The Witch of the Town

Ningbo, Beihai District.

A bus traveled down the road and pulled up at a stop after passing through a traffic light.

The doors opened, and an elderly woman with a cane slowly climbed aboard.

She looked around, but every seat was taken. She had no choice but to stand and hold on to a rail.

"Grandma, you can have my seat."

A young man stood up and helped her into it.

"Thank you so much, Young Man. My legs aren't as steady as they used to be."

"It's fine. I'm young. I can stand."

The old woman smiled gratefully. Seeing how thoroughly he had covered himself in such hot weather, she asked with concern,

"Young Man, isn't it hot with all that stuff on your face?"

He was wearing sunglasses, a mask, and a hat in this heat. It was a little strange.

"I'm fine, Grandma. I'm not hot."

He shook his head and smiled.

On closer inspection, the old woman saw that he was hardly sweating, so she said nothing more.

"Passengers, we have arrived at Upper River Town..."

The announcement sounded through the bus.

"Grandma, this is my stop."

The young man said goodbye, hopped off, and headed down the road.

When the old woman saw which way he was going, she reached out to call him back, but the doors had already closed.

"Toward Shanghe Street? Isn't that place..."

The young man walked along a tree-shaded path with a bag on his back and music playing through his Headset.

Just then, the music stopped, and a ringtone sounded.

He answered, and a cool, mature-sounding woman's voice came through his Headset.

"Boss, the Hangzhou branch is asking when you'll arrive so they can prepare."

"Tell them there's no rush. I'm in Ningbo right now. I'll head to