A light drizzle fell over the small town, sending pedestrians running toward the nearest shelter.
Soon, the streets were enveloped in an ethereal silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic percussion of raindrops. The river, however, was alive with activity, as tireless and energetic vendors huddled beneath their makeshift canopies, their voices a stark contrast to the serene silence of the streets.
A boat drifted peacefully across the river, seemingly not in a hurry to reach its destination.
A young dragon was sitting alone inside. Leaning gently against the bamboo cover, he was lost in thoughts as he stared at the tiny droplets of water that created a mesmerizing pattern across the river's surface.
The poetic ambiance was ruined when the old boatman decided to break the silence.
"Um, Young Master, do you mind if I ask you to pay the fare in advance?"
Xie Junjie gave the boatman a perplexed look.
"No, of course not."
