The two of them signed up for martial arts classes together.
Back then, they were both delicate little girls, yet while learning martial arts, they got bruised and battered all over without ever crying out in pain. They only wanted the ability to protect themselves, so the elders at home could stop worrying.
For two children who had always been smart, once they seriously decided to do something, they might not necessarily become the absolute best, but they would definitely outperform most people.
Neither of them could claim they were capable of taking on ten enemies alone, but handling two or three grown men was absolutely no problem.
That was one of the reasons why two single girls like them had managed to live peacefully all these years.
But just now, Zhao Qingye had already walked right up beside Meiqing.
With Meiqing’s former sharp awareness, she should have noticed her immediately.
But now…
Shi Meiqing smiled at Zhao Qingye.
“I was thinking about something, so I didn’t notice what was going on around me. Besides, there are so many people here. Nothing dangerous would happen.”
She stood up.
“Let’s go. Otherwise, before we even get there, it’ll already be closing time. I really don’t want to come to such a crowded place again tomorrow.”
Suppressing the worry in her eyes, Zhao Qingye cheerfully replied, “Let’s go then. Big sister will guide you through the fast lane.”
Laughing and joking, the two entered Yonghe Temple and followed the electronic map directly toward the wish-making area.
One look around and—wow—there were people everywhere.
Apparently, when it came to fulfilling wishes, people didn’t care whether something was creepy or not. Nothing could stop them.
“Hurry, hurry! We absolutely have to get in line today!”
Zhao Qingye darted forward at once and squeezed herself ahead of several young people heading inside.
Shi Meiqing shook her head with a smile and quickened her pace to stand behind Zhao Qingye, chatting casually while occasionally sipping her lemon water.
More than an hour later, it was finally their turn.
They threw their unfinished drink cups into a nearby trash bin.
That had been Zhao Qingye’s request.
Since they had come here to make wishes, they should at least show basic respect to the beings they were praying to.
As for Shi Meiqing, whatever Zhao Qingye said, she simply followed along.
After all, this was her sister from another mother.
If spending her final days indulging Zhao Qingye brought her comfort, then so be it.
Avoiding the kneeling cushion in the middle, the two knelt separately on each side, closed their eyes, and silently spoke the wishes hidden in their hearts.
Shi Meiqing didn’t believe in these things at all.
If gods and ghosts truly existed, then why hadn’t her grandparents visited her even once after being gone for so many years?
Still, she could fulfill Little Curly Hair’s wish.
At the very least, it would give Zhao Qingye some emotional comfort.
Shi Meiqing turned her head slightly.
She had never seen Zhao Qingye look this serious before—almost as solemn and earnest as when they had first joined the youth league together back in school.
Shi Meiqing chuckled softly, then closed her own eyes.
Her heart was calm as still water.
Zhao Qingye pulled her back to her feet.
At the doorway, Zhao Qingye took out a thick stack of cash from her pocket and placed it into the donation box before heading toward the place where they distributed safety bracelets.
“Remember, only ask for a bracelet that protects your health.”
Shi Meiqing nodded obediently.
“Okay, got it.”
Truthfully, these bracelets were basically just psychological comfort.
Nobody genuinely believed they had any real effect. Even the materials looked cheap. Back in elementary school, neither of them would have worn accessories made from something like this.
But after getting the bracelet, Zhao Qingye happily shook her wrist.
“You heard what the monk said, right? It can’t touch water. And before sleeping, you have to take it off and place it on the bedside table.”
Shi Meiqing could only keep nodding.
Whatever Zhao Qingye said, nodding was always the correct answer.
One lectured, the other listened.
As for touring Yonghe Temple afterward, neither of them had the slightest interest.
In weather this hot and with this many people around, who would be crazy enough to wander around sightseeing?
Shi Meiqing drove her tiny Mini back downstairs to her apartment building.
“I just realized—I forgot to ask. Where’s your car?”
Zhao Qingye curled her lips.
“It’s still parked beneath my old company building. I’ll pick it up whenever I have time. It’s not like that’s the only car at home anyway.”
“Stop talking and hurry upstairs already. Aren’t you tired after walking around so long?”
Meiqing’s face had already started turning pale again.
“You should just stay over tonight. It’s been a while since you stayed here anyway. Clean your own room though—I’ve been too lazy to move lately.”
“Yeah, yeah, got it. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Wait, you’re really planning to stay here? Weren’t you talking about wanting to experience the hardships of ordinary life? You’re giving up already?”
“Hah, there’s always time to experience life later. Recently I just want to travel around. You can come with me. We already agreed we’d go around praying to gods and Buddhas together. You promised me.”
“Okay, okay, I didn’t forget. I’ll go with you.”
As they chatted, the two entered the elevator.
Shi Meiqing also opened a food delivery app on her phone.
There was nothing at home, so she needed to order fruit, snacks, and other things.
Recently, she had really become lazy.
She barely even had the motivation to live anymore.
Shi Meiqing lived in a massive penthouse apartment on the top floor.
The building was a high-rise complex, and all the apartments below belonged to her family as rental properties.
Each unit occupied an entire floor with only two households per elevator, all large luxury apartments with correspondingly “beautiful” rent prices.
She had kept the entire top floor for herself, combining two apartments into one enormous penthouse spanning over four hundred square meters.
Living there alone felt absurdly spacious.
Back when the area underwent redevelopment, her grandparents and maternal grandparents had consolidated all their old properties together so they could choose apartments in one place.
That way, after they were gone, managing everything would be easier for Shi Meiqing.
That was how she ended up owning so many properties.
Just from apartment rentals alone, she earned at least a million yuan every month—not even counting rent from over ten commercial storefronts.
No matter how you looked at it, she was a genuine young rich woman.
Opening the apartment door, the place looked spotless.
Everything was automated nowadays, so nobody needed to clean much. Once the scheduled time arrived, the apartment’s smart systems automatically handled everything.
The two sat across from each other on the sofa in exactly the same posture, both busy staring at their phones.
After placing her orders, Shi Meiqing tossed her phone aside.
“Nope, I’m taking a shower first. When the deliveries arrive later, remember to open the door.”
Without even looking up, Zhao Qingye replied, “Got it. Go do your thing.”
When Shi Meiqing came out feeling refreshed, Zhao Qingye hadn’t changed posture even once.
Several shopping bags were already piled on the floor.
Shi Meiqing walked over and carried the delivered fruit and snacks into the open kitchen.
“What are you busy with?”
She organized the groceries one by one and took out some fruit, planning to make a fruit salad and chill it in the fridge for them later.
Zhao Qingye finally put down her phone and stretched lazily.
“Didn’t we agree to go around praying to gods and Buddhas? I need to prepare in advance.”
“What are you doing? Don’t touch that—I’ll do it.”
The moment Zhao Qingye saw Shi Meiqing working, she immediately fussed loudly to stop her.