Chapter 522

Pan Xiaohei had just slipped in from beside the city gate and saw this scene; he let out a chuckle.

If she hadn't stepped back just now…

Pan Yun stiffly lifted her head and cursed at the bird flying overhead: "Born from a starving ghost, up this early? Can't you take care of your business at home first?"

People nearby all turned their heads to stare at her.

An old man carrying a book chest squinted upward and chuckled: "This child's good—blames no one but herself, knows where the fault lies."

"Master, you're praising her again—what does a bird know? Getting angry at a bird? That's foolish."

"Not so, not so," the old man shook his head, stroking his beard. "If she doesn't get angry at the bird, should she get angry at herself? I think she's fine."

The old man seemed to like Pan Yun very much; though his eyesight was poor, he strained to fish two copper coins from his sleeve and pressed them into her hand, smiling warmly: "Child, don't be upset—go buy a steamed bun, and today's bad luck will pass."

Pan Yun didn't need those two copper coins, but the old man's words were so soothing that she reached out and took them, smiling brightly: "Thank you, Master."

Pan Yun used the two copper coins to buy a large meat bun from the stall next door, then pulled out a string of coins and scanned every corner of the alley before telling the vendor: "Two more meat buns and eighty-eight steamed buns."

The vendor gasped: "So many?"

Pan Yun nodded and pointed to the bamboo basket lined with fine cloth beside her: "Lend me that."

Because she bought so much, the vendor agreed at once.

Pan Yun had him pack all the steamed buns into the basket, then took two meat buns and one steamed bun for herself: "I bought so much—can I have one free?"

The vendor beamed: "Of course! I'll give you two!"

Pan Yun didn't refuse—she took two meat buns and two steamed buns, then turned and caught up with the old man, who was still debating whether to buy a plain baked pancake or a plain steamed bun.

The pancake vendor was teasing the old man: "You gave away your money, now you can't afford meat, eh? Watch out—your wife'll kick you out when she finds out."

The old man laughed heartily: "She only talks tough—she knows I'm using the money for good deeds, she'd never kick me out. Give me a plain pancake."

Pan Yun handed him the two meat buns: "Master, I'm treating you to these."

The old man was startled: "I gave you two copper coins—why are you giving me two meat buns back?"

Pan Yun: "I got your good words."

The old man burst into laughter, took the meat buns, and told the pancake vendor: "I won't have the plain one anymore."

He and Pan Yun squatted by the roadside eating meat buns; Pan Yun gave one steamed bun to Pan Xiaohei, who had come over, and ate one herself.

The old man glanced at the black cat squatting there, paws hugging its steamed bun, and his eyes flickered with wonder: "All things have spirit—the books never lie."

Pan Yun heard this and turned to study him; she saw he had no cultivation at all, not even a trace of internal energy—he was truly powerless—and she withdrew her surprise.

But the old man smiled gently at her: "You're not from Jingcheng, are you?"

Pan Yun: "I once was."

"Then why are you back now—to find family or friends, or for business?"

Pan Yun: "Both."

The old man nodded slightly and fell silent, lowering his head to eat his bun.

The bun vendor had already packed the steamed buns and brought the basket over: "Esteemed guest, can you really eat all these?"

Pan Yun nodded: "Yes."

She waved to two children huddled in the corner across the street.

The children's eyes lit up; they rushed over with bowls. Pan Yun gave each two steamed buns and waved them away.

A beggar nearby saw this and immediately ran over, pouring out blessings like water: "Kind lady, please give me something to eat…"

"Kind lady, your great compassion will bring you a good marriage…"

"Your kindness moves heaven—next life you'll be a dragon or phoenix…"

These blessings weren't what Pan Yun liked, but she didn't mind—she did this not to hear their praise, nor even for the tiny bits of merit she kept receiving from them…

She knew her bad luck couldn't be erased by a few good deeds done in desperation.

She had taken the old man's money and his blessing, so she wanted to do something in return.

This morning in Jingcheng was a little chilly—what could be happier than eating a warm breakfast on a cool morning?

When Pan Yun received the old man's blessing and two copper coins, the negativity from the bird droppings vanished completely.

Now, as she handed out steamed buns and saw the smiles on their faces, she too began to smile, her joy growing deeper.

A few young beggars took their buns, turned, gave them to someone else holding a bowl, then quietly rejoined the line and received another.

Not a single one slipped past her notice!

Pan Yun had a perfect memory—she recognized them at once—but she didn't expose them; she still happily gave each one a bun.

Having received only one bun, the children knew Pan Yun knew they'd come back—so they snatched their buns and ran off, no longer looping the line.

Soon, all the steamed buns were gone.

Pan Yun returned the basket to the vendor, then squatted down to finish her steamed bun.

The old man stared, dumbfounded; though his eyesight was poor, his memory was sharp, and he walked this street at least four times daily—he knew every person here.

Without counting, he knew every beggar on this entire street had received a bun.

He turned to look at Pan Yun and saw her happily munching her bun; he smiled, then wrapped up his second meat bun.

Pan Yun turned to him: "Aren't you eating that?"

The old man smiled: "I'm old—I only eat one meat bun and a bowl of hot soup in the morning."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bun vendor from across the street brought over two bowls of rice gruel: "Our rice gruel—free with every bun purchase."

The old man took one bowl and gestured for Pan Yun to try hers.

Pan Yun accepted it.

The old man tucked the wrapped bun into his robe, noticed Pan Yun still watching him, and explained with a smile: "I'm taking this home for my wife—she can reheat it for lunch."

Pan Yun nodded.

The old man's gaze was tender; seeing her drain her gruel and rise to leave, he called out: "Life—don't make things hard on yourself. Actions—don't force them. Child, relax."

Pan Yun was taken aback. Though his words came out of nowhere, there was nothing wrong with them, so she nodded. "I understand, Old Mr."

The old Mr. knew she hadn't grasped it, but he didn't press her. He nodded and let her go. "You're a good child."

Pan Yun smiled and nodded, happy at the praise, and left.

The old Mr. still sat by the wall, watching her leave cheerfully, and murmured, "Truly a rare good child. I only hope she doesn't take the wrong path in the future."

A familiar angry shout came from behind the old Mr.: "Why are you still here! All the students of the academy have arrived at the hall!"

The old Mr. hurriedly propped himself up off the ground with his palms, muttering, "I've taken the wrong path, oh dear, how did I take the wrong path…" (End of chapter)