"Beautiful master! Beautiful master!"
A little boy came running toward Ningyan, clutching a pink seashell in his small hands. His sharp hazel eyes narrowed into faint slits when he smiled, and dark scales were visible along the side of his neck.
Ningyan was barefoot, his feet sunk slightly into the sand. A bamboo hat shaded his face, sleeves rolled up as he carried a sack of vegetables freshly picked from the garden.
"Oh?" He stopped, blinking as his gaze fell on the shell. The boy beamed, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Is that for me?"
"Yes!" the boy said proudly. "I found it and decided to give it to you."
Ningyan smiled. He set the sack down, crouched, and carefully accepted the shell, studying it as though it were the greatest treasure in the world. The sight only made the boy grin wider.
"Thank you," Ningyan said softly. "I'll treasure it forever."
