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Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Heaven’s Thunder Strikes, the Incense Breaks and a Life is Lost

Beneath the already oppressive, dark clouds, a flash of lightning was followed by an ear-splitting roar.

The thunder was so close it felt right on top of me, frightening me into crouching on the spot, hands clamped over my ears.

I nearly thought my soul was about to scatter. When I finally dared to look up, I found the incense burner from the shrine had fallen right in front of Lu Shi. The burning incense inside had snapped into two pieces, its ashes scattered across the floor.

This sudden, shocking turn of events made Grandma, who was struggling to support herself with her cane, go weak with fright. Nanny Zhang, quick-eyed and swift-handed, caught and steadied her.

"Madam."

Lu Shiyan, originally a staunch materialist, felt unsettled by the incense burner crashing down before him. Grandma's face changed dramatically, her body trembling as she stammered, "Heaven's thunder strikes, the incense breaks and a life is lost... What terrible, heaven-offending thing have you done?"

"Grandma, I haven't done anything. This is just a coincidence."

Nanny Wang, knowing how much the old lady believed in such signs, quickly called a servant to tidy the Buddha shrine.

"Madam, it's all just coincidence. Don't take it to heart. You should go lie down."

"Nanny Wang, my heart has been racing lately. Every night I dream of Wan, that girl. It's been over ten days now; she would never go this long without calling me."

Lu Shiyan's face paled drastically. He knew how deeply I cared for Grandma; I usually visited her every couple of days.

Even when busy, I would always call her. I might ignore him, but I would never ignore Grandma.

Lu Shiyan, flustered and anxious, asked, "Grandma, Su Wan really hasn't called you once all these days?"

Grandma glared at him. "Would I lie about something like that?"

I saw Lu Shi'ai's face turn deathly pale. I don't know what he was thinking, but he seemed to go weak in the limbs, unsteady on his feet.

Hah, had he finally realized there was something wrong with the blood-stained wedding dress from the police station?

A servant's voice came from outside the door: "Madam, your package. It's from the Fourth Young Miss."

Hearing "Fourth Young Miss," Lu Shiyan quickly stepped forward and took the package. The sender's details were indeed my phone number and name.

The appearance of this package made his expression relax considerably. He opened it swiftly.

Inside the wooden box was a protective talisman and a greeting card I had left for Grandma.

This was a talisman I had specifically gone to Ling Mountain to get for Grandma before my wedding, performing the three kneelings and nine bowings ritual, hoping for her good health.

Back then, I had already planned to leave after the wedding, so I had contacted the delivery guy I often used and asked him to deliver it today.

Thankfully, I still managed to make it for Grandma's birthday. She looked at the card, holding the peace talisman, and tears welled up again.

Nanny Zhang quickly comforted her: "This is a blessed talisman from Ling Mountain Temple. I've heard these aren't something you can just buy with money. The seeker must sincerely kowtow from the foot of the mountain all the way to the summit. Only then will the temple's high monks bless and consecrate the talisman. The Young Miss has such a filial heart."

This finally eased Grandma's unease. "This girl has sent the gift, so she must be on her way here. Send someone to the main gate to meet her."

"Alright, alright."

Lu Shiyan, standing to the side, stared fixedly at the talisman in Grandma's hand. He grabbed Nanny Zhang's hand. "Nanny Zhang, you said getting such a talisman requires three kneelings and nine bowings?"

"Yes, from the foot to the summit, there are 39,999 steps on the heavenly stairway. It takes the seeker a full day. Many with weaker constitutions faint halfway."

I knew he must have remembered the year he encountered the earthquake. Before he departed, I saw him off at the airport and smilingly gave him a protective talisman.

He never believed in gods or Buddhas, but because I gave it to him, he tucked it into his wallet. He touched the scraped skin on my forehead and asked what happened?

I laughed it off, saying I bumped it accidentally, and he didn't press further.

That earthquake killed many people, but he only suffered the lightest superficial wounds. The only thing lost was that wallet, never found again.

Only now did he realize how hard-won that protective talisman had been.

Grandma, seeing him stare at her talisman, tucked it into her bosom. "What are you looking at? This was given to me by Wan."

Lu Shiyan smiled somewhat helplessly. "Grandma, you're overthinking. I actually had one like this before. By the way, I specifically sought out these Buddhist scriptures and this jade pendant for you, hoping for your good health." He handed over the scriptures. Hearing they were Buddhist texts, Grandma solemnly accepted them. She examined the book, a strange look in her eyes.

"Why do these scriptures look different from others?"

"They were made by a high monk using special materials and specially consecrated and empowered. They will surely help you recover sooner." Grandma's fingers caressed the scripture. I fought desperately, trying to stop her. "Grandma, no, you can't take it."

I was already dead. I didn't care about that outcome itself. What I cared about was how heartbroken Grandma would be when she found out it was made from my skin. At her age, she definitely couldn't withstand such a blow.

Su Ning'an knew Grandma loved me most, so she used this method to torment Grandma.

I only hated that while alive, I didn't drag her down to hell.

Right now, I wished so fervently that Heaven would grant me one chance to rebirth, to let me fulfill my final filial duties, to let me exact the revenge that was due!

But I could do nothing. I could only watch as Grandma carefully stroked the Sanskrit characters on the scripture.

Perhaps it was the natural connection between kin, Grandma seemed to like it very much. She caressed it carefully, just like she used to stroke my head when I was a child.

I murmured over and over again: "Grandma..."

Grandma put away the scripture but returned the jade pendant to Lu Shi'ai. "I'll keep the scripture. You take this back. Don't forget the vow you made before the Bodhisattva: to cherish, love, and protect her all your life."

Lu Shiyan pledged solemnly: "Grandma, I definitely will."

He looked utterly sincere. It made me nauseous.

Thanks to Su Ning'an's 'kindness', after giving the scripture to Grandma, I could temporarily remain by her side.

As dusk fell, Grandma set the scripture aside and called Nanny Wang over.

"Wan should be back soon. Bring me that Tang suit she gave me, and fix my hair properly. I can't let her see me looking so wretched."

"Don't worry, Madam. I'll make sure you look bright and spirited."

Grandma painstakingly put on the Tang suit, adding a fur coat over it. She looked dignified and elegant.

I often said Grandma was a great beauty in her youth. Grandma always said I was the one who resembled her most.

But she didn't have the strength, couldn't stand for long, and had to sit in a wheelchair. Nanny Wang added a woolen blanket over her lap, then stood behind her, combing Grandma's graying hair back from her temples.

"Right, for earrings, wear the Australian white pearls Wan gave me."

"Alright."

Grandma's face was full of joy. "I think Lu Shiyan does have some true feeling for her."

"Of course, after all, they've been childhood sweethearts for so many years."

"When Wan returns, they should hurry up and have a child. I want to live a few more years, see her have a baby before I close my eyes. As long as she's happy, I can rest easy."

Outside, heavy snow began to fall again, like the tears I could no longer shed, fluttering down.

Grandma, I'm sorry. You won't be able to wait for me.

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