At the same time.
In some time and space, in some world.
Beneath a towering mountain, there were two figures, one tall and one short, one old and one young, walking on the muddy path along the mountain stream.
Leading the way was a young scholar, about twelve or thirteen years old, with clear eyes and delicate features, exuding scholarly ambition, carrying a bag filled with wooden tablets and bamboo slips that were inconvenient to carry by hand.
Lagging a few steps behind was an old man, dressed in simple cloths, supporting himself with a cane, his hair grey and white, slightly hunchbacked, calling out as he walked, "Slow down, young fellow, this old man is struggling to keep up."
Upon hearing this, the young scholar finally stopped and waited in place.
The old man caught up and plopped down onto a blue stone beside the young scholar, gasping for breath and saying, "Let's rest, let's rest."
