This Easter, Wang Bo truly experienced the fervor of the faithful and the solemnity of the Christian festival.

Easter isn’t a one-day event where the celebration starts and ends on the same day; it’s more like the Chinese Spring Festival, lasting several days.

It began on Thursday, known as “Maundy Thursday.” According to tradition, on this day, housewives rise early to prepare red-dyed eggs and bake traditional pastries.

Eva got into the spirit and baked some pastries and sweets. Dale, Zhuang Ding, Little Wang, and the fat cat brothers followed her every step—wherever she went, they went too.

There was also a little foodie white fox, who squatted by the baking oven and wouldn’t leave. Its two black, shiny eyes were fixed on the delicious-smelling food inside.

After baking, Eva placed the food on a plate and put a red egg on it.

Wang Bo asked, “Is this your tradition?”

Eva replied, “I think it’s a tradition for Christians worldwide. I’m just enjoying the fun of baking—it used to be my Christmas wish.”

“Your Christmas wish was to bake?” Wang Bo asked, taking a bite of banana milk cake.

The princess saw him eating by himself and got anxious, jumping around and squeaking nonstop.

Wang Bo had no choice but to give her a piece, scolding, “Eat, eat, eat! Look at what a fat little ball you’ve become. Snow fox? Call you Snowball instead!”

The princess only cared about eating. Whatever anyone said didn’t matter; as long as she was happy eating, that was enough.

Eva giggled, “She reminds me of myself as a child. Back then, I was in an orphanage. You know, Ukraine was very poor in the ’90s, and we were always hungry. A few holidays were exceptions—like Maundy Thursday. Our teachers would bake fragrant cakes early, and I would go help with my friends.”

“Helping meant we got an extra piece of cake. It was amazing. I must have been four years old the first time I had it. That Christmas, I swore I would become a baker and sleep beside the oven.”

Wang Bo said, “Congratulations, ma’am. You’re now a wonderful baker—your Christmas wish came true.”

Eva smiled, “Yes, it did. When I was five, my Christmas wish changed to becoming a great teacher who would treat children well. In the end, I first became a teacher who could bake. God has been very good to me.”

Wang Bo didn’t know much about Christianity, but as he ate pastries and drank tea, Eva shared some basics.

For instance, this seemingly ordinary Maundy Thursday is actually the day before Jesus’ crucifixion and the last day of his life on Earth. The famous religious event, “The Last Supper,” took place that evening.

Eva explained that according to Ukrainian tradition, the faithful go to church to participate in memorial ceremonies and offer wreaths. That night, young girls stay up all night weaving floral caskets for Jesus.

“In our local custom, the flowers must come from the girls’ own gardens or be picked from nearby fields and hills. But everyone knew that was difficult, so later the church bought the flowers itself,” Eva laughed.

Wang Bo smiled wryly, “So is that like trying to cheat God a little?”

On Friday, the grand Easter procession began.

According to religious history, Jesus was betrayed and crucified on this day in 30 A.D., called Good Friday. In traditional regions, Good Friday is a strict day for believers—traditional Christians don’t even eat oil, must abstain from all work or activity, and immerse themselves in grief over the loss of Jesus.

At night, people gather at churches and carry the casket of Jesus in a funeral-like procession.

This was the prototype of today’s Easter parade. Modern parades no longer use actual caskets, though some people in Sunset Town still wore coffin-style hats or carried small DIY coffins.

Wang Bo was invited to join the parade, walking down the street at night, either with a coffin on his head or in his arms—it felt intense.

Afterward, Rudy asked, “Tomorrow we’ll go to the church in Lewis Town for Easter Mass. Are you coming?”

By tradition, on Holy Saturday night, the faithful rush to church before midnight for Mass. At midnight, everyone announces, “Jesus is risen!” and lights candles in their hands.

Wang Bo declined, saying, “I need to put the kids to bed every night, but there are too many of them, so it’s inconvenient.”

Rudy didn’t press and nodded before leaving.

Kid said, “Boss, once we have a church in our town, you won’t have to struggle like this.”

“I’m not struggling,” Wang Bo replied.

The midnight Mass on Holy Saturday must take place in a church because the faithful light candles to guide the risen Jesus back. The flame must be a holy fire; the church’s fire counts, outside fire doesn’t.

This didn’t concern Wang Bo. After Friday’s procession, he planned to go fishing on the lake and enjoy a leisurely weekend.

But plans never go smoothly. On Saturday, Eva pulled him in to help make candles.

Wang Bo knew many candles were needed for Easter—the parade the night before had everyone holding candles, and tonight they’d light candles to guide Jesus. But why make them themselves?

“Dear, after the last tropical cyclone, didn’t the supermarket stock plenty of candles? Why not just buy some?”

Eva explained, “I’m not using them myself. They’re for the kids. Catherine and I decided to bring the children to the gathering. The scouts’ activity last weekend went really well—I think the kids will enjoy the event.”

“But the supermarket candles should be enough, right?”

“Yes, but those candles are ordinary. I want to make magical candles. Remember the magical candles?” Eva gestured. “I’ve prepared the materials. Let’s make them ourselves.”

Hearing “magical candles,” Wang Bo became interested. He asked, “Do you know how to make them?”

Eva smiled proudly, “Did you forget? I’m a special agent. Although I’m in a clerical role, I have access to information ordinary people don’t.”

Chapter 983: Holy Day