Bai Shaoliu returned to the inn. Anping Canal was right outside the inn, and the water was naturally flowing.
He took a bench and placed it by the side of the canal. He stared at the running water.
The inn owner, Zhou Ling whose charm from her younger days still existed was wondering what was wrong with him. He did not look half dead today, but he looked even duller.
Even though the sun was bright and it was extremely hot, he was paying full attention to the water.
The water in Anping Canal, while it did not flow particularly fast, it was clear. The water glittered under the sun. It was hard for one to keep his eyes open when looking at it. Bai Shaoliu's eyes got drier, but he did not close his eyes. He continued staring.
He kept doing it until evening. The water was now dyed red by the sunset, which made it as pretty as flowers.
Zhou Ling could not stand it anymore. She went beside Bai Shaoliu and asked, "What is wrong with you?"