Mundo do Corte de Qi

“Fresh vegetables for sale! Fresh vegetables for sale!” The clear, youthful cry rang out, belonging to a boy who looked no more than a teenager. He struggled to pull a two-wheeled cart, a thin rope tied around his waist, laden with several baskets of freshly picked vegetables.

On his feet were worn-out slippers, with one or two small holes in them. The clothes he wore were patched upon patches, and even some mud still clung to the fabric.

After tugging the cart along for a while with great effort, the boy finally stopped. He took a gourd filled with water from his small bag and sprinkled some over the vegetables, making them look fresher and more appealing.

“Filthy beggar, get lost… Don’t interfere with our business,” came a harsh, grating voice. The boy glanced up but said nothing in response. Silently, he pulled his cart away, searching for a quieter corner, where he parked it and secured it tightly. Then, exhausted, he sat on a step, quietly watching people pass by.

This spot was far from the town center and saw little foot traffic, though a few people still wandered back and forth with their market baskets.

“Auntie, would you like to buy some vegetables?” the boy asked timidly. “These are all freshly picked from the field—very fresh indeed.”

The woman stopped, scrutinized both the boy and his produce. Her heart ached as she said, “Child, why are you so thin? You’re little more than skin and bones.” Her eyes brimmed with concern and pity.

The boy picked out several large cabbages from his basket and placed them in the woman’s