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墨書 Inktalez
When I returned home, the night was as dark as ink, and a cold wind surged from the shadows at the street corner, gripping my coat like a frigid hand. The glow of the streetlights rippled across the damp pavement, and the twisted shadows of the trees resembled a blurred ink wash painting, exuding an air of eeriness.
The fresh scent of wet earth lingered in the air after the rain, yet I had no time to savor this fleeting tranquility. I parked my car by the roadside and prepared to walk home.
At that moment, a dull thud echoed from not far away. The sound was deep and heavy, like some large object falling. Instinctively, I paused and turned toward the source of the noise.
Under the dim yellow light, a frail figure huddled on the ground. She struggled to rise but trembled from exhaustion, ultimately collapsing back onto the pavement.
It was an elderly woman.
My footsteps faltered, and a vague hesitation surged within me. Recently, news about scams involving staged accidents had been rampant, and people's trust in strangers had become precarious. If I approached her to help, would I be accused of wrongdoing? This thought slithered into my mind like a venomous snake.
But that thought was fleeting; I clenched my teeth resolutely. The reality before me was clear: she had fallen and needed assistance. If I stood by out of fear, how was that different from being a cold-hearted bystander?
"Are you alright?" I hurried over and crouched down beside her, speaking softly.
The old woman slowly lifted her head; her face was etched with the marks of time, wrinkles deep as ravines. Her gaze was filled with panic and helplessness. "Young lady, I... I think I've twisted my leg."
Her voice was weak but enough to stir compassion. Looking at her gray hair and thin clothing reminded me of my mother. If she had fallen on the street, would anyone extend a helping hand?
That thought pierced my heart sharply.
"Don't be afraid; I'll take you to the hospital." I bent down to support her but was startled by how light she felt—like a withered leaf that might scatter with a gust of wind.
"No... it's too much trouble..." The old woman weakly waved her hand in refusal, but it was clear that even standing up had become an unattainable wish.
"You can't go home like this; let's get you checked out first." I said firmly as I half-supported, half-carried her to my car. When I opened the door, a cold breeze rushed into the vehicle. Carefully, I settled her into the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. In that moment, my movements felt unusually gentle—as if I were afraid of disturbing a fragile little bird.
---
Inside the hospital, the smell of disinfectant hit me strongly, and the harsh fluorescent lights in the corridor were almost blinding. I stayed with the elderly woman as she underwent a series of examinations. The doctor confirmed it was only a minor sprain that required bed rest for a few days and advised her not to walk alone for the time being.
After the doctor left, I turned around and looked at the elderly man in the hospital bed. "Where are your family members? I can help you contact them."
He lowered his head, his frail hands tightly gripping the edge of his clothes, as if trying to hide his embarrassment and discomfort. "They... are all busy. I don't want to trouble them."
Those words tugged at my heart, an indescribable sorrow flooding over me. How lonely must one be to choose silence when in need of help?
"How about this? I'll take you home," I said softly, trying to ease his inner awkwardness.
Just as I was about to ask more questions, the door to the ward was suddenly pushed open, and a well-dressed middle-aged man rushed in with an anxious expression. He had a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead and fixed his gaze on the elderly man. "Mom! Are you okay?"
He hurried to the bedside, his tone laced with reproach. "How could you be so careless? What if you fell and got hurt?"
A complex expression crossed the elderly man's face; she opened her mouth but said nothing, only shaking her head gently.
The man turned to look at me, his gaze filled with suspicion and distance. "Who are you?"
"I was passing by and saw your mother fall. I kindly brought her here," I replied, trying to keep my tone calm, but his stare felt like a sharp sting.
He scoffed coldly. "There are so many scammers these days. Are you trying to extort money from us?"
His words hit me like a slap in the face, and my anger boiled inside me, but I forced myself to hold it back. "If that's what you want to think, go ahead. I'm just doing my duty."
"Xiao Wei, it's not like that!" The elderly woman quickly grabbed the man's hand. "This girl saved me! If it weren't for her, I might still be lying by the road!"
The man paused for a moment but quickly returned to his previous disdainful demeanor. "Who knows if this is just a ploy for sympathy?"
That remark completely drained my patience. I let out a cold laugh. "If that's the case, then why was it me who brought your mother to the hospital and not you?"
His face flushed crimson in an instant, yet he couldn't muster a single word of rebuttal. Meanwhile, the elderly woman kept apologizing to me. "Dear girl, I'm so sorry... he didn't mean it that way..."
"It's okay." I took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Since your son is here, I'll leave the rest to him. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going now."
As I turned to leave the hospital room, I heard the elderly man lower his voice and say to him, "Xiao Wei, that girl truly meant well. How could you speak to her like that?"
---
Just as I stepped out of the hospital, a cold, mechanical voice echoed in my ear: " Virtuous Ability value increased by 20%."
I stopped in my tracks, feeling somewhat bewildered. I couldn't help but wonder, "System, I only helped an elderly person. How could my Virtuous Ability value increase so much?"
The system responded with its usual lack of emotional fluctuation: "In the current social environment, many people avoid helping the elderly out of fear of being scammed or facing trouble. Your ability to extend a helping hand without hesitation and without any concern is a rare and commendable act. Not only did you assist that elderly person, but you also set a good example for those around you, spreading positive energy and encouraging others to bravely lend a hand in similar situations rather than remaining indifferent. Therefore, your Virtuous Ability value has significantly increased."
---
On my way home, the neon lights flickered on both sides of the street, like the silent sighs of this city. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. The scenes from earlier replayed in my mind, and the feeling of being misunderstood and questioned weighed heavily on my chest.
Yet even so, I had no regrets about my choice. The look in the elderly woman's eyes told me she truly needed help. And that was enough; no external validation or proof was necessary.
---
The next morning, a ray of sunlight filtered through the curtains and woke me from my dreams. I sat up and looked out at the city gradually coming to life. This city may be indifferent, but within that indifference lies warmth. Sometimes, these small yet genuine acts of kindness are enough to support people as they continue on their journey.
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