Redemption from the Abyss: The School Beauty Insists on Pulling Me Out of the Mire

The ancient cypress trees in the backyard of Lin'an Temple rustled in the cold winter wind.

The young boy and girl in the gray monk's robe walked over to the fortune teller in the distance.

"Both of you are still young. Judging from your appearance and bone structure, you should still be in your school years."

"In the rear hall of my Lin'an Temple, there is a consecrated golden statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva, who is in charge of wisdom and studies."

"If you encounter this auspicious sign twice, you might as well go to the back hall to burn incense and pray for a successful examination."

Su Qinghe put the tote bag containing the fortune slips back on his wrist and nodded slightly to the fortune teller in thanks.

Xie Wang actually had no reverence for these clay and golden statues of gods and Buddhas.

But this was, after all, a prayer for blessings the day before Lunar New Year's Eve. Looking at the curiosity in Su Qinghe's clear eyes, I thought I'd just go along with my teacher Su.

"Let's go, Teacher Su, let's go pray to Manjushri Bodhisattva and bless you to continue getting full marks on the science exam."

The two walked along the flagstone path past the main hall and headed towards the Manjushri Hall in the backyard, which was on slightly higher ground.

The towering golden statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva holds a wisdom sword, and his mount, a blue lion, stands on a lotus platform, his appearance solemn and dignified.

Su Qinghe walked to the prayer mat, put his hands together as required, closed his eyes, and silently recited his hopes for the future.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the corridor outside the main hall.

Lu Wen's burgundy cashmere coat was covered in snowflakes as he stepped over the high wooden threshold, panting.

He was carrying a huge pile of things in his arms, with six wooden bracelets strung together with red rope in his hands.

The beads of the bracelets collided with each other as they walked, making a crisp sound.

"Wangzi, sister-in-law, have you finished your prayers?"

Lu Wen ran up to them and stopped, raising the six bracelets in his hand to show them off.

Xie Wang looked at the strings of wooden beads that exuded the scent of sandalwood, and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Are you planning to go back to Jiangcheng and set up a fortune-telling stall? Why are you buying so much of this stuff?"

Lu Wen carefully held the bracelets back to his chest, his eyes sparkling with a smug satisfaction from his extravagant spending.

"What do you know? This is a bracelet that was personally blessed by that little monk in front of the Manjushri Hall. It is said to have miraculous effects on learning."

Lu Wen picked out the best quality string of beads and rubbed the Bodhisattva carving on it with his thumb.

"I paid a high price for this string of beads. I'll give it to Lin Lu after the New Year and pray that she will pass her art exam smoothly and get into the Communication University of China."

Upon hearing this, Xie Wang let out a low sneer, his eyes revealing a mockery he made no attempt to conceal.

"If the monks in this temple knew they had a rich and foolish customer like you, they'd probably treat you like a living god of wealth."

Lu Wen didn't feel defeated at all; instead, he proudly raised his chin.

"I'm happy, no amount of money can buy that."

After saying that, he shook the five remaining bracelets in his hand.

"These remaining five skewers, you two, Shen Hao and Xu You (the couple), and Lu Yi, take them to them when school starts."

Xie Wang joked,

"Then thank you, Young Master Lu, hahaha."

"It's no big deal, let's go eat!"

The three of them walked out of the main gate of Lin'an Temple and followed the long bluestone steps back to the open-air parking lot at the foot of the mountain.

The private restaurant that Lu Wen booked was located in a deep alley in Jiangcheng. It was a stand-alone courtyard house with a Jiangnan garden style.

The private room was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood incense, and the table was laden with exquisite Huaiyang cuisine.

The sweet and sour sauce of the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish gleamed enticingly in the white porcelain plate, while the clear broth of the stewed crab meat lion's head meatballs was crystal clear and exuded a rich meaty aroma.

As soon as Lu Wengang sat down, he couldn't wait to take out his phone, take a high-resolution photo of the six bracelets, and send it to their WeChat group.

He even added an arrogant caption to the photo.

"Brothers, the most efficacious Manjushri Bodhisattva blessed bracelet from Lin'an Temple in Jiangcheng is on me today. I'm treating everyone. If you want one, hurry up and kowtow to express your gratitude in the group."

The previously quiet atmosphere in the group was instantly ignited by this message, and message notification sounds rang out one after another in the private room.

Shen Hao was always the one at the forefront. He sent three kowtowing emojis and loudly declared that he would fight for a spot for Xu You.

Although Lin Lu was in the countryside, she couldn't help but roll her eyes in the group chat, complaining that Lu Wen was wasting money again.

Xu You: Wow! Thank you! (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑

Xie Wang watched Lu Wen holding his phone, grinning from ear to ear, and clicked his tongue softly.

The meal was very enjoyable. After paying the bill, Lu Wen said he needed to pick up some year-end reports and left first.

Xie Wang and Su Qinghe returned to the parking spot.

The carriage was quiet.

Su Qinghe keenly noticed the subtle change in his emotions.

"What's wrong?"

Su Qinghe turned her head to look at him.

Xie Wang lowered his eyelashes, his gaze falling on the still-running digital clock on the center console. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Teacher Su, tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, as if he were carefully choosing his words.

"I think I'll go back to the Genting Music Room for the New Year."

Su Qinghe paused, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. "Why?"

"It feels a little strange to spend the Chinese New Year at your house."

Su Qinghe understood the cautious resistance behind his words; it was a self-protective mechanism he had developed while covered in mud.

She unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to face the boy in the driver's seat, then slightly raised her chin and placed her hands on her slender waist.

"Xie Wang, look at me."

Xie Wang raised his head and met her firm and clear gaze.

"You're not an outsider. You're my boyfriend, personally approved by Su Qinghe. You're the person I brought home and who has my parents' approval."

Su Qinghe's tone was not loud, but every word carried an irrefutable logical force.

"At my parents' age, they really appreciate the energy of young people in the house. They've long treated you like a child."

She reached out and gently smoothed the fine wrinkle between Xie Wang's brows with her warm fingertips.

A sly smile flashed in Su Qinghe's eyes.

"Once your relationship with your father is completely repaired."

"At that time, we'll celebrate the New Year at your house, and I'll make dumplings for you, okay?"

Looking at the girl in front of him, Xie Wang's heart, which had been pounding in his chest, finally settled back down.

"Yes, Teacher Su, I understand."

Seeing that he had finally relented, Su Qinghe smiled with a triumphant smile.

"By the way, I wonder how the rice ball is doing at Lu's house. The poor thing must feel abandoned."

Xie Wang started the car.

"Tch, you don't need to pity that fat cat. It's probably having a great time right now."

Xie Wang kept her updated with the latest information while steering the car.

"The Lu family is very lively now. His parents came to Jiangcheng yesterday to spend the New Year with him."

Su Qinghe turned his head in surprise.

"Your uncle and aunt are here? Why doesn't Lu Yi just go back to Beijing for the New Year? Wouldn't it be more comfortable for the whole family to stay at home?"

Xie Wang chuckled softly.

"This is the tragedy of Master Lu."

"His parents felt that he had fallen behind in his studies too much because of what happened in Beijing, so they came to Jiangcheng this time to make sure he studied hard during the winter break."

Xie Wang stepped on the gas, and the car entered the ring road leading to the High-tech Zone.

"This kid is used to living alone in Jiangcheng, practicing the Eight Pieces of Brocade every day. Now he's suddenly being monitored by his parents 24/7. He's complaining to me on WeChat, saying that his artistic soul is being mercilessly slaughtered by the exam-oriented education system."

Su Qinghe couldn't help but burst out laughing.