Chapter 326: The Status She Gave (3)

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

After hearing Lu Miao’s explanation, Lin Bufan and Gu Jinxi, these two clueless individuals, finally realized they had just narrowly escaped death’s grasp. If it weren’t for Lu Miao saving them in time, they would have been trapped in the painting forever, eventually becoming part ot that ancient artwork.

Lu Miao turned to Gu Jinxi and asked, “How did you get affected when you didn’t attend the auction?”

Gu Jinxi scratched his head, while Lin Bufan on the side quickly explained, “I know. Afterward, Mr. Zhang took the painting to the City God Temple to find me. He said that after buying the painting, he dreamt of the beautiful woman from the painting for several consecutive nights. At the time, I thought he was just infatuated, so I didn’t think much of it. Coincidentally, that day, when Jinxi accompanied your grandmother to the City God Temple, he bumped into Mr. Zhang when he was looking for me at the rear hall. That should be when he got affected.”

So that’s how it happened. Lu Miao nodded and instructed Lin Bufan to have the affected individuals taken away. These people were only influenced by the enchanting scent of the demon and would recover in a few hours. She then made a brief phone call to Fu Jingchen.

After dealing with everything, the group left Zhang’s residence. Lu Miao needed to make a trip to the City God Temple. Although the painting was a rare magical item, it had accumulated too much negative energy. She planned to use the temple’s merit to cleanse the painting of its malevolence.

Arriving at the City God Temple, they placed the painting under the deity’s feet for purification. However, when they left, they noticed that Gu Shiyan was nowhere to be found. Lu Miao asked a passing junior monk for information. “Mr Gu is at the Matchmaker God Shrine.”

Lin Bufan had made some renovations in the temple before to attract more tourists. He had built a Matchmaker God Shrine and a God of Wealth Hall within the temple premises.

However, times were changing, and the younger generation’s priorities were shifting. Nowadays, making money took precedence over love. People believed in themselves more than anyone else, and as a result, the God of Wealth Hall thrived with incense offerings, while the Matchmaker God Shrine was deserted.

Unexpectedly, Gu Shiyan was kneeling before the Matchmaker God’s statue, with his hands clasped together in sincere devotion, praying for a while before rising.

“What wish did you make?” Lu Miao casually asked as she approached.

Gu Shiyan extended his hand towards her, holding two red strings. “Since my wife won’t give me a proper status, I thought I should seek it in front of the Matchmaker God.”

He chuckled, and while he spoke, he took Lu Miao’s wrist and tied one of the red strings around it. Then, he handed her the other string and presented his wrist to her.

Although he didn’t have a certain bracelet, this was something only he and Lu Miao could wear together.

Lu Miao’s fingertips brushed over the red string, and a faint golden light shimmered. She then tied the string to his wrist.

“That bracelet doesn’t serve any purpose for you.”

She was well aware of Gu Shiyan’s grievances, which were genuinely unfounded.

Each bead of agarwood on Gu Shiyan’s wrist bracelet was carved with her own hand and inscribed with magical symbols. The protective amulets on his body were her own creations, and even his cufflinks and watch were blessed by her touch. He carried a mutual symbiotic spell with her, and she had silently granted him the right to stay by her side, to hold her hand, and to embrace her – each of these was her way of giving him a rightful status.

“I know.”

It was just a sweet little indulgence he sought from her.

Gu Shiyan toyed with the red string on his wrist. Wasn’t this another small favor reserved exclusively for him?

With a smile, he took her hand and led her outside.

Snowflakes had started falling again at some point. Gu Shiyan tucked her hand into his pocket.

“What would you like to eat?” “In winter, hotpot is the best choice.”

“Okay.”

Lu Miao watched the footprints they left in the snow as they walked together. She held his hand, which he had gripped earlier, in return.

She had found a way to break their shared existence bond, understood the theory of time travel, and while she might not say the word “love,” she was willing to keep walking alongside him like this..