The Old Man and the Green-Haired Turtle

"I didn’t do anything, really; I won't charge you any money," Xu Yan first reassured the young man, then took out fifty copper coins from his pocket and placed them on the bed, saying, "These coins aren't much, but use them to buy something good for your mother."

It wasn't that he was soft-hearted, but facing a young man who wanted to take care of his mother, he couldn't be help it.

The young man blinked, then refused, "How can this be? Master Xu, you not charging me is already something I'm grateful for. How can I accept your money?"

He had nothing to repay Xu Yan with, so he didn't want to take Xu Yan's money. His mother had taught him from a young age that, no matter how poor, he should earn money with his own hands.

"Are you a man or not? Right now your mother needs your care, and you are still dwelling things like this," Xu Yan's tone carried a hint of impatience. After saying this, he walked directly out of the house.

As a stranger, he had already done quite well. What happened next would depend on the young man's own fortune.

Plop!

Just as Xu Yan reached the doorway, he heard a sound behind him. Turning around, he found that the young man had knelt down.

"What are you doing? I already told you, a man shouldn't kneel easily. Quickly get up," Xu Yan spoke.

The young man looked at Xu Yan with determination and said seriously, "For Master Xu's great kindness, Jiang Li will remember it in his heart. If Master Xu needs my help in the future, just say it directly!"

Today's favor, Jiang Li, would never forget!

"I only gave you fifty copper coins; there's no need for this," Xu Yan said with a slight touch of emotion.

Afterwards, he walked out of the dilapidated house.

Jiang Li watched Xu Yan's figure disappear and then got up, walked to the bedside, and looked at his mother lying there. He said softly, "Mother, today I met a benefactor. I will definitely repay him."

After saying this, he carefully put away the copper coins and went to buy some food.

...

Leaving Jiang Li's place, Xu Yan walked on the street and didn't immediately return to his small shop. Instead, he headed towards the market.

The market had various vendors selling all sorts of things needed for daily life.

"Master Xu, do you want to buy a chicken?"

"Master Xu, I really appreciate your help last time. These are wild crabs; take a few, no need to pay."

"..."

Xu Yan had a good reputation in this area, and many people knew him. Some even wanted to give him things for free, but he mostly declined.

He walked to the deepest part of the market. Here, there was an old man selling turtles.

Walking up to the old man, Xu Yan smiled and said, "Old sir, you still haven't sold this green-haired turtle?"

This old man was quite eccentric and not a local resident of Tianren City. He had arrived a month ago.

After coming to Tianren City, he came to this part of the market every day to sell turtles.

In a small water tank, a palm-sized green-haired turtle lay on a stone, basking in the sun. The tank was adorned with a few more stones. At this moment, the turtle seemed to open its eyes and glance at Xu Yan when he spoke. After that, it closed its eyes again.

The old man lay on a chair, resting with his eyes closed. When he heard Xu Yan's words, he opened his eyes and looked at Xu Yan, saying, "You come to me every few days, but never buy anything. Otherwise, why would I need to come here every day?"

The old man only sold this green-haired turtle, and Xu Yan had visited him seven or eight times. Each time he would chat with him.

Initially, he ignored Xu Yan, but after several times, he started responding to Xu Yan's words.

Xu Yan laughed and replied, "Old sir, this green-haired turtle of yours is sold for hundred thousand copper coins. Even if I sell everything of mine, I still can't afford it."

The first time Xu Yan saw this green-haired turtle, he found it quite interesting and asked about the price. However, when the old man quoted a price of one hundred thousand copper coins, Xu Yan didn't mention buying it again. Each time he visited, he simply observed the turtle and engaged in a casual words with the old man.

The old man, in a nonchalant tone, remarked, "Only those with narrow vision would think it's expensive."

Even though a month had passed without anyone willing to buy his turtle, the old man had no intention of lowering the price.

Xu Yan, knowing the old man's stubbornness, didn't mind his words. He chuckled and said, "Old sir, if that's the case, then the entire Tianren City is full of people with narrow vision."

A hundred thousand copper coins were a considerable sum for most ordinary people. Even wealthy merchants wouldn't readily spend that much on a green-haired turtle.

The old man, unafraid of offending others, said leisurely, "That's how it is. Not only in Tianren City, but wherever I go, there are only shortsighted people."

He moved from one place to another, selling his green-haired turtle. However, he hadn't encountered a buyer so far, so he regarded the people in those places as improvident.

"That's quite a sweeping statement," Xu Yan didn't agree with those words, smiling as he spoke. Then, he looked at the green-haired turtle sunning itself in the water tank and said, "This turtle seems to enjoy basking in the sun. Every time I come here, it's always soaking up the sunlight."

He felt that this green-haired turtle was somewhat special, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what made it unique. After all, he was just an ordinary person, and his ability to discern things was limited.

The old man didn't respond to Xu Yan's words. Instead, he closed his eyes again, enjoying the sun alongside the green-haired turtle. He didn't like talking to people, and if it weren't for Xu Yan frequently coming here and initiating conversations, he wouldn't have paid any attention to him.

Staring at the green-haired turtle for a moment, Xu Yan said, "Old sir, I'll come back tomorrow, and at that time, I'll bring you a painting."

He turned and left, walking towards the exit of the market. His visits to the old man were merely to see the green-haired turtle and have a chat with the old man.

After Xu Yan left, both the old man and the green-haired turtle opened their eyes and glanced at the departing figure of Xu Yan before closing their eyes again.

The next day, Xu Yan returned.

This time, he brought a painting and went directly to the deepest part of the market.

The old man and the green-haired turtle were still in their usual spot. Xu Yan unfolded the painting in front of him and smiled, "Old sir, this painting is a gift for you."

"I don't want a painting; these things are worthless to me and can't be exchanged for money," the old man spoke slowly before opening his eyes.

Afterwards, a look of astonishment appeared in his eyes.

The old man, who had previously been casual and indifferent, became somewhat excited, "Did you truly paint this yourself?"

In the painting, an old man was lying on a chair with closed eyes, and in the water tank on the ground, the green-haired turtle was sunning itself.

Xu Yan had captured the old man and the green-haired turtle in his artwork. Having memorized the details during his frequent visits, he had painted the picture the day before.

This painting could be considered one of his masterpieces, with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a tranquil and harmonious beauty.

Even an outsider could recognize it as an extraordinary work of art.