It wasn't super hot today; in fact, it was almost refreshing...if it wasn't for the fact I was still selling potions on the side of the street.
My mind had absentmindedly swum back to the 130,000 Jia in my bank account.
"Kyahhh! Mr. Han, make a heart with your hands!"
Unconsciously, I put my hands together, forming a heart shape.
I had already made up my mind.
I was going to treat myself today at that waitress's restaurant using the new money I just gained...and along with giving her more money, I'll also learn her name.
"Mr. Han, I'll buy four extra-strength potions for my cousins if you wink at the camera for me!"
...After selling everything, of course.
I cocked my fingers into a pair of mock pistols and winked at the crowd as a flash of blinding light went off, presumably, that person's camera.
Come to think of it...why do I feel so attached to her?
Was it the free food?... No, I'm not that easily persuaded...am I?
"Hawker Han, what do you have to say about me naming my kid after you?"
"Aha~ I'm pleased, but please don't do that, ladies!"
Was it the way she could so easily navigate my awkwardness?
"I'll buy three more of those health potions, they did wonders on my skin, Han! And all my friends are asking where I got them!"
"I wouldn't be mad if you brought your friend over~"
Or maybe, just maybe, it was the kindness she'd shown a stranger that night.
***
As the day was coming to an end, thoughts about how I would spend my newly found money danced around my head.
Hm...I think...I want to treat that waitress to something. I made her cry last time, so...I should make it up to her.
"HEY! JITTER-BUG!"
Just as I folded up the shelf, Grandma Guanhuai strolled over.
"Hm? You're sure early today."
"Well, ya did say that ye had business today, didn't ya?"
Clouds enveloped the sky, with flecks of yellow and pink just peering through.
Huh? Is it already this late?
"Here's the sales for today."
Grandma Guanhuai's phone was handed back to her, with all the transactions present.
"Alright then, I'll get going now."
I leaned the shelf against the wall of Grandma Guanhuai's house before making my departure.
"HEY, KID, IT'S GONNA RAIN SOON YA KNOW!"
"I know, I know, it'll be fine though, I'll be indoors anyway!"
Seeing Grandma Guanhuai here...I should treat her as well when the next opportunity comes...although with all the sales she's having, she'll be the one treating me out soon.
I did wish, though, that some of the money from the potion store could be given to me, but I guess that's just what the quest was.
I still hadn't figured out how many days it would take for me to "finish" the quest, that is, if there was such a thing.
Today marked the third day at that Granny's house, so if it's the same as the game, I might have just around four more days until completion.
But...it doesn't feel like I'm close to the quest ending.
While in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed that the once light yellow and pink hues had slowly turned into brilliant shades of red.
The sun was going down...
I should hurry up my pace.
The journey to the restaurant wasn't so bad, well, at least not as bad as the pawn shop's.
It was pretty close to Grandma Guanhuai's house, and I was easily able to track it down again.
With no heavy briefcases to bother me, I actually got there without feeling like a sick panting dog.
I turned the corner, and there it was, the restaurant.
It was the same as I remembered it, which wasn't that long ago, considering I was just here three days ago.
Boring, soulless, concrete walls that didn't match up with the amazing food they served here.
The only thing that was missing was the hand-drawn sign that was once out in the front, showing off the store's discounts.
I guess no more discounts for me.
I jokingly thought to myself.
Now, right on the front steps, I slowly opened the door, expecting the ringing sound of the bell to announce my arrival.
Except it never came.
In fact, the door never even opened.
Is the door stuck? Why isn't it opening?
I pushed at the door again, throwing my entire left shoulder into it, bones vibrating against the heavy door, but to no avail.
It didn't even rattle.
...What the hell?
I could feel my entire face contorting as the doors stayed completely shut.
That's not right. This place should still be open; it's even still on the map.
I sprinted towards the windows.
Nothing.
No lights, no people, just darkness that covered every square inch of the place.
Stop…stop this.
I slowly backed up and raised my head, looking just right above the building, where the restaurant sign should've been.
But it was empty.
Only four rusted bolts remained.
It was gone. The restaurant's sign was gone.
…But why?
Why?!
Didn't she say the restaurant was doing fine?
That everything was going okay?
Why…why did she lie?…
I don't-
A droplet of water fell onto my nose, with a cold and tingling sensation that soon followed.
It was raining.
As more and more droplets of water stained the pavement, I spotted an overhang that could be used for some shelter.
Running over, the rain was now pouring down, with no sign of stopping, and I found myself missing the warm weather that was yesterday.
I thought about everything again.
It was obvious that the restaurant was closed...for good.
Yet it was still on the map app, which means it probably just closed down...
The winds blew harder, aggressively carrying the rain along with it.
Strands of my hair violently flew across my face, snapping at my forehead and covering my view ever so often.
...If it just closed down...would I be able to find her? Here?
What if she lives close by?
But of course, nobody would be out with the weather like this.
No, wait, she works at a restaurant, it's not a stretch to say people might know her if I ask around.
I...I want to see her again.
No, I need to see her again.
I needed to know why she lied.
Did she lie because she was embarrassed?
Did she not want to be a burden?
What kind of position is she in right now?
Horrible thoughts filled my head as I realized that her source of income was gone.
And I was right there.
I saw her, I was with her, just yesterday.
Yet I couldn't help her.
So then why did she give me all those skewers for free?
Her business was obviously struggling.
I slowly crouched down, watching as the rain blew away plastic bags and other garbage.
Is that why she was crying?
Because she already knew what was going to happen?
...How?
How could I be so stupid?
Why did I just stand there and gawk at her instead of asking what was wrong?
I was reminded of the 130,000 Jia in my bank account.
The money that could have gone to helping her.
Suddenly, my phone rang, but I didn't even bother to see who it was.
Heavy.
That's what my heart felt like.
So I sat there.
Staring away at the soaked pavement.
"...I'm so dumb...so fucking dumb..."
The rain had only gotten stronger as I realized how immersed I was in myself that I couldn't see her problems.
Even when they were staring right at my face, I looked the other way.
All of a sudden, I felt a shadow loom over me.
A sliver of warmth briefly fell on my skin.
And I raised my head...
"...Grandma Guanhuai?"