In the blink of an eye over 20 minutes passed since Ji Bai sat down waiting at the bus stop. The ice-cold stainless steel seat was heated up by his body temperature. A bone chilling winter breeze whistled past yet Ji Bai who only had on a thin shirt and sweater on remained as immovable as a mountain. With a normal complexion that betrayed the coldness of the surroundings he firmly sat on the frost-covered seat with his folded arms.
After some time several other commuters gradually appeared alongside Ji Bai at the once deserted bus stop.
Judging from their commonplace attire and somewhat vacant eyes Ji Bai could clearly see that they were all ordinary people. It was commonly known that people who insisted on coming out to work under the wintry condition of the twelfth lunar month were unquestionable of the lower class.
However this observation wasnt without its logic. It was because despite the awful weather who wouldnt want to stay at home and lie under their heatable brick bed all day? If they werent forced by the circumstances that were unfortunately given or pressured on them why would they go out and endure the elements instead of using this time to spend with their family?
Even with Ji Bais physique he could still feel traces of coldness what of the average commuters around him that were waiting for a ride? Each one of them wore attires that were as thick as a black bear and yet they were still shivering so badly like the vibrations caused when pounding garlic.
Ji Bai who was sitting on his original spot crossed his legs and idled his time away as he waited. A good amount of time had passed now and his vision continued to fixate on the waves and waves of people entering the coaches.
After some time because Ji Bai started to get bored he took out a candy with crinkled wrapping paper and began to treat it like a dice as he threw it up and down trying to amuse himself.
Beep! Beep! Beep! The loud noise emitted by the high-power engine combined with the ear-piercing sound of emergency brakes was heard. Another coach was stably stopped in front of the bus stop as a number of passengers alighted from it. The waiting commuters in the bus stop that had stood by bitterly till their limbs had turned numb from the cold eased their brows. Almost as if heavy weights had been lifted from them they walked towards the coach with big strides and boarded it.
It was certain that the number of passengers that were disembarking was smaller than those who were currently boarding the train. Someone amongst the disembarking passengers caught Ji Bais attention; it was a small girl whose height was shorter than his armpit. He looked at the man dressed in western-style clothes next to her Ji Bai naturally guessed that they were father and daughter.
However what caused Ji Bai to be surprised was that the man with a suit who he deemed to be the father had no intention of travelling together with the girl. The two had parted ways and went on their own separate paths after they got off the bus. It seemed that the two of them were complete strangers from this act alone.
A small girl taking a coach in such a heavy winter with no family to accompany her?
Traces of astonishment were present in Ji Bais eyes as he gazed at the small girl that was calmly walking down from the backdoor of the coach.
Seemingly oblivious or uncaring about Ji Bais gaze the young girl continued to chew something in her mouth a trace of frostiness was present in her indifferent expression. After observing the surroundings of the bus stop she unhurriedly walked towards a supporting pillar and leaned against it folding her arms across her chest.
Ji Bai couldnt help but feel a sense of chillness as he looked at the attire of the loli.
She wore a short white dress that covered her entire body. Her arms were gentle and exquisite like lotus roots they were completely exposed to the icy bone-chilling winter wind. Her legs too were completely exposed as she didnt wear any stockings that could protect them against the cold. There were only a pair of sandals on her soles that exposed her white and exquisite toes.
The outfit was indeed adorable. However during the current winter such attire would only cause one to feel a sense of astonishment and peculiarness. This phenomenon wasnt just limited to Ji Bai; Even strangers that had taken a mere glimpse at her all had an astonished expression on their faces.
The girl seemed to not have noticed the astonished people around her. With both hands folded and her back lying against the pillar she continued to blow her bubblegum.
Are brats made of steel nowadays? Alright. Perhaps I have truly gone senile.
Ji Bai slowly heaved a sigh and looked at the candy in his hand. He really was never a fan of the type of food known as sweets he couldnt bring himself to eat it right now. However he would feel a pang of pity if he was to throw it away.
As he was overcome with boredom he continued to look around. His eyes stopped at the nearby loli who was leaning against the pillar and blowing bubbles. Hey little girl. Big brother has a sweet here. Do you want to Ji Bai walked forward with a friendly and amicable smile on his face. It was almost as if he was her next-door brotherly neighbor. (Self believed)
However before he could finish his words the loli in front of him looked at the sweet in his hand and quickly said as a disdainful smile appeared in her mouth Are you thinking of relying on such a worthless and outdated method to pick up such a fine lady like myself? Why dont you find a mirror and look at yourself Uncle. How about you cut the crap and show me something of substance.
The meaning was self-evident as she rubbed her fingers.
??? Excuse me? What the fuuu?
She what did she just say? Did I mishear her?
At this moment Ji Bai was stuck with the question of How does the universe move in cycles? he was now immersed in endless contemplation.
Did the chicken or the egg first appear in the world? If the egg came first then where did it come from? If the chicken came first then who was the person ahead of me?
Ring Ring Ring Just when Ji Bai was considering whether he had fallen out of trend with the world or that people were now free to express whenever they wanted to a series of ringing voices resounded from his pocket.
Hello? That you Lin Tuo? At this moment Ji Bai wished for nothing but to light a cigarette for himself. However it was something that a pauper like himself couldnt afford right now. He could only mimic the gesture of holding onto a cigarette and pretend that there was one in his mouth.
Hello? Can you hear me? Lin Tuos voice reverberated from the other end.
Mhm I guess. Ji Bai said as he exhaled a mouthful of turbid air.
Huh? Brat you seem a bit unusual. Did you fall out of love? Lin Tuo realized that Ji Bais tone wasnt right on the other end and suspiciously asked. But as he thought back about Ji Bais stinginess and how his innate ability kept him single he realized that there was no way the boy could find any girlfriend.
No I dont know a thing about frivolous youths. I only know that victors reign supreme. As he looked at the loli beside him Ji Bai felt like he had turned old. The frivolous young and passionate blood that belonged to people of his era had already run dry.
??? What kind of nonsense are you spouting now youngster? Youre all over the place Bah! Forget it Im here to tell you that the person thats supposed to receive you has set off. Hm Shes probably near your area now.
Oh. Ji Bai indifferently replied. He had kept his melancholy and lament under control and unhurriedly heaved a sigh.
Her characteristics are very unique. Youd be able to see her in a glance if youre not blind. Her appearance is roughly a 12-year old girl wearing a thin white dress Hello? Are you listening?
Ji Bai didnt reply to Lin Tuos words. He was in a daze the moment he had heard the description and turned his gaze towards the loli who if he wasnt mistaken was also beginning to size himself up.
