abcnovels
Chapter 58 - 58: Eighty-One
Chapter 58 - 58: Eighty-One
Chapter 58: Eighty-One
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The driver, Xiao Chen, steered the steering wheel to the right.
Lu Haiqiao spoke again. “Sir, that painting…” Unexpectedly, she was interrupted again.
“Hai Qiao, you’re up so early. Have you had breakfast?”
Clearly, Wu Sancai didn’t want to answer this question.
Lu Haiqiao pursed her lips and nodded tactfully. “I’ve eaten. Sandwiches and black coffee.’
“Sigh…” Wu Sancai sighed faintly. “You young people are always drinking coffee. It’s bitter and astringent. I really don’t know what’s so good about it. When you have time, come and drink tea with an old man like me for a change. Your mood will be different.’
“You’re right.” Lu Haiqiao’s tone was indifferent. “I’ll definitely visit you.”
The black car passed through the city center in the early morning. About forty minutes later, it drove on a quiet but wide boulevard.
After another ten minutes, the car stopped in the shade of a dense tree.
Lu Haiqiao got out of the car first, then went to the other side and helped Wu Sancai out.
In front of them was a long stone staircase. There were a total of 81 steps.
A temple that didn’t look very prosperous stood at the end of the steps.
Wu Sancai, who was over 60 years old, had difficulty walking. He could barely walk on flat ground with his walking stick, but he had to have help to climb the narrow steps.
However, he said, “Xiao Chen, wait here. The two of us will go up.”
Xiao Chen nodded and watched the two people walk up the steps. Then, he opened the car door and sat in the driver’s seat.
He didn’t believe in gods or ghosts. Instead of walking up the 81 steps under the sun, he might as well hide in the car and enjoy the air conditioner.
Under the mottled shadows of the trees, two figures slowly walked up the steps, pausing with each step, pious and serious.
At the entrance of the temple at the end of the stairs, two monks in yellow smocks were cleaning. When they saw the guests, they stopped and clasped their hands together.
After stabilizing himself, Wu Sancai held his walking stick with one hand and returned the monk’s greeting with Lu Haiqiao.
Looking at the simple but solemn hall not far away, Wu Sancai muttered to himself, “Old friend, it’s been another year. Haiqiao and I have come to visit you.”
Beside him, Lu Haiqiao lowered her eyes, not daring to look straight ahead.
Her long eyelashes hid the true emotions in her eyes, making her look as calm as ever.
Wu Sancai turned his head and stared at her for a few seconds before sighing.
“Kiddo, we’re arrived.”
Hearing this, Lu Haiqiao moved her lips and said softly in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Mr. Bai, Mrs. Bai.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Sancai patted the back of her hand with his rough hand. “Alright, let’s go in.”
The hall that was filled with the fragrance of incense was empty. Only the faint sound of wooden fish could be heard.
Crossing the wooden railing at the entrance of the hall, Lu Haiqiao looked up and saw the Buddha statue with a peaceful expression.
She remembered that her grandfather had said that this was a sandalwood Buddha statue.
Legend has it that when the Buddha was still alive, the King of India made it with sandalwood according to the Buddha’s appearance and figure. His left hand was called the “Imprint of Wish”, indicating that it could fulfill the wishes of all living beings. His right hand was stretched up with the “Imprint of
Fearlessness”, indicating that it could eliminate all living beings’ suffering.
Lu Haiqiao helped Wu Sancai to the prayer mat in front of the Buddha statue.
Almost at the same time, the old and the young knelt down and kowtowed piously to the Buddha statue..