Chapter 12 Week 10 (Part 2): Redemption

Although Rachel knew very little about religion, at least she knew that there was absolutely no such thing as using meat as a material for the traditional "Holy Communion". "Great!" Brother Liu, who was sitting next to Rachel, licked his lips expectantly and said.Brother Liu is the middle-aged worker who welcomed Rachel into the "Xinfu Church" at the gate downstairs.Just like Pastor Liang who was preaching on the platform, he has neatly combed hair and wears a white shirt buttoned to the throat. "You are really lucky. You can receive the 'communion' as soon as you come." Brother Liu wrinkled his red nose full of acne marks, and said to Rachel with a smile, "It's God's blessing." Rachel looked at the open door beside him. that door.There are four workers in white robes, pushing the dining car out.The smell of meat lifted the spirits of everyone in the auditorium. Rachel's stomach rumbled.She hadn't smelled this fragrance for almost three months, and like the dog in Pavlov's conditioned response experiment, her mouth was naturally overflowing with saliva.

Workers distribute plates of "Holy Communion" to the faithful in the auditorium.The person in charge of Rachel's line was a strong woman. When Rachel took it, she saw a terrible scar on one side of the woman's forehead, and her expression was dull. "Thank you, Sister Aiqun." Brother Liu said to the woman with a smile.Aiqun walked away without any response. Rachel held the plate and looked at the meat slices that were only one-third the size of a palm.Can't tell what kind of meat it is.Although there was no seasoning, the aroma of oil alone made her hungry.

"Thank you for the grace of God! This 'Sacrament' allows this new era to live strong and establish a perfect heaven on earth!" After Pastor Liang led the crowd to pray, the believers began to gobble it up. "Eat quickly!" Brother Liu urged Rachel: "After eating the 'Holy Sacrament', you have decided to join the church, obey God with all your body and soul, and accept His redemption." Rachel took a small bite and smiled at Brother Liu. , while he wasn't looking, quickly slipped the meat into a plastic bag and put it in his rucksack.She didn't forget the purpose of this trip because of hunger: to bring meat home to feed her sick mother.

On the stage, Pastor Liang also took out a "holy grail"—a large metal jar—and filled it with water. Rachel looked at Pastor Liang, and suddenly remembered something: "I remember that the pastor of the 'Xinfu Church' was not him...he was named Tao." Because of the many celebrities and high-ranking officials in the "Xinfu Church", Tao who presided over the pastor Yingjie is also very famous, and photos with celebrities often appear in the entertainment section, so Rachel has an impression. "...We are not the false church of the past." Brother Liu pointed to the words "Guanghua Church" on the wall. "It's not their false God that they worship. It's the real God! He sent an envoy to appear in front of Bishop Liang, taught him the correct teachings, and gave him the 'Holy Grail' with the 'seal of God'! Everything he said is the word of God! Everyone here has witnessed Master Liang's miracles!" Rachel saw Brother Liu's expression, which instantly changed from gentle and humble to fanatical, and she couldn't help feeling a little chilled.

Then the "Holy Grail" passed to Rachel.She brought her nose closer, and it turned out to be just tasteless water.But when she looked carefully at the "Mark of God" on the jar, she seemed to have fallen into ice water. Rachel also liked playing game consoles in the past, and immediately recognized the logo "Biohazard" of the three collapsed circles. "A miracle?... What kind of miracle?..." Rachel's hand holding the jar trembled. "Look for yourself." Brother Liu pointed to the stage. Pastor Liang was holding a wooden offering box, and the opening for depositing money in the lid had been cut to a size that one could put one's hand in.

"Everything...is according to your will." After speaking, Pastor Liang reached in, slowly pulled out a yellow ping pong ball, and held it high in front of everyone.The believers clasped their hands together and recited prayers.Some even shed tears. "Look!" Brother Liu said loudly, "Every time he decides to give, he is the first to draw. Many times, he has never drawn the white ball. Isn't this a miracle?" So what about the white ball?..." "It's just for dedication." Brother Liu looked at Rachel with a gentle smile.Look again at the empty meat dish on the chair next to her.

The "Holy Grail" fell from between Rachel's hands, splashing water all over the floor. There was a sudden silence in the auditorium.Only the sound of cans bouncing on the floor.All eyes were on Rachel. Pastor Liang held out his finger. "pagan!" Rachel didn't even think about it, she stood up, turned around and ran. Suddenly, a large black shadow appeared in front of him.It was Aiqun who stopped in front of him, holding a sharp knife for cutting meat in his hand. Rachel narrowly missed the slash by a few centimeters and sprinted out the door of the auditorium and down the winding staircase.There are countless footsteps and crazy curses behind.

Rachel pulled out the fruit knife hidden in her belt as she ran.Although the lobby downstairs was unguarded, the iron gate was locked with chains.The bicycle placed on the side of the lobby was twisted and deformed by someone. She ran back to the stairs on the second floor, only to see believers chasing after her. Those distorted faces reminded her of the legendary super virus. Rachel brandished the knife almost with her eyes closed.Blood spatter.People who have been stabbed don't seem to be afraid of pain. Rachel climbed to the window next to the stairs, jumped out without even looking at the bottom, and ran desperately in the dark back alley, never looking at the screaming "Xinfutang" believers in front of the window above.

Rachel had never run so fast and for such a long time before in the sports meeting.It was not until the footbridge of Electric Road that she sat tiredly beside the bridge pier. She only saved the rucksack in her hand during the break.With trembling hands, she took out the plastic bag of meat. Rachel thought she was going to throw up.But no - people's adaptability in extraordinary times far exceeds their own estimates. She looked at the piece of meat and thought about throwing it away.After thinking about it for a while, she finally decided to put it back in the rucksack; she stood up and walked in the direction of home.As she walked, she muttered and practiced her lines:

"Mom...I found a piece...pork tenderloin...eat it quickly, you will get better if you eat it..."