Hades, the Urban Legend

Chapter 593: Chapter 594: Take a Sip

There stood an elderly couple with slightly hunched figures. Both had gray hair and wore ragged clothes. The old woman leaned on a bamboo cane, while the old man carried a large cloth bag on his back. Covered in dust, it was easy to tell they were beggars in Zhonghai City.

Such gray-clad figures were not uncommon in big cities. Most people had grown accustomed to ignoring them, showing disdain, or feeling helpless sympathy.

At this moment, the old woman was standing at the entrance of the Starbucks, looking at an advertisement on the window. The poster displayed a rich white mocha and a green tea frappuccino topped with inviting white cream.

The old woman's eyes showed a hint of longing. Her wrinkled face and cloudy eyes stared in a daze.

Seeing his wife's expression, the old man sighed heavily and held her hand. "Once we have enough money, I'll get you one to try."

The old woman quickly shook her head. "I'm just looking. I don't actually want to drink it. It's not worth it."

"I know you like sweet things," the old man smiled.

The old woman feigned anger and scolded, "Don't waste money. Let's go."

The old man couldn't say much more. He felt deeply guilty toward his wife, but they truly didn't have any spare money. Just managing to fill their stomachs was already a struggle in the city. How could they afford a drink that cost several yuan? Besides, whether they would even be allowed inside to buy one was a question.

At this moment, Rose, who had been watching, suddenly stood in front of the elderly couple with a bright smile. "Grandma, this is for you to drink."

Rose extended the almost untouched strawberry lemonade she had in her hand to the old woman, insisting she take it.

The old woman was stunned, unable to comprehend why a pretty young woman would suddenly offer her a drink. She quickly realized and shook her head, smiling, "Young lady, please don't. This is too expensive. I can't accept it."

For them, a drink costing less than ten yuan was already a luxury.

The old man was also moved. "Young lady, we appreciate your kindness, but we really can't accept it."

"Consider it as my way of showing respect to you both. Let a bad woman like me accumulate some good deeds. Please don't refuse," Rose said, ignoring the old woman's protests, and placed the drink in her hands.

The elderly couple was deeply moved, especially the old woman, who was nearly in tears. Her wrinkled face beamed with joy, not because she could finally taste the sweet drink she desired, but because of the heartfelt gesture.

At their age, wandering and begging to survive, they had faced endless disdain and hardship. If it weren't for desperation, they wouldn't be living such a miserable life.

Just when it seemed the world had forgotten about them, a kind young woman offered them a sweet drink with a smile. This emotional relief was indescribable.

"Young lady, thank you so much. But please don't say that. A kind girl like you doesn't need to accumulate good deeds. Only wicked people need to do that," the old man said sincerely, holding his wife's hand.

Rose smiled gently, feeling a bit bitter inside. Who would believe she was the leader of the underworld, a woman with blood on her hands? Who would know her crimes could warrant execution multiple times over?

Just as Rose was about to bid the elderly couple farewell, Yang Chen, who had been watching, walked over and said, "This drink can't be given away."

Rose and the elderly couple looked at him in confusion. Rose didn't understand why Yang Chen would oppose it.

Yang Chen winked at Rose, then stepped forward and handed his own drink to the old man. "Take mine instead. I haven't drunk from it. Give my woman's drink back. It's her favorite."

Without waiting for a response, Yang Chen swapped the drinks, taking the one from the old woman and giving them his own.

Rose finally smiled understandingly, her eyes softening with affection for Yang Chen.

The elderly couple, overwhelmed, repeatedly expressed their gratitude, their trembling figures unsure whether to cry or smile.

Handing the drink back to Rose, Yang Chen said, "Let's go. Let's find a place to eat."

Rose smiled softly and nodded, following Yang Chen back to the car while the elderly couple waved their withered arms in farewell.

Once in the car, Rose continued to look out the window, watching the old couple share the drink. The old woman tried to let her husband have a sip first, but the old man insisted that she drink, worried that there wouldn't be enough for both of them.

Finally, the old woman took a couple of sips before handing it to her husband. The old man took a small sip, smiled, nodded in approval, and then insisted that his wife finish the rest.

Seeing this, Rose was moved. "Actually, people like that elderly couple, although their days are hard, they've been together their whole lives, loving each other until old age. No matter how tough life is, as long as they have each other, it's still sweet."

"Are you envious?" Yang Chen also felt emotional and didn't start the car, instead accompanying Rose as they watched the scene outside.

"Yeah, a little," Rose said softly. "No matter if they're rich or poor, healthy or sick, they've spent their lives together. Many people say these words when they're young or when they get married, but how many actually see it through to the end? I think, if I could stay with you forever, even if we were just ordinary workers struggling to make ends meet, I'd still be grateful for life."

"Stop overthinking. Aren't we together now? I never said I was going to leave you," Yang Chen said, feeling a pang of heartache, and reached out to hold Rose's delicate hand tightly.

Rose turned to Yang Chen with a look of guilt. "I'm sorry, maybe I'm being too naive and ungrateful. If we really had to worry about making a living, I might not have the heart to think about these things."

Yang Chen took a deep breath and suddenly grabbed the drink from Rose's hand, bringing the straw to her lips. "Here, have a sip."

Rose, thinking Yang Chen was trying to cheer her up, smiled and took a sip.

As soon as she finished, Yang Chen took the drink and had a sip himself.

Rose blinked her watery eyes and asked curiously, "Honey, do you want a drink too? Why not just buy another one?"

Yang Chen put the drink back into the car's cup holder and smiled. "What, do you mind sharing a straw with me?"

"No, that's not what I meant," Rose pouted. "I just thought..."

"What, are you worried I'll get sick? Or that you'll give me your cold?" Yang Chen asked.

Rose sighed. "You know I didn't mean that. I just thought, if you like it, buying another one isn't a big deal."

Yang Chen gently brushed his finger against Rose's soft cheek and said with a smile, "Rose darling, I'm trying to tell you that even if I can't be like that old man, spending every day with the woman I love, I'm still willing to share everything with you. What's mine is yours, and I won't be shy about what's yours. Even if you had hepatitis, I'd still share a drink with you without hesitation. We'd get through it together, no matter what."

Yang Chen's simple words made Rose feel a warm sweetness filling her heart, making it hard to breathe, yet she didn't want the feeling to end.

"You can't say things like that. I wouldn't want to get hepatitis with you," Rose finally said, playfully glaring at Yang Chen after a while.

Yang Chen scratched his head in mock distress. "Oh, I tried to be romantic, and you don't even play along, Clumsy."

Rose laughed and lightly slapped Yang Chen a few times. "Stop teasing me. Let's go eat. I'm starving. And don't call me Clumsy!"

"Alright, let's go, Clumsy!" Yang Chen replied with a grin.