Chapter 233 Joy Followed in Everyone's Footsteps
Time seems to drive people toward greater maturity.
However, the childishness deep within the heart can sometimes not be concealed.
Especially with those closest to one, how could childishness not be a form of trust?
At this moment, Chu Xingchen seemed somewhat reminiscent of the past, while Li Yingling was just like this herself, having never changed.
"Your Master has arrived; quickly save a good spot for Master."
Chu Xingchen smiled and strode forward, directly reaching out to drape his arm over Li Yingling's shoulder, his gaze curiously turning toward the dragon and lion dance procession.
It was as if Chu Xingchen had never seen it before.
In everyone's eyes, the Eldest Senior Sister, usually somewhat cold and domineering, now looked just like an ordinary young girl.
Li Yingling smiled and reached out to pat Chu Xingchen's shoulder, remarking in a complaining tone: "So heavy!"
A Golden Core Real Person capable of carrying a small mountain was now complaining about the weight of a single arm.
With his arm still around Li Yingling, Chu Xingchen spoke like a child playing a rogue: "Heavy, what heavy! Quickly clear a path for Master!"
"Wow!" Li Yingling looked at the leading large red dancing lion, pointing at it. "Master, look, look quickly!"
Chu Xingchen also exclaimed in surprise: "Wow! These moves are truly impressive, but I think it would look quite good if you went up and rolled around a bit yourself."
"Hmph! I'm not going; if anyone goes, Master goes!"
Lin Luoyu looked at the Eldest Senior Sister, finding it hard to imagine her having such a maiden-like moment.
However, the greatest contrast was actually their Master. Although usually he behaved very approachably and would tease his disciples, seeming to have no airs, he still gave off the feeling of a role model teacher.
In other words, the Master acted and spoke with great propriety, making it very easy for people to trust him.
He cared for everyone in the sect and was the sect's greatest backing.
"If unsure, ask the Master" was a saying that had already spread widely within the sect.
But... Lin Luoyu had never seen this Master before her possessing such a youthful air.
At this moment, he seemed merely like a close friend, unconcerned with airs or status. He was joining this gathering using the most ordinary identity.
Right now, there was no Master, only a friend with whom one could talk about everything.
Yet for some reason, Lin Luoyu felt no surprise at her Master's transformation, nor did she feel that an idol's mask had shattered.
She only felt an uncontrollable sense of joy spreading throughout her body. At this moment, it seemed even her breathing had become smoother.
"It's really good..." A murmur suddenly came from Lin Luoyu's side.
She glanced over and discovered that the speaker was actually Ning Qianqian. At this moment, a faint smile hung on Ning Qianqian's face, but her expression seemed to be recalling something.
Noticing the gaze, Ning Qianqian looked at Lin Luoyu and asked with a smile: "Isn't it?"
Lin Luoyu nodded gently and affirmed: "It is indeed very good."
"Good what!" Cui Hao, having finished giving instructions, strode forward boldly and patted his own Fourth Senior Sister. "Let's go! Don't let Master see all the good stuff first!"
After saying this, Cui Hao got up and ran toward the Master, squeezing directly beside him and looking over with equal excitement.
Lin Luoyu knew that Cui Hao had actually watched the dragon and lion dance moves at least twice already, just for today's best presentation. But so what?
Watching with different people always brings different feelings. At the very least, everyone understood that Cui Hao's smile at this moment was sincere.
"Let's go." Li Junzi, seemingly infected by the atmosphere at this moment, stepped toward the crowd filled with laughter and chatter.
Lin Luoyu also led Ning Qianqian and walked over together.
Within the dragon and lion dance procession, there were also performing artists, such as fire breathers, waist drummers, and various other artists showcasing their talents.
The lion dance was certainly wonderful, but the occasional flashing flames also made people stare unblinkingly.
When Li Yingling turned her gaze back, she discovered that she was already surrounded by people.
Master was on her left, holding her right hand was Little Baiqing. Fourth Junior Sister, Ning Qianqian, and Li Junzi were also watching the long procession with smiles and wonder on their faces.
Cui Hao was talking with his arm around the Master, pointing at the procession beside them and explaining in a boastful manner.
The Master was patient at first, but later he reached out and flicked Cui Hao's chest. "You talk so much all day; I can watch it myself!"
Cui Hao did not mind it in the least, saying with a smile: "Isn't that because I was afraid you wouldn't understand, Master?"
"My eyes aren't blind; how could I not understand?"
Li Yingling recalled the temple fair at Zenlin Temple that day. In the beginning, actually only three people came to participate: Master, Junior Brother, and herself.
Uncle Master Xie arrived later. But all told, there were only four people.
Now, many people had come, and it was far livelier than that day.
Li Yingling still remembered how that Second Junior Brother was called "Uncle" by a child while carrying candied hawthorns for her.
She could still recall the slight awkwardness on her Second Junior Brother's face back then.
It was just a pity that on this even livelier day, Second Junior Brother was not here. Otherwise, she would definitely have made him carry the candy rack again!
No matter how long the dragon and lion dance procession was, it eventually came to an end. Li Yingling did not choose to follow the long procession.
Under Li Yingling's lead, everyone moved toward the road leading to Zenlin Temple.
That area had been deliberately planned, with stalls set up all the way down from Zenlin Temple. All kinds of items were displayed.
However, these merchants were not specially invited by Chu Xingchen; rather, the news of the event in Yuzhou City was widespread, and coupled with no stall fees, many merchants had come from various places.
Of course, it was not just merchants who came; there were also artists performing unique skills.
Here, one could truly see the act of breaking a large stone on the chest.
In the concealed places on both sides of the long street, people from the Demon Suppression Division and the government were maintaining order in the shadows to ensure the safety of this event.
Upon entering this long street, Li Yingling's gaze quickly locked onto a vendor selling candied hawthorns.
She stepped forward decisively, took out money, and directly bought the entire candy rack.
Li Yingling turned her head and looked at Cui Hao: "Junior Brother! Carry it!"
Cui Hao, who was originally looking at curiosities at a small stall nearby, heard his Senior Sister's shout. He looked over and saw the candy rack in his Senior Sister's hand.
"Coming!"
Cui Hao casually put down the item in his hand. With an expression that serving his Senior Sister was a great honor, he directly reached out to take the candy rack from Li Yingling and hoisted it onto his shoulder without hesitation.
Li Yingling looked at him a couple of times. Although Cui Hao looked quite handsome, when it came to carrying the candy rack, he actually did not look as good as Second Junior Brother.
But forget it, he would do.
Li Yingling took out a string of candied hawthorns and first handed it to Chen Baiqing. Chen Baiqing accepted it happily and immediately started eating.
"Everyone, take one yourselves." Li Yingling took another string and held it in her hand, looking at the others as she spoke.
Cui Hao walked back with the candy rack on his shoulder: "The Eldest Senior Sister has ordered~ everyone has to take one."
Chu Xingchen laughed softly, but he was still the first to reach out and take a candied hawthorn.
Very quickly, everyone had a string of candied hawthorns in hand, whether it was Li Junzi or Ning Kun.
Li Yingling looked with satisfaction at the candied hawthorns in everyone's hands. She raised the one in her hand high and laughed: "Set off forward!"
Chu Xingchen paid no attention to the gazes around him and cooperated fully, also raising the candied hawthorn in his hand high as he laughed: "Set off!"
Soon, everyone raised the candied hawthorns in their hands.
Everyone laughed and echoed in unison: "Set off!"
Everyone also followed the footsteps of Li Yingling, whose smile had never ceased.
At this moment, joy seemed to follow the footsteps of everyone.
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