Helping an Old Man

As Wei An climbed down the stairs of an inn, her mind drifted to the dream she had. Why would she dream about that on her first day in the world? Why didn't she dream about it back in the other world? What was going on?

She snapped back to reality when the sound of glass breaking pierced her ears. As Wei An hurried down the stairs, she came to the scene of a buff young man towering over a grandpa. The difference between them were like heaven and earth. The muscular man's face was red in anger, while the old man sat leisurely on the chair looking as if he was discussing the weather with someone.

"I saw that chair first! Therefore, it should be mine! But, you, you old shameless man, you sat on it after this young master proclaimed that I would sit there!"

Wei An shook her head and sighed at the lack of respect the young man had towards his elderly. Feeling refreshed, she walked over and said,

"He is already so old, yet you? You are young and clearly, you take excellent care of yourself. Plus, does your family not teach you filial piety? The young should respect the old."

After saying her piece, Wei An strolled away, leaving behind a fuming man and a interested elderly. Many young women swooned at the sight of Wei An's back. Wei An had disguised herself as a man to save the complications of her gender. Her mismatched blue and purple eyes glinted with laughter as she gazed upon the bustling streets of the Imperial City.

Suddenly, some thumps came from behind her. Wei An quickly whirled around, expecting danger, but she only saw the old man that she had helped. The old man was holding out a extricate jade flute in one hand, gesturing for her to take it.

"I can't take it; it's too expensive."

No matter how many times Wei An rejected the elder's gift, he still insisted on giving it to her. She was about to turn it away again, when the elder said,

"It catches less attention than the Pearl's Flute you're hiding in your clothes."

While Wei An was gaping at the old man, he took opportunity to stuff the flute into her hands and flashed away. Sighing at the extra baggage she was now carrying, Wei An felt like she was wearing a huge neon sign that said: "LOOK AT ME! I HAVE A LOT OF TREASURES, SO COME ROB ME!"

Bored, Wei An decided to make some money. She chose a slightly secluded area on the streets, and brought out the jade flute. The notes connected with each other, smooth like silk. The song resembled the mountain tops and the pouring waterfalls. It was beautiful. And it didn't lack soul. An indescribable emotion was woven into the music. It reminded the people crowding around Wei An of their childhoods, innocent like pure, untainted snow. Tears fell as they reminisce their happy childhood. It was just a fading memory, but now, Wei An brought it to life. The music turned dark, but it was still calm, just like the calm before a huge storm. The music reached the beginning of the crescendo, and a torrent of music crashed down. Wei An remembered her childhood terrors, the bullies that would kick and slander her for fun. It grew darker and darker, but then, a tiny hope shone through. And slowly, the hope that she had held onto, grew bigger and bigger, until it dismissed all the despair that Wei An had felt. The music calmed down, and with a single note still ringing in the air, it finished.

Wei An opened her eyes to a massive applause, a crowd gathering around her. Just like old times. Before she glimpsed the dark side of human nature. Wei An bowed, and set off to the nearest breakfast shop she could find, and ate to her heart's content with the money she had just earned.

Nearby, a pair of beady eyes noted every move that Wei An took.

"See, my lord? I told you that he was interesting. All that despair contained in the young body. I feel that we should recruit him. If Elder Yan would agree to shape him into a music cultivator, he would be able to sweep our enemies with a broom into the trash can."

Another dark silhouette glided in the sun, as he turned around. A pair of abnormally orange eyes stared at Wei An as his thin lips tilted into a slight smirk underneath the mask. His black hair fluttered slightly in the wind. Standing in a sea of ordinary people, he looked lonely, as if no existence could ever make him whole.