"Teacher Liu, are you free?"
"how?"
"Hehe, come out with us when you have time, let's go hiking."
"Well... I have something to do right now, let's do it another day."
"What's wrong? I saw you trying to close the shop when I came over. Where are you going?"
"Ahem, of course it's work-related. I have to go to a villager's house in the countryside to perform a ritual."
"Hmph, I don't believe it," Wang Ling glared.
Her two best friends were also urging me to go, but I definitely wouldn't. Climbing up with three women just felt a bit awkward. Just then, a leader from the town government passed by and asked me to go to the government office to discuss something.
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Hehe, you see, I had something to do. We'll go another day." After saying that, I got into the leader's car and went to the government building.
When I got there, I found out that there was some kind of Bashu Culture Exchange Conference that was going to be held in our city. The county had specifically asked me to go, saying that my family has a long history and is a continuation of the ancient culture of Sichuan.
Although I am well aware that the so-called cultural exchange conference is nothing more than a tool for a group of intellectuals and politicians to save face, all they do is give a speech, have a meal, and wander around. That's what they call an exchange.
But since the county has spoken, I can't very well not go. Anyway, the government will reimburse all the expenses, so I'll just treat it as a free meal and a chance to do some sightseeing. Hehe! It would be foolish not to take advantage of such a great deal.
The date is the day after tomorrow, which means I have to go to the city tomorrow. Before I left, the town mayor specifically told me to promote our place well, saying that it is the hometown of talented people and heroes.
Of course, I readily agreed. I was just there to make up the numbers. I went home, told my mom, and packed my bags. I was basically just packing some clothes. The event would last two or three days, so I'd have plenty of time to play.
Two days later, I took a car from the town government to the county to meet up with people from several other towns. I also wanted to listen to the leaders' speeches and hear some of their directives. Coincidentally, the education bureau official was also there. What surprised me even more was that Wang Ling also came, saying that she was going to the city to have some fun and could also be my secretary.
When Guo Gang saw me, he specifically asked me if that matter had been settled. I readily agreed and brushed it off, saying that I was still waiting for an opportunity and it depended on the timing.
Guo Gang believed him and, with a big smile, invited me to his house for a visit and a meal. Of course, I wouldn't go. I made up an excuse to decline and then took the bus chartered by the county with the others to the city.
Those who went with me, apart from two younger people, were all old men, only five or six people in total, the rest of whom were leaders.
When Wang Ling arrived, she was all smiles and sat down next to me, looking very close. "It's really funny that you, a Taoist priest, were sent on a cultural exchange program. What kind of exchange? Are you suggesting we exchange tips on how to catch ghosts and dig up graves?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I told you," I replied with a light laugh. There were so many leaders in the car; it wouldn't be appropriate to say certain things.
An old man sitting in front of me stood up and asked, "Are you surnamed Liu?"
"Yes, my surname is Liu," I nodded.
"Oh, I see. You are a descendant of Master Liu. I knew your father back then and had some dealings with him. I know your family's abilities. Your father died young. I didn't expect you to be so old now. Time really flies."
I chatted with the old man and learned that he is a research enthusiast of ancient Shu culture and is quite famous in this field.
It took about two hours to get to the city. My accommodation had already been arranged, but the problem was that Wang Ling was also going to stay there. I had been given a single room, so were we going to have to sleep together...?
There's no way to reason with women, especially when they're angry. I paid for another room myself, and only then did I settle down. I planned to take a nap and then go out for a stroll. It's a rare opportunity to come to the city, so of course I wanted to have some fun.
As expected, just as I was about to go out, Wang Ling arrived and dragged me shopping without saying a word. Shopping with a woman is a terrifying thing, at least for me. Just like buying clothes, I basically don't haggle or care about the quality. As long as it fits and looks good, that's enough. After buying what I need, I leave.
As it turned out, my idea was correct. Shopping with her took more than an hour to buy just one piece of clothing, and then we had to go to KFC for a meal. In short, it was already evening when we got back, and everyone else was waiting for us, saying that their boss was treating us to a meal.
Hehe, why not eat it if it's free? The boss is treating, so it has to be a five-star restaurant. But then again, aren't they using taxpayers' money, the people's money? I'm just getting my money back.
The group took a car to a five-star hotel. It was my first time visiting such a high-class hotel. Not only was the interior decoration luxurious, but the waitresses were all beautiful. The others were obviously in a similar situation to me, and for a moment they all became a little reserved and uncomfortable.
The meal lasted two or three hours, and we drank quite a bit of alcohol, mostly Wuliangye. However, I didn't get drunk, but the others were already slumped over the table. Several leaders were also flushed and drunkenly shouting that they were going to go to a sauna.
Back at the hotel, I took a shower and went online. I like to browse forums online and joined some groups with similar interests. As soon as I logged onto QQ, I saw someone in one of the groups post a message: "Do you believe in gods?"
The result was obvious: almost no one else believed it. Out of curiosity, I replied, "Do you really believe it?"
"I believe that there are gods in this world, and there were once Shu immortals in Sichuan."
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