No? Can I read the mind of my mortal enemy?

At this time of year, being both a weekday and not yet a holiday, there are very few people visiting Wanhong Temple.

Wanhong Temple is located on the border of Beijing, backed by mountains, and is at a much higher altitude than the urban area of ​​Beijing, so the temperature is naturally lower.

Shi Qiao got out of the car and couldn't help but rub her palms together.

I underestimated the temperature here.

The next second, Pei Jingnian wrapped his arms around her from behind, tied a burgundy knitted scarf around her neck, and put gloves of the same color on her hands.

She was dressed in all black today, but a splash of red suddenly stood out and was quite eye-catching.

It made her small face look even whiter.

Shi Qiao tilted her head back and asked, "Where did these come from?"

Pei Jingnian smiled and said, "I passed by a handmade knitwear shop in London and thought it would suit you perfectly, so I bought it."

Do you like it?

Shi Qiao reached out, and the fabric inside her gloves, made of some unknown material, instantly kept out the cold air from the outside.

One of them was embroidered with a reindeer and was exquisitely crafted.

"I like it." Shi Qiao smiled, her lips glistening with moisture. "Is this an early Christmas present you gave me?"

Pei Jingnian couldn't help but kiss the corner of her lips. "Why do you think of me as so stingy?"

"What do you mean? The important thing about a gift is the thought behind it!"

Pei Jingnian narrowed his eyes, concealing the mischievous glint in his eyes, and wrapped his long arm around her waist as they walked toward the entrance of Wanhong Temple.

"That won't do."

"My wife must have prepared a wonderful gift for me, so my gift has to be just as good."

and many more.

Thinking about it now, she realized she hadn't prepared a Christmas present for Pei Jingnian at all.

However, it can't be entirely blamed on her. After all, this guy didn't come back at all when we were preparing for the past two years.

Two years ago, after learning that he had chosen to study medicine, I reluctantly went to someone to have a set of handmade knives custom-made, the kind that are just for show.

It turned out that Pei Jingnian studied pharmaceutical manufacturing and never performed surgery, so she quietly took the gift back.

It's a good thing he didn't come back, otherwise she would have laughed herself to death.

Last year, when she and Youyou went to play with perfumery, they created an impression fragrance for everyone in the family.

Although she estimated that Pei Jingnian wouldn't come back at that time, she still prepared a bottle for him, which has now all evaporated.

As a result, when she returned this year, she was so focused on dating Pei Jingnian that she completely forgot about it.

Not only was Pei Jingnian unprepared, but the elders were also unprepared.

Shi Qiao coughed awkwardly twice, not daring to look at Pei Jingnian, "I, I, I actually think this gift is quite nice."

"That's enough, that's enough."

Pei Jingnian ruffled her hair and mimicked her tone, "Not enough, not enough."

"Actually, it's quite equal, really." Shi Qiao felt incredibly guilty.

"Hmm..." Pei Jingnian narrowed his eyes, the corners of his eyes drooping. "Wife, you didn't prepare a Christmas present for me, did you?"

"It's okay if I wasn't prepared. After all, I haven't been home for the past two years, so it's normal for my wife to have forgotten about me."

Shi Qiao: !!!

"Of course... I'm ready!"

Anyway, their family usually exchanges gifts on the morning of the 25th. If all else fails, she can just find an excuse to buy something after climbing the Wanhong Temple.

Pei Jingnian gently pinched her cheek with his fingertips. "Then I'm really looking forward to it."

Shi Qiao swallowed hard, a bad feeling creeping over her.

*

Suddenly, I stopped in front of the road sign covered in moss.

The road sign arrow points to the right, but there's no road to the right at all.

"Strange, I always feel like I've never walked this road before."

Pei Jingnian took her hand and put it in his pocket. "That road sign must be broken; it's been turned around."

"This way."

She noticed Pei Jingnian skillfully brushing aside the withered bushes that might prick her legs.

"Pei Jingnian, are you familiar with him?"

Pei Jingnian was stunned. "I... I already said I came here with Lu Zi."

"I memorized it after just one walk."

Shi Qiao nodded, half believing and half doubting.

After nearly an hour's journey, the two finally arrived at the front of Wanhong Temple.

Shi Qiao touched her purse, which contained the banknotes she had exchanged beforehand.

Although society has entered the era of online payment, even praying to gods and Buddhas can be done by scanning QR codes.

But Shi Qiao still prefers the feeling of using paper money.

I always feel that electronic payments are somehow insincere.

The Wan Hong Temple is simply decorated. In front of the temple is an ancient tree that is said to be a hundred years old. Many people who come to pray for marriage will receive a red string, which they would originally take home.

But I don't know who started it, saying that tying a red string to a branch will ensure a long and happy marriage with the person you love.

So now, this ancient tree is covered with long, thin red ropes.

As everyone knows, the Old Man of the Moon loves this tree very much, so he only carefully wrapped it around twice, not daring to wrap it too tightly.

Therefore, there were also many red ropes on the ground that had been blown down by the wind.

Perhaps this is exactly what the saying "fate cannot be forced" means.

Shi Qiao stood in front of the temple, hesitating for a long time before stepping over the threshold. "However, Pei Jingnian."

"Does fulfilling my vow mean I might never hear your heartfelt words again?"

It's a bit of a pity, really.

Pei Jingnian lowered his eyes and gripped her hand even tighter.

"Why are you worried about something like this?"

Shi Qiao pursed her lips, "Because hearing one's true feelings does indeed reduce a lot of trouble."

"If I hadn't expressed this feeling, I wouldn't have known you liked me."

"We won't be together anymore."

Pei Jingnian replied quickly, "We'll be together."

Shi Qiao rolled her eyes at him, "Bullshit, you were as stubborn as steel back then."

"I thought you hated me, and I was even planning to move out."

Do you think we'll ever cross paths again?

Pei Jingqing pressed his forehead against hers, looking completely matter-of-fact, "Yes, I can."

"It was just that my inner voice opened up another path, preventing me from going astray."

He smirked. "Does my wife think I'm the kind of person who wouldn't use force?"

Shi Qiao was speechless, recalling her time with Pei Jingnian when she first went to Gangcheng.

"Well, I still think it's a bit of a shame."

"If we ever argue or have any misunderstandings in the future, I can hear your thoughts and know what you're thinking."

"You see, during this long-distance relationship, I couldn't hear what you were thinking."

"I was terrified when you pulled a long face."

"I don't want to argue with you."

Not to mention that Pei Jingnian not only argued, but also stirred things up.

Pei Jingnian seemed to be deep in thought, then leaned close to her ear.

"That's because I didn't do well enough."

"But we can't always rely on this shortcut in our relationship." As Pei Jingnian spoke, milky white breath escaped from the corners of his lips.

"Relationships naturally require adjustment and compromise."

Pei Jingnian touched her nose. "I will be more and more honest with you."

"So, it's okay."

Shi Qiao suddenly felt a strange soreness in her eyes.

Pei Jingnian suddenly lowered his voice:

"However, if I had to say there's something to regret about it..."

"It might have been when I kissed you..."

Shi Qiao covered her mouth, "Please don't spoil the mood at such a touching time, okay, Pei Jingnian?"

She put a little distance between herself and Pei Jingnian and took a deep breath.

"Okay, shall we... go in?"

(Let's make this a long chapter!! I'll finish it before 1:30 AM!)