By the Falling Tear River at the same time as yesterday, Ruan Qing looked at her reflection. She patted her clothes and tried to look sharp. By her side was the basket, though there was no more fish in it.
As she gazed at the Falling Tear River, a wave of sadness washed over her.
Ruan Qing let out a soft sigh, her hand brushing against the cool surface of the water .
What if she was the fish in this river and her marriage was the tide instead? Can she even go against the flow of the river?
Ruan Qing crouched by the bank tracing idle patterns in the mud, trying to shake off the thoughts.
"Why is it like this?" She murmured to herself, "Like everything is moving forwards, but I'm stuck here."
The rippling water offered no answer, only its constant flow. She thought of her mother's words.
Ruan Qing understood her mothers reasoning, but she couldn't accept it.
No longer thinking of her problems, her feet guided her towards the spot where she had met the mysterious man. The memory of his calm demeanor, the subtle strength in his voice. The way he seemed to exist outside the noise of the world.
However she couldn't find him.
A pang of disappointment like a sound from a string to her heart rang.
Maybe he's just passing through, she thought, Someone like him doesn't seem like they would stay in one place for too long.
Still, she couldn't help but linger. Her eyes returning to the bamboo chair.
It was strange how quickly a stranger could leave such an impression. How, in the span of a single meeting, he had somehow become a part of her thoughts.
She had no choice then to go back home. However, she couldn't keep herself away. The very next day, Ruan Qing returned to the same spot.
The chair remained as it was, untouched.
Disappointed yet unable to let go of the faint hope, she left once more.
Days turned into weeks and still she returned hoping to meet him. Just being here, sitting and doing nothing–it made her...calm.
She kind of understood what the man mentioned now.
Ruan Qing would sit by the riverbank, her gaze flicking toward the chair, then to the path, wondering where he had gone and whether she would meet him again.
Her mother began to notice her frequent absences, chastising her for wandering to who knows where.
A quite question lingered in her mind: Who are you, and why do I feel like I need to meet you again?
As Ruan Qing turned to leave, her steps became slow and reluctant.
A voice from behind stopped her in her tracks.
"You came back," it said, low and calm. Still, it carried a weight that made her heart skip a beat.
She froze, her breath hitching as the familiar timbre of the voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Slowly, she turned with a wide smile from ear to ear.
There he was, standing under the shade of a tree. His figure seemed almost ethereal against the backdrop of swaying leaves. His prescence as still and unyielding as the bamboo chair he had left behind.
"You...." she started, her voice cracking under the pressure. "You're here."
He smiled and gave a small nod. "And you've been coming here," he said playfully.
"I..." Ruan Qing cheeks brightened red. Then it dawned on her, "You knew I've been waiting here for you..."
She looked down in disappointment and a bit of gloom. "If you didn't want to meet me, why not just say so." She turned to leave.
After Ruan Qing took a few steps, the man began contemplating something. He sighed to himself and looked to the blue sky. His voice cut through the air, calm but firm.
"Wait."
"Is there something else?" she asked softly, without turning around. Now that she had the courage to leave, turning back would completely reignite any attachment.
"....Want to become my disciple?"
Ruan Qing blinked, utterly taken aback. She turned and stared at him as though he had just spoken in a foreign language. "D-disciple?" she stammered.
He nodded, his expression complicated. "Yes. Disciple."
She looked at the bamboo chair and pointed at it, "To be a fisherman?"
The man clicked his tongue. "What are you talking about!?" He had his arms to his back and said, "The offer I'm making is more than catching a couple of fishes."
He held out his right hand with his index and middle finger pointed at the river. Just as he began speaking, a sword strode along the river as if it was cutting through air, "I'm offering you a chance to walk a path that few dare tread, a path where even heaven doesn't dare stand in your way."
The sword slashed at the river, however it didn't cause any destruction. It merely stopped the flow of the river.
With a twist of his wrist, the sword flew back to his hands.
"Y-you're an immortal!?" she asked, amazed at what she saw. Then her eyes lowered, "Forget it...I'm not fit to be a immortal."
The man smiled faintly as if he was almost relieved that she chose that answer, still he asked her a question. "I only ask once, are you sure?"
From the river, she looked up to the man. His blue eyes showed no sign of shrewdness or having any evil intentions. "I was also asked to join a sect once."
He asked curiously, "Why didn't you join?"
"Because if I did." Flashes of images of her mother crying as her father died were still fresh in her mind. "I've seen sons and daughters leave for cultivation. But everyone that were left behind would sit by the door and sigh all day, wondering if they'll ever see their loved ones again."
Ruan Qing knew this was a once in a lifetime offer to change her fate, but still. "I don't want to leave my mother all alone. Even if she nags at me, even if we argue....we're all that's left for each other." Her voice cracked slightly.
She took a steady breath, "I can't abandon her. I won't." Ruan Qing looked up with a determined gaze, but she was surprised at what she saw.
The man's expression was opposite to what she had imagined.
Instead of disappointment, his face was joyful. She had never seen him like that. It was a face of true peace, of serenity.
"You have a kind heart," he said. With wave of his hand, a light came out from his jade ring. In his hand was a purple umbrella.
"This umbrella can shield you from danger. Take it with you." It turned into a small pendant and flew to her neck.
"T-this is too valuable! I can't take it." She attempted to take it off, but was stopped by his voice again.
"Take it, It's for reviving my faith in the world. I don't take back gifts I've been given. If you don't like it, just throw it into the river." He turned to leave.
Ruan Qing blinked, stunned by his nonchalance. "Wait!"
He stopped and looked back, "What's the matter?
After a slight bit of hesitation she asked, "...Weren't you going to tell me your name?"
"Let's forget it. It's better to forget we ever met."
"B-but you said so! A gentleman's word is gold!" She straightened her back.
He looked at her and let out a soft laughter. "Who told you that line? A scholar?"
"My mom."
He nodded, "Alright. Since I've said so, then I'll just say it."
"My name is Li Xing."
Without any suspense or moment to waste, he simply said his name.
"I'm leaving!" He waved goodbye casually.
"We won't meet again." His voice echoed as he turned to a spark of light, racing towards the sky.
Ruan Qing could only look at the sky longingly.
She whispered under her breathe barely audible, maybe hoping for it to be heard by someone but too afraid.
"I hope to see you again."