3 The old man

After the three were done eating, Zhang Min rushed to grab the plates and dash to the kitchen, she had to show Liu Chen she was a good girl. indeed Liu Chen offers his hand to help but was rejected by Zhang Min with a smile "I can do this, I do this all the time." then she headed to the kitchen, cleaning the plates.

Zhang Wei stands up and caresses his robe. "Liu Chen let's go report it to the officials, I know someone there that might help us find where are your parents." Liu Chen eyes turned wide when he heard that, he got up and followed Zhang Wei outside, "Zhang Min were going out, stay there and wait for your mom. if I'm late just tell her I buy her pork!"

Zhang Min who was cleaning the plates snickered, 'dad really loves mom! oh wait.' she then put down the plates and catch up to them, outside she saw her father holding Liu Chen's hands as they walked ahead, the leaves that fall on the trees were all over the place making the two appear like an immortal.

Zhang min's eyebrows were raised, she then let out a sigh and heads back to clean the house. Zhang Wei who was holding Liu Chen's hands was talking to his brother who worked in the officials, the man was middle-aged around 40 years old, he wears a white robe and had a scar on his left eye making him appeared fierce. "I see, Brother Zhang you know that my reputation isn't that good, but it is not bad as well." Zhang Wei frowned and asked "Brother what do you mean? you said not good also it's not bad? are you playing with me?"

( His brother )...

( Liu Chen ) ...

This middle-aged man's name is Wang Wei, he was just savoring the taste of his tea when his brother Zhang entered and asked him about the parents of the child. he coughs twice, indeed he should explain properly! so he said "I can help you, but don't expect it will succeed. you know there are cases like disappearing in our area and it is not rare." Wang Wei began to explain in detail like the doing of the bandit and the merchant etc.

Liu Chen heard all of it, that's why all the time his heart as though a lost chick that finding its mother. Zhang Wei also heard this and felt the tightening of Liu Chen's hands. "Wang Wei ill wait for your good news." he then led Liu Chen outside. the huge number of people walking on the streets and the sellers shouting created a lively feeling to the area, walking, Zhang Wei asked Liu Chen what he wants to eat.

Liu Chen didn't respond. Zhang Wei sigh, they walked back home, by now it was noon. the hot weather made older people rest in their homes. Zhang Min was practicing martial arts somewhere so Liu Chen and Zhang Wei were in the house, sitting on the chair, Zhang Wei praised the cleanliness of the house, her wife and daughter were really.. he was glad to have them in his life, then he glanced at Liu Chen who was sitting opposite of him, again he sighed.

"Liu Chen, I know that reports needed one day to have a result, so stay at my house so you don't need to worry about the food." Liu Chen who was sitting nodded and after a period of silence he stands up and said: "Senior Zhang thank you for having me this day, whether my parents will be found the next day or not, I will leave." Zhang Wei immediately stands up and replied "Liu Chen what do you mean!?" Liu Chen showed a warm smile and headed outside while saying "I'll go outside to take a breath, thanks to Senior Zhang Wei."

Before he could reply Liu Chen was already gone, he sighed while hoping Brother Wang will found them. he sat on the chair and soon fell asleep. Liu Chen ran to the big tree which he climbed, it was a 2-minute run. he was catching his breath as he sat beside the big tree. 'Mother, Father Where are you?' while lost in his thoughts he heard a laugh coming not far away from him.

"This apple is not bad! it even has a worm on it, trying to outwit me?" an old man with white hair and beard was eating the apple and mocking the worm on it. 'What is that old man doing? can't he just eat the apple why bother with the worm?' after eating the apple, the worm was placed down by the old man on the grass, the worm didn't leave. "Why are you looking at me like that? alright here you go." the old man grabs an apple behind him, there was 5 apple there, now it was 4, he placed it next to the worm and continued to eat the rest.

Liu Chen was curious, and he felt his heart lighten at that moment. he approached the old man and saw the tattered clothes and his messy white hair, just like that of a beggar. the old man noticed Liu Chen and his eyes were wide, he asked "Hello kid do you want an apple?" the old man grabs one from behind but Liu Chen shook his head. he then asked the old man "Why are you giving the whole apple on the worm?"

The old man listened for a moment, then suddenly laughs before writing some words on the ground. Liu Chen was confused but he walked closer to the old man and read the words written on the ground 'I'm deaf, why are you here?' Liu Chen was surprised when he heard that, he glanced at the old man, it was as though it was not an old man there but a kid who was eating an apple while feeding his pet and asking a friend. this was strange, thus Liu Chen began to talk to the old man by writing on the ground.