Chapter 48: The Consecrated Amulet and a Drunken Confession

During the lunch break, Shen Jing’an and Lin Duo went to a gift shop outside the school. Shen Jing’an began with a typical question.

“What gift did Wang Linshu give you for your last birthday?”

“Uh… an iPhone 6…” Lin Duo hesitated for a moment before admitting the truth.

As expected, Shen Jing’an’s mouth gaped into an ‘O’ shape.

“Oh my god, why isn’t any guy ever that generous with me? How about you return the favor with a 6,000 yuan computer?”

“No, no, I don’t have that much money, and he already has a computer anyway.”

“Ah, just kidding! Since he’s trying to pursue you, it’s only right that he spends a little,” Shen Jing’an said, having quickly browsed the entire jewelry store. “Actually, girls don’t need to give expensive gifts to guys. As long as the thought is there, it’s enough. Otherwise, it might make the guy feel uncomfortable.”

“For example, you could give him an accessory or something he can wear all the time. Then, he can show it off to everyone he meets: ‘Look, a beautiful girl gave this to me.’ Hmph, guys are all about saving face.”

‘An accessory…’ Lin Duo mused, trying to recall if Wang Linshu ever wore such items. It was quite common for men to wear bracelets or amulets.

As she pondered, her gaze fell upon a Buddha pendant, suspended by a dark purple string. The Maitreya Buddha, no larger than half a finger joint, was exquisitely carved, with every detail meticulously rendered.

Even the base of the Maitreya Buddha was etched with four small seal script characters: ‘Good fortune, please avoid me.’

This gift seemed perfect. Lin Duo called out to the shop owner, “Boss, how much is this?”

The gift shop owner approached with a beaming smile. “Little sister, you have excellent taste. This pendant is no ordinary item; it’s the prized treasure of our shop.”

This time, it was Lin Duo’s turn for her mouth to round in surprise. “It’s not that exaggerated, is it?”

“Why would I lie to you?” The owner’s face grew serious. “It was three years ago, when my shop had just opened. Business wasn’t doing well, and I was even thinking of selling it.

“One day, an enlightened monk with an ethereal aura and a long white beard came here to beg for alms. Since I’ve been a devout Buddhist since childhood, I treated him well.

“Before he left, the monk told me: ‘Benefactor, your devotion to Buddha is sincere, so I have a gift for you. This Buddha statue was personally consecrated by me using water from Kunlun Mountains and wood from Tian Shan Mountains. It will ensure your shop’s prosperity for ten years.'”

“Yes, it’s the very one in your hand,” the owner added. “After the monk left, my shop’s business indeed got better and better. Don’t you think this treasure is divine?”

Lin Duo quickly and carefully placed the pendant back, afraid she might accidentally drop it. “It’s that precious? Then I should look at something else.”

The owner waved a hand. “No need. I am a devout Buddhist, and I believe in fate above all else. Today, I see you have a deep connection with this item. I am willing to part with it, even if it pains me, and offer it to you at a rock-bottom, sacrificing price: ten thousand yuan!”

“Ten thousand!” Lin Duo gasped in alarm. “I don’t have that much money.”

At this moment, Shen Jing’an, who had been standing beside her, spoke up. “Boss, will you sell it for ten yuan?”

The owner’s face instantly contorted in rage, his veins throbbing. “Boundless Heavenly Venerable! I was willing to part with it, but you shouldn’t push your luck! No, this price is an insult to the Buddha himself!”

Shen Jing’an ignored him, instead taking Lin Duo’s hand. “Forget it, let’s go to another shop. There’s another gift shop on West Street, and it’s even a bit bigger than this one.”

The owner grew anxious and quickly called out from behind them. “Benefactors, please wait! The Buddha held a flower, and Kasyapa smiled. I am a man who believes in destiny. Since destiny has brought us here, ten yuan it is!”

Lin Duo actually quite liked the exquisite little pendant, so she paid for it and asked the owner to wrap it simply. As they left, the owner enthusiastically waved. “Two female benefactors, take care! Remember to visit again next time!”

On the way back to school, Lin Duo still had some reservations. “Isn’t this a bit too cheap to give as a gift? Even a meal costs more than this.”

Shen Jing’an dismissed her concerns. “I told you, what guys care about is saving face, not practicality or how much something costs. Here’s what we’ll do: you personally put this pendant on him, and I guarantee he’ll be overwhelmed with gratitude!”

“Are you serious?”

“Hmph, this young lady graduated with a master’s in men’s studies. Trust me, you can’t go wrong!”

****

The large clock on the teaching building ticked away, and soon it was half past nine in the evening. Lin Duo first returned to her dorm to change into casual clothes, then grabbed the gift and headed to the agreed meeting place.

The birthday party was held in a private room at a mid-range restaurant. Wang Linshu and three new friends he’d made in his new class were already inside. All of them were boys, suggesting that Wang Linshu didn’t seem to have much luck with the girls in his new class.

A beautiful girl joining a gathering of men naturally attracted a lot of attention. The boy sitting to Wang Linshu’s right couldn’t help but lean closer and whisper in his ear, “Is this the childhood friend you often mention? She’s quite a looker, indeed.”

Lin Duo paid no mind to anyone else’s thoughts. She walked directly to Wang Linshu, presenting a delicate small box with both hands, a sweet smile gracing her face. “Linshu, happy birthday!”

Wang Linshu’s face lit up with excitement. “Look at you, bringing a gift! You’re too kind! What’s inside?”

Lin Duo opened the wrapping right there. “This is an amulet I pleaded with a revered monk for three days and three nights to obtain. It will ensure smooth sailing through your college entrance exams. Shall I put it on you now?”

Wang Linshu, naturally, couldn’t be more delighted and nodded repeatedly.

Since one was sitting and the other standing, Lin Duo had to bend down to place the pendant around Wang Linshu’s neck and fasten the clasp. During this process, the neckline of her dress naturally dipped slightly, revealing her delicate collarbone and a portion of her fair skin.

Her unique scent wafted incessantly towards him, leaving Wang Linshu flushed, his heart pounding, his breathing heavy, unable to calm himself.

Once Lin Duo had finished, she straightened up, noticing Wang Linshu’s unusual behavior. “You seem to be sweating,” she asked curiously. “Is it hot in here?”

The other boys present exchanged knowing glances and smiled. Wang Linshu could only offer an awkward explanation. “Perhaps I rushed too much on the way here, which is why I’m sweating a bit.”

Afterward, Lin Duo took the empty seat to Wang Linshu’s left. The party then proceeded with the familiar rituals of cutting the cake, making wishes, and blowing out candles, before moving on to the main meal.

Lin Duo had a small appetite and was mostly full after one slice of cake. However, she couldn’t very well leave early, so she chatted with the boys about school-related topics.

At some point, one of the boys suggested drinking, and Wang Linshu enthusiastically agreed. The dinner quickly turned into a drinking session, with the boys competing in drinking games.

As a girl, Lin Duo had the privilege of drinking juice. Since Wang Linshu was the birthday boy, everyone naturally toasted him, and he refused no one, whether from a genuine capacity for alcohol or simply to save face.

Slowly, Lin Duo noticed Wang Linshu’s face growing redder, and his words becoming slurred. Realizing he might be drunk, she quickly stopped his hand as he reached for another glass. “Linshu, that’s enough! You have to wake up at six tomorrow morning!”

To Lin Duo’s utter surprise, Wang Linshu took the opportunity to grab her slender wrist. He slurred, “It’s fine, I can still drink. A real man doesn’t back down; I can’t let you look down on me.”

At this rate, if he kept drinking while so drunk, it would likely lead to trouble. Lin Duo could only continue to gently persuade him. “Alright, be good. You’re the birthday boy today; you should go home and rest early.”

Wang Linshu gazed at Lin Duo with drunkenly glazed eyes. As if a wire had crossed in his brain, he continued to hold her wrist tightly, and his face slowly drew closer.

The other boys present, never one to shy away from drama, began to cheer in unison: “Kiss! Kiss!”