Chapter 287 - A kiss that is about to come

A few moments later, they arrived at the other end of the bridge.

In front of them stood an old, barren shrine.

Compared to temples with much larger space and structures, shrines were much more simplistic and smaller in size. In fact, a shrine could be as small as a case or receptacle with the sacred relics stored inside, or a roofed niche similar to a small temple with carvings depicting a divine image. There was usually just a small altar to offer one's offerings.

The shrine in front of them was the latter and was only five meters wide. At the center was a small altar as the place of offering. A bamboo mat was in front of the altar.

Xiong Zhi and Linfeng both gazed at the carvings on the niche. It was not as well maintained as the other shrines they passed by on their way, but the slightly dusty altar, the tiniest cracks on the niche, and the silence surrounding the shrine gave out an austere and dignified feeling. 

There was an illusion that they were standing before a holy and profound existence, and they both could not help but feel more respectful.

They did not know which great person was enshrined in this place, but they could feel the nobility and sacredness in the air. It must be a deity worthy of respect.

They silently lit up the joss sticks they bought earlier for the shrine visit and put them on top of the altar reverently.

Smoke rose up and painted streams of mist in the entire shrine. 

Xiong Zhi was about to kneel on the mat, but Linfeng stopped her and took the mat to the side first. He then shook the mat. Dust flew up everywhere. He went back to Xiong Zhi's side and gently put down the mat back to its old place. 

The air and the ground was a bit dusty but Xiong Zhi did not pay it any heed. She kneeled down on the mat and paid homage to the altar.

She reverently bowed down three times. Afterwards, she put her hands together and closed her eyes in a prayer.

The world was full of wonders and miracles that man could never fathom.

Before her rebirth, she never thought that the supernatural existed. Perhaps, the river of souls leading to reincarnation was real. 

Perhaps, everyone was part of an endless karmic cycle of rebirth.

And perhaps, the heavens took pity on her and allowed Grandma Lu to help her out. Who knows, she might have done a lot of good deeds in her previous incarnation before becoming the Xiong Zhi now, and the good karma made the heavens step in for her.

Whatever the reason was, Xiong Zhi thanked the heavens for granting her a second life, for giving her a second chance to be with Linfeng once more and to change her tragic fate.

She continued to pray silently.

The figure of the girl kneeling in front of the altar was solemn.

Linfeng watched as his Young Miss devoutly prayed. He wondered, what was the Young Miss praying for so sincerely?

After a while, Xiong Zhi stood up and gestured for Linfeng to pray next.

He followed her actions and bowed as well. Seeing her Young Miss's heartfelt prayer made him act more seriously.

What did he want to pray for? What was his wish?

...To break free from the Xiong family's constraints.

That would be his immediate answer if he was the same Linfeng of the past. 

But now, he was no longer only aiming for this. He still wanted to break the covenant, but he had become greedier, ever since he realized his feelings for his Young Miss.

He realized that what he wanted the most was to have a bright future with her...

With his Young Miss... With his Zhi'er.

Linfeng was affected by Xiong Zhi's sincerity so he, too, sincerely made his wish and hoped that the heavens would be more lenient towards their fate together.

After all, who knows... What if the heavens decided to lend an ear for his prayer?

Silence permeated the shrine. Only the sounds of the flowing stream and the wind blowing through the trees could be heard.

He finally stood up and burned some paper money for the deities and spirits on the altar bowl when Xiong Zhi spoke.

"What did you pray for?" 

Xiong Zhi wondered the same thing as Linfeng. Watching each other's heartfelt prayers made them feel curious as to what the other was thinking about.

Linfeng turned his head and smiled. "It was something that I truly desire," he spoke in a low voice.

Xiong Zhi tilted her head. What kind of answer was this? Was it not the same as not telling her anything? But she did not push for answers.

Instead she teased him, "Am I included in your prayers?"

Her sparkling eyes warmed Linfeng's heart. The wind swept through Xiong Zhi's hair, and a few strands floated up. Linfeng stepped forward and gently put those unruly hair behind her ears. 

He did not let go and stared at her instead, agreeing, "Yes." 

"..." Xiong Zhi's teasing smile paused, and a faint flush rose to her cheeks. His focused gaze and deep voice made her heartbeat disordered. 

Ah. Her flirting backfired.

"Y-you are, too..." Xiong Zhi's voice cracked. She cleared her throat and spoke again. "You are part of my prayers, too. In fact, you always have been." She was indeed affected by his gaze, but she would not let him win in this round of flirting. This was her chance…

She leaned forward, sticking her soft body against his. She stared up at his face with her watery eyes, her face charming and soft. It was a sight which no one else ever saw, only him, Linfeng. "I want to be with you always, Linfeng..."

"…"

Her words, again. Young Miss, ah, my Young Miss, did you know that saying such things would slowly whittle away at my self-control?

'Whispering ambiguous words in this empty place devoid of people, tempting me... If that's the case, I won't be polite.'

In a way, they both had a silent tacit understanding why they had to come to such a desolate place. It was to ensure that no one would bother them. So they could have the freedom to do whatever they wish to their hearts' desire.

Linfeng's eyes gradually heated up. His hand pinched her earlobes and caressed. He slowly lowered his head.