Su Ling'er finished the final stroke of her name on the yellow paper. Following Mr. Chen's instructions, she faced the strange, red-draped Buddha statue and feigned three bows.
The smoke from the incense, mixed with a strange odor, wafted into her nostrils.
After bowing, Su Ling'er felt the hair on her body stand on end, as if the gaze of some entity upon her had intensified.
"Alright."
In the ancestral hall, an old woman with a face full of wrinkles walked over.
She and Mr. Chen stood on either side of Su Ling'er, benevolent smiles on their faces.
"From now on, your name is considered an offering to the Buddha Mother."
Mr. Chen tapped his wooden staff on the ground and added, "This is the Buddha Mother's gift, and also her protection over you. Remember, from this day forward, you must not mention, write, or even think of that name again. Otherwise... you will bring disaster upon those around you and yourself."
'Disaster?'
Su Ling'er's heart sank.
'What's going on?'
