sbdcsierra Chapter 479 A man is a boy until he dies
Chapter 479 A man is a boy until he dies
Chapter 479 A man is a boy until he dies
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the school's security room was empty, and the entrance was deserted, as if time itself had slowed down.
Unable to enter the campus, Yu Huan and Lin Yourong could only ride their motorcycles slowly around the towering iron fence, taking a short detour.
“Honey, look, that’s the junior high school building.” Yu Huan said excitedly, introducing it to the students. “The exterior was just renovated last year. Look at the walls and the windows, it looks brand new, like it was built just a day ago.”
Lin Yourong looked in the direction Yu Huan was looking.
Through the wide gaps in the fence, a four-story teaching building came into view.
The white exterior bricks reflect a soft and warm glow under the gentle caress of the sunlight.
“Honey, look, the second classroom from the left on the third floor, that’s where I was in my third year of junior high,” Yu Huan said with a nostalgic look in her eyes and a smile on her lips. “Our school was like this: every time we moved up a grade, we would move up one floor.”
Lin Yourong smiled and replied, "It was the same when I was in junior high school. Every time I moved up a grade, I had to go to a different floor... The feeling of climbing step by step as I got higher in the grade was like taking a step towards growth with every step."
Yu Huan nodded slightly, deeply agreeing, and said with emotion, "That's exactly how it feels. Back then, I always looked forward to growing up, but now that I'm grown up, I'm busy making a living every day, and I've started to miss those days."
As we talked, we passed by the playground.
Yu Huan looked at the basketball hoops on the playground and started talking: "In the past, during the ten-minute break between classes, my buddies and I would always rush here with our basketballs. Once we started playing, we would forget about the time and only rush back when the bell rang. We were caught by our homeroom teacher several times and ended up being punished by standing in the corner all afternoon."
"Looks like you were a mischievous kid when you were in school."
"I'm really not being naughty, am I? I don't form gangs, fight, or date at school."
Lin Yourong said half-jokingly, "Your parents are both teachers at this school. With them keeping an eye on you, of course you wouldn't dare to let yourself go."
"There's no such thing as 'letting yourself go.' When I was a kid, I got a lot of beatings from my parents." Yu Huan shrugged.
Lin Yourong chuckled.
For Yu Huan, every corner of this village and town was so familiar that it seemed there was nothing new that could arouse his curiosity.
However, for Lin Yourong, everything here was like a completely new world, full of unknowns. She couldn't take it all in, looking around curiously at everything.
After leaving school, the young couple strolled around the town at their leisure.
Yu Huan didn't rush to complete the task of getting wine for her grandfather. Instead, she decided to take Lin Yourong to visit the rather large Taoist temple.
The Taoist temple stands beside the asphalt road, built against the mountain. Its vermilion gate can be seen from afar, and it is very imposing.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the weather was bright and sunny, and many people brought their families to burn incense and worship the gods.
The small square in front of the Taoist temple was bustling with activity. Many children were laughing, playing, chasing each other, and shouting, creating a festive atmosphere.
Yu Huan parked the motorcycle steadily on the roadside not far away.
The two took off their helmets, put on masks, held hands, and walked briskly toward the Taoist temple.
As soon as you get close, a rich aroma of incense wafts over, mixed with wisps of sandalwood, instantly calming your mind and making you feel peaceful, as if all your troubles have been dispelled by the fragrance.
Yu Huan took a deep breath and said contentedly, "This Taoist temple has a long history. My grandfather said that it already existed when he was a child. Every year on the first day of the lunar new year, there are always a lot of people coming here to pray for blessings."
Lin Yourong surveyed both sides of the gate from afar.
The two stone lions are majestic and awe-inspiring.
With a smile in her voice, she said softly, "Then let's burn some incense too, hoping that in the new year we can all have a smooth and peaceful year, and that our family members will all be healthy."
Yu Huan replied without hesitation, "Okay, let's go and share in the blessings of this Taoist temple."
This Taoist temple does not require an entrance fee. To the left of the entrance is a female Taoist priest's incense stall, where three small incense sticks cost ten yuan, a very affordable price.
Yu Huan stepped forward, bought six sticks of incense, and handed three of them to Lin Yourong.
Although Yu Huan is usually a staunch materialist, he couldn't help but feel a little sincere when he was in the Taoist temple filled with a peaceful and praying atmosphere.
The young couple held hands and went straight to the main hall.
While waiting in line, Yu Huan noticed that many people were using the Buddhist gesture of putting their hands together in prayer to worship the Three Pure Ones. This peculiar scene made him unable to hold back his laughter and he almost burst out laughing.
Lin Yourong noticed the expression in his eyes and asked softly with some curiosity, "What's wrong?"
Yu Huan turned her head slightly, put her mouth close to Lin Yourong's ear, and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Look, their way of worshiping is wrong. This is a Taoist temple. When worshipping the Three Pure Ones, you should use the Taoist cupped-hand salute."
Lin Yourong followed Yu Huan's gaze and instantly caught this interesting scene as well.
With her eyes crinkling into crescents and a gentle smile playing on her lips beneath her mask, she responded softly, "People are probably just here to pray with sincere hearts, so the details of the ceremony aren't that important."
As the two spoke in hushed tones, the group moved forward at a leisurely pace, like a gently flowing stream.
Before long, Yu Huan and Lin Yourong completed the incense offering process in a very ordinary manner.
After leaving the main hall, the young couple strolled hand in hand through the serene corridors of the Taoist temple.
In the very center of the corridor is a small, exquisite pond.
The pool water was crystal clear, yet it was like a mirror, reflecting the surrounding scenery.
Although there were no fish swimming around, many grass turtles were comfortably lying on the rocks that protruded from the water, leisurely enjoying a sunbath. Their dark green shells gleamed in the sunlight, and they would occasionally shake their heads, looking very content.
These grass turtles don't seem to be afraid of people at all.
Not far away, a mischievous child of about five or six years old was enthusiastically throwing a bag of Want Want Little Buns at the turtle's back.
But the grass turtles remained unmoved, at most briefly retracting their heads before quickly sticking them out again, or taking a few bites of their small steamed buns before continuing to bask in the warm sunshine.
The young couple strolled leisurely through the Taoist temple, visiting both side halls before finally stepping out of the temple gate.
They walked leisurely to the motorcycle. Yu Huan skillfully mounted the motorcycle, and Lin Yourong gently lifted the corner of her clothes and sat neatly on the back seat.
The young couple, without even taking off their masks, immediately put their helmets over their heads. Lin Yourong stretched out her arms and firmly wrapped them around Yu Huan's waist, leaning forward slightly, and whispered, "Where are we going next?"
At this moment, Yu Huan had thoroughly enjoyed riding his motorcycle.
With a relaxed and cheerful smile in his eyes, he said, "Let's go to the winery to buy some wine, and then go home to rest. We'll probably have dinner a little early tonight, because I still need to take you to the cemetery to pay respects to Grandma before dawn."
Hearing this, Lin Yourong nodded obediently and replied softly, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
Yu Huan took out her phone, turned on the screen, checked the time, and said, "It's already 3:27, it's about time to go home."
He put his phone in his pocket and started the motorcycle.
The engine emitted a deep, powerful roar, instantly shattering the surrounding tranquility.
Bathed in the setting sun, they retraced their steps back home.
Before long, they arrived at the town's winery.
At the entrance of the distillery, the owner, Grandpa Chen, sat steadily in a chair, holding his two- or three-year-old granddaughter in his arms, his face beaming with a doting smile.
The little guy was innocent and carefree, swaying left and right to avoid the prickly stubble, his silvery "giggle" laughter clear and melodious.
Yu Huan parked his motorcycle on one side of the entrance.
The two men took off their helmets and walked into the distillery one after the other.
As soon as you step through the door, a rich and mellow aroma of grain liquor seeps through your mask and into your nostrils, making you feel intoxicated by its fragrance.
Yu Huan knew that Grandpa Chen's hearing wasn't very good, so she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Grandpa Chen! Happy New Year!"
Upon hearing the sound, Grandpa Chen quickly turned his head.
His gaze first fell on Yu Huan's tall and slender figure, and then, combined with that familiar voice, even though Yu Huan was wearing a mask, Grandpa Chen recognized him immediately.
Grandpa Chen quickly and gently put his granddaughter down, a warm smile spreading across his face.
As he stood up, he called out loudly, "Hey, Xiao Yu, long time no see! Did you go home for the New Year?"
Yu Huan replied cheerfully, "Yes, I'm going home for the New Year. I'm here to get some wine for my grandpa; he really enjoys it."
Grandpa Chen chuckled, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Lin Yourong behind Yu Huan. A hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes as he asked, "Young Yu, who is this...?"
Yu Huan naturally pulled Lin Yourong to her side and said with a smile, "This is my girlfriend."
"Happy New Year." Lin Yourong greeted him gracefully, her voice soft yet clear.
Grandpa Chen nodded repeatedly, his smile widening: "Happy New Year, Happy New Year! This girl is so tall and beautiful, she and you look so well-matched!" He paused, then changed the subject: "Little Yu, I've heard you've become quite famous lately!"
Upon hearing this, Yu Huan quickly waved his hand and said, "Don't joke with me. I'm not famous at all, I'm just lucky."
Grandpa Chen walked up to the two of them with slightly unsteady but still steady steps.
The old man said with great interest, "You say you're not famous? I've heard people say you're doing very well outside, and many people know your name! You even have a very famous nickname... Our village is so proud to have such a successful person like you!"
Yu Huan coughed lightly, cleverly changing the subject, and asked with a smile, "How's business now that it's almost Chinese New Year?"
Grandpa Chen turned his head and glanced at his little granddaughter.
I saw her lying on the chair, engrossed in playing with a small toy in her hand, having a great time, and only then did I feel relieved.
He turned around, beaming, and said, "Business is definitely booming during the New Year! Lately, so many people have been coming to buy liquor, the doorstep is practically worn out. Sometimes I'm so busy I barely have time to breathe, it's really tiring. But it's worth it, making money makes me happy!"
Grandpa Chen turned and walked towards the wine vat. He lifted the lid, and an increasingly rich and mellow aroma of wine instantly filled the air.
As he skillfully prepared the tools for dispensing the liquor, he turned to Yu Huan and asked, "The usual, shall we?"
“Okay,” Yu Huan nodded, then added, “This time, could you please give me twenty jin? My grandfather is planning to make some medicinal wine with it.”
"Sure!" Grandpa Chen replied readily with a kind smile.
Before long, Yu Huan picked up a sturdy plastic bag in each hand. Inside the bags were a large 10-pound bottle and a small 3-pound bottle that came with it. They were quite heavy.
After leaving the distillery, Yu Huan turned to Lin Yourong beside him and said with a big smile, "Why don't you ride it back? I'll sit in the back and carry the wine."
This Honda Forsa motorcycle doesn't have the flat footrests common in electric bikes; instead, it has a keel frame structure with narrow sides, leaving virtually no room to put anything.
Lin Yourong looked down at Yu Huan's full hands, then at the motorcycle, and shook her head, her soft hair swaying gently.
"You ride it, I'll get the wine." Her voice was soft, but with a hint of determination.
Yu Huan shook the bags in his hands and handed them to Lin Yourong with a teasing smile, saying jokingly, "Sure, my wife is no weak woman—she's just as capable as any man!"
Lin Yourong deftly took the two plastic bags, then gave him a playful glare and said, "You're all talk. How heavy can these bottles of liquor be? I haven't ridden a motorcycle in ages. If I were to carry you, we might accidentally fall flat on our faces. That would be so unlucky, especially during the New Year."
"My wife is absolutely right. When we get home, I'll treat you to a good meal, my 'knight in shining armor'," Yu Huan said, bowing and scraping, before turning and straddling the motorcycle.
These humorous words made Lin Yourong burst into laughter.
Yu Huan didn't rush to start the engine, but instead turned around and helped her put on her helmet first.
He tapped the cold, hard helmet with a "thump-thump," looked at the pair of bright, captivating almond-shaped eyes behind the visor, and said humorously, "Guardian Knight of Wine—Fully Armed!"
"Childish." Lin Yourong immediately rolled her eyes at him.
However, despite being heavily covered by a mask and helmet, her mouth revealed a bright smile.
Yu Huan turned around, turned the key, and said with a smile, "A man is a boy until he dies," before driving his wife home.
(End of this chapter)