Outside the temple, it was still raining. The sound of the drizzling rain continued as the sky gradually darkened. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep while meditating. When she shifted sleepily, she suddenly sat back up in realization. She glanced outside. Seeing that the sky was already turning dark, she slapped herself for almost forgetting about the main goal.
Achoo!
Oh no, she seemed to have a slight cold. Hopefully it wouldnât get in the way of what she needed to do.
Just as she was about to head out, she heard urgent footsteps approach.
She looked around helplessly, then ran to hide behind the Buddha statue. One step after she hid herself, the people had entered the temple.
âI told you to hurry but you wouldnât listen. Now this is just great, we have no choice but to stay in this temple for tonight!â An irritated-sounding voice appeared. Tang Doudouâs eyes whirled. The world sure was small. She had actually encountered that brat, Xiao Yi, again!
From the sounds of the footsteps and Xiao Yiâs words, there was probably one more person. If her guess wasnât wrong, it was probably Xiao Siyuan.
As she had expected, right after Xiao Yi said that, Xiao Siyuanâs helpless and much more moderate voice appeared. âThat grandma was very old. If we hadnât helped her back, she definitely wouldâve met with a mishap in this weather.â
âWhatever! In any case, youâll always be able to argue back with something no matter what I say!â responded Xiao Yi, still annoyed. âIâm going to go make a fire. You should get changed!â
Tang Doudou poked out her head and saw that Xiao Siyuan just smiled without saying anything. He then took off his outer garments to wring them dry as he looked around the temple. However, since it was dark, he didnât see anything out of the ordinary.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi had already started throwing some dry wood in a pile. Following that, he picked up a bunch of straw, lit them with a rolled torch, and threw them onto the pile of wood.
Although this temple was quite drafty, the roof was strong and didnât leak. These wood had been in the temple for countless years and had long dried out completely, so they easily caught the flames.
As the warm flames leapt up, Xiao Siyuan rubbed his hands, then swiftly lifted a bamboo pole and hung his wet clothes on it. âAh Yi, you should take your clothes off too!â
It was clearly something said out of good intentions, but Xiao Yiâs face immediately turned dark. âNo.â
Xiao Siyuan replied with a helpless tone. âYouâll catch a chill.â
âTsk. Itâs not like Iâm a woman, as if Iâm that delicate!â Xiao Yi didnât agree and just sat down next to the fire. He untied a canteen from his waist, twisted it open, and took a large swig. âRefreshing!â
Xiao Siyuan stared at his canteen with a frown. âWhy are you drinking alcohol again?â
âIt warms you up. Have some?â Xiao Yi laughed mischievously as he waved the canteen at Xiao Siyuan.
Xiao Siyuan declined. âThe 382th rule of the Xiao family is that alcohol is prohibited.â
Xiao Yi edged over with a smirk. âThe 599th rule of the Xiao family: keeping violations secret is a first degree offense! You often see me drink. Why donât you report me to the elders?â
Xiao Siyuan stiffen. He was just about to reply with something when a loud âachooâ interrupted him.
The twoâs expression turned serious and they shared a quick glance before simultaneously moving towards the Buddha statue.
Tang Doudou was covering her mouth nervously even as she rolled her eyes. It was seriously wonderful timing. She couldâve sneezed at any time, but it just had to end up at this time. Wasnât this completely demanding her life?
Originally, she had been planning to sneak away once Xiao Yi and Xiao Siyuan fell asleep. Although Xiao Siyuan seemed pretty reasonable, Xiao Yiâs temper was nowhere as good. He probably still held a grudge against her about that incident last time. There was no one else around in the temple, so there was no guarantee that Xiao Yi wouldnât attack her out of anger when he saw her. Based on how meek Xiao Siyuan looked, he probably wouldnât be able to stop Xiao Yi.
As the two got even closer, Tang Doudou retreated backwards in a panic. However, after a few steps, she already hit the cold wall. There was nowhere left to hide.
âWhoâs there?â shouted Xiao Yi as they came to a stop about a meter away from the statue.
Tang Doudou opened her mouth silently. After a moment of thought, she timidly stuck her head out. âItâs me.â
In reality, it had already been a month, so Xiao Yi with his careless personality had already forgotten about this aunt. âWho are you? Why were you hiding so sneakily behind the Buddha statue?â
Xiao Siyuanâs expression on the other hand showed that he remembered who Tang Doudou was. However, he didnât bring it up and just extended a hand to stop Xiao Yi. âThis aunt is probably here to take shelter from the rain as well. Donât be so fierce, youâll scare this elder.â
Xiao Yi humphed coldly. âWho would hide behind the Buddha statue to take shelter from the rain? She clearly had bad intentions!â
Tang Doudou hastily refuted. âN-no, thatâs not it. I heard people coming and I was worried it would be bandits, thatâs why I hid behind the statue. If you donât believe me, look over there. I was the one that set that up. I was originally going to rest there.â
Xiao Yi didnât move but he did glance over. When he saw that there were traces of a person lying on the straw over there, the guarded expression in his eyes lessened a little.
âI told you that this aunt isnât a bad person.â Xiao Siyuan walked towards the statue with a smile. âI heard you sneeze earlier, you must be cold. If you donât mind, you can warm yourself up near the fire with us!â
Xiao Yi glowered at him. âI donât agree!â
âAh Yi, youâre forgetting the family rules again!â
âI wonât agree. I donât want to sit together with some stinkinâ old woman!â
âAh Yi!â
âIâm not negotiating. If you feel like my behavior is wrong, then just tell on me to the Elders!â
Xiao Siyuan felt helpless when faced with Xiao Yiâs behavior. He was just about to try persuading Xiao Yi again when Tang Doudou said, âMany thanks for your good intentions, but Iâve already rested. I just ended up oversleeping a little. Itâs already dark, so if I donât hurry back, my family will worry.â
âAunt, youâre someone of Huai City?â
Tang Doudou nodded with a laugh. âMy maternal family is from Huai City. I came this time to visit relatives.â
Tang Doudou could tell from Xiao Siyuanâs words that he knew who she was. The reason he asked this was also very clear.
He was probing her.
After she said that, Xiao Siyuan was silent for a while. He glanced outside, then said, âAunt, itâs probably not very safe to head back to the city this late at night. Why donât I walk you there?â
âAre you crazy? When I told you to hurry up so that we can get to the city, you spouted a bunch of useless drivel at me, but now, for a random old woman, youâreâ¦â
âAh Yi, you wonât let her warm up by the fire and you wonât let me send her back home either. How am I supposed to rest easy if something happens to her?â
âFine fine, youâre just an amazingly good person and Iâm a bad person, alright?â Xiao Yi could hear slight anger in Xiao Siyuanâs words, so he became unhappy as well. After saying that sarcastically, he plopped himself down next to the fire. âIf you want to send her, just do it. Do whatever you want! Itâs none of my business anyways!â
Xiao Siyuan looked unhappy with Xiao Yiâs reaction as well, but he didnât bother to argue and just said to Tang Doudou, âAunt, letâs go. Iâll see you to the city.â
Originally, Tang Doudou wanted to reject his offer. However, then her gaze flickered and she walked out with Xiao Siyuan without a word.
Xiao Yi watched as the two left, then angrily kicked the fire as he grumbled, âIf you want to court death, then just go! Humph, itâs none of my business! I donât care!â
The woodpile was soon scattered by his stomping and the temple became a lot dimmer.
Although he said he wouldnât care, he still couldnât help but worry. He stomped on the almost extinguished fire again, then remarked angrily, âFine! Xiao Yi, I guess I owe you!â
Outside, the rain had already lessened up a lot, but it still felt cold as it fell on oneâs face. The coiling black clouds above in the night showed no signs of dispersing. There would probably be another large storm tomorrow.
Tang Doudou and Xiao Siyuan walked on the small road, one behind the other. There were only a few birds in the drenched old trees near the road.
âAunt, why isnât the uncle with you?â asked Xiao Siyuan after they walked silently for a while.