When the piece ended, the lovely, lilting melody seemed to linger in the air.
Faint ripples spread outward.
A long while later, the old woman slowly opened her eyes.
Perhaps it was the sunlight, but a faint light glimmered deep in her cloudy eyes.
"Thank you."
The old woman smiled, her eyes narrowing. "That was truly a wonderful performance."
"Even an old woman like me was completely captivated."
"I'll have to brag about it to my old man later."
"He shouldn't have left so soon."
"It serves him right for missing today's performance."
The old woman slowly stood, leaning on her cane. "I've taken up quite a bit of your time, haven't I?"
As something suddenly occurred to her, her expression stiffened. Then she gave an embarrassed, wry smile. "I'm so sorry. I forgot that I'd come out for a walk, and I didn't bring any money with me."
"And then I shamelessly asked you to play a whole piece for me."
She had never taken advantage of anyone in her life. And yet, with her life nearly at its end, she had listened to a "free concert" after all.
This really was...
It left her not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
The Pipa ghost shook its head.
It didn't need money.
Human money was useless to it.
It played on a whim, and didn't need anything in return.
The old woman was taken aback by the boy's gesture. "You don't want any money?"
"How can that be?"
The Pipa ghost got up to leave.
Its performance was over.
"Hey, wait!"
The old woman called out to the boy in a hurry.
When the boy turned around, she suddenly had no idea what to say.
She was flustered for a moment.
Then, inspiration struck.
"How about you come