The system is very abstract, fortunately I am also.

Chapter 434 Two wishes cannot be fulfilled at once

They had a fight in bed and made up before they were out of bed. Lin Li and Bai Bufan quickly put their arms around each other's shoulders again and walked affectionately into the church.

Neither of them turned around to look at the girls.

It wasn't that they didn't want to pay attention; the main reason was that when the two men started fighting, the girls didn't try to mediate. Instead, they immediately distanced themselves, pretended not to know them, and then took a large C-shaped route directly into the church.

He betrayed his teammates without hesitation; that's not Silverwing at all. This is ridiculous.

"Lin Li, remember to be assertive when we enter the church. Don't lose face. This is a crucial moment that will determine our treatment," Bai Bufan whispered as they approached the iron gate at the entrance of the main church building.

"Is there any explanation?" Lin Li asked, not ashamed to ask.

"I heard that if you take the initiative when entering a church, you will be worshipped by the people inside," Bai Bufan said mysteriously, quietly revealing the secret he had learned.

Lin Li's eyes lit up; it seemed to make some sense!

The heart is not as good as action!

"Hey buddy, this church is mine. Tickets are fifty today, WeChat or Alipay?" Lin Li turned around, randomly stopped an unlucky young man, took out his phone to show the payment code, and coldly ordered.

Passerby: “?”

Before the other man could even utter the word "your mother's" gesture, Bai Bufan had already taken a step forward, tightly gripping Lin Li's neck with his arm, and forcibly dragging him into the church. As he dragged him, he didn't forget to turn back, his face full of apologetic smiles:

"Sorry, buddy, my friend had a high fever when he was a child and his mom mistakenly took him to the wrong vet. This resulted in incomplete brain development; his cerebellum is completely underdeveloped. Please understand, please understand—"

Bai Bufan thought the girls' decision to abandon him and Lin Li and run away first was simply genius, so wise.

He ran away too.

Stepping through the old-fashioned iron gate, you officially enter the church area.

After walking a few steps and entering the church building, you can see the holy water pool. Since it was an open day, there were quite a few non-church people there. Many people were curious about it, including Chen Yuying and her friends, who lined up to try it out.

A gentle-looking administrator was standing nearby, introducing the situation:
"Touching the holy water can cleanse the body and mind and commemorate baptism. We welcome everyone to touch the holy water. However, it is not necessary to make the sign of the cross like us believers. But if you want to experience it, we will not stop you. The only requirement is that you must follow the standard movements and sincerely recite the prayer in your heart."

Lin Li and Bai Bufan did not step forward.

They simply couldn't be devout.

Having been corrupted by the internet, the two people didn't have anything particularly sacred in mind when they heard the word "holy water."

Taking advantage of this time, the two followed the path inside, went around a stone wall behind the holy water pool, and suddenly the main sanctuary of the church opened up.

There were quite a few people inside at the moment, men, women, young and old, all bustling about.

It was only a little past 3 p.m., and I didn't expect there to be so many Catholics in Nansang, a county town.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Many older women are willing to trust you if you give them eggs, and then that initial trust leads to others believing in you too.

These believers are not praying now, but singing under the guidance of a church staff member.

However, the lyrics are neither in Chinese nor English, but judging from the melody, it should be a Christmas carol, and it is currently being rehearsed.

I took an informational flyer from the entrance, scanned the QR code, and my phone immediately displayed a detailed map of the church.

To the left of the main sanctuary are a temporary theater, activity room, and offices; to the right is a statue of the Virgin Mary and... a confessional.

Upon seeing this word, their eyes simultaneously focused on each other's faces, then tacitly turned to the right.

There was indeed a room marked as a confessional, but the door was closed. Two people were sitting on a bench opposite the door; it was unclear whether they were waiting.

"pity."

"I searched online and found that only priests listen to confessions, not sexy older women in nuns' habit. Theoretically, nuns can't even get into the confessional. Sigh, the internet is all lies."

Bai Bufan quickly pulled out his phone to search, but after a moment, he said dejectedly, as if his illusions had been shattered.

"That's such a pity," Lin Li shook his head regretfully, "Otherwise, I really would like to go in and repent."

“Yes, I have committed many evils in my life and I really need to repent.” Bai Bufan agreed wholeheartedly.

"What do you two want to repent for?"

After the girls finished experiencing the Holy Cross, they happened to walk over. Chen Yuying heard this and couldn't help but laugh, asking with a hint of curiosity.

Then, seemingly worried that the two had said too much, Ding Sihan quickly added, "Just tell us one that we haven't heard of before, just one, one is enough."

Lin Li: "I once turned my grandma's phone brightness down to the lowest setting and then asked her for money to fix it."

Bai Bufan: "I once put sleeping pills and laxatives into the water cup of my roommate surnamed Zhou at the same time. Then, while he was sleeping and making gurgling noises, I sprinkled fiberglass and itching powder on his back at the same time. When he woke up, he found that if he didn't scratch, he was itching like crazy, and if he did scratch, it hurt like crazy."

Chen Yuying, Ding Sihan, Qu Wanqiu: "..."

Sometimes it's really hard to figure out where the moral bottom line of these two people is.

Satan: You two seem to be going a bit too far.

"Do you really only need to listen to one? We have many more."

I checked, and this confessional requires an appointment, and each use only allows fifteen minutes of confession with the priest. To be honest, it's a bit disrespectful.

Lin Li pursed his lips, based on the information he received on his phone.

Fifteen minutes? Are you kidding me? If word got out, foreigners would think the local Catholic Church couldn't afford to confess! Lin Li, give me a number: fifteen hours of confession at a time!
"Then let's tone it down a bit," Chen Yuying said with a smile and a shake of her head.

“Alright,” Lin Li readily agreed, looking at the girls, “So where do we go next?”

“The DIY activity is in the activity room, but there’s no rush, we can go later,” Chen Yuying also looked at the map, her eyes moving across the screen. “We can go through the main hall first and check out the courtyard garden at the back, that’s where the charity sale will take place.”

Without any objection, everyone walked straight through the solemn main hall, went around to the back door, and suddenly found themselves in a warm and lovely courtyard.

The Christmas tree that wasn't visible at the main entrance was indeed standing here.

It was a Christmas tree that was neither tall nor short, a spruce tree that was about two meters tall, almost taller than all the vegetative patients in the hospital.

The church is very pleased with this.

The tree was carefully decorated with twinkling lights and various ornaments, with a classic golden star shining in the sunlight at the top.

Many wrapped gift boxes were scattered under the tree, and two staff members were registering something nearby.

"Hello, what is this place for?" the five people asked curiously as they stepped forward.

"Oh, this is a charity station for exchanging and giving Christmas gifts," a kind-faced volunteer explained with a smile.

"Just bring a Christmas gift in advance to register with us, and you'll receive a voucher. Then, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you can use this voucher to collect a Christmas gift and blessing from someone else!"

"What if some people are inherently bad and deliberately give gifts that aren't really gifts, or even vulgar and frightening things?" Bai Bufan worriedly put himself in others' shoes.

“That’s right. There are many people in this world who look handsome, dashing, and cheerful, but are actually incredibly dark inside.” Lin Li, judging others by his own standards, deeply agreed with Bai Bufan’s concerns.

“We have naturally considered this,” the two aunts smiled at each other. “Actually, regardless of whether the gift is already wrapped or not, we need to confirm the specific contents of the gift.”

"First, just as you've worried, we need to make sure it's truly a gift that brings joy—"

Wait, is it just my imagination?

Why did the two aunties feel that after they said those words, the light in the eyes of the two boys in front of them immediately went out and they became dull and uninteresting?
Hmm—these two don't look like good people.
"...Secondly, we would advise those who give particularly high-value gifts to change them," the two aunties hesitated for a moment before continuing:

"This is because we don't want the exchange of gifts to involve too much consideration of self-interest."

Many children participated in this event, and the gifts they brought might just be a box of paint, a small toy, etc.

If anyone feels "cheated" after receiving their Christmas gift, that goes against our intentions, so this needs to be explained in advance.

“That’s a really nice event,” Qu Wanqiu nodded, a hint of interest in her eyes, but then she looked at Lin Li: “But only you, Lin Li, are free on Christmas Day, right? This place isn’t on the way to your home or school…”

"It's nothing, just a matter of pedaling the wheels a few more times. If you want to participate, then participate. I'll bring it to you later. Don't worry about whether I'm tired or not."

Lin Li immediately waved his hand to interrupt Qu Wanqiu, his tone relaxed.

Lin Li was already used to being used as a day student by the fourth class. Those guys in the back row probably didn't eat school breakfast more than twenty times a semester.

"It's not necessary to pick it up on the same day; you can come back on the weekend," another auntie added with a smile.

"Could this squishy toy be a gift? It's quite fun and stress-relieving. I just opened it today, it's very new, and it's not worth much." Ding Sihan rummaged through her small handbag and took out a palm-sized squishy toy to ask.

“Of course you can,” the two aunties nodded immediately. When Ding Sihan handed it over, she reached out and took it. One of them started registering the gift, while the other handed Ding Sihan a card: “Girl, if it’s not too much trouble, please write a blessing and a message for the person who will receive the gift.”

Then tell us what kind of gifts you want and what kind of gifts you don't want to receive.

"You can make a wish?" Lin Li looked at the aunt in surprise. "Isn't it supposed to be an exchange of gifts?"

“We know what everyone’s gifts are, so we’ll try our best to match them so everyone can receive their gifts happily. If a little boy receives a Barbie doll, he definitely won’t be happy, right?” the aunt patiently explained.

Lin Li suddenly understood and nodded. Bai Bufan nudged Lin Li with his elbow and gestured with his chin: "Lin Li, what Christmas present do you want?"

“I’m about to get my driver’s license, so my dream is a Porsche 911,” Lin Li replied instantly.

Bai Bufan frowned: "Isn't it too greedy to make two wishes at once?"

"Then just call 911." Lin Li admitted his mistake and corrected it.

“Okay,” Bai Bufan said with satisfaction, “It seems Santa Claus will be starting work next September.”

"And you, what gift do you want?" Lin Li asked in return.

"I want an Iron Man suit."

"Let's be realistic, don't make things difficult for Santa Claus," Lin Li sneered.

Bai Bufan: "Then I want girls to pursue me."

Bai Bufan still has no interest in romance, but he is very interested in things that make Qin Zeyu so envious and jealous that he's practically splitting his body apart.

Before Lin Li could speak, Ding Sihan raised her hand: "Bai Bufan, Santa Claus just appeared in my dream and asked which Iron Man suit you want."

"……Grass."

Bai Bufan closed his eyes, helplessly covering his face and laughing and cursing.

The same words spoken by different people can have different levels of aggression.

If Lin Li had said those words, Bai Bufan would have calmly, or even scoffed, "I knew it."

But once Ding Sihan said it, she still found it hard to hold back.

Lin Li looked at Ding Sihan with satisfaction. Clearly, Ding had learned something real from him.

Seeing Lin Li smiling and raising his right hand towards her, Ding Sihan immediately understood and raised her hand to give Lin Li a high five.

Hehe, Lin Li feinted, then immediately clenched his fist and swung his arm downwards, causing Ding Sihan to miss.

Seeing Ding Sihan's joyful expression suddenly freeze and her eyes gradually turn malicious, Lin Li nodded smugly. Clearly, she hadn't finished learning the real skills yet, and it wasn't time for her to graduate.

"Lin Li! Go to hell!" Ding Sihan shouted, immediately starting a chase after Lin Li.

"Bounce back."

The two of them chased and ran around the "two-person dog" Qin Wang around the pillar until Ding Sihan was exhausted.

"Little fish~ Little fish~" Lin Li chuckled and hooked his arm around Bai Bufan's shoulder, then looked at him with some curiosity: "Bufan, Dingzi seemed to have run into you during the chase just now, right? How come you're still alive? Shouldn't you have been trembling all over and foaming at the mouth and died on the spot?"

Ding Sihan and Bai Bufan: "What the hell am I? Why does touching me kill me instantly?!"

They all spoke in unison, but not entirely the same. Compared to Ding Sihan, Bai Bufan clearly had a better relationship with his elders.

“I meant your fear of women,” Lin Li shrugged. “All done?”

Bai Bufan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then looked at Ding Sihan and asked, "Ding Sihan, are you a woman?"

Ding Sihan: "?"

“Hello, ma’am, I’m the translator,” Lin Li immediately began simultaneous interpretation: “What Bu Fan just said means he’s asking what your brother is doing right now.”

"Huh? My brother?" Ding Sihan, who was about to explode, was stunned when she heard this.

Lin Li: "He's the one who asked where your brother went?"

Ding Sihan: "(；☉_☉)?"

"Ding Sihan, are you a woman?"

Lin Li repeated Bai Bufan's words, but he was certain that Ding Sihan had a completely new understanding of it.

Lin Li felt that in the future, when heads of state meet, they could invite him to be their interpreter, which would surely bring world peace.

I can mediate the sweet vs. savory tofu pudding war within 24 hours!

Bai Bufan: "?"

"No! No! That's not what I meant! I really didn't! I meant to tease you guys about the 'Let's all stay together' thing! But I didn't mean to tease you about this!"

Bai Bufan, worried that Ding Sihan would hunt him down like she hunted down Lin Li, hurriedly explained.

Bai Bufan is still not very good at getting along with girls his own age. "Three people" is definitely considered good, but only to a limited extent.

For example, if he were to walk back to school with one or more of the "three" again, Bai Bufan would definitely not be afraid to kneel down and beg Lin Li like before. He could accept that, but he would definitely not take the initiative to speak or extend the conversation along the way. He would only answer when the girl asked questions, and there would probably be a lot of awkward silences.

As for other girls his age, especially those he was only familiar with, whose familiarity was limited to knowing each other's names, Bai Bufan still avoided them like the plague.

Bai Bufan then breathed a sigh of relief, because Ding Sihan did not chase after him; she killed the man below her.

The episode I support the most.

Bai Bufan made a decision—to quietly stick out his leg and trip this beast!
Lin Li, die!

Damn it, Lin Li stepped on his foot.

Damn it, Ding Sihan, who was chasing behind, stepped on his foot again.

It hurts so much, it hurts so much, it hurts so much—

……

After the playful antics ended, Lin Li failed to outrun Ding Sihan this time. Several shallow shoe prints appeared on his pants, and he was forbidden from wiping them off, leaving him extremely aggrieved.

"Auntie, a few of us will go and see if we can find anything suitable as a gift. We'll come back to you later."

After Ding Sihan finished writing her blessings on the card, Chen Yuying spoke gently to the two volunteer aunties.

No one knew about this segment beforehand, and apart from Ding Sihan's squishy toy, none of them had anything suitable as a gift.

So if you want to participate in this small event, you'll need to buy a small gift at the church or outside and come back here later.

“Okay, okay, no problem! Even though the shifts change at night, there will always be people here,” the aunties replied with a smile.

The church courtyard was bustling with activity, and various stalls were selling all sorts of goods.

The most eye-catching stalls were filled with Christmas decorations: mini Christmas trees, gingerbread men, candy canes, reindeer headbands, Santa hats, Christmas-themed nightlights, mugs, and more.

Secondly, there are items with church elements: cross ornaments or necklaces, statues of the Virgin Mary, bookmarks printed with biblical verses, and antique-style candlesticks...

In addition, there are stalls selling fragrant handmade pastries, colorful handwoven products, and secondhand books and trinkets provided by believers.

"Come, come, children, try the cake Auntie made!"

The five of them had only taken a few steps when they were stopped by a very enthusiastic aunt.

She deftly picked up five delicate little cupcakes from the table next to her and stuffed them into everyone's hands without saying a word.

Noticing the hesitant looks on the five people's faces, the aunt immediately smiled and explained, "This is a free sample, you can eat as you please, it's not a forced sale."

Although the cake wasn't large, it was quite substantial, almost the size of a palm. Lin Li and his companions exchanged glances, and he stepped forward with a sincere smile, saying, "Auntie, one cake for each person is too much. Let's share two."

"What are you saying! One for each person, how is that too much?" Upon hearing this, the aunt began her classic "enthusiastic anger":
"This is a charity sale. Auntie made this cake for everyone to eat. You can try it all you want, Auntie won't mind. Just one for each person. If you like it, come and get more!"
Whether or not she buys anything is secondary; the auntie is just happy that the food is delicious!

Unable to refuse their kind offer, the five of them could only accept it with smiles and express their gratitude.

"What a warm and welcoming auntie," Qu Wanqiu whispered.

“Yes, the last time I felt such warm care was in Shanghai.” Lin Li nodded.

Upon hearing this, "Three Dogs" turned their gaze to Lin Li, waiting for further explanation.

Lin Li didn't disappoint them. Without waiting for a straight man, he took a bite of the cake and began to speak with a touch of nostalgia:
"Back then, it was my first time in the city. After arriving in Shanghai, the first thing I did was go to Mixue Ice Cream, hoping to try the drinks that the upper class drank."

"That was the first time I had ever seen a lemon. I didn't know what kind of fruit it was, so I asked the other customers in the shop. But none of them, who were from out of town, would answer me. They even looked at me strangely."

“There was only one Shanghainese,” Lin Li said with gratitude, “and he was the only one who warmly told me the answer—it’s called Fragrant Mist Lemon.”

"Moreover, let me tell you, the enthusiasm of Shanghainese people is the kind of enthusiasm that is subtle and pervasive, the highest level of enthusiasm."

He sensed my embarrassment, so instead of directly giving me the answer and making me feel awkward, he pretended to be chatting with his friends, jokingly pointing in my direction and introducing it to them: "Look, this is the real deal—a fragrant lime!"

"Pretending to answer a friend's question, but actually answering mine, that's really considerate," Lin Li said, wiping his eyes with his arm.

"I'm not going to say anything more, or I'll start crying again."

(End of this chapter)