The old man's hoe was placed on the bluestone slab beside him. The wooden handle was patinated and warm, showing that it had been used for many years.
The veins on the back of his hands were bulging, and there was some soil from farm work embedded in his fingers, but he was very slow in putting down the farm tools, as if he was afraid of disturbing the silence of the yard.
A few strands of his white hair were blown by the wind, revealing deep wrinkles on his forehead - those were the ravines carved by the years, but when he looked at Gu Luo, they were softened by the smile in his eyes.
"Is it...Xiao Luo?"
The old man's voice was like the friction of old pine wood, hoarse but powerful. His eyes were fixed on Gu Luo's face, as if he was comparing his memory with the appearance of the little boy who always came to eat and drink for free.
Gu Luo held Tang Xiaoxiao's arm and paused imperceptibly, his eyebrows slightly raised, and genuine surprise appeared in his eyes: "Grandpa Zhao, you still remember me."
After all, he hadn't been here for a long time since he left Cai Xin.
"I can't forget you." Old Master Zhao laughed, his chest shaking. "You used to come here so often, but you were so naughty. Not only did you not donate any money for the incense offerings, you also ate and took things for free. You even plucked the fruits from the trees, and even took the pickles I made. You're a real bandit reincarnated."
"......cough."
Gu Luo felt a little embarrassed. He lowered his head to look at Tang Xiaoxiao who was leaning obediently in his arms, and glanced at his sisters who were trying to hold back their laughter behind him. It must be embarrassing to be reminded of his childhood embarrassment in front of his sisters.
Hearing this, Gu Ximan couldn't help but burst out laughing at first, then quickly covered her mouth, but her shoulders were still shaking slightly.
Luo Shuning and Lu Xuexue also had smiles in their eyes. Luo Shuling even leaned close to Luo Shuhe's ear and whispered with a smile, "So brother used to be so good at housekeeping."
Well, it works very well for household use.
Luo Shuhe still had that icy beauty demeanor and ignored her sister, but the corners of her mouth also rose slightly, barely perceptible.
Gu Luo awkwardly tried to use his toes to dig out a three-bedroom, one-living-room apartment for Old Man Zhao. Just as he was about to make a few words of explanation, he saw Old Man Zhao's gaze pass over him and slowly sweep over the six girls - from Gu Luo's well-behaved posture holding Tang Xiaoxiao, to Luo Shuhe's calm and pretty face, followed by Luo Shuning with a gentle face, Luo Shuling who was still laughing, and finally landed steadily on Gu Ximan and Lu Xuexue.
"Which one of you is Xiao Man?"
The old man's voice became slower and his eyes became more gentle.
"...Ah." Gu Ximan was slightly stunned, like a student whose name was suddenly called by the teacher in class. Then she reacted quickly and raised her hand, curling her fingertips like a little claw: "Zhao...Grandpa Zhao, it's me."
She even straightened her chest to make herself look more energetic.
I was curious why this old man knew me.
At this time, Mr. Zhao walked over slowly and walked around her half a circle.
His eyes swept from her rosy face and neatly tied twin ponytails to her whole body. Finally, she nodded, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes gradually relaxed.
Then he turned around and walked towards the main hall without saying anything.
Gu Ximan was even more confused. She blinked her big eyes and looked at Gu Luo. Her hand unconsciously tugged at the corner of his clothes: "Stinky brother, what...what's going on?"
"How does Grandpa Zhao know me?"
Gu Luo suppressed his laughter and reached out to rub her hair: "I mentioned you to Grandpa Zhao before. Let's go in and take a look."
He was the first to catch up with the old man, holding Tang Xiaoxiao in his arms, followed closely by Luo Shuhe. Lu Xuexue quietly pulled the still confused Gu Ximan, while Luo Shuning and Luo Shuling looked curiously at the path leading to the main hall - moss grew in the cracks of the stone slabs, and there were several pots of neatly trimmed flowers and plants on both sides, which showed that it was well cared for.
The wooden door of the main hall was ajar, and it made a creaking sound when it was pushed open.
The light in the hall was a little dim, with only a beam of sunlight leaking through the skylight on the roof, falling right on the Buddha statue in the center.
It was an unknown Buddha statue, with delicate folds in its clothing. Although the paint had peeled off in some places, it still had a kind face and seemed to have compassion in its eyes.
There was an old incense burner on the incense table with a few burnt incense sticks stuck in it. A cloth bag filled with incense ash was placed on the corner of the table, and a half-empty box of matches was placed next to it.
Old Master Zhao took out a bundle of incense sticks from under the incense table, pulled out three sticks, and lit them with a match.
The flames shot up, and he blew on them. After the sparks stabilized, he held the incense in both hands and bowed three times to the Buddha statue with a pious gesture.
Incense ash fell onto the incense table. He carefully inserted the incense into the incense burner, holding it straight. Then he closed his eyes and stood for a moment, his brow relaxed, as if he had completed a task on his mind.
Gu Luo immediately understood what this meant - fulfilling a vow.
He gently supported Tang Xiaoxiao's knees and handed her to Luo Shuhe's arms.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
