the man mercilessly kicked her in the stomach, sending Luo Meili flying several meters away.
"Cough cough cough," Luo Meili lay on the ground, coughing up fresh blood, clutching her stomach, unable to move.