The narrator tells us that he's been living in the south for a long time, and that the climate isn't too bad. He's also free. He tells us about the three universities he wants to go to, and how he doesn't really want to go into business management. The narrator is all, "what am I to you anyway? have I ever thought about what I want?" . The old man comes out of the shop and tells the young man to come to the flower market. He wants him to have something to talk about. He gives him some oranges to bring back to the shop. He also tells him that the old man's friend, Mr. Gong, is also at the market with him.