After a while, Hong Jiaxin had also packed her things, carrying only a backpack with a few items inside.
As the evening set in, when ordinary families were gathering to enjoy each other's company, the Hong Family was hurriedly parting ways.
Hong Zhong said, "You two stay here and leave after nightfall. If anyone is tracking us outside, they'll just follow us. That way, you'll be in less danger."
Hearing this, Luo Yang said indignantly, "Uncle Hong, let me deal with those guys for you. You stay home and wait for my good news."
After speaking, he turned to leave, planning to discuss with Zhu Li how to deal with the Bearded Man and his gang.
Hong Zhong grabbed Luo Yang's arm and advised him, "Brother Luo, don't be impulsive. Listen to me first. You're so young and yet have such a heroic spirit. I've entrusted my daughter to you, and I've found the right person! Don't get involved in this anymore. Otherwise, you'll never have peace in your life, unless you're dead. When the time is right, I'll tell you the truth."
Without Hong Zhong's explanation, Luo Yang had no clear idea of what was happening or how to help.
"Uncle Hong, I've seen my share of the world," Luo Yang volunteered bravely.
"Brother Luo, I trust you." Though Hong Zhong said this, it was merely polite conversation.
While speaking, he checked the time on his watch; it was almost half-past six in the evening.
In the early fall of the south, after six o'clock, dusk had already fallen, and the scenery outside was dim and hazy. If it were a rainy day, it would have been dark already.
Hong Zhong gave his daughter a few more instructions, emphasizing respect for her master, not to worry about her parents, and to focus on her studies. Then, he and his wife left the house and drove away.
The house was left with only Luo Yang and Hong Jiaxin, all so quiet yet shrouded in the sadness of parting.
Hong Jiaxin stared blankly at the door, her bright eyes filled with worry. Her life had been disrupted, and she had no idea how to continue without a clear path ahead.
"Monitor," Luo Yang called softly.
"I want some quiet. Why has it come to this?" Hong Jiaxin snapped back to reality, walked over to the sofa, collapsed into it, and closed her eyes.
The light in the living room was dim; they hadn't turned on any lights, as Hong Zhong had instructed.
Luo Yang sat next to Hong Jiaxin and gently took her hand, at a loss for words and could only join her in silence.
The room seemed to be smeared with ink, gradually losing clarity in the vision.
"Monitor,"
"Hmm?"
"Let's skip school tonight; what do you say?"
"Hmm."
Soon after, Luo Yang picked up his phone and sent a message to their homeroom teacher, Suyun, asking for leave.
After sending the message and hearing Hong Jiaxin quietly sniffling, knowing she was upset, he consoled her, "Monitor, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Suddenly, Hong Jiaxin began to pound Luo Yang's shoulders with her small clenched fists, as if venting her inner frustration, while Luo Yang let her carry on.
"Monitor, I will protect you."
"I'm hitting you, why aren't you hitting me back?"
"Because you're my monitor."
"Promise me you'll help my dad with his troubles, and I'll stop hitting you."
"All right. When I find those bad guys, I'll strip them of their clothes and make them parade through the streets."
At those words, Hong Jiaxin let out a snort of laughter.
"Monitor,"
"What now?"
The house was very quiet.
Even speaking softly seemed very loud.
"Monitor, from now on, I'll take care of you. We're family now," Luo Yang said.
"Who needs you to take care of them?"
Hong Jiaxin continued to flail her fists at Luo Yang.
"Monitor, let's be gentlemen and use our words, not our fists," Luo Yang said with a smile.
Despite feeling down, she kept swinging at him.
Luo Yang had no choice but to restrain her; he was stronger, and she couldn't move.
"Monitor, don't struggle; you won't break free."
"I don't believe I can't take you down!"