Chapter 1290: Chapter 778: An Ji’s Ascension—Seeking Love at the Temple (Part 4)
"Are you going?" An Ji asked An Youyou.
"Of course, let’s go burn some incense and make a wish!" An Youyou immediately let go of An Ji’s hand and dashed off.
An Ji’s fingers twitched.
It somehow felt as if he’d deliberately flung his hand away.
He couldn’t help but wipe the warm sweat off his palm.
He hadn’t expected to be so nervous just holding Ali’s hand.
An Youyou walked into the temple and, after inquiring, discovered it was actually Yinyuan Temple.
No wonder so many women were praying inside; they were all here to seek romantic fortunes, right?!
"Young sir, are you also here for romance?" A middle-aged woman suddenly grabbed An Youyou.
An Youyou was startled.
She hurriedly said, "No, no, no, just wandering around."
"Looking at you, so young, you probably aren’t married yet, right? Where are you from? Where do you live? Who’s your father? How old are you? How many people are in your family?" The woman went on and on.
An Youyou was taken aback by this lady’s enthusiasm.
"He’s already married." An Ji swiftly pulled An Youyou to his side, protecting him.
The woman seemed a bit displeased.
Married at such a young age, what a pity!
As she was about to leave, she looked up and saw An Ji, and her eyes lit up like stars. This caliber of a gentleman, she’d never seen in her years as a matchmaker, "Young sir, are you married? Where do you live? Who’s your father, how old are you..."
An Ji frowned, "I’m also married."
"Have you considered taking a second wife?" The matchmaker persisted.
"No."
"It’s quite normal for men to have multiple wives. I have plenty of resources, lots of graceful ladies. Just say the word, and I can send as many second, or third, or fourth wives as you’d like, young sir."
An Ji, growing impatient, pulled An Youyou aside.
"Young sir, young sir, don’t go. Tell me what kind you like, I guarantee I’ll find them for you..."
"I like men," An Ji blurted out.
The moment he said it, An Ji was surprised himself.
He really just didn’t want to be bothered by the matchmaker, but didn’t expect to come up with such an excuse.
At that moment, he couldn’t help but tighten his grip on Ali’s hand.
The matchmaker’s eyes widened at An Ji’s words.
Such a handsome young gentleman had such a preference?! She couldn’t help but glance at An Youyou again, suddenly feeling like she understood something.
An Youyou burst into a gleeful laugh.
He hadn’t expected An Ji to use this kind of excuse. It was a bit absurd, but it indeed was effectively shocking—the matchmaker was left speechless with her mouth agape.
"Well, well then, I won’t bother you..." The matchmaker left dejectedly.
An Ji dismissed the matchmaker and turned to see Ali laughing—laughing quite exaggeratedly.
An Youyou noticed An Ji’s gaze, awkwardly pursed her lips, and retracted her smile.
"Let’s go." An Ji said nothing more and took An Youyou’s hand to walk inside.
The two of them still went to seek romantic fortune.
An Youyou drew a middle stick, which read, "Thrusting a chisel deep into the ground to seek a spring, the hardest efforts yield the toughest fruits; Unintended, a confidant is met, go hand in hand to the heavens."
She couldn’t quite understand the meaning, so she got up to ask the abbot, turning to glance at An Ji, "What did you get?"
"A middle stick," An Ji replied.
"Me too. I’m going to ask, do you want to come?!"
"Okay."
An Youyou got up and walked towards the abbot.
The abbot looked at An Youyou’s stick and asked, "Are you asking about romance, young sir?"
"Yes," An Youyou nodded quickly.
"It’s a middle stick. Its meaning depends on your interpretation," the abbot explained. "If you inquire when romance will arrive, the more you strive for romance, the more it will elude you. When you do not seek it, it will come instead. It suggests, young sir, that letting nature take its course is the best arrangement heaven has for you."
An Youyou nodded, seemingly understanding and not understanding at the same time.
Suddenly thinking of An Ji at that moment, "You should also ask the abbot."
An Ji handed his stick to the abbot, which read, "Cast to the rocks below the copper bird turret, A true man to return here; Who can gain from trivial plots, Who else traverses heaven and earth?"
The abbot took it, smiled kindly, "This is also a middle stick."
Then explained, "If you seek romance, discover it during turbulent opportunities. When someone shows a spirit of sacrifice, that is a rare, best partner. If your love has always been smooth, joyful, sweet, then don’t decide on marriage just yet. If your love has endured adversity or trials, then you can join hands with her for a lifetime."
The two accepted this and left with their sticks from the abbot.
An Youyou didn’t think much of the draw, though, while An Ji seemed lost in thought.
An Youyou frowned, "It’s all superstitious, just a psychological comfort, don’t pay it any mind. I think your romance doesn’t need hardship, it’ll be smooth and satisfying."
An Ji turned to look at Ali.
An Youyou smiled and pointed to a corner of the crowd, "Come on, let’s go write wish papers."
An Ji watched Ali’s excited, cheerful demeanor, her face innocent and pure.
Ali seemed not to understand at all, what so-called love and affection mean...
