It has a very strong incense smell.

Although Zhou Chu didn't like the taste, he didn't hate it either.

The mountain gate was very tall, which to some extent highlighted the desolation inside.

There were only two Taoist priests sweeping up the fallen leaves.

There are always a lot of fallen leaves on the mountain, and every time you sweep them up, they quickly pile up again.

The statue of Mazu is located in the very center of the main hall.

A kind-faced old lady.

He didn't know if all Mazu statues were like this, but this was how it looked in front of him.

There were more than a dozen cushions in front of him, but only Gao Qinyi and an old woman were kneeling on them.

The old woman used her wrinkled hands to stick incense, bowing repeatedly while muttering something unintelligible.

Gao Qinyi tugged at him and gave him a wink, urging him to kneel down immediately.

After offering some incense money, Gao Qinyi solemnly began to worship.

His brows furrowed slightly, his lips moved gently, and his peach blossom eyes seemed to be looking at the statue, yet also seemed to be scattered throughout the air.

This kind of atmosphere can really make people lose their focus.

Zhou Chu was momentarily dazed.

who I am?

Where did I come from?

Where do I go?

Until his gaze fell on Gao Qinyi.

He finally came to his senses.

Gao Qinyi is like his origin; no matter what the problem is, it will be solved as soon as he sees her.

Just then, Gao Qinyi also looked at him.

Seeing that he hadn't started to kneel and worship yet, she gently tugged at his clothes.

He then realized that some things didn't require him to consider whether they were worth doing.

Just follow her instructions.

The main hall was silent; no one spoke loudly, and Zhou Chu dared not look around.

"Let's go." Gao Qinyi strode towards the outside of the hall.

Gao Qinyi only breathed a sigh of relief after she walked out of the main hall.

"It smelled nice at first, but it became unbearable towards the end." Gao Qinyi pinched her nose and then exhaled.

Take another deep breath, pinch it closed, and then exhale.

After repeating this several times, the aroma faded considerably.

"Inhale." Gao Qinyi reacted quickly, pinching his nose and covering his mouth just as he was about to vomit.

Zhou Chu could clearly feel the softness and smoothness of her palm.

It's like a piece of warm jade.

It's just...

He gently patted Gao Qinyi's hand, signaling her not to squeeze so tightly, or his nose would be pulled off!

"How can you not hold on tighter?" Gao Qinyi only let go of his hand after she clearly saw his face start to turn red.

He finally got a chance to catch his breath and took a few deep breaths of fresh air.

I must say, the scent of incense has noticeably faded!

"One more time." Gao Qinyi pretended to pinch his nose again.

Zhou Chu hurriedly pushed him away, not wanting his nose to actually be pulled off: "I know how to fix it."

The young Taoist priests in the temple were neither humble nor arrogant; even when passing by them, they would only bow slightly.

"Could you show us your residence?" Gao Qinyi stopped the young Taoist priest, scratching her head somewhat embarrassedly. "We haven't seen what the Taoist priest's residence looks like yet, and we're quite curious."

"Please follow me, benefactor." The young Taoist priest raised his head, glanced at them quickly, then lowered his head again and led the way for them.

The residence was behind the main hall. The Taoist priest didn't say anything and led them straight in.

Although it was very old and worn, it was also very clean, and you could tell it was cleaned regularly.

Gao Qinyi was too afraid to step on the spotless ground, so she could only tiptoe and follow the Taoist priest inside.

Even so, there was still noise, quite unlike the little Taoist priest wearing cloth shoes.

Seeing Gao Qinyi's tense and inquisitive expression, Zhou Chu felt embarrassed to disturb her.

I could only follow her inside.

"Are you two a couple?"

Gao Qinyi was momentarily speechless when she heard the word.

Indeed, who would call their boyfriend/girlfriend a "couple" these days?

Zhou Chu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The moment he nodded, Gao Qinyi also nodded.

The young Taoist priest couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle when he saw this.

"That's a good match."

Gao Qinyi also lowered her head and smiled slightly, extending a hand towards Zhou Chu.

He had an encouraging expression on his face, as if he was being encouraged to take the hand.

I definitely need to hold it.

Zhou Chu grabbed her hand.

She grabbed his fingers and held them together.

It was a very strong force, as if afraid he would break free and run away.

Of course, he couldn't admit defeat!

Soon, holding hands turned into a struggle; Gao Qinyi's fingers were slender but with distinct knuckles, creating a very obvious sense of pressure.

Even though her face turned red, it couldn't completely break down Zhou Chu's defenses.

She made no comment and continued to follow the young Taoist priest inside.

Zhou Chu could only relax a little, but she instantly turned the tables and won.

"Ouch~ It hurts." Zhou Chu could only pretend to be in pain to stop her from using force.

Perhaps his acting was too realistic, because Gao Qinyi actually believed it!

She looked smug and proud, swinging his hand back and forth as she held it.

Of course, the swing was very small, after all, this is a Taoist temple.

It looks small from the outside, but its size becomes apparent once you come inside.

There are two rows of dormitories.

But they clearly didn't see so many Taoist priests when they went up the mountain.

"These dormitories..."

"Only my senior brother and I are left." The young Taoist priest looked out of the temple.

It should be the other Taoist priest I saw at the temple entrance.

“We can do some promotion,” Gao Qinyi replied without hesitation.

"It's no use." The young Taoist priest looked neither sad nor happy, but his expression was somewhat forlorn: "The times."

Two very simple words, yet they fully express his heartache.

In fact, most Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries across the country are the same, so they mostly develop side businesses.

Transforming it into a tourist attraction or establishing a martial arts school is not feasible; someone as stubborn as the young Taoist priest will never be able to revitalize it.

Zhou Chu gently squeezed her hand, signaling her to stop talking.

Gao Qinyi sighed and casually traced a few lines on the back of his hand with her fingers.

It feels a little itchy.

The dormitories are only allowed to be viewed from the outside and cannot be entered.

"Please return, benefactor."

Thank you.

Before descending the mountain steps, she turned back and looked at the Taoist temple one last time.

"Sister Qin, what did you wish for?" Zhou Chu asked casually.

It was obvious that Gao Qinyi's mood had dropped somewhat after learning that the temple was not very popular.

"Of course I can't tell you!" Gao Qinyi shook her head, her peach blossom eyes full of laughter. She raised her hand, which was tightly clasped with Zhou Chu's, and bumped it against his chest. "Besides, it won't work if I tell you."

"I see."

"So what did you wish for?"

"Like you, it's a secret."

The two walked down the mountain path.

The scenery of half the city can be seen at a glance.

"I forgot to tell you, there are still four spots available for undergraduate students on this visit, and I've already recommended you to the professor."

She gently brushed her wind-blown hair aside and revealed a sweet smile.