White Crane Estate, Chu Hai City.
This estate is renowned because it's inhabited by the municipal leaders of Chu Hai City.
At this moment, chaos reigned in the home of Zhao Mingzhou, the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee.
Zhao Mingzhou's father, Zhao Zhenyu, suffers from senile dementia. Whenever he experiences an episode, he quietly slips out of the house, carrying a tattered bag, wandering the streets picking up rubbish.
Previously, whenever the old man strayed, he was typically found by security within the estate and promptly returned home. However, this time, something went awry. Neither the housekeeper nor the security noticed his departure. A grown man simply vanished; he left last night and remained unfound until noon today.
Zhao Mingzhou, widely known in the Municipal Compound as a devoted son, was on the verge of hysteria. He spent the whole night roaming the streets with his driver, searching. Exhausted by midday, he returned home briefly to rest his eyes. However, his mind was filled with his father's image, preventing any chance of sleep.
Unable to rest, he arose and inquired with the police department about the current situation. Learning of no progress, he was incensed and vented his frustration on the head of the patrol unit over the phone.
Mid-tirade, the housekeeper, who was answering another call, suddenly shrieked and ran over, announcing that they found the old man. Zhao Mingzhou was overjoyed, urgently asking for the location. After confirming the address, he immediately contacted the police to dispatch a patrol car to find the old man nearby.
Let's set aside these events for now.
Meanwhile, Lin Yu opted to use a public phone to avoid leaving any trace of his whereabouts.
It's better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Assisting the elderly man was simply a matter of fate and peace of mind. Everything else was inconsequential, especially any thought of reciprocating kindness. Besides, he wasn't one to invite trouble. That's why he didn't use his own phone.
"Hello, I'd like to inquire if there's a missing elderly person in your area?" Lin Yu inquired, describing the elderly man's appearance and providing the detailed address for them to collect him.
"Good heavens, yes, it's our elderly person. Thank you so much. Uncle, sir, grandpa's been found..." The girl on the call rapidly jotted down the detailed address, clearly excited. Judging from her address, she seemed to be a housemaid from a wealthy household.
While contemplating, Lin Yu ended the call.
Now that the situation was resolved, he waited for someone to pick up the elderly man. He stood across the road, watching, preventing the old man from wandering off if his condition suddenly worsened.
What left Lin Yu somewhat surprised was that within a minute of making the call, a police patrol car arrived blaring sirens, flashing red and blue lights. It seemed that this family held considerable influence; otherwise, how could they so effortlessly summon the police so swiftly?!
Several officers, visibly excited, rushed out, inquiring briefly before helping the old man into the car. Ignoring the old man's struggle and his continuous pointing in Lin Yu's direction, they swiftly boarded him onto the vehicle.
Lin Yu smiled, waving at the old man in farewell. Carrying his bag, he quietly vanished amidst the crowd, never to be seen again.
Inside the car, however, the old man clung to the window, continually gazing at Lin Yu's departing figure. In his intermittently clear and confused eyes, the young man's tall and sturdy silhouette, along with his name, Lin Yu, was etched.
With this event concluded, it was late evening. At some point, dark clouds gathered in the sky, casting sporadic drizzles that soon turned into a downpour, diminishing the traffic on the streets. It was a long way from here to Grandpa's house in the West City area, making it impossible to return for a while.
Fearing the concern of the two elderly individuals, Lin Yu called back, stating he found work and got stuck outside due to the rain, intending to grab a bite nearby.
After sorting everything out, he sighed and took a stroll nearby, eventually finding a Dexitian restaurant where he ordered a portion of teriyaki rice and began eating.
Midnight arrived, and the rain finally ceased.
After the rain in the secluded mountains, the late autumn breeze brought a rare coolness. In the serene silence following the thunder, a dazzlingly bright moon impatiently emerged, eager to witness this freshly cleansed world. Occasionally, a few bird songs added to the serene tranquility.
It was a beautiful night.
Chu Hai City, Lianyun Mountain.
Most northern areas are predominantly plains, but Chu Hai City stands as an exception. It's a city surrounded by mountains, embraced by peaks that turn strikingly verdant during the summer, exceptionally enchanting.
Lianyun Mountain derives its name from this cluster of mountains. Although not particularly high, its sweeping and winding nature, when seen from afar, extends to the horizon, living up to its name of "Lianyun" (connecting clouds).
On a summit, Lin Yu sat with closed eyes, serene in demeanor, enveloped in a faint spectrum of colorful light, giving him an almost ethereal appearance.
After a while, the spectrum vanished, the anomaly faded, and he slowly opened his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu smiled faintly.
He was practicing the technique of the Star Origin Bead, a habit he had persistently cultivated over the years. Unable to return home promptly today, he decided to practice the technique nearby.
Moreover, practicing this technique is best done away from the hustle and bustle, harmonizing with nature. Therefore, practicing on this quiet and remote mountain was the best choice.
Thus, Lin Yu ascended a nearby mountain, finishing his daily practice there.
Of course, practicing this technique doesn't have to be done on a secluded mountain; it can be practiced anywhere, but the effect is enhanced in an environment close to nature.
Stretching lazily, feeling refreshed, Lin Yu descended the mountain, his bag on his back. In the blink of an eye, he
reached the road below.
Today, on some lunar day, the moon was large and round, seemingly within arm's reach, casting a brilliant glow on the road.
Strolling along merrily, he didn't notice a wild rabbit darting out from the side, curiously glancing back at him before sprinting down the road.