The shop owner looked troubled. “If he eats in the store, other customers might see…”
Sophia was angry. “He paid for his noodles, he’s a customer just like us. Why can’t he eat here?”
The old man, seeing the situation getting tense, quickly said, “Miss, you are kind. Thank you, but I can eat outside.”
“No way. I paid for your meal, you have the right to eat here,” Sophia said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Leo stood up without a word, took out a thousand dollars from his wallet, and handed it to Sophia.
Sophia was momentarily stunned but then understood Leo’s intention. She took the money and slammed it on the table, looking at the shop owner with a commanding gaze. “Can he eat here now?”
Money talks. Seeing the thousand dollars on the table, the shop owner’s eyes lit up. He quickly nodded. “Yes, of course!”
The shop owner swiftly grabbed the money and rushed to the kitchen to prepare the noodles.
The old man looked gratefully at Sophia and Leo before moving to sit at a nearby table.
Leo’s eyes casually glanced at the backpack on the old man’s back, and he felt a sudden curiosity.
“Sir, sit next to me,” Leo said, pointing to the empty seat beside him.
“Thank you, you are truly kind people,” the old man said gratefully, nodding repeatedly as he sat down next to Leo.
Although his clothes were tattered, they were not dirty or smelly.
Leo asked casually, “Sir, your accent doesn’t sound local. Where are you from?”
“I’m not from here. I’m from Mount North, a remote mountainous area,” the old man said, taking a sip of hot water and holding the cup with both hands. “I came here to work. My fellow townsman said there was a construction site here that pays two hundred and thirty dollars a day. I thought I could earn some tuition money for my grandson, so I came.”
“But shortly after I arrived, my phone was stolen. I lost contact with my townsman, and I’ve spent all the money I brought with me. I can’t even go back home now…”
As he spoke, his voice choked up and he tightly gripped his cup.
Leo watched the old man’s eyes carefully as he spoke. Seeing his genuine expression, Leo felt a bit puzzled.
“Sir, don’t worry. I’ll lend you money to get home,” Sophia said with a comforting smile.
“Sir, are you really not lying to us?” Leo squinted his eyes and glanced again at the old man’s backpack.
“Lying? Why would I lie to you? You are good people; I wouldn’t deceive you! I’m telling the truth!” The old man looked at Leo with confusion, not understanding what he meant.
“Honey, what do you mean?” Sophia asked, puzzled.
Leo said directly, “Sir, your backpack contains valuable medicinal herbs. Yet you say you don’t have money to go home?”
The old man looked bewildered and stared at Leo in surprise. “Young man, what are you talking about? I don’t understand. What valuable medicinal herbs?”
Leo smiled faintly and pointed to the old man’s backpack. “Open your backpack.”
The old man took off his backpack and opened it, taking out something that looked like a piece of yam.
“Young man, is this what you’re talking about?”
Leo nodded. “Yes, that’s it.”
“Do you know what this is?”
“Of course, it’s a rare and precious herb!”
The old man handed the herb to Leo with a smile. “Then I’ll give it to you!”
The old man’s gesture surprised Leo.
The herb in the old man’s hand was called immortal grass. It had miraculous effects on external injuries and could even bring people back from the brink of death when used with other herbs.
Seeing Leo’s surprise, the old man smiled warmly. “This was passed down from my grandfather to my father and then to me. They said it could be sold for money in critical times.”
“I tried selling it in Langstel for a day, but no one bought it. Even pharmacies wouldn’t take it. If you don’t mind, just buy me a train ticket home…”
The old man looked embarrassed as he spoke, feeling like he was being ungrateful.
They had just treated him to a meal; giving them the herb seemed fair enough. Asking for a train ticket felt awkward.
“Just a train ticket home?” Leo’s face showed surprise.
“A standing ticket is fine,” the old man quickly added, thinking Leo was unwilling.
Leo couldn’t help but laugh. He finally confirmed that the old man was telling the truth and his suspicions vanished.
“Sir, this herb is called immortal grass. It’s a very valuable medicinal herb. Selling it for just a ticket is a huge loss!” Leo said with a smile.
“It’s not a loss!” The old man shook his head quickly, tears of gratitude in his eyes. “You even treated me to a meal. You are good people!”
To him, the herb was unsellable. Whether it was valuable or not didn’t matter.
Now that Leo and Sophia had treated him to a meal and were willing to buy him a ticket home, he was deeply grateful.
“Sir, this herb may seem worthless to those who don’t know its value, but it’s worth a lot to those who do. How much do you want for it?” Leo asked.
“No need!” The old man waved his hands repeatedly. “Just buy me a ticket home. My grandson must be starving by now!”
“You have a grandson? He’s alone at home? What about his parents?”
“My son was killed in a mining accident in the northwest…” The old man’s voice choked up again. “My daughter-in-law ran away too. After my wife died, it’s just me and my grandson…”
Sophia’s heart ached hearing this. She whispered to Leo, “Honey, give this old man more money. I’ll cut down on my hair appointments and makeup…”
Leo chuckled at Sophia’s words and gently patted her hand. He turned to the old man with a smile. “Sir, I’ll buy this herb from you for one million dollars. Give me your bank card…”
“How much!?” The old man’s face changed in shock.
“One million dollars!” Leo smiled. “Is that too little? I can add more!”