"Hehe, Qing is really good at speaking, this compliment can save a thousand words!"

When the old woman said about me, Nero's face was filled with excitement.

"That...... You are mistaken, we are not lovers...... At most, they are good friends......"

I waved my hand in denial, a little embarrassed.

If this sentence reaches Artoria's ears, it is estimated that something big will happen again......

"Oh? Aren't you lovers, that's really a pity......" The old woman suddenly looked at us with pity for a long time, and said in a very regretful tone, "This young lady looks at the affection in your eyes, and the gentleness of the inadvertent gestures, I'm afraid that many intimate couples are far from catching up." That's why I subconsciously thought that you were in that kind of relationship......"

"Ahem...... Nero, aren't you going to choose clothes? Let's see if there's anything you like......"

I diverted the subject, somewhat awkwardly, and gave Nero a gentle nudge beside me.

"Huh? Do you want to spend a little more time with the performers......"

Nero looked reluctant, twisting and shuffling on top of me.

"Oh, since you want to buy clothes, you have to measure your body size to ensure that you cut the most suitable fabric!" When the old woman heard this, her eyes lit up, and without saying anything, she took Nero's hand and walked inside, "Quick, come with me!" ”

"Oops——!"

Nero let out an exclamation and was taken away by surprise.

Though she tried her best to resist, the old woman was obviously very experienced in dealing with such awkward children, and in a few strokes she put Nero's slender arms behind her back, and lifted her up like a chicken.

Although Nero is a heroic spirit, it is easy to break free from the shackles of an ordinary person. However, because she was worried that she would hurt the old woman, she could only restrain herself as much as she could, and struggled slightly under the opponent's hand with only the strength equivalent of a weak girl.

"Good little girl, today I will definitely measure every corner of your body carefully, and I will not miss a single bit!"

The old woman didn't know what she was excited about, but Nero's struggle made her face redder and her steps quicker.

"Help me, Virtuoso—"

In desperation, Nero could only turn his eyes to me for help, and called out pitifully.

"This ......"

I couldn't help but hesitate to help.

"Don't worry, Daphne likes beautiful young girls, but it's like an appreciation for a work of art, and it won't hurt her."

At this time, the old gentleman, who had not spoken for a long time, looked up at me and said in a low tone.

At the same time, he placed the coffee cup that he had drunk smoothly on the table in front of him.

So Nero's cry for help gradually disappeared behind the curtain.

——

Silence returned to the store.

"Sit down, don't be restrained."

The old gentleman casually pointed to the seat across the table from him.

"Thank you ......"

I pulled out the wooden chair and sat down there.

Nodding his head in greeting, the old gentleman took out a hardcover classical book from his bosom and opened it to read it intently.

”……“

Somewhat embarrassed, I folded my hands on the table and looked down to observe the texture of the wooden table.

Because the old gentleman didn't talk, I couldn't take the initiative to speak.

“…… The happiest people in this world are the happiest people......"

After a few moments, the old gentleman re-revealed his head, which had been hidden behind the book, and said to me a sentence that was haunting and unfinished.

"Do you agree with that?"

The old gentleman looked me in the eye very earnestly and asked in a calm tone.

It's not like a normal conversation, but more like a philosophical discussion.

- Although, his own questions are out of the realm of everyday conversation.

“…… Agree with a part. ”

After a moment's thought, I finally said.

"Oh? Tell me, which part do you agree with? ”

The old gentleman looked at me with a little more interest in his eyes.

"Having less actually means having less responsibility." I replied, "In this way, people will be relatively free, not have to worry about being bound by external objects, and have enough time and energy to pursue what they really want." “

"Well, that's fine." The old gentleman nodded slightly, "But is that all you think?" I always feel that there is still an unspoken meaning in your words. ”

"I can't hide it from you. In fact, I think what is more important is that if a person's life can be limited to a few fields and things, he will live a simple and happy life. I nodded and said honestly, "That is, the happiness of ignorance, primitive but fulfilling." ”

"Haha I see, the happiness of ignorance?" The old gentleman smiled with satisfaction, "Yes, yes, there are very few young people who have such profound and clear insights as yours now, and it is even more rare for someone to talk to me about these esoteric and difficult topics......"

As he spoke, the old gentleman unconsciously let out a slight sigh from his mouth.

"It seems to me that your sincere thirst for wisdom is all the more admirable."

I said with a smile.

"What, I'm already old, and I'm probably going to die in a few years......," said the old gentleman, shaking his head repeatedly, "the more I talk to you young people, the more I feel that I don't fit in with today's world...... If Daphne had gone before me, I guess there would have been no one to arrange my funeral when I died. ”

"Grandpa, you ......"

I felt a little unbearable in my heart, and wanted to comfort the old gentleman a few words, but was interrupted by the other party with a gentle wave of his hand.

"Forget it, today I am lucky to meet a young man like you who respects knowledge and learning, and can get the opportunity to talk." The old gentleman looked at me and said, "Young man, tell me what the part you don't agree with." ”

"I think...... Although the happiness of ignorance is desirable, there is absolutely no need to envy it. "Because, without knowing what the real world is like, this temporary happiness is fragile and unreliable, and can be broken and vulnerable at any time." This kind of fearful, precarious happiness should definitely not be worthy of admiration and encouragement. ”

"Oh? So what does true happiness mean in your opinion? ”

The old gentleman's attention had fallen entirely on me.

At this moment, he should have taken every word I said to me.

"It's just a little personal opinion, if it's inappropriate, I hope you don't blame the old man......" I scratched my head embarrassedly.

"In my opinion, true happiness can only be achieved by witnessing, experiencing, and experiencing all the sorrows and sufferings in this world, and understanding all the darkness born of helplessness and despair, but still not doubting the light and hope in the world because of this, and unswervingly walking on the path that you believe in." I finished speaking in one breath and said deeply, "In this way, it can be called true happiness." It is impossible to be replaced, nothing in the world can surpass it, and only you can understand happiness. “

"Bang Bang Bang ......"

On the side near the back room, there was a sudden burst of applause.

"Well said, Virtuoso! Regarding the definition of happiness, Qing simply said all the words in Yu's heart! Sure enough, the performer and Yu are truly one-hearted, and they have a soul! This bond must be a match made in heaven! “

"Nero, are you already out?"

Hearing a familiar voice, I subconsciously turned my head away.

"Poof?!"

However, my eyes were so dark that I almost fainted on the spot.

Nero is still Nero, with bright blonde hair, green eyes, and lively personality, she is extremely recognizable wherever she goes, and she is simply her own label.

However, she was wearing a blue dress that I couldn't be more familiar with, and a blue headband!