"Oh? You have the same name as her? Your parents must have been a big fan of her." The old man said while stroking his beard.
"…yeah. So what's your name sir?" Ye Han asked.
"Just call me, Arthur. Sir Arthur." The old man answered accompanied by a change of air. The once friendly old man you could see in the streets any time of the day became a proud warrior standing valiantly, his eyes emitting a courageous glint.
"Oh. Hello Sir Arthur."
The lack of reaction shown by Ye Han surprised him. "You haven't heard of me?" He asked.
"Ummm, no?" This answer almost made the old man trip himself. To think someone would not recognize him. "You must have been living somewhere far away?" He tried probing his background.
"…yes." Ye Han answered a little uncertain. But this uncertainty was caught by the experienced elder. This brought a little suspicion on the part of Arthur.
The duo then walked away from the statue. Although it may seem peaceful at first glance the old man is already churning his mind trying to figure out the identity and origin of the youth. His years of experience have already pointed out that the youth was suspicious. But determining whether he has good or bad intentions is still unclear.
Then suddenly-
*growl*
They froze together. The old man gripped his cane tightly anticipating for any incoming danger while Ye Han just stood there with his head hung low.
*growl*
Whipping his head towards the source of that terrifying growl, he brandished his cane for the incoming attacker. But what he did not expect is that the growl originated from the young man accompanying him.
*GROWL*
A third growl, much louder than the others was heard. The old man eyed Ye Han. He noticed that his body language seemed to be off. His head hanging very low, while his hand fidgeted awkwardly. Then it hit him. "You're… hungry?" He asked while putting down his cane.
"… yes." Ye Han answered in a very small voice almost inaudible for the old man.
This made the old man plaster an amused expression on his face. "Hoho. Come with me."
An old man accompanied by a young man seemed to be a normal sight. But imagine the youth emitting a hungry growl resembling that of a terrifying creature that can almost be heard from 15 meters away. Now that's something to be amazed of.
Inside Ye Han's mind, he was already shouting at the old man to hasten their pace. Every time his stomach emits a growl is another kilometer he wanted to bury himself. The embarrassment of people looking at him with weird gazes made him want to get back inside the moon. 'This is so embarrassing! Godd*mnit old man, you're doing this on purpose!'
But it seems the old man is oblivious to the inner struggles of Ye Han. 'Heh, this should teach you some lesson.'
After an hour of walking towards a 200-meter location and an old man blabbering useless things to make his life miserable, they finally reached a restaurant.
In front of the receptionist, the old took out a black card. Seeing the card held by the old man, the receptionist stared at it with wide eyes. She then picked up the phone to call someone. After a couple of seconds, another staff approached.
"Gentlemen, please follow me." They then rode an elevator taking them to the top.
Reaching the topmost floor, they were led to a seat near the window. The staff then walked away, but before giving Ye Han a weird glance.
Looking outside the window, Ye Han could see the entirety of the city. Small lights clustered together to illuminate the whole place. Ye Han's amazed by the scenery. Before, to see such a light show it must require someone to raze a city. Times have truly changed.
Then he noticed something out of place. He then looked at the old man for answers.
"Oh, I know what you're going to ask." Picking up a wine glass he started explaining things.
"You do remember that the building we entered looked simple. Your question must be how could this possibly happen? Well when we entered the elevator, we were transported to a separate building. It used a teleportation gate, pretty convenient. Magic truly is beneficial." Putting down the glass he finished his explanation.
"Oh, that was not my question."
"?!" The old man almost spat out the wine he was drinking. "You're really someone with high status huh? To be able to afford this, you must be filthy rich."
"*kuhum*. Nevermind that. Pick your order. Anything you want, don't worry I'll be paying. Consider this a payment for accompanying an old man like me." Arthur then handed the menu to Ye Han.
"Thank you, Sir Arthur!"
30 minutes later.
The old man's mouth is currently open wide in disbelief. Ye Han ate, a lot. His plated forming 3 stacks as tall as him and still continuing to pile up.
"*burp* Ah, that hit the spot." With a loud burp, Ye Han finished his feast. Patting his stomach in satisfaction he took a toothpick and cleaned his teeth.
Arthur sat there still astounded but quickly brushed it off. "So Ye Han, do you go to school?"
Ye Han seemed to be confused about the term. "School? What is a school?"
"You don't know what a school is?"
"Nope."
"It is an institution that provides education." The old man explained patiently.
"?!" Ye Han went surprised.
"Children go in these institutions to be given education. It is even a mandatory law. And there are schools who provide free education."
Ye Han raised his hands. "Wait, you mean to tell me that there is an institution that provides education for all? And it's free?"
"Yes."
Hearing the response he burst out laughing. "Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Good joke, ahahaha! Education plus free, hohohoho ahahahah! This is so funny!" he laughed till tears were streaming from his eyes. But seeing the serious expression of the elderly gentleman he tried stopping himself and wiping the tears in the process. "So it's true?"
"Yes." This time the tone of the old man became sterner.
"Oh. That's wonderful." He tried playing it off.
"You seem to be awfully unfamiliar with schools Ye Han. Tell me, where did you live?"
Ye Han just looked him on the eye, unwilling to divulge any information of himself. Together they stared with each other's eyes trying to intimidate one another. But the staring contest abruptly ended by a shout directed at them.
"Old man!" Turning their heads they saw a woman waving at them.
"Diane. Give me a hug." Arthur welcomed the newcomer.
Ye Han found the woman to be too familiar. She was the very same woman to have approached him earlier.
"Diane meet this fine young man, Ye Han. Ye Han, meet my lovely and adorable granddaughter, Diane." After the greeting Diane offered her hand for a handshake.
But Ye Han with his archaic mindset misinterpreted the gesture. Kneeling in front of her, he took her hand and kissed it. "Pleased to have your acquaintance, fair lady."
This earned him a small blush from the woman. 'He is so polite. Or is he hitting on me?' She thought.
Arthur became slightly irritated. 'Is he hitting on my precious granddaughter? No matter what your intention is, you cannot get past me that easily young man.'
Ye Han went back to his seat like it was the most normal thing for him.
"Come join us, Diane." Offered Arthur.
And of course, archaic Ye Han also went into action. He stood up and assisted her in sitting.
'This guy is really hitting on my granddaughter!' Arthur slightly fumed.
Thinking of ways to test the young man he was interrupted by a very loud voice coming from the comfort room. "They have good comfort room!"