Chapter 681

Alexander's gaze followed the little boy who effortlessly lifted Evelyn. His doubts instantly vanished. The children in this place must all possess extraordinary skills.

The procession suddenly paused its performance. Several children dressed as the Monkey King took the stage first, performing a series of backflips that drew cheers from the crowd. Next came an elderly man on stilts—each over a meter tall—yet he moved with surprising agility.

Alexander's pupils contracted slightly. This wasn’t just a folk parade; it was practically a professional acrobatic troupe.

Evelyn chuckled at his expression. "You've never been to a place like this before, have you?"

"Never," he admitted frankly. "When I did charity work before, it was mostly signing documents and taking photos. Field inspections were always delegated to subordinates."

It had never occurred to him that those simple lines on paper carried the hopes of so many lives.

Evelyn mused, "When we were married, we knew so little about each other's work. Now, at least, we can have a conversation about it."

Today, she wore simple dark blue jeans and a solid-colored hoodie, paired with canvas shoes similar to the ones she'd lost in the village. At a glance, their outfits almost looked like matching couple's wear.

Alexander secretly delighted in this and subtly moved closer, shielding her like any ordinary couple would.

The main attraction of the procession finally arrived—statues of various deities carried by the crowd.

Unfamiliar with local customs, Evelyn leaned toward an elderly man explaining the traditions to younger onlookers. Alexander immediately followed.

"This temple fair isn’t just for people to enjoy," the old man explained warmly. "It’s for the gods too. We invite them out to celebrate with us, offer prayers, and then send them back. In the old days, when we depended on the weather, these rituals were how we prayed for good harvests."

In the past, Alexander would have dismissed this as superstition. But after witnessing life here firsthand, his perspective had shifted.

People need something to believe in.

Evelyn studied the statues closely. "The craftsmanship is exquisite—so lifelike. Especially that one earlier. The painting made him look quite handsome."

Alexander immediately craned his neck to look, relaxing only after confirming the deity’s stern, majestic features. Good. No resemblance to Gregory whatsoever.

Hearing Evelyn’s comment, the old man turned with a chuckle. "Times change, and even the gods must keep up. If it weren’t for that tourist video last year, we wouldn’t have so many visitors now."

"Grandpa, what do these gods protect?" Evelyn asked humbly.

"That one? She’s the Goddess of Fertility. If you’re hoping for a child, praying to her is sure to bring blessings!"

The old man listed each deity with pride, encouraged by Evelyn’s attentiveness. Only after finishing did he notice Alexander standing beside her.

"Young man, you’re quite dashing. Any child of yours would surely be beautiful," the old man praised sincerely.

Alexander accepted the blessing without hesitation. Evelyn quickly changed the subject. "What about that one in the back?"

"That’s our local River God."

"A water deity?"

"In a way," the old man laughed. "In ancient times, young couples would scoop a bowl of water before marriage to seek his blessing."

Alexander grew intrigued. "How would they know if the River God approved?"

"By the water’s clarity. Clear water meant a happy marriage, while murky water foretold strife." The old man studied their closeness. "With a bond like yours, you’re sure to grow old together."

Evelyn thought of their failed first marriage and smiled without comment. But Alexander seemed contemplative. He asked about the river’s location, only to be disappointed upon learning it had long since dried up.

The temple fair lasted three days, with the first being the liveliest. The two followed the crowd to the temple—a modest two-courtyard compound bustling with worshippers.

Evelyn inhaled the scent of incense in the air. "With so many people competing to offer the first incense, how do the gods tell who’s who?"

Alexander murmured, "It’s less about competing and more about giving themselves reassurance. I used to think it was superstition, but now I see the value in it."

He would have liked to seek blessings too, but they’d come unprepared.

The courtyard was home to many stray cats, accustomed to visitors and utterly unafraid of people. A long-haired lion cat brushed against Evelyn’s leg, its fluffy tail winding around her ankle.