Random Meeting

Zhi Luan walked around for a while and came to a place he hadn't seen before. From his perspective, it was a colorful and vibrant green space with a calming atmosphere surrounded by the beauty of the natural world. The place was filled with echoes of children's laughter as they ran around and played, while their parents watched with warm smiles. The vast lawn was dotted with picnic blankets where people gathered to share stories and snacks under the shade of trees. This was Sanxing City Central Park.

This place was the perfect place to clear his mind of his frustration, a place for a stroll and relaxation. Zhi Luan found shade under a tree and sat there, taking in the fresh and soothing air as it glazed over his skin.

"I should come here to meditate more often…"

He muttered.

After taking a break to feel the serenity of the environment, Zhi Luan took up his book to study but then he put it down after a brief contemplation.

"What's the point? I won't understand anything no matter how hard I try. I might as well fling these books out the window when I get back and tell the old man I quit. I'll just work extra to pay up the bills…"

With his eyes closed and his back reclined on the bench, Zhi Luan unknowingly entered a state of meditation, calming his mind and easing it of stressful thoughts. He stayed in one spot, in the same position for hours without moving, until it was noon, and his alarm rang.

Zhi Luan grudgingly opened his eyes and looked at his phone with a dispirited expression before switching it off.

"He did say to come back when I feel better… I'll take my time then…"

Zhi Luan closed his eyes again and resumed his meditation. He didn't bother to activate his energy while in this state and only basked in the refreshing feeling.

At this time, Zhi Luan opened his eyes again and checked his phone; it was 3 pm already. He took a deep breath before grudgingly leaving the park and heading back to the restaurant. Zhi Luan made sure to take as much time as he could to get to the restaurant. He got to see another part of the city and just had to learn as he walked. He was already close to the restaurant when someone bumped into him and fell on the ground.

"Ow!!"

It was a lady, and she was currently confused about whether to massage her butt she fell on or her head she bumped.

"Did someone build a wall when I wasn't looking?"

She grumbled.

Zhi Luan remained unfazed as though nothing had bumped into him. He simply reached out his hand,

"Are you hurt? You hit your head pretty hard…"

The lady jolted when she heard Zhi Luan's voice. She looked up to see him offering his hand as an offer of support. She then shifted her gaze to his hand as she hesitated to take it.

"Thank you, but I can stand on my own," said she as she politely declined his hand.

Zhi Luan didn't mind and looked at the stuff she dropped while she fell and moved to pick them up. However, the lady quickly reacted,

"Never mind them! You don't have to do anything for me, it's fine I can handle it. Just be on your way."

"I can't do that. You don't need my help, but I can at least make sure you have everything before I leave."

Zhi Luan insisted.

"Suite yourself,"

The lady didn't argue further and arranged her stuff. But while she did this, she snuck a peek at Zhi Luan and couldn't help but ask,

"Have I seen you before?"

"I don't go out much so it's unlikely," replied Zhi Luan.

"This is not a cliché way of trying to strike up a conversation or anything like that…"

"Uh… cliché?"

Zhi Luan had never heard that word before.

The lady then noticed the books in his hand.

"Are those books from SCST?"

"Uh… these? I don't know where they came from."

"You're reading a book you know nothing about where it came from?"

"Who said it was for me?"

"Are you denying that it's not?"

Zhi Luan rolled his eyes before owning up,

"I'm studying for an entrance exam coming up. But I might as well set these things on fire because they're completely hard to understand."

Then the lady scoffed,

"What a surprise, I'm a lecturer at the university you're applying for, and setting our books on fire isn't the best step to getting into the school."

"Well, if you don't want your books on fire, why don't you make them easier to read?"

"What are you talking about?"

The lady snapped.

"Our entrance materials are elementary stuff…the foundation..."

"Yeah, the foundation for a headache," Zhi Luan retorted. And then a thought flashed through his mind. He turned to the lady,

"You said you're a teacher at this institution, right?"

"I have a bad feeling about where this is going, but continue…"

"Why don't you teach me?"

The lady shook her head,

"No, not happening."

"Why not?"

"For plenty of reasons. You did not ask me if offered tutoring services, which I do but on special occasions, not random meets like this. And secondly, I don't know you…"

"You don't have to know me to help me."

Zhi Luan chimed in.

"Oh no, the last time I got entangled with a stranger I…"

The lady was hesitant to finish her sentence, but Zhi Luan tactfully added.

"It must have been a bad experience for you…"

"It was horrible. So, if you don't mind, I'll be leaving. This was an eventful and random encounter I hope not to have ever again in my life," said the lady before she stormed off.

"Good day to you too miss…"

Zhi Luan waved and headed toward the restaurant.

Surprisingly, Zhi Luan and the lady happened to head in the same direction.

The lady noticed Zhi Luan behind her and turned,

"Are you stalking me?"

"What? No, I'm not. I'm just headed that way."

"Oh really, what a coincidence," said the lady sarcastically as she started walking again a little faster than before. She placed her hand inside her handbag, feeling the switchblade hidden within it.