Chapter 8: Ancestor Worship

  A few days later, the funeral was over at home. The geomancer invited by the family selected a good place for my grandfather, and he rested in peace there. As time went by, the sad mood gradually faded away. What followed immediately was the hot topic of the family: "The Wang's Ancestral Mansion!"

  The Wang family's ancestral home, these were my grandfather's last words before he passed away. No one could guess what they meant. As a result, many theories emerged. In the end, no one knew who started it, but everyone in the family believed that my grandfather must have hidden some valuable things left by our ancestors in the Wang family's ancestral home.

  But what could be hidden? So at the banquet, everyone asked my second aunt, who was the oldest. My second aunt knocked her cane and said, "This old thing, it's all nonsense. Even his wife and children don't know, how would I know?" Everyone thought about it and agreed, so they started talking randomly again. They didn't have any clear idea, but as they talked, they mentioned that the old man might be hiding an antique.

  That would make sense if it were an antique. Think about it, my grandfather said so. My ancestors were red people in the official mansion and even mixed with the big yamen in the capital. As the saying goes, being close to the granary is not worried about food and drink! Can the family business be less?

  And my parents were born in the era of the Cultural Revolution, when the Red Guards shouted slogans to fight against feudal superstition. What's more, they destroyed the Four Olds, overthrew the cow ghosts and snake gods, and so on. The common people suffered greatly. Many ancient artifacts passed down by our ancestors were burned or smashed during that time, resulting in a huge loss. It is said that the large stone stele in front of the Ming Tombs in Beijing still has a big red stain, which was left by the Red Guards who splashed dog blood on it during the Cultural Revolution.

  Considering my family's history and the background of that era, what else could this mysterious object be? It must be an antique calligraphy or painting, jade, porcelain, or ceramics! The more people talked about it, the more excited they became. My parents and uncle were especially thrilled, their eyes shining with excitement. I took one look at them and thought, "Great, a whole house full of treasure hunters!" Money really does have a seductive power.

  Later, everything was settled, and I started my daily routine of going back and forth between school and home. During this time, I discovered that my parents were obsessed with the TV all day long. As long as there were antique appraisal shows or programs related to antiques, they would be glued to the screen. They would even analyze and discuss the items when there was nothing else on. When they saw some treasure worth hundreds of thousands, they would excitedly applaud and cheer, completely infatuated.

  Tomorrow is the summer vacation, I had agreed with my brothers long ago that everyone would go to a place to relax. Just as we were planning our route in the house, I heard my dad calling me from the living room: "Wang Can, come here."

  I didn't know what was going on, so I quickly responded and hurriedly walked out. Just then, my dad smiled slightly: "Son, in previous summers you've always stayed in the city, what's the point of that? This year your mom and I are planning to take you back to our hometown for a visit."

  "Go back home? What for?" I asked in a daze. My old man looked at me with this stupid expression, and suddenly became somewhat displeased, his eyes widened, saying two words: "Ancestor worship!"

  Ancestor worship, what a distant word it is. I think back to when I first participated in ancestor worship at the age of six, now nine years have passed, how did I suddenly remember about ancestor worship again? I'm not very happy, originally thought that this summer vacation already had plans, didn't want to go with them. But when seeing old dad's fierce gaze, my butt tightened for no reason, and I reluctantly lowered my head and let out a long sigh: Alas, it seems that this summer vacation's small plan has all been ruined!

  Seeing my sulky face, my old man softened a bit: "Hey, son, Dad knows you don't want to go and have your own plans, but this time is different. Ancestor worship is a big deal, you can't mess around with it. All the Wang family members must be there, not one can be missing. How about this, I've discussed it with your mom, we'll give you three days off, you can do whatever you want." After saying that, he slapped 500 yuan cash into my hand.

  500 yuan is a lot of money! Oh my, this was my monthly expenses in the past! Now I'm supposed to spend it in three days? I quickly grabbed the cash, and my excitement was beyond words. My dad saw us two being blinded by wealth, and immediately turned his head away, waving his hand: "Go!" As soon as he finished speaking, I had already rushed into the house. In less than a minute, I put on my summer Adidas outfit, and shot out of our front door!

  It's really three steps as two steps, two steps swaying like one step. As soon as I ran out, I heard my mom shouting from behind: "Will you be back for dinner tonight?" Without turning my head, I raised the 100-yuan bill in my hand high. My mom laughed and muttered to herself: "This silly kid." Then she shouted down at the building: "Come back early!" I responded with a wolf-like howl: "Got it!"

  No sooner had he finished speaking than he dashed into the garage downstairs at a speed of 100 meters, found my luxury racing car: Flying Chicks No.1! Like a shooting star, like a gust of wind, speeding away!

  After running out of the residential area, I came to the main street. The summer breeze brushed against my face, and my mind suddenly became clear. It wasn't until then that I realized a very serious problem: what the hell was I supposed to do after running so fast?

  I ran too fast just now, only thinking of escaping from the sky, but now I think about it, it's really a head full of fog! Ah, like this, I pondered and walked forward. Suddenly, a car horn woke me up! I raised my head abruptly, seeing a residential building standing in front of me, I felt extremely surprised! This place is none other than our school teacher's residential area. Looking at the building number in front, Building 13, Unit 4!

  I was taken aback for a moment, and involuntarily looked up at the sixth floor. Coincidentally, at this time, a familiar figure floated past in front of the window. At the same time, my mischievous little heart began to flutter uncontrollably again!

  Everyone, there's an extraordinary girl living in this building, she's someone I've admired for a long time! Hehe, it's a bit embarrassing to admit. But anyway, on the day of the new student orientation, I was at the entrance of the teaching building, and I was immediately drawn in by her deep eyes. At that time, the sky was blazing with sunlight, and the campus square was bustling with people. And she, was like a peony among thousands of dandelions, it's hard to describe how eye-catching she was!

  It was just this one glance, and at that moment I couldn't help myself! The next second, my mischievous little heart told me with its actual actions: "Wang Can! This little girl is a rare treasure, you must get her for me!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Alright, with that encouragement, I walked up to her and said in a mature tone: 'Hello junior sister, you're new here, right? I see you have a lot of stuff, why don't senior brother help you carry it for you?' Then I introduced myself: 'My name is Wang Can, I'm the senior assigned by the teacher to receive you.' After saying that, without waiting for her response, I grabbed her huge suitcase. She stared at me straight for three seconds, completely stunned."

  Just as she was stunned, I secretly complained in my heart: "Oh dear, nowadays girls are really suffering, just for beauty, do they have to use such a big suitcase?" Although it's heavy, we're men, can't let go, right? A slight smile, absolutely not falling!

  Looking at the lovely little sister in front of me, I suddenly thought of someone. Still remember when there was a poet named Li Yannian who once said: A smile can conquer a city, and another smile can conquer a country. Don't you know what it means to conquer a city and a country? Such a beauty is hard to come by!

  Look at the little primary school sister in front of me, lightly opening her cherry small mouth, a few strands of skirt fluttering, smiling sweetly at me and saying: "Then I'll trouble my senior." ?? Four small yin gates 8

  Good grief! Only now have I come to realize that Li Yannian is indeed a true gentleman among men, and he has not deceived me!

  After returning her a dazzling smile, I carried that oversized suitcase and calmly led the way forward. Sneaking a glance at the little schoolgirl beside me, she was indeed stunningly beautiful, really eye-catching. And so, my sister and I, one in front of the other, swaggered past amidst countless sharp and piercing gazes!

  Damn it, the campus is so dense with buildings and roads. After wandering around for more than an hour, I heard a primary school girl shouting: "Senior, are you from this school?"

  I was shocked, this woman not only had a beautiful appearance but also had a clever mind, and she actually saw through me so easily! Never mind, I hurriedly shouted injustice: "Sister, I'm not from this school, where else can I be?"

  "How can you even get lost in the girls' dormitory?" The little sister stared at me with a pair of big, watery eyes.

  I felt guilty and nervous: "Ah, junior sister you don't know, it's because I'm a bit shy. Normally when talking to girls my face turns red, how would I know about such a big thing in the girls' dormitory?"

  The little sister finally realized she had been deceived. She looked me up and down for a while, then opened her mouth and said angrily: "You're pretending, you're pretending hard!"

  "Ah, I see that there's no way out of this now. As things have come to this point, I can only be honest and say: 'Cough cough, please calm down, sister. Actually, I'm just like you, a new student at this school. Since I've just arrived, I'm not familiar with the roads, which is why there was a misunderstanding. I hope you can forgive me. As it happens, I'm also looking for my dormitory. But I'm a bit shy and don't dare ask others for directions, so I came to find it myself. This way, I can also take in the beautiful scenery of our school. However, being alone is quite lonely. So, I thought of finding someone to explore with together. When I saw you, sister, I thought you were elegant and refined, like a celestial maiden descended from heaven. That's why I had the idea of inviting you along. But please don't misunderstand me, I'm a good person, absolutely no evil intentions!' After saying this, I pretended to be innocent, widening my big, shining eyes, and even managed to squeeze out some childish innocence."

  The little beauty smiled slightly at me after hearing this. Just as I was secretly celebrating, she suddenly approached me, didn't say a word, lifted her foot and launched a fierce attack on my lower body! Then, panting, she grabbed the suitcase and left without looking back.

  Looking at her beautiful back, I quietly lowered my head. Glancing at the snow-white sports pants on me, a small footprint that is rare and attractive, was lying flat on it. In an instant, my face became uncontrollably joyful.

  After that, I started to pester her relentlessly. I took the initiative to get close to her, looking for excuses to talk to her. Either writing poems for her or playing guitar for her. Unfortunately, none of these worked! In the end, when all else failed, I brought out my ultimate trick: "Dog Skin Plaster Great Method!"

  So every Friday after school, I would wait for her at the school gate and then follow her home. Of course, it wasn't that smooth in the beginning, either getting beaten or scolded every day. But facing these obstacles, my brother just smiled slightly: "My family also lives in the teacher's district, coincidentally 13th building 4 units!"

  And so, under my persistent efforts, our relationship transformed from sworn enemies to acquaintances, and later from acquaintances to "lovers". Of course, this "lover" is just a one-sided wish on my part. But it's just a tiny bit short, just a little bit! So the biggest plan for my summer vacation this year was actually to capture that last little bit! Unfortunately, man proposes but God disposes, and all plans were ruined. Sigh, I'll just have to wait.

  I let out a sigh, took out my phone and dialed her home number, and the one who answered was indeed her. Nothing much, just some casual conversation. After hanging up the phone, I glanced at the sixth floor again, then rode "Little Chicken Flying High" away with ease.