C7 Unfeeling

Tears of helplessness streamed down Wu Shanbao's cheeks as his grief burst forth like a torrential flood, a stifling sensation lodged in his chest, making it nearly impossible for him to catch his breath.

It took a long while before Wu Shanbao managed to utter a single word — "Dad." After that, he was too overcome to weep any longer.

His interactions with his father had been few, but his father had always been the rock Wu Shanbao leaned on. His father was like a mountain, sheltering his entire family, including himself! Now, with the mountain gone, Wu Shanbao's heart was in pieces.

The memory of the previous night's warmth and laughter still haunted him. In just one night, he had become an orphan, transformed from the young master of the Wu family to a child with no one... He didn't know how long he had wept at the gravesite before exhaustion took over, and he crawled atop the grave to sleep.

When he awoke, it was the middle of the night. The crisp moonlight bathed Wu Shanbao's damp body, sending shivers through him.

Hunger finally gnawed at Wu Shanbao.

"My parents are no longer here, but I must survive!" Wu Shanbao was no fool. He had come through this calamity unscathed, surely due to his parents' protective efforts. If he were to fall into despair, how could his parents rest peacefully?

He searched the house once more for anything of use, but the neighbors had taken anything of even slight value. Nothing remained.

Sitting down in defeat, Wu Shanbao felt a fear like never before.

Remembering his mother's instructions to safeguard a particular puppet, his nose tingled with the onset of sorrow. But this time, he resisted the urge to cry. Pulling the puppet from his chest, he saw its familiar dashing appearance and felt a little solace.

Recalling his mother's tenderness, Wu Shanbao found himself drawn to the lakeside, sitting down as if he could hear her playing the zither on the little island in the middle of the lake. The music was as haunting and melancholic as ever, a sadness he had never truly understood until now.

Today, he felt it deeply.

Emerging from his reverie, Wu Shanbao faced the harshness of reality. He pondered how to carry on, how to uncover the murderer, and how to exact his revenge.

Wu Shanbao was at a loss, with survival being his sole focus. He knew he had to endure if he was to take the next step and grow stronger.

Then it hit him – the family rice store, inn, and bank. A spark of hope ignited in Wu Shanbao's heart. Surely, these legacies from his ancestors were still around.

Elated, Wu Shanbao leapt to his feet and made a beeline for the closest bank.

The sharp rapping on the door cut through the stillness of the night.

"Who's there?" came a voice, tinged with irritation.

"Uncle Pei, it's me, Shanbao!"

"Who?"

"Wu Shanbao!"

Finally, the bank's lights flickered on, and the manager emerged, lantern in hand.

"What's this about, coming at such a late hour?"

"Uncle Pei, my family's..."

"I know all about it – your family was raided by bandits."

"I..."

"Out with it! What do you want?"

"I need to withdraw some money..."

"Withdraw money? You can't be serious."

"What's the problem?"

"Do you have any banknotes on you?"

"Do I need banknotes to withdraw from my own family's bank?"

"Kid, I'm only sparing you because of my respect for your father. Now scram! Look up – this is Pei Bank, not Wu Bank. Your father traded the bank to me ages ago. Now get out!"

With those harsh words, the shopkeeper slammed the door shut. Wu Shanbao's calls were met with silence; the door remained firmly closed.

Defeated, Wu Shanbao bit his lip and walked away.

Shortly after Shanbao's departure, two figures peered out from the bank door's crack.

"He's gone," a woman observed.

"Good. It's all clear now. The Wu family is nearly wiped out. What can that kid do to me?" the shopkeeper boasted with a smirk. "And I have you to thank for this clever scheme. You truly are an invaluable partner."

With a heavy heart, Wu Shanbao thought of the two remaining rice shops. Dragging his feet, he headed their way, only to be met with disappointment. The shops had new signs, and upon hearing his name, Wu Shanbao, they wouldn't even open their doors.

Wu Shanbao felt a deep sense of disillusionment. He couldn't believe how quickly the shopkeepers, who had once treated him with such warmth, could turn their backs on him.

Despite not being the sharpest tool in the shed, Wu Shanbao had pieced together the events. He had been asleep for more than a day. These people had long been aware of his family's plight and had taken the opportunity to change the shop's name. They were exploiting his youth, aiming to seize his family's assets!

But what good did knowing do? The harsh reality was staring him in the face. He was aware of the truth, yet utterly incapable of altering the situation. This was the bitter pill of life, and for someone as young as Shanbao to taste it so soon seemed terribly unfair.

With the knowledge that there was still one family inn left, Wu Shanbao had a hunch about how things would turn out. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to check it out, hoping against hope for a stroke of luck.

"The Wu Inn" now bore the sign "Daoist Inn." The landlady was busy with her abacus behind the counter.

"Aunt Wu, hello!" Wu Shanbao approached the counter quietly.

The woman behind the counter looked up but saw no one. She frowned and muttered under her breath, "What the devil!" Just as she was about to return to her calculations, the child's voice rang out again.

"I'm right here!"

The shopkeeper followed the sound and spotted a grubby child standing at the counter, his face alight with earnest hope.

"Are you... Shanbao?"

"Yes!"

"You're alive?!" The woman quickly stepped out and ushered Wu Shanbao to a seat.

"Waiter! Bring some food!" she called out to the back hall.

"Tell me everything, Aunt Wu is here for you. Where have you been all this time?"

"I'm not sure what happened. I woke up by the lake and then... at home..."

"My poor boy... I thought you were all... that's why I changed the inn's name... You're not upset, are you?"

"Aunt Wu, all the other shops have changed their names, but you still recognize me. That's enough for me! It's okay that you changed it."

Relieved that Wu Shanbao bore no grudge, the shopkeeper relaxed. As the waiter served up the meal, she encouraged Shanbao to eat.

Wu Shanbao was famished. He devoured two plates of food and two bowls of rice before letting out a satisfied belch.

"Thank you, Aunt Wu!"

"There's no need for thanks! What are you planning to do now?"

"I'm not sure. I came hoping to get some money..."

"Shanbao, what unfortunate timing. The money was just deposited into the bank today. Could you come back tomorrow? You have to trust me, Aunt Wu..."

"Okay, I'll come back tomorrow."

Once Wu Shanbao had left, the shopkeeper's brow furrowed in concern.

"The Wu family has fallen to pieces, leaving only this boy. I should take good care of him. But he's already wise beyond his years. If he grows up, won't he pose a threat to the other three shops? Besides, this rascal is all take and no give. Why should I bother raising him? Perhaps it's better to..."

With her decision made, the female shopkeeper gave some instructions to the waiter.

The next day, when Wu Shanbao returned, Aunt Wu was nowhere to be found, and the waiter greeted him with an icy demeanor.

Wu Shanbao understood the situation all too well by evening.

"Rather than grovel, I'd rather leave with my dignity intact!" Wu Shanbao steeled himself. "Today, they treat me this way; tomorrow, they'll regret it!"

Resolved, Wu Shanbao turned on his heel and strode out the door.