In a small town convenience store, the old man stared blankly at the abacus on the counter.
The abacus had broken, the beads scattered all over the floor, and he picked them up one by one, repairing it anew.
Though the craftsmanship was meticulous and showed no trace of repair, what could deceive others could not deceive himself, some things were shattered in the heart.
At the old man's feet was a small incense burner, crammed full with incense of different sizes, but without exception, every stick burnt out after less than a quarter.
This was what the realm of Fate called "decapitated incense."
The flame extinguishing symbolized a blocked Life Chart, and when every incense stick was like this, it meant the absence of vitality.
The old man's face was dreadfully somber.
