My Darling, My Dearest

Chapter 200

Michael happened to come over that day and overheard the conversation among his employees.

Seeing the surprised expression written all over Eric's face, Michael guessed that he didn't know about the news.

Since Jack asked him to take care of Eric, Michael felt that it was his duty to reassure the man.

Plus, he liked watching dramas unfold. Although he might sympathize with Jack's hardships in trying to pursue his wife, he couldn't help but be entertained by the man's antics.

Michael had always disliked Celine, so when he heard that they broke up, he was ecstatic.

He was also very pleased that Jack finally got together with Rachel.

What he didn't expect was for their relationship to develop so fast. In fact, he didn't know what Jack was thinking when he decided to out their relationship under the public's scrutiny.

So far, the internet was still releasing bits and pieces about Rachel, and not the entire thing.

It was not that others couldn't take photos or find evidence of Rachel's existence, but as long as they didn't get any approval, it was as if those photos don't even exist. No one dared to reveal her information.

Michael reassured him, "Don't worry. He won't bully Rachel."

He would only make her his woman.

Eric pursed his lips. He knew that Michael was Jack's friend, so he would put in a good word for Jack.

Although he knew exactly what he was thinking, Michael chose to ignore him and chatted with the others.

Unlike the people who couldn't believe that Jack was finally with Rachel, Michael had expected from the very start that they were meant to be.

He knew Jack well enough to know what he wanted,

and it seemed that time would tell.

If they weren't right for each other, they would've already separated after a few years of being together, but it seemed the years between Jack and Rachel had only brought them closer.

After taking a shower and eating dinner, they went out of the hotel. The air here was much cooler than in Ninwell City.

Jack didn't really have the chance to tour around the ancient city, given that he usually came here to watch over his project.

Although the sightseeing areas around the ancient city weren't as extravagant as other well-known monuments, there were still plenty of interesting places that they had to see.

Ever since the development of the resort, different kinds of livelihood conditions had been

promoted around the area.

Once the man-in-charge heard that they wanted to sightsee in the evening, he immediately arranged a guide to introduce them to all the places they could see.

He gave them a map and made sure to circle all the restaurants that they just had to try.

That map saved them so much time from asking questions.

There was something so strange and exciting in touring the city at night. Before they went out, they made sure to match their shirts. In fact, as they exited the hotel, they looked like one of those touristy couples.

Their shirts were sewn by hand and embroidered with detailed totems.

Rachel had studied the totems as she was going out. She pursed her lips, not really sure what animal it represented.

The fabric and the embroidery were the best. In fact, under the cold weather, the fabric provided a sense of warmth. Although it was already night time, the streets were ablaze with light and the music thumped along to her heartbeat.

"The party being held here is used to invite the gods," Jack explained as a smile tugged his lips.

Crowds of people could be seen from left and right as they held onto their shopping bags and yelled at the top of their lungs. Everyone was brought to life with the lively drumbeat.

Although the shops were closed, the small

stalls were bustling as everyone tried to squeeze their way into the alleyways.

As they followed the crowd, they found that there was a temple at the other end of the road. People walked all the way to offer incense sticks to the gods above.

At the entrance of the temple were rows of offerings. There were different types of tributes as the candles glowed in the dark.

A group of children ran towards them, waving their luminous sticks up in the air. Seeing them coming towards her, Jack pulled her over, protecting her from bumping into them.

Suddenly, the sound of drums reverberated across the alleyway.

Rachel leaned into Jack's arm in shock as men's voices echoed throughout the temple.

She gazed blankly at the direction of the voices.

It seemed that the ceremony had officially begun. "Come on," he whispered as he took her forward, protecting her as they squeezed through the crowd.

There were stalls at both ends selling some gadgets and toys for kids.

Without missing a beat, they swarmed towards the front. As they passed through the crowds, Jack made sure to keep an eye on her as he squeezed her hand comfortingly.

They reached the other end of the road. Seeing all the people standing on their tiptoes and peering

inside, Rachel followed suit.

The crowd made a circle, giving way for the performers.

A row of men were in black trousers and white sweats. One of them tied a piece of red cloth around his head as he held two long flags in his hands. He howled to the beat. Soon enough, two men in front of him rushed ahead with their flags.

The drum was in sync to their footsteps. In fact, they didn't slow down till the two of them reached the finish line.

Rachel was in awe of their performance.

After the five lines of flags were passed, the men started to form another long line. There was changed in the beat as they sprinted to the crowd, chanting in their native language.

"What are they saying?" she whispered.

"I'm not sure," Jack admitted as he kept her close to him.

Their conversation was heard by a mid-aged woman next to them. Although they wore their local clothing, they still looked quite strange.

However, given that there had been an influx of tourists coming into their city,

it was normal.

From the way they were speaking mandarin, the woman was a hundred percent sure that they weren't locals.

Seeing this, the woman smiled

and explained,

"This is a traditional custom left by our ancestors. On this day, the residents of the surrounding villages all come together to pray for better harvest for next year."

Rachel listened to every word she had said with relish as she stared at the performance happening before her.

Suddenly, there was a huge gap formed in the circle. Four young men carried the statue of a god on their shoulders and rushed through the gap.

They circled the crowd before going back in.

The woman was attracted by the sight.

She stopped talking and fixated her gaze at the men.

'I've never seen something like this before,1 Rachel mused. Although she had seen bits and pieces of it from TV, she felt that the practice was entirely more intricate up close.

The activity would probably last till midnight. "There will be a worship ceremony and a dragon dance later," the woman said. "Although the ceremony starts at night, we have more activities to partake in the next day."

Rachel didn't expect that their custom would be so lively.

It was spectacular.

When they were already setting off the firecrackers, Jack led her through the crowd. Although the streets were usually filled with the night market, it wouldn't be as lively as the one they had just witnessed tonight.

When they finally left the crowded area, the firecrackers were already roaring with delight as the crowd below them screamed and clapped in celebration.

The night sky brightened before them, causing them to stop and turn around.

A kid with a fluorescent fish in his hand ran pass them.

"I feel like it's the Spring Festival already," Rachel said with a smile.

Jack grinned. "It's more lively than the Spring Festival."

They walked along a small country road. Fortunately, everything was brightly lit because of the ceremony.

"It's a good thing everything's so lit up," Rachel said. "Or else we wouldn't be able to read the signs."

A tall, traditional building stood at the center of it all, like a guard guiding its people throughout the night.

There were bells hanging under the eaves. Whenever winds blew pass them, they chimed through the night.

Around the building were the houses of local residents. The government made sure to preserve them by preventing any construction plans around the area. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Therefore, the houses remained unchanged.

It was to help keep the spirit of the village that it once was.

There was a rumor that said that the villagers here were all descendants of the royal guards. Rachel didn't know if it was true or not.

Over the past hundred years, the people here had gone through generation after generation trying to protect this place. It wasn't until times had changed and tourism had escalated that this place was lively again.