Li Xi entered a restaurant and was immediately drawn in by its lively atmosphere. The restaurant was packed, yet there was no noise; instead, it exuded a harmonious and pleasant ambiance. Most of the diners were men in blue round-necked robes, discussing classical Chinese texts—presumably students from a nearby academy. A group of people from other ethnic groups were also there, gesturing with porcelain pieces. Merchants traveling from place to place were also chatting about the customs and traditions of their respective regions…
Li Xi looked around and noticed that the restaurant's decor was unique. Interesting paintings and calligraphy hung on the walls, showcasing the owner's literary taste. Furthermore, the candlelight was just right—neither too bright nor too dim—making it very comfortable.
Just as Li Xi was admiring the restaurant's decor, a waiter approached her and enthusiastically asked if she wanted to order. She casually ordered three dishes.
After sitting down, Li Xi began to observe the people around her. The restaurant was filled with people of all ages, men and women, all enjoying the food and the pleasant atmosphere. Some were chatting, some were eating, and others were quietly savoring the tranquility of the moment.
Just then, Li Xi noticed an elderly man sitting alone at a table, looking somewhat forlorn. She remembered her grandmother, that hardworking and kind old woman who, unable to cope with the loss of her mother, passed away less than a year later. Seeing the old man's sorrowful expression, she couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Grandma, is there anything troubling you? Please let me know if you can help."
"The younger generation is kind-hearted, but I was saddened to hear of the passing of a longtime friend," the old man said, his eyes reddening, his gaze filled with a world-weary sorrow. Since ancient times, birth, aging, sickness, and death have been beyond human control.
"Take care of yourself, sir. 'A thousand sails pass by the sunken ship, ten thousand trees bloom before the withered tree.'" "What a beautiful line, 'ten thousand trees bloom before the withered tree!' The younger generation is truly formidable. Your magnanimity makes this old man ashamed; at this age, I've become somewhat muddled." The old man looked at Li Xi with satisfaction.
Li Xi invited the old man to sit down and have a meal with her, and the old man gladly accepted her invitation. The two talked a lot about life, family, and the meaning of life. Half an hour later, the old man said he had to go home. Li Xi wanted to see him off, but said, "Young man, you go about your business. I'll just wander around a bit." The old man waved his hand and left.
"Waiter, check please," Li Xi said as the waiter approached and slipped twenty coins into his hand. The waiter was delighted. "Sir, what would you like?" Li Xi replied calmly, "Who are the masters behind your shop's paintings and calligraphy? I'd like to request one as well."
The waiter said proudly, "This is a masterpiece left by a future scholar. Our family holds a poetry competition every month. The winner gets a month's free food expenses. In exchange, the winner leaves his winning painting or calligraphy to hang on the wall. That's why all the future scholars flock to it."
After paying the bill, Li Xi left and went into a nearly empty noodle shop. She ordered a noodle dish recommended by the waiter and sat down. There were only one or two other customers in the shop, and the owner was sitting at the counter, lost in thought.
The noodles arrived quickly—a bowl of beef noodles. Some noodles broke when I picked them up with my chopsticks; they weren't chewy enough, the beef was a bit tough, and the flavor was somewhat bland. I finished it in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, paid the bill, and left.
Li Xi chose another wonton shop, run by a middle-aged couple. The shop wasn't big, but it was packed with families, mostly sitting together, creating a pleasant atmosphere filled with laughter. Li Xi found a corner and stood up to eat her wontons.
The food was indeed delicious; the broth was sweet and flavorful, and the wontons were plump and full. She ordered the "Family Feast," which had all sorts of fillings: pork and scallions, beef and celery, shrimp, and more. After finishing a bowl, the winter chill was dispelled, and she felt warm and satisfied as she left. The big eater Li Xi then went to several more restaurants, eating until she was stuffed.
Unable to eat any more, Li Xi took a walk along the river to digest her food. The weather was cold, and a thin layer of ice covered the river. The tree branches were all dry, and she couldn't tell what kind of trees they were, mainly because she didn't know. There was no one around, and screaming her lungs out wouldn't do any good if she were being robbed.
"Old man, I advise you to hand over the token now, and maybe I can spare your life." "Hmph, don't even think about it, you'll never get it in this lifetime." "Don't be so stubborn, aren't you afraid of your family members who are away?" "You'll never find them in this lifetime either."
Li Xi (┳◇┳), what kind of constitution does she have? How come she always encounters these life-threatening things? Listening carefully, the old man's voice sounded familiar—wasn't he the old man she had dinner with just now? Now she couldn't sneak away anymore.
Pulling a handkerchief from her bosom to cover her face and head, she drew her long face shield and leaped forward, blocking the black-clad man's blade aimed at the old man. "If you want to live, get out of here! Swords have no eyes, don't try to be a hero!" the black-clad man roared. "Then try to beat me. A bunch of you bullying an old man, aren't you ashamed?" Li Xi ignored the black-clad man's threats.
Without a word, Li Xi thrust his sword at the black-clad man's vital point, causing him to retreat in fright. Seeing this, the others swarmed forward, relentlessly attacking Li Xi. The clash of swords produced a piercing sound, seemingly carving invisible trails through the air. Several swords, like nimble snakes, traced graceful curves in the air, their tips colliding and producing crisp metallic sounds.
Li Xi moved like the wind, her swordplay like a dragon. Her sword was like a serpent emerging from its hole, cunning and unpredictable. Each strike carried a rhythm, as if in a dance. Her swordsmanship flowed like clouds and water, without a single flaw to be found.
Li Xi gathered all her strength and swung her sword at the leader of the men in black. The sword strike was like a meteor streaking across the night sky, carrying determination and courage. The leader of the men in black also felt the power of the sword; his expression turned solemn as he desperately tried to block it. Seeing that Li Xi's sword was about to pierce his heart, he threw a smoke bomb and escaped into the smoke.
Seeing this, Li Xi didn't chase after them. He asked the old man, "Are you alright, sir? Those people ran fast, otherwise I could have caught two of them and questioned them." The old man replied with relief, "I'm fine. I know who sent them. Young man, I'm sorry to have dragged you into this."
"Grandpa, I can't just stand by and watch you get hurt," Li Xi said with a smile. She was wrapped up so well that no one could recognize her, and even if someone wanted to take revenge, they wouldn't be able to find her.
"The younger generation is truly formidable, truly formidable!" the old man exclaimed repeatedly. "Grandpa, where do you live? Let me take you home!" This time, the old man didn't refuse: "It's on that mountain over there, this old man..."
Ignoring the old man's objections, Li Xi carried him on her back. She was strong and capable, carrying an elderly person was no problem for her. She was growing increasingly fond of this body; it was young and energetic, tall and long-legged—just what she had always dreamed of.
They carried the old man up the mountain on their backs, and in the freezing cold, they didn't know how he managed to get down. Half an hour later, following the old man's directions, they arrived at a dilapidated wooden house.
Pushing open the door, she found the room quite warm, with the kang (heated brick bed) still burning. She placed the elderly man on the kang and stretched her limbs. Looking around, she saw a stove in the center with a chimney leading outside for ventilation. The charcoal fire had gone out, so she picked up a tinderbox and lit it again. The stove on the left gradually heated up with the flames.
"Grandpa, are you hungry? How about I cook you some rice porridge?" Li Xi asked with concern. "Young man, I don't know how to thank you enough," the old man said, his eyes welling up with tears, perhaps because no one had shown him any kindness in a long time.
"Grandpa, it's freezing cold. Let me boil some hot water for you to soak your feet. This will help prevent you from getting rheumatism." Li Xi found a small river outside, tapped it gently, and the thin ice cracked. Li Xi filled two buckets with water and made several trips back and forth to fill the water tank.
Soon, the large pot on the stove was filled with water, and firewood was stuffed in, making the flames even stronger. Before long, Li Xi filled a wooden basin with warm water and placed it beside the old man's feet. While the old man was soaking his feet, the rice porridge in the pot on the stove was cooked, and Li Xi ladled a bowl and placed it on the kang table.
"Grandpa, let it cool down a bit before you eat it," Li Xi smiled at the old man, revealing her neat teeth...
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