pertwk Chapter 27: Auspicious sign for passing the civil service exam
Chapter 27: Auspicious sign for passing the civil service exam
As the capital of Jianghuai Province, Jiangzhou is located in the central-eastern part of the province. To the north are Dacang Mountain and Xiaocang Mountain, and to the west is Jinping Mountain. In fact, it is a whole mountain range that slopes and extends northeastward, and none of them are very high.
Longtan Gorge is located deep in Jinping Mountain, about 60 miles from the city, which is a bit far.
Lu Ming came here once when he was in college, and honestly felt there wasn't much to do at the time.
The only tourist attraction, Longtan Temple, is also dilapidated.
After many years, with Jiangtai Group investing heavily in the area, Longtan Gorge is now worth a visit.
On Sunday morning, the light was not strong, so everyone followed the winding bluestone road towards Longtan Temple halfway up the mountain.
After arriving at the temple, everyone toured around and then drew lots in the main hall. Apparently, the temple had made ample preparations in advance, as both of the wealthy women drew very auspicious lots.
One achieves success in both career and love, while the other's wishes come true and their family is complete.
really?
Lu Ming secretly grumbled to himself, suspecting that the people around the two female tycoons had donated money to the abbot, stuffing the divination tube full of dozens of top-tier divination sticks.
Han Huilan is a widow in her mid-forties, and Mei Yanping is a recent divorcee. Both are female tycoons with assets of over 100 million. It wouldn't be difficult for them to find a few sports students as lovers, but it's unrealistic for them to find a man to date, fall in love with, and get married.
Finally, it was Lu Ming's turn to draw lots. After shaking the lot a few times, he drew another very auspicious lot.
Heaven and earth opened up a new world, a blessed union is formed; the day is auspicious and the time is right, all things are accomplished; the garden is full of peach blossoms, the gods bless; people act uprightly, the emperor proclaims his authority.
After reading the words on the bamboo slip, Lu Ming felt that he didn't need to find a monk to interpret it.
There is probably no better fortune slip than this at Longtan Temple.
However, he still handed the bamboo stick to the abbot beside him, clasped his hands in gratitude, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Abbot!"
"This is a good omen, indicating a smooth marriage and success in the civil service exam!" The abbot, who was in his fifties or sixties, smiled broadly and returned the greeting with his palms together, probably mistaking Lu Ming for a young man in his twenties, the kind who had just graduated from university.
Hey!
Times have really changed; even monks know that having a government job is a great blessing.
Lu Ming sighed inwardly. He was already forty years old. How could he possibly pass the civil service exam?
Unless one's intelligence is elevated to a super level in the future and one joins a national research team, then it is possible to obtain a permanent position!
"Hey, Daming, your fortune stick says 'a garden full of peach blossoms'!" Mei Yanping couldn't help but remind him.
The abbot of Longtan Temple explained with a smile, "It's more likely referring to the Peach Garden Oath of the Three Sworn Brothers; the long-awaited opportunity is finally here!"
"Thank you, Abbot! Thank you, Abbot!"
Lu Ming hurriedly clasped his hands together again to express his gratitude, truly feeling the profoundness and benevolence of Buddhism.
Thank you so much, Master, for saving my life!
Longtan Temple is located halfway up the mountain, 300 meters above the ground. From here, you can go down to Longtan Gorge Water Park, which has attractions for children, but you can also rent yachts.
The electric type requires virtually no technical skill to operate and operates in the same way as the electric car-like vehicle for the elderly.
Everyone walked down the mountain along the bluestone path and rented the most luxurious yacht in the park. After receiving a few minutes of driving training, Lu Ming closed his eyes and drove into the depths of the reservoir.
China's manufacturing industry is getting more and more impressive.
Although it is an electric yacht, its configuration is almost the same as that of a high-end yacht, and its interior facilities are quite luxurious.
After everyone boarded the yacht, they changed into their swimsuits and took a bunch of nice selfies, which they then shared on their social media.
Even wealthy women like Han Huilan and Mei Yanping are not immune to this trend.
Lu Ming also shared one.
Longtanxia Reservoir is more than four miles long from south to north, and its widest point is one mile wide. Overall, it is quite long and narrow and is not considered very large.
Because both sides are surrounded by mountains that are five or six hundred meters high, the scenery is indeed quite beautiful.
Lu Ming drove the yacht to a secluded spot opposite the reservoir, allowing several middle-aged women and two young female assistants to sunbathe on the yacht.
The water in this area is relatively shallow, and patches of lotus leaves and flowers can already be seen.
He simply swam around the yacht dozens of times before returning to the cabin. Mei Yanping and Han Huilan did not go to the deck of the yacht to sunbathe, but instead continued to discuss business matters in hushed tones in the cabin.
Having listened to it all night yesterday, Lu Ming now knows a little bit about it.
It is said that the province wants to reorganize the entire Jiangtai Group, and Han Huilan is undoubtedly tempted. Even though she knows there are significant risks, she still wants to give it a try.
Mei Yanping also supported her idea, and from the perspective of a private equity investment company and a financing party, helped her analyze which industries could not be accepted and which industries could be accepted.
When Lu Ming returned to the cabin, the two wealthy women quietly stopped their discussion and looked at Lu Ming's body, from his chest muscles all the way down.
Lu Ming dried his hair with a bath towel and asked, "Did I disturb you?"
"It's alright, nothing serious, you can rest in the cabin!" Han Huilan quickly reassured him, indicating that Lu Ming didn't need to avoid suspicion and could stay.
"Mr. Han and I were just chatting casually, it wasn't serious!"
Mei Yanping nodded slightly, her smile gentle, but her eyes continued to linger on Lu Ming.
Lu Ming, who had just returned to the cabin from the reservoir, was soaked to the bone, and his white swimming trunks were completely drenched.
The deepest part of the cabin is the driver's seat, with seats arranged in a circle on both sides.
Since Han Huilan and Mei Yanping weren't discussing any business secrets, Lu Ming sat opposite the two female bosses, dried himself with a towel, and then checked his phone.
Having apparently seen the yacht photos, his ex-wife Guo Haili was quite provoked and sent him five or six messages in a row.
"Da Ming, tell me the truth, how much hidden money did you have before the divorce?" Guo Haili was already starting to suspect something.
Lu Ming certainly couldn't answer such a question, so he simply sent a text message saying, "My sister-in-law is doing business with a female chairman from Ningzhou whose net worth is in the tens of billions. My sister-in-law's best friend, assistant, and I are just doing our jobs and keeping her company."
"Daming, we've known each other since high school. Although there have been many misunderstandings, none of them are major problems."
Guo Haili clearly wants to get back together.
"At least we can be friends; there's no need to become enemies!"
Lu Ming echoed, but without any intention of reconciliation.
"I've been with you for so many years, how could we just be friends? Actually, I've been reflecting on myself lately, and I really have gone too far with you!"
Guo Haili even started to admit her mistakes.
How amazing!
After thinking about it carefully, Lu Ming suspected that this was the first time he had seen Guo Haili reflect on her mistakes and admit her wrongdoing.
Ultimately, it's because I care about you a lot; in this world, you're the only one I can rely on.
Guo Haili quickly came to a conclusion about herself.
Putting aside the facts, she simply loved her husband too much.
"It's all in the past, don't be so hard on yourself!"
Lu Ming replied to another message.
"Daming, let's get back together. Even if it's not for your own sake, it's for Ruirui's. I believe you still have feelings for me."
Guo Haili urgently sent a voice message.
As the sound played, Mei Yanping and Han Huilan, who hadn't been seriously discussing business, both looked over.
Lu Ming replied via voice message: "Guo Haili, you've been going on blind dates since your divorce, and you even dated a Mr. Huang. Do you think, given my personality, I would ever get back together with you?"
"Da Ming, I absolutely did not sleep with Boss Huang; I just gave him a chance to pursue me!"
Guo Haili hurriedly began to swear an oath.
"We can be friends, and you can contact me if you have any difficulties, but from the moment you started going on blind dates, there is absolutely no way we can get back together."
After replying with another voice message, Lu Ming promptly blocked Guo Haili.
"Daming, to be honest, Guo Haili is a woman who is not good enough for you in any way."
Mei Yanping immediately spoke up, actively encouraging Lu Ming not to get back together with his ex.
Of course, don't look for young and pretty girls either. Aren't these wealthy and powerful mature women better? They can help with anything.
"I've already blocked her. There's no need to contact her for now. Let her calm down for a while!" Lu Ming locked his phone and put it aside to continue charging.
beep!
As expected, the academic genius system displayed a black screen.
"Women will only hinder your progress!"
"Complete side quest (1), refuse your first love's request to get back together, and receive a point of constitution attribute bonus!"
"If both your physique and appearance attributes reach nine points, the attribute rewards for subsequent side quests in this series will be randomly distributed among the four attributes: constitution, physique, appearance, and agility!"
"To unlock side quest (2), participate in the high school sports meet and win at least two events, you will gain one point of the Resilience attribute!"