Tang Xiaoxiao leaned obediently in her arms, her long and curled eyelashes trembling slightly, her big eyes staring at the Buddha statue curiously, and her small hands gently grasping Luo Shuhe's collar.
Gu Luo walked to the incense table, imitated the old man, took three incense sticks and lit them. The flames reflected in his eyes. When he bowed to the Buddha statue, his movements were very solemn - when he was a child, he didn't understand many things, and his heart could only hold one person. If he were born again, his heart would have many more concerns that he couldn't let go of.
After watching him burn incense, Mr. Zhao turned around and walked to the wooden cabinet on the side of the hall and took out an old wooden chair.
The armrests of the chair were polished to a shine, and there was a small patch on the leg. He moved it steadily, walked to Luo Shuhe, pointed at the chair, and softened his voice: "Put the baby here, don't tire yourself out."
Luo Shuhe thanked him softly and carefully carried Tang Xiaoxiao to the chair.
After Tang Xiaoxiao sat down, she grabbed the edge of the chair with her little hands and looked up at Old Man Zhao with pure curiosity in her eyes.
The other sisters had the same idea. It was clearly a temple and there was a Buddha statue enshrined there, but the old man was not a monk.
But this question is not appropriate to ask right now, so I'd better wait and find Gu Luo to find out the answer.
At this time, Old Master Zhao touched Tang Xiaoxiao's head kindly, and took a few bundles of incense sticks from the incense table and distributed them to everyone - when giving them to Luo Shuhe, he deliberately handed an extra stick and asked her to hold it for Tang Xiaoxiao; when giving them to Gu Ximan, he also helped her light the match.
The younger sisters followed Gu Luo's example and stood in front of the incense table, holding incense.
Gu Ximan stood on tiptoe, trying to raise the incense as high as others, her eyes fixed on Gu Luo's movements, afraid of making any mistakes; Lu Xuexue secretly glanced at Tang Xiaoxiao before closing her eyes; Luo Shuning had a solemn expression, his back straight; Luo Shuling's usual carefreeness was restrained, his face full of seriousness; Luo Shuhe burned two sticks of incense and completed the bowing action for Tang Xiaoxiao.
He did not kneel, but simply bent down slightly, letting the smoke from the incense sticks rise up, mixing with the faint sandalwood in the hall, and drifting into the sunlight leaking through the skylight.
Everyone was thinking the same thing this time - they hoped that Tang Xiaoxiao could stand up as soon as possible, run on the grass like other children, and no longer have to rely on a wheelchair.
Tang Xiaoxiao sat on a chair, looking at the backs of her brothers and sisters, then at the gentle eyes and brows of the Buddha statue. Suddenly, she stretched out her little hand and grabbed Luo Shuhe's hand hanging by her side.
Luo Shuhe narrowed his eyes and revealed a rare gentle smile.
Old Master Zhao stood aside, watching this scene, feeling sad. He turned around and pretended to tidy up the things on the incense table - this generation of people hates to see their children's hopes the most, and they also hope that their children can be well.
The main hall was silent, with only the sizzling sound of burning incense and the occasional gentle breathing of the sisters.
The rising smoke seemed to wrap up everyone's wishes, drifting away into the distance and into everyone's heart, leaving behind a warm expectation.
After everything was over, Luo Shuhe whispered to Old Man Zhao, "Grandpa Zhao, how much are these incense sticks?... Also, we want to donate some money to the temple as a token of our appreciation."
Originally, she had no intention of donating money, but when she heard Gu Luo say that he always ate and drank here when he was a child, she had the urge to repay the favor.
Old Master Zhao was wiping the ash from the edge of the incense burner with a cloth. Upon hearing this, he stood up, waved his hand, and a hearty laugh echoed in the quiet main hall: "Haha, no need. What are a few broken incense sticks worth?"
He waved his skinny hand in the air, his tone full of magnanimity that wouldn't tolerate refusal, "This temple doesn't lack this little money."
Gu Luo took a step forward, his eyes falling on the old man's increasingly sparse white hair at the temples, and he also said: "Grandpa Zhao, I have been so grateful for your care in the past. I always come to stay..."
But before he could finish his words, Mr. Zhao raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Hey, why bring that up?"
Mr. Zhao spoke with a hint of pride. "My two children both work in Beijing. One is a doctor, the other is a researcher. They're so promising! They send me money every month. I'm an old man, I can't eat or wear much, but the money is piling up in my bank account. I can't spend it all. I never can."
As he spoke, he patted his pockets, and satisfaction was evident in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
Gu Luo looked at the smile on his face, then glanced at the lonely stone bench in the corner of the yard and the wishing tree in the side yard that few people visited. After thinking for a while, he stopped forcing it and curled his lips:
"Grandpa Zhao, can I play a few games of chess with you? I've seen you play with others since I was a kid."
As soon as these words came out, Mr. Zhao's eyes lit up instantly. He rubbed his hands and said with a smile, "Alright, this is a good opportunity for you to see my chess skills. I will definitely defeat you!"
As he spoke, he turned and walked towards the wooden cabinet at the back of the main hall, his steps carrying a brisk rhythm.
Gu Luo smiled and said to his sisters, "You guys go walk around the yard. I'll chat with Grandpa Zhao alone."
"OK."
The sisters responded and walked out of the main hall, leaving the space to the old man and the young man who had not seen each other for many years.
After looking around, his eyes fell on the wishing tree in the side yard.
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