The seventh time Pangu descended to the mortal world, Wanquan appointed three people.
An auntie, who stood at the intersection every day to give directions to the elderly. She believed it was her destiny. Her husband called her crazy; she ignored him.
An uncle, who sold chestnuts from a cart. Business was so good he borrowed money to expand.
A couple, who walked hand in hand every evening. Their once冷淡 relationship grew intimate.
After Pangu returned, Wanquan revoked the appointments.
The auntie suddenly didn't know why she was standing at the intersection anymore. She hadn't gone to work in three months.
Her husband moved out. The neighbors thought she was insane. The doctor diagnosed her with delusions.
She took her medication, grew drowsy, and stopped leaving the house.
But once a month, she would still walk to that intersection and stand there all afternoon.
Someone asked, "Auntie, who are you waiting for?"
She shook her head. "I don't know."
But she still came.
---
The uncle's chestnut cart went out of business.
The stock piled up at home, moldy, worm-ridden.
Debt collectors came three times. The last time, they smashed his windows.
His children had long since cut ties with him.
He dumped his last pot of chestnuts by the roadside.
A stray dog came to eat. It took one bite and spat them out.
He looked at that pot of chestnuts and laughed.
It was uglier than crying.
---
The couple suddenly didn't want to hold hands anymore. The woman grew suspicious. The man fell silent. In the end, they broke up.
Years later, they ran into each other on the street.
The woman asked, "Back then... what really happened?"
The man shook his head. "I don't know."
They passed each other by. Neither looked back.
---
Wanquan sat before the Mirror of Fate, watching them.
He watched for a long time.
Then he turned it off.
Outside his door, a new stack of reports waited on the desk.
Pangu's next descent required him.
He sat down and began to work.
He remembered every single one of them.
But he could not apologize.