On the way back to the shop, Lu Ming was still going on about Feng Dema's singing, laughing so hard his cheeks ached.
Feng Dema, meanwhile, was quite pleased with himself. Hugging the bag of wedding candy Hu Jiumei had given him, he happily announced that he would share it with Big Yellow when he got home.
Wen Ning was walking ahead. Just as he reached the shop entrance, he suddenly stopped.
Lu Ming nearly ran headfirst into his back. He craned his neck to look ahead and saw someone sitting on the steps outside the shop.
The man huddled on the steps, his cuffs worn shiny and his messy hair hanging over his forehead.
A battered bag sat beside him, bulging with who knew what.
He sat there quietly with his head bowed, looking out of place amid the bustle around him.
Lu Ming frowned and stepped forward to shoo him away.
"Hey, who's this? Why's he sitting outside our shop?"
But Wen Ning caught his arm in a firm grip.
Lu Ming turned back, then froze when he saw Wen Ning's expression.
Wen Ning said nothing. He simply stared at the beggar, his gaze gradually darkening.
Judging by the man's face, the space between his brows was dark, with a faint cluster of gray energy lingering there. Most importantly, the energy around his body had already dispersed. He did not have long left.
Wen Ning sighed inwardly, released Lu Ming's arm, and slowly approached.
He crouched down to meet the beggar's eyes, keeping his voice gentle.
"Sir, why are you sitting here? This is the entrance to my shop. The weather's turning cold, and the ground is chilly."
Hearing Wen Ning's voice, the man raised his head.
"Young man."
His voice was very hoarse.
"I don't know why