She, as an aunt, was still standing under the sun, but Lu Chuanbai was holding an umbrella for Xu Qingqing. He really didn't know how to respect the elderly and care for the young!
Back then when Lu Chuanbai came to her house for meals, she had never once driven him away.
Now that Lu Chuanbai had a wife, he didn't think of her anymore.
The more Qin Hongying thought about it, the more upset she felt. With a straight face, she said something against her will.
"Why use an umbrella? The sun isn't even hot at all. Quickly put it away..."
Before Qin Hongying could finish her sentence, Lu Chuanbai gently but firmly refused.
"No. Qingqing and the two kids have delicate skin and can't be exposed to the harsh sun for too long."
Qin Hongying was so choked by his words that her face showed displeasure. "So, according to you, I have thick skin?"
"That's not it. It's just that auntie has lived on the island for a long time and has built up a tolerance to the harsh sunlight," Lu Chuanbai explained sincerely with a straight face.
Qin Hongying listened speechlessly to Lu Chuanbai's nonsense. It was the first time she realized that Lu Chuanbai could also be glib.
She remembered that when Lu Chuanbai was a child, he was like an ice block, neither smiling nor crying, always with a cold face.
Why had he become so smooth - tongued for his wife and children? What on earth had he experienced over the years?
Qin Hongying turned around speechlessly and continued to lead the way.
Xu Qingqing gave Lu Chuanbai a thumbs - up to show her admiration.
Fortunately, Lu Chuanbai was a reasonable man and wouldn't lose all his sense just to repay a favor.
After walking about five or six hundred meters, a layer of sweat appeared on their foreheads and trickled down their cheeks.
In the past, when Qin Hongying went to worship Buddha, she always went out with Aunt Zhou. Aunt Zhou would hold an umbrella and a small fan for her. She had never walked under the sun with her head exposed.
But now, since Qin Hongying had boasted in front of Lu Chuanbai just now, she didn't dare to stop and hide under an umbrella. She could only grit her teeth and keep walking.
By the time they reached Lei Hai Temple, Qin Hongying felt as if she was about to collapse from sweating.
Her gray sun - protection suit was soaked with sweat, leaving a large stain on her back.
Lei Hai Temple was one of the features of Penglang Island, and there were many tourists coming and going.
A young monk who was selling red wishing ropes saw Qin Hongying, a regular customer, coming. He quickly came over and led them through the back door of the temple to the side rooms.
Seeing Qin Hongying sweating profusely, the young monk couldn't help but ask with concern.
"Benefactor, why didn't you bring an umbrella or a fan today? You're sweating so much."
Hearing this, Qin Hongying wiped the sweat from her forehead and nose with a wet tissue she carried with her.
She quietly turned around and glanced at Lu Chuanbai and Xu Qingqing. Only when she saw that they looked normal did she heave a sigh of relief.
This young monk really knew how to bring up the wrong topic. If he kept talking like this, wouldn't he expose the fact that she used to come with an umbrella?
Not knowing how to answer the young monk's question, Qin Hongying simply changed the topic to cover it up.
"Is your master here? I'd like to listen to his sermon on exorcism scriptures today and worship Buddha to get rid of the filth in my body."
Xu Qingqing behind Qin Hongying felt extremely embarrassed and a sense of helplessness welled up in her heart.
She had always been polite to Qin Hongying. Except for her occupation, she had never offended Qin Hongying. She didn't know why Qin Hongying was so hostile towards her.
Even asking her, a Buddhist, to lie just so that Lu Chuanbai wouldn't hold an umbrella for her. Wasn't that too childish?
She used to come with an umbrella and a small fan herself.
And now she was talking about exorcism scriptures and getting rid of the filth in the body. If someone didn't know better, they would really think she was some kind of monster!
How could someone be so double - standard!
Lu Chuanbai sensed Xu Qingqing's unhappiness. He put his arm around her slender waist, his brows furrowed with worry.
"How about we buy tickets and leave tonight?"
Judging from Qin Hongying's tone, she was like Fahai who was determined to trap Bai Suzhen under Leiyin Pagoda.
Xu Qingqing sighed and lazily leaned on Lu Chuanbai's shoulder, thinking of him. "Forget it. Let's give it a try."
"After all, I've been to so many tombs. It might be good to get rid of anything that might have attached to me."
Xu Qingqing was truly thinking of Lu Chuanbai. If she really left with Lu Chuanbai,
Qin Hongying would probably be heart - broken, thinking that Lu Chuanbai was ungrateful and had betrayed her kindness in the past.
Hearing Xu Qingqing's words, Lu Chuanbai's heart softened even more. The doting and tenderness in his eyes were like the spring breeze melting the rain, as if he wanted to completely embrace Xu Qingqing.
"You're right. I also want to thank Buddha for sending me such an understanding wife."
Lu Chuanbai held Xu Qingqing's hand and confessed sincerely.
Hearing this, Qin Hongying, who was walking in front, coughed heavily and warned coldly.
"This is a sacred Buddhist place. You two should behave yourselves."
Pulling and tugging at the feet of Buddha. They really didn't know any rules!
Lu Chuanbai and Xu Qingqing smiled, and their clasped hands tightened.
Xu An'an was angry and wanted to stand up for Xu Qingqing. She deliberately reached out her little hand to pull Xu Yiyi's arm, kissed and hugged him, and said in a coquettish voice to annoy Qin Hongying.
"Brother, I like you so much! Muah!"
Hearing the sound of Xu An'an's kiss, Qin Hongying sighed deeply. She comforted herself in her heart that Buddha wouldn't blame a child and tried hard to suppress her anger.
She used to like these two cute kids very much, but unexpectedly, they took after their mother and liked to cause trouble.
Xu Yiyi helplessly endured his sister's kisses. His face was covered in saliva. He expressionlessly took out a wet tissue to wipe his face.
Xu An'an showed a victorious smile, gave Xu Yiyi a thumbs - up, and whispered in his ear.
"Great, brother. Did you see the old witch's angry face? It's so satisfying."
"You!"
Xu Yiyi reached out his chubby little hand and tapped Xu An'an's nose, scolding her like an old man.
"Behave yourself."
Qin Hongying led Xu Qingqing and the others to the place where the abbot meditated and explained their purpose.
She even pushed Xu Qingqing in front of the abbot and rambled on.
"Master, she's the one I want to purify. She has the same job as my useless son. She deals with dead things all year round."
"Even worse, she goes to tombs for archaeological work! You must get rid of the bad luck on her!"
Qin Hongying's disdainful tone belittled Xu Qingqing as if her job was something shameful.
Xu Qingqing was embarrassed and speechless. She tried hard to suppress the urge to roll her eyes and could only comfort herself in her heart that she should tolerate the diversity of people.
The master was a kind - faced old man with white hair and beard. The long eyebrows at the end of his eyes even drooped down to his chin, giving people a sacred and unapproachable feeling.
The master sized Xu Qingqing up and down. Although his gaze was inquisitive, Xu Qingqing didn't feel repelled. Instead, she thought his gaze was very gentle.