If one were to ask when the marketplace was most crowded, the answer would undoubtedly be evening. And just like now, the streets were teeming with people. Though the main pathways remained open, every stall was packed with customers haggling loudly, their voices blending with the cries of vendors advertising fresh fruit, roasted skewers, and glittering trinkets.
Xiao Hai walked at his mother's side, his brows faintly knitted. He disliked such noisy, chaotic places—his nature leaned toward quiet cultivation and solitude. The bustling crowd, the clamoring voices, even the mixed aromas of food and herbs only made him restless.
But when he glanced at his mother, her eyes were bright as she leisurely examined fabrics and herbs, occasionally stopping to smile at a vendor's words. The corners of his lips softened. Though he found the atmosphere annoying, he didn't say a word to hurry her. For once, he let her enjoy herself.
After passing by more than a dozen stalls, Xiao Hai's gaze was suddenly drawn to one in particular. Unlike the others, it stood strangely quiet. No shouting, no eager hands waving goods in the air, no colorful signboards to catch attention. The owner simply sat there in silence, as though the hustle of the market had nothing to do with him.
Xiao Hai frowned. Why bother opening a stall here if you don't intend to sell anything? In such a noisy, chaotic place, silence was more eye-catching than shouting.
"Mom, let's check that stall," he said, pointing toward it.
Xiao Qing followed his gaze. The lonely little stall sat among the crowded vendors like an island in a raging sea. Seeing no customers gathered there, her curiosity was piqued as well.
If anyone had overheard their thoughts, they would only laugh and say, As expected, mother and son are alike.
"Alright," Xiao Qing nodded gently.
Together, they began walking toward the quiet stall.
After only a few steps, they reached the stall. The reason for its emptiness became clear almost instantly.
The stall was filled with…junk. At least, that's what Xiao Hai thought. Old, dusty ornaments of odd shapes, a few cracked pearls, and strange trinkets that seemed like they had been picked off the roadside. Nothing that looked practical, nothing that seemed worth spending even a single copper coin.
And the stall owner? An old man with a long, unkempt beard was sitting behind the counter, leaning against the wall, snoring softly. In such a bustling market, to fall asleep so peacefully—it made Xiao Hai wonder if the old man was eccentric, or simply didn't care.
No wonder no one bothers with this place, Xiao Hai thought with doubt.
But while he dismissed the stall as useless, Xiao Qing's eyes lit up the moment she scanned the items. To anyone else, the ornaments and pearls scattered across the mat seemed ordinary, but her gaze lingered on them with an almost knowing gleam.
"Mom… these are just worthless trinkets," Xiao Hai whispered. "Why do you look so happy?"
Xiao Qing only smiled faintly, her slender fingers brushing over a string of pearls.
Xiao Qing lifted her chin slightly, letting the silver chain rest against her delicate collarbone. The single green pearl shimmered faintly under the evening light, giving her an elegant and refined charm.
"How about this one?" she asked, turning slowly so the pearl caught the glow of the lanterns around them.
Xiao Hai's eyes widened for a moment. Compared to the earlier necklace, which seemed gaudy and ordinary, this one suited his mother perfectly. The green pearl's gentle luster blended with her natural grace, highlighting her beauty in a way no ornament could enhance further.
A genuine smile tugged at his lips. "Now this… this really suits you, mom. It's simple, but beautiful—just like you."
Hearing her son's words, Xiao Qing's cheeks flushed faintly. She couldn't help but laugh softly, a gentle warmth blooming in her heart.
Just as Xiao Hai was silently rejoicing at his mother's happiness, his gaze drifted over the cluttered stall once more. That was when something unusual tugged at his attention.
In the far corner of the stall, half-hidden beneath a few ordinary trinkets, lay a bead no larger than a thumb. Unlike the other bright ornaments, this one was pitch black, yet its surface gleamed with a strange crystalline clarity, almost like glass polished to perfection. What unsettled him most was the way it seemed to quietly devour the light around it, as though the world itself grew dimmer in its presence.
Xiao Hai narrowed his eyes. His soul stirred faintly, as if resonating with the bead. The feeling was subtle, almost imperceptible—but unmistakable.
He glanced at his mother. Xiao Qing's gaze slid right past the bead without pause, her expression calm, showing no sign that she noticed anything strange. To her, it was just another ordinary stone mixed among cheap pearls.
"So… only I can see its peculiarity?" Xiao Hai thought, his heart beating a little faster.
While Xiao Hai and his mother were browsing through the ornaments, the stall owner finally stirred awake from his nap. Seeing the mother and son quietly choosing jewelry, he didn't bother to disturb them.
After deciding on the necklace Xiao Hai had pointed out, Xiao Qing prepared to buy it. She still cherished such things, and more importantly, this one was chosen by her son. Holding the necklace, a faint smile touched her lips as she murmured to herself, "As expected of his son… they share the same taste. If only he were still alive, how happy he would be to know this."
Xiao Hai, completely mesmerized by a strange black bead lying in the corner of the stall, didn't hear her words.
"How much for this necklace, old man?" Xiao Qing asked, lifting her head toward the stall owner.
"Not much, just ten gold coins," the old man replied lazily.
"Ten gold coins…" She thought for a moment, then drew a small pouch from her storage ring and handed it over.
"Let's go, Hai'er." After completing the purchase, she called out to her son. But there was no response. Following his gaze, she noticed Xiao Hai staring intently at the black bead. With a soft sigh, Xiao Qing guessed that her son must like it but chose not to ask for it, fearing it would trouble her.
"Hai'er." Xiao Qing placed her hand gently on his shoulder and gave it a slight shake. Xiao Hai jolted up, finally looking toward his mother who was calling him.
"Do you like that bead? If so, then take it. Mother will buy it for you."
Hearing her words, Xiao Hai was momentarily stunned. Since childhood, he had never shown much interest in toys, so his parents never had a chance to buy him any. But now, seeing his mother's gentle gaze, he could guess what she was thinking. Still, he didn't refuse her. The strange attraction he felt toward the black bead told him it was no ordinary thing. So, he simply nodded slightly and looked away in embarrassment.
Xiao Qing saw this and giggled softly at her shy son.
"Old man, how much for that black bead?" she asked again.
"That bead?" The stall owner glanced at it indifferently. "Since you like it, just take it. It's worthless to me."
But how could Xiao Qing accept it for free? She immediately took out another pouch and placed it before him.
"Old man, here are fifty silver coins. Please take it. You're old now and still have to take care of yourself," she said gently.
The old man looked at the pouch, then at Xiao Qing. As his gaze lingered on her bright, warm smile, his eyes suddenly grew moist, and tears began to roll down his cheeks.
Both Xiao Qing and Xiao Hai panicked at the sight.
"Old man, why are you crying? Please, don't cry. If you're facing some difficulty, tell us. If we can, we'll surely help," Xiao Qing said hurriedly.
Seeing their genuine concern, the old man finally forced himself to stop. He wiped away his tears with trembling hands, his expression softening.
"It's nothing… just some old, bitter memories resurfacing." The old man's voice was hoarse, carrying a weight of sorrow.
Xiao Qing and Xiao Hai exchanged a glance but didn't press him. Instead, Xiao Qing spoke gently, "If it eases your heart, you can share it with us, Old Man."
The stall owner stayed silent for a long moment. His cloudy eyes seemed to drift far away, as if peering into another time. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he nodded.
"Since you showed me kindness today… I'll tell you. Perhaps speaking of it will lighten my burden."
With that, he began to recount his life story.