In the year of Pangu's seventh descent to the mortal world, Wanquan appointed three people.
An auntie who helped elderly people find their way at an intersection every day. She believed it was her calling. Her husband called her crazy; she ignored him.
An uncle who sold candied chestnuts from a cart. Business was so good he borrowed money to expand.
A couple who held hands and walked together every evening. Their relationship went from cold to intimate.
After Pangu returned, Wanquan revoked the appointments.
The auntie suddenly didn't know why she was standing at the intersection. She hadn't gone to work for three months.
Her husband moved out. Neighbors thought she was insane. Doctors diagnosed her with delusional disorder.
She took her medication, groggy, and stopped leaving the house.
But once every 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.
---
That uncle's chestnut stall collapsed.
The goods piled up at home, moldy, infested with insects.
Debt collectors came three times. The last time, they smashed his window.
His children had cut off contact long ago.
He dumped the last pot of chestnuts by the roadside.
Stray dogs came to eat. One bite, and they spat it out.
He stared at that pile of chestnuts and laughed.
A laugh uglier than crying.
---
That 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 by each other. Didn't look back.
---
Wanquan sat before the Mirror of Fate, watching them.
He watched for a long time.
Then he turned off the mirror.
Outside the door, new reports piled up on his desk.
The next world needed him.
The next time Pangu descended needed him.
He sat down and began to work.
He remembered every single one of them.
But he could not say sorry.