Aryan's curiosity was piqued, and he could hardly contain his eagerness as he leaned forward and asked, "So what happened next, Uncle Lan?"
Uncle Lan's expression grew more enigmatic, a mysterious smile spreading across his face. "Finish your fried rice first," he said with a teasing tone. "We can discuss the rest later."
Aryan, his excitement momentarily tempered by Uncle Lan's request, nodded in agreement. He quickly turned his attention back to the plate in front of him, hastily finishing the remaining bites of the fried rice. The food, which had earlier been merely a distraction from his embarrassment, now became a means to an end. With every mouthful, he could barely contain his anticipation.
Once Aryan had polished off the last bit of rice and washed it down with a gulp of water, he looked up at Uncle Lan with renewed urgency. "So, Uncle Lan, what happened next?" he asked, his eyes wide and filled with expectation.
Uncle Lan, still wearing that mysterious smile, glanced at Aryan with a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "You seem really interested in the continuation of the story," he said, teasing Aryan.
Aryan nodded vigorously, his enthusiasm palpable. His eyes sparkled with an intensity that showed just how deeply invested he was in hearing the rest of the tale. "Yes, I am! Please tell me more!"
Uncle Lan chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing around the room. "Alright then," he said, still laughing. "But I'll save the rest of the story for our next meeting."
Aryan's face fell, his excitement deflating as quickly as it had risen. "What? Why?" he protested, looking both surprised and disappointed by Uncle Lan's sudden decision to end the conversation.
Uncle Lan continued to laugh, clearly enjoying Aryan's reaction. "Look at the time, Aryan," he said, pointing to the clock on the wall. "It's already past midnight, and it's time for me to head to bed."
Aryan glanced at the clock and saw that it was indeed well past midnight. He sighed deeply, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. "Alright, Uncle Lan," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I guess I'll have to wait for the next time."
Uncle Lan's expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on Aryan's shoulder. "Don't worry, Aryan. We'll continue the story soon enough," he said with a warm smile.
With a final nod, Aryan bid farewell to Uncle Lan. He left the cozy warmth of Uncle Lan's home and headed back to his own place. The night air was crisp, and the streets were eerily quiet as he made his way to his residence. His mind, still buzzing from the conversation, was filled with questions about the story Uncle Lan had started to tell.
As Aryan walked, he couldn't help but whisper to himself, "Could what Uncle Lan said really be true, or was it just a way to entertain me? Could cultivators really exist, or was it just a story to amuse me?"
He shook his head, trying to dismiss the doubts that were swirling in his mind. He arrived at his rented apartment and went straight to bed, his thoughts racing even as sleep began to claim him.
The next morning, Aryan woke up to the sound of heavy rain pouring outside. The relentless downpour created a constant, drumming noise that seemed to fill the entire room. Aryan groaned as he looked out the window, seeing the rain cascading down in thick sheets.
"Wow, this rain is really coming down hard," Aryan muttered to himself, his voice tinged with annoyance. "It's not usually this heavy in the morning."
As a laborer, Aryan knew that the weather could significantly impact his work. Heavy rain often meant that tasks would be delayed or even canceled, which could result in a loss of income. He sighed, knowing that he needed to prepare for the rain before heading out.
Reluctantly, Aryan reached for his raincoat, a sturdy mantle designed to keep him dry during even the most torrential downpours. He donned the raincoat and adjusted the hood to shield himself from the rain. With a final glance around his apartment to ensure he had everything he needed, Aryan braced himself for the weather and stepped out into the storm.
The rain pounded relentlessly, creating a curtain of water that made it difficult to see. The streets were slick with rain, and the usual hustle and bustle of the city seemed subdued under the downpour. Aryan trudged through the wet streets, feeling the cold rain seeping through his raincoat despite its protective design. The impact of the rain on his workday was now unavoidable, but Aryan tried to keep his spirits up, reminding himself that he would eventually find out more about the intriguing story Uncle Lan had started.
As he made his way to his workplace, Aryan couldn't shake off the curiosity and excitement that had been ignited the previous night. The prospect of discovering more about cultivators and the mysteries Uncle Lan had hinted at kept his mind occupied, even as he navigated the rainy streets.