please don't believe me

Although the dinner called by Bishop Clement was apparently a daily meal, everyone who was able to attend the dinner table understood what was going on.

As a priest, no one would be late at this time.Dai Bowen came at a slow pace. As soon as he entered the restaurant, Locke raised his hand to greet him: "Here, Dorin!"

Apart from Locke, the other four at the table are all priests.Dai Bowen walked over, greeted them one by one, and then sat down beside Locke.It is still unknown how good the relationship between these bishop candidates is, but there is a strong competitor coming today, and everyone is still willing to discuss it.

In particular, some people had already seen that Locke and Dolin were close, and they had regarded Dolin as a favorite in the election, and now they leaned next to Dai Bowen and asked, "It seems that a new member is coming today. Have you heard of him, Dolin?" ?”

"Yes, I've heard of it." Dai Bowen replied quite casually, "It's a priest named Wright, right?"

"It's him, Father Wright!" The other party looked at Dai Bowen with a look of indifference, and said, "Seeing your relaxed expression, I guess you must not know his glorious deeds!"

Dai Bowen wondered, "'Glorious deeds'?"

"Hey, I know that!" The priest on the opposite side spoke, causing everyone at the table to look at him, "He seems to be a divinely favored person too!"

For a while, the restaurant was quiet.For hundreds of years, "Family of the Gods" has never been heard of on the mainland, but in the past six months, "Family of the Gods" suddenly appeared one after another like mushrooms after rain.Some people claim to be able to see through the past and predict the future, some claim to be able to cure some chronic diseases, and some claim to feel the coming of God.

The people of this country are not incapable of identifying liars, but when more and more people have seen the "ability" of these "godly people", the voice of support has become more and more obvious.In the past, it sounded like an act of a magic stick, but now it seems to be a real "miracle".For most of the priests who were orthodox-educated, this was actually more complicated emotionally.

Suddenly someone broke the silence: "Has anyone seen... the 'miracle' of that Father Wayne?"

Father Wayne was the first "godly man"—or the first to call himself so—and the most mysterious person described in the rumors.It has only been a few months since his deeds have been spread, and it is still hot now.It's just that Quebec is far away, and those present have not seen him in person.

However, I haven’t seen Father Wayne, which doesn’t mean I haven’t seen the so-called “Father of God.” A priest answered, “I haven’t seen Father Wayne, but I have seen Father Wright’s missionary scene.”

Another person also nodded, indicating that he had seen it.Dai Bowen glanced at the other two. Although they were silent, Dai Bowen easily read the affirmation in their eyes.

In addition to Locke, in this way, among the people present, only Dai Bowen had never "visited the scene".

Before everyone could speak again, a middle-aged man wearing a clergy robe that Dai Bowen had never seen before entered the restaurant.He has a beard, but he doesn't look messy, and he looks a little kind when he laughs.Dai Bowen heard several other priests call him "Father Wright". When he looked over, Dai Bowen showed a friendly smile.

"You must be Father Dorin!" Wright walked over, seemingly in a good mood, "I heard that there is a handsome and friendly young man nearby, who made many villagers feel the warmth of the church. It must be your diligence. care."

"It's just some insignificant things, and you're overrated." Dai Bowen's social rhetoric is not inferior, even though the words of the middle-aged priest opposite are slightly offensive, "It is precisely to show kindness to people and help them." I'm waiting for work. I've been busy with these trivial matters, but I'm meeting you for the first time... Excuse me, I'm Dorin, may I ask you..."

Dai Bowen's words were gentle and tactful, and his tone was very friendly. He really seemed like a priest who could easily preach among the villagers.But before he had time to "pretend not to know Father Wright", Bishop Clement had already entered the dining room.

All the priests stood up, and Locke rushed to meet him and supported him.

Bishop Clement was already nearly seventy years old. Apart from some old age's inherent exhaustion, he had no major physical problems, so his spirit was not bad.He was dressed in the bishop's everyday attire, and had an amiable air, with the wisdom of years of experience in his words and eyes.

The bishop's affection for Locke was palpable, and by the time they got to the table, their greetings had been exchanged for several rounds.After sitting down himself, he made the priests sit down one by one.After chatting a few words with everyone about the progress, he simply announced the opening of the meeting.

The priests are all well-bred, they don't talk when they eat, and only occasionally whisper a few words between changing dishes.Locke is the most cheerful and lively. Although he can't bear it, he still talks to Dai Bowen next to him from time to time.Dai Bowen answered as he should, and answered as he should, neither indifferent nor bluffing, his expression of interest was just right, and he didn't delay in answering the bishop's occasional questions about him.

Finally, when everyone began to taste dessert, Father Wright threw out a "flavoring agent" for the dinner.

"Preaching at a nearby school church tomorrow?"

The priests chewed on this sentence with strange expressions: "That church is not usually..."

"Well, they told me that the faculty and staff of this church are usually busy, and they all come to the Sala Cathedral to worship together on weekends." Father Wright smiled, "But tomorrow is a busy farming holiday, and the teachers don't have to go to class. Come and tell me maybe you can go and see."

The priests were silent for a moment.The churches near the cathedral, to be honest, don't have much need to preach - their loyalty has always been very high.Now that Father Wright actually said that he was going to preach, on the one hand, it would give everyone a sense of "he is really famous to this extent", on the other hand, it sounded like inviting others to watch his performance.

When everyone was silent, Bishop Clement smiled kindly: "Oh, isn't this nearby? Just last time the headmaster told me that the prayer room has been redecorated. It would be good for you to go and have a look for me."

Locke has always been the first to respond to Bishop Clement's instructions: "Me, me, me! I will help you to see, Bishop Clement!"

Bishop Clement chuckled: "You can go, don't disturb our Father Wright."

Father Wright quickly replied: "Of course you don't bother. Locke has been to my party. He is a smart and charming young man!"

"Oh...then I'll go and have a look too, okay?"

Father Wright turned around following the sound, and the one who spoke was the only priest present who had never been to his preaching site—Dolin.

At 10:30 in the evening, under the leadership of a nun, Dai Bowen walked through the courtyard corridor and came to a small meeting room.

The night breeze and coolness were blocked outside the house, and the firewood in the fireplace was burning. Bishop Clermont was sitting on a comfortable and soft single sofa, and the teacup on the small table in front of him was still steaming.

Dai Bowen took two steps inside: "Good night, Bishop Clement."

"Good night, dear Father Dorin." Bishop Clement smiled kindly, and pointed to the opposite sofa, "Please sit down."

Dai Bowen sat down and poured a glass of drink by himself under the signal of Bishop Clement - the milk flavor was stronger, which obviously had the effect of helping sleep.Then, like the beginning of any light-hearted social conversation, they move on to mundane, day-to-day topics punctuated with culturally dry humor.

When Dai Bowen took his second sip of tea, the formal topic finally started.

"When everyone went to see Father Wright's preaching, you remained silent." Bishop Clement put down his teacup. "Now that you ask to go, it seems that you are ready?"

"I don't intend to do anything, dear Bishop Clement, I have no bad intentions." Dai Bowen smiled. Compared with the gentleness and amiability of other priests, this priest Dorin's smile is always a little more lively And confident, "Honestly, I just want to see those shocking watches... oh, sorry, I meant miracle."

Bishop Clement smiled and said, "What you want to say is 'performance', I know. This is also the main purpose of my looking for you tonight."

Dai Bowen raised his eyebrows inexplicably: "Oh..."

Bishop Clement clasped his hands on his lap, looked at Dai Bowen calmly and wisely: "I wonder if you've heard of 'psychic medium'?"

Dai Bowen also looked at him: "...Sorry, I'm not very familiar with you."

Bishop Clement smiled, as if he saw through Dai Bowen's pretending to be stupid, but he didn't point it out: "It's just some tricks to bluff people."

Dai Bowen was slightly surprised by Clement's simple definition.Having been together for more than half a year, the bishop's words have always been modest and tolerant, and he is rarely as determined with negative emotions as he is now.You know, even Dai Bowen, who has seen many "psychic media" performances, will not insist that all methods are deceitful without exception.

However, Dai Bowen didn't intervene, and didn't even show his doubts on his face. He just continued to listen quietly to the bishop's speech: "Sometimes the holy light is difficult to shine on every inch of land, and some cults will take advantage of it. Of course, I'm not saying that other beliefs are cults, but there are some people who only use meaningless means to deceive people's hearts..."

The last sentence also said that others are "bluffing" liars, but now they have changed their minds again.Dai Bowen thought to himself, and asked, "I don't quite understand. Maybe you want to tell me that the methods of those 'psychic mediums' are somewhat similar to..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but Bishop Clement obviously understood the unfinished meaning of his words: "Actually, as long as these abilities can teach people truth, goodness, and beauty, it's all right. But the premise of everything should be People have not been deceived, and they have not misunderstood the true face of faith because of some heresy."

Dai Bowen smiled: "I understand."

"In this regard, your performance has always been excellent, dear Dorin." Bishop Clement laughed, "I often hear people say that you not only teach children knowledge, but also teach them how to detect evil, Fight the pain."

Dai Bowen smiled and said, "This is what I should do."

"You've done a good job, Dorin. I've always admired your wisdom." Bishop Clement replied, "In fact, just now, Locke told me some of your views on a certain 'new thing'."

Classifying "God's Blessed One" as a "new thing", Dai Bowen carefully savored the playful meaning in it, and replied: "Maybe my view is still too conservative..."

"Not necessarily, my dear priest. We often talk about: what we see and hear may not necessarily be the truth. This is actually not a doctrine, but an experience that life has given me." Bishop Clement said, "Based on you At this age, it is even more commendable to be able to uphold this idea."

Dai Bowen smiled: "You are absurd."

"Unfortunately, not everyone is as sensible as you, kid." Bishop Clement leaned forward and picked up his cup again, "Tomorrow you will go to 'grow' your knowledge—I understand that in the You're the only one among the priests who hasn't seen it—watch it carefully, and then come back and tell me what you think."

It seems that the bishop would not welcome positive thoughts.Dai Bowen thought silently, and responded, "Follow your instruction."

Bishop Clement drank the last sip of tea: "Locke trusts you very much...don't let him make mistakes."

Dai Bowen understood that Bishop Clement's main purpose throughout the night was to say these words.

"I understand, please rest assured."