Li Gou'er actually had no idea that, although he did not know Senior Jiang Yu, the latter knew him.
Jiang Yu had lived at the Human World Inn for nearly a year. The daily arrivals and departures, the bustle in the hall, the myriad scenes of mortal life-all fell within the gaze of this spectator.
Though Li Gou'er's whereabouts were uncertain during the day, he always returned to the vicinity of the Human World Inn at dusk, either begging for a bite to eat or committing petty theft at night, before finding some random nook to sleep in.
He was probably only thirteen or fourteen, yet he was filled with hostility, and beneath his taciturn manner lurked a streak of ruthlessness. Whenever he was caught stealing, no matter how he was beaten or how many people beat him, he never begged for mercy.
Aside from wandering around all day, he also liked sharpening his knife.
Senior Jiang Yu had seen him countless times, lying in the alley across the street after nightfall, watching the inn while sharpening a gleaming black dagger against a wall built of bluestone.
Inside the inn, the lamplight was quiet, and the only sound was Li Gou'er chewing noisily.
Jiang Yu watched him and asked softly, "I see that your limbs are sound and your mind is clear. Even your appetite is excellent. Why, then, don't you find work in this city, apply yourself diligently, and support yourself?"
Li Gou'er was nearly full, so he could no longer bear to shovel large mouthfuls of meat into his mouth. He took it slice by slice, first biting off half, then chewing slowly to let the flavor linger a little longer.
Listening to Senior Jiang Yu's question, he sneered. "What good does diligence do?! Shopkeeper Hong gets up