With Old Master Ji's departure, Ru also got up to leave saying, "Since you don't have anything else to ask, I'll leave now. My bibimbap is calling out me." Just at the thought of that hot bowl of mixed rice with meat and assorted vegetables, her mouth watered. It was the ultimate comfort food! And she needed that comfort right now!
"Oniisan, I noticed a very weird thing about you," Yuan's voice halted Ru's steps and she looked back at him with a frown.
"I'm weird from the tip of my head to the tip of my toes. Which weirdness did you notice now?"
Yuan shook his head at her slightly with a small smile before saying, "You seem like a modern person with an old soul." Seeing that Ru didn't give any reaction, he added, "I mean to say that you really value your old-fashioned way of thinking. And the way you show respect to elders is... strange."
His words seemed to have hit a mark since Ru couldn't stop her mind from wandering off to old memories.
*Flashback*
Fifteen-year youth clad in black robes briskly entered an open pavilion where four elderly men were having a discussion.
"Young Master Ru seems furious. Who dared to offend our Ru?" One of the elderly men in white robes noticed her red-rimmed eyes and remarked.
"Elder Guāng, that stupid best friend of mine said that I am an old-fashioned person. All I talk about is traditions and values. I know nothing about the modern way of thinking." Her aggrieved tone caught everyone's attention.
"Aiyo, our Young Master is furious about such a small matter? Isn't that why we told you to spend more time with young people of your own age? Why do you still have to accompany us... old bones?" Another elder in green robes said patiently.
Ru frowned and turned to him saying, "Elder Yīxué, I am not upset that he called me old-fashioned. I am upset about the fact that he doesn't understand the true meaning of being modern."
"And what is the definition of being modern for my grandson?" Hearing her own grandfather's question, she took a moment to think.
"Being modern means walking side-by-side with the world you live in but still preserving your root values. After all, one's origin matters the most." Her words weren't surprising to any of the elders since they knew her nature well. The only thing one could see on their aged faces was a slight hint of pride which they felt because of her.
"Our Young Master Ru really doesn't disappoint. You are worthy of being the pride of our Shadowwick State." A hearty laugh could be heard from the fourth elder who had been silently sipping on his tea all this while. "But as our future clan leader, remember to never let other's words define your character. You know best who you are. And if your own conscience is clear, others would never matter."
Ru thought over their words for a while before nodding her head. She cupped her fist in her hand and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Wǔshù!"
These four elders were the reason why she respected the elders oddly well. She seemed to fit in them better than she could do with people of her own age.
*End of Flashback*
It took a while to get out of her reverie and in her daze, she said, "A person who can't even value his own origin or roots, how can that person face others? To make people believe in you, we have to first believe in ourselves. And if we are going to accept these so-called modern ways while forgetting our own roots, what'd be the difference between us and the world?"
Although Yuan was used to her unusual way of thinking, he was still stunned. He had never learned anything about his origin or roots. One could say that he didn't even know what status his own bloodline; Ji Family held in the entire nation. He really was clueless.
Now, he finally knew how Ru had a vast knowledge and his... was limited even though he was a bookworm himself. The basic difference was she started from her own roots. She learned what she was before learning what world she lived in.
"You never cease to amaze me..." His soft remark finally broke Ru's daze.
She smiled at him and rubbed his head saying with a playful wink, "I was born to amaze people." Yuan couldn't help but laugh at her words. She really could compliment herself at every chance.