CHAPTER 465: 218. NEW YEAR IN IWATE PREFECTURE: SHRINE VISIT (15)

"Let’s go worship, and then we can head back," Dubian Che said.

The three of them walked toward the worship hall at the end of the approach.

Among the starlight and bonfire light, people who knew each other were exchanging New Year’s greetings.

The hall was up a flight of about a dozen steps, packed with worshippers; the trio lined up at the very end.

The people standing behind them would instinctively keep a few steps away.

Though the two young ladies weren’t dressed in extravagant, expensive kimonos, their long-cultivated habits, as well as their beauty, which surpassed everyone else’s, naturally created a sense of distance.

As for Dubian Che...

With that handsome face, if he wasn’t stingy with smiles, even if he wore modern clothes sitting in the hall ahead, it’s likely many women would see no issue with it.

Every minute or two, the crowd would move up a step.

People would stand side by side in a row, throwing five-yen coins, make a clasp with their hands to wish, and then step aside for the next row.

Dubian Che watched this repetitive process, boredly thinking:

Does God really like this?

For example, if God Kiyono, dressed in fancy clothes, sat inside the hall right now, listening to people’s wishes wave after wave, wouldn’t he become impatient?

He’d likely say, "Please try your best on your own."

And if God himself were more famous, he might be busy with several shrines at the same time, a lot like a bank clerk receiving commissions.

Thinking this way, the hall really seemed like the service counter of a bank, like being visited in prison.

Imagining Kiyono Lin being visited in prison, Dubian Che couldn’t help but laugh.

Jiutiao Meijie looked over and asked with furrowed brows, "What’s so funny?"

"Listen to this..." Dubian Che shared his recent thoughts with the two of them, except for the last part.

Afterward, he added:

"So it’s best not to make complicated, meticulous wishes. Keep it simple and clear; God might be so pleased that he agrees. For example: Give me a hundred billion, live forever..."

"Mr. Dubian, do you really understand the meaning of simple and clear?" Kiyono Lin interrupted Dubian Che’s daydreaming.

"Isn’t ’Give me a hundred billion’ simpler and clearer than ’wishing for my parents’ health, my child’s academic success, and my promotion and raise’?" Dubian Che asked.

"What you’re referring to is mere superficial simplicity and clarity," Jiutiao Meijie said.

"Oh, player Mei has something to say, please go on," Dubian Che, playing host during the dull wait in line, urged.

Jiutiao Meijie crossed her arms: "To a god, simple and clear wishes should be like ’own a doll’ or ’take a trip’."

"I see," Dubian Che nodded and then turned to Kiyono Lin, "Player Kiyono, what’s your opinion?"

"The same as Jiutiao."

"The two of you really are on the same wavelength, as expected from people who were once married."

After saying that, Dubian Che got his foot stepped on by Jiutiao Meijie.

"I advise you to choose your words wisely, Dubian Che," Kiyono Lin eyed him as well, her smile gentle.

"I am guilty, I repent, my mistake, I am sorry." Dubian Che raised his hands in surrender, pretending his foot was in pain.

He said, "I was just trying to liven up the New Year’s atmosphere, don’t take it seriously. By the way, I was wondering how the New Year’s is for a wealthy person like Miss Meijie?"

"What else could it be? Relatives, friends from work, subordinates, one after another paying New Year’s visits." Jiutiao Meijie’s expression darkened slightly when talking about this subject.

It seemed like Miss Meijie herself wasn’t very fond of the wealthy family’s New Year’s celebration.

"That sounds tough," Dubian Che exclaimed without a hint of sympathy.

"Speaking of New Year’s visits, I’m reminded of something," Jiutiao Meijie smiled.

"Oh? Do tell!" Dubian Che continued to play the role of the host.

Jiutiao Meijie smilingly gestured toward Dubian Che: "Hand over your phone."

"..."

"Quickly." The open palm gestured with a curl.

Dubian Che reached for his phone, glancing at Kiyono Lin from the corner of his eye.

Lord Kiyono showed no sympathy and even seemed quite approving of Jiutiao Meijie’s actions, watching with interest as Dubian Che reluctantly took out his phone.

’God! Any god! My New Year’s wish is: may Sister not send nudes, or nudes, or even more nudes!’

The phone was passed into Jiutiao Meijie’s snow-white slender hand.

The screen was already filled with New Year’s greetings.

Jiutiao Meijie opened Line, and Kiyono Lin looked over; Jiutiao Meijie glanced at her.

"You’re probably going to need my help," said Kiyono Lin, as if talking to herself while gazing at the phone screen.

Jiutiao Meijie looked at her deeply, silent and opened the first message.

Dubian Che: "..."

Ladies and gentlemen, when God and the devil stand shoulder to shoulder, and a gentle breeze entwines their hair, the world... becomes hell.

"Who’s this Miyazaki?" Jiutiao Meijie inquired.

"Wind Instrument Club, the leader of the Saxophone section," Kiyono Lin answered.

"And this?" Jiutiao Meijie asked.

"Ikeda Kazumi, Mr. Dubian’s classmate," Kiyono Lin replied.

"You even know that?" Jiutiao Meijie sounded displeased.

"I not only know all of Mr. Dubian’s classmates’ names, but I also know yours," Kiyono Lin replied calmly.

"And this?"

"Mayi Asuka, Wind Instrument Club, leader of the bass section."

"And this?"

"That’s a boy."

"And this?"

"Aonai Xiaoquan, Mr. Dubian’s most, most favorite teacher."

"Kiyono, could you please refrain from using such suggestive adjectives? She’s just my favorite teacher, that’s all!"

Jiutiao Meijie glanced at Dubian Che and continued scrolling.

The two misses, who had zero respect for Dubian Che’s privacy, fell silent and simultaneously turned their gaze to him.

"What, what’s the matter?" Dubian Che panicked.

But after some thought, considering Mayi Asuka was already past, he realized he had no need to worry.