After boarding the van, Luo yang first threw a few punches at the mud truck driver, a method to ensure his compliance.
At that moment, An Yuying called to say she was coming back, so Luo yang got off the van first and entered the hospital courtyard.
The village chief, Xie Runfa, also came out of the hospital and said, "His family didn't say anything, the money has been given to them. Niu Zai, the village won't cover this expense, you understand, right?"
Luo yang responded generously, "Understood. Village chief, when can we sit down and talk with the people from Xingang Brigade?"
This approach had not occurred to the two brigades, except to Luo yang.
"We'll see how it goes. Niu Zai, you're not unaware of the feud between the two villages," Xie Runfa handed a cigarette to Luo yang.
"I'll make contact with them. As long as there's a chance for reconciliation, I would need you to step in and help facilitate this good deed," Luo yang placed the cigarette behind his ear.
"We'll talk about it later. Heading back now," said Xie Runfa.
He had intended to invite the village chief for a late-night meal to discuss the matter with Xingang Brigade.
Now that another issue had come up, he had to abandon that plan.
Once Xie Runfa rode away on his motorcycle, Luo yang said, "Sister An, Sister Guihua, Sister Fang, you guys go ahead and have the late-night meal, help me and the squad leader pack a portion to take back."
Hearing that Luo yang was not coming back to the village right away, An Yuying said softly, "Niu Zai, where else are you going?"
The situation was too frightening; Luo yang dared not tell them.
The faint-hearted, upon hearing it, would have nightmares, likely not daring to ride Tang Guihua's vehicle again.
As the owner of the vehicle, Tang Guihua would also be on tenterhooks.
Moreover, considering the feud with the Lin Family, Tang Guihua was somewhat involved too.
All three of them were not very courageous, so Luo yang had no choice but to keep it from them, waiting for a more suitable opportunity to talk about it later.
"Sister An, I'm off to handle some business. You go and enjoy your meal," Luo yang persuaded.
"Then you should tell people where you are going," An Yuying pressed.
Her courage was even smaller, and knowing the truth could lead her to have nightmares every night, which wouldn't be good.
Luo yang had no choice but to bluff, "Sister An, I'm doing something with Sister Kick. You and Sister Guihua go back first..."
Before Luo yang could finish, An Yuying interrupted tenderly, "I want to come with you too."
Tang Guihua scoffed, "Niu Zai, are you going out to have fun with Jiaxin?"
At that, Qin Piao laughed.
In the dead of night, the thought of a handsome guy and a beautiful girl running errands indeed provoked wild flights of fancy.
Fang Lin said, "I'll wait for you guys in the car."
With that, she got into the car first.
Knowing that this was a tangle involving Luo yang, An Yuying, and others, Qin Piao, merely a bystander, followed suit and also waited in the car.
"Niu Zai, where exactly are you and Jiaxin going?" An Yuying asked caringly.
From the tone of her voice, it was clear she was feeling jealous.
There was a willow tree nearby, casting shadows underneath.
Therefore, Luo yang first reached out with his left hand and took An Yuying's hand.
Tang Guihua saw this and her expression visibly darkened.
Immediately after, Luo yang extended his right hand to grab Tang Guihua's hand, holding one with each hand.
An Yuying saw this, pursed her lips, and shook off his hand.
"Sister An, Sister Guihua, come with me. Let's talk over there," Luo yang, holding their hands, walked towards the willow tree.
"I don't want to go," An Yuying said, shaking off his hand.
Seeing Luo yang also holding Tang Guihua's hand made An Yuying very jealous.
But Tang Guihua was overjoyed, finally achieving equality in An Yuying's presence through her efforts.
Fang Lin, sitting in the car, was also paying attention to Luo yang, Tang Guihua, and An Yuying.
She initially only knew Luo yang and An Yuying as the village's acknowledged couple, but later discovered Tang Guihua's relationship with Luo yang was quite unusual.
Now seeing the three of them first standing together, then Luo yang leading them by the hand toward the willow tree, Fang Lin was quite curious.
Though she was a university-educated village officer from Hongyun Brigade and often in the village, she didn't usually mingle with beauties like An Yuying and others.
It was only after becoming good friends with Luo yang that Fang Lin had entered this circle.
Fortunately, Qin Piao was in the car, so Fang Lin quietly inquired, "Qin Piao, what's the relationship between Guihua, Yuying, and Niu Zai?"
Qin Piao laughed and said, "Can't you tell?"
It was only because she saw that Fang Lin became interested and wanted to understand.
"Did they both sleep with him?" Fang Lin asked mysteriously.
Qin Piao laughed with a snort.
"What's so strange about that? If they slept, they slept," Qin Piao said generously.
"Guihua and Yuying are the two prettiest girls in your Hongyun Brigade, and both slept with Niu Zai?" Fang Lin's eyes widened.
"Look at you, making a big fuss over nothing. Is Niu Zai that bad? If the girls are willing, what's there to be surprised about?" Qin Piao laughed.
"Qin Piao, from what you're saying, if he wanted to sleep with you, you'd be willing, huh?" Fang Lin joked.
"Don't let Guihua and Yuying hear that, they'd hate me to death. You're not asking this because you also want Niu Zai to sleep with you, are you?"
Upon hearing Qin Piao say this, Fang Lin suddenly felt embarrassed.
She had been working as a village official at the Hongyun Brigade for a while, always cautious and reserved, hardly ever frivolous.
In fact, she was a lively girl.
Ever since she entered Luo Yang's social circle, she had been much happier.
Although she hadn't known Luo Yang for long, Fang Lin had a good impression of him.
She saw that he was an optimistic person, a person who liked to help others, and he certainly had many virtues.
He had his flaws, too, sometimes being irresponsible, but it seemed he had changed lately.
The mere thought of Luo Yang's voice and smile warmed Fang Lin's heart.
As for whether she would fall in love with Luo Yang, she wasn't sure.
In the midst of the awkwardness, Fang Lin quickly changed the subject, "Hey, Qin Piao, on the way here, you guys kept talking about what Niu Zai was drinking, what exactly was it?"
Qin Piao laughed heartily, "Never mind, as long as it's tasty, that's all that matters."
The more she didn't say, the more it piqued Fang Lin's interest.
"Guihua and Yuying aren't here, tell me. I won't tell them," Fang Lin pressed.
"You ask Yuying," Qin Piao laughed.
"Come on, tell me. None of the sisters are willing to tell, don't be so mean," Fang Lin pleaded, tugging at Qin Piao's hand.
Fang Lin wouldn't give up until she got a clear answer.
"Nanny," Qin Piao laughed.
"Nanny? What nanny?" Fang Lin became even more curious.
At this, Qin Piao burst out laughing.
Even Luo Yang, standing tens of meters away, could hear the laughter floating out of the car, along with Tang Guihua and An Yuying.
"Who is 'Nanny'?" Fang Lin's curiosity intensified.
"It's Yuying," Qin Piao laughed.
"Oh, so Yuying has a nickname called 'Nanny'." Fang Lin mused.
The truth was, she had misheard, thus leading to the whole "Nanny" misunderstanding.
Qin Piao laughed for quite awhile before stopping.
"So when you say Niu Zai was drinking something, does it have something to do with the 'Nanny'…"
As she spoke, Fang Lin seemed to realize something.
"Wow! You aren't saying that Niu Zai was drinking Yuying's milk, are you?" Fang Lin joked.
"Exactly," Qin Piao laughed, holding Fang Lin's shoulder.
Fang Lin was very surprised.
After Qin Piao finished laughing, Fang Lin pressed further, "Are you saying that Yuying had a baby with Niu Zai?"
Qin Piao denied, "Don't talk nonsense. Yuying is still a virgin."
This confused Fang Lin even more.
"If Yuying hasn't had a baby, then where would the milk come from?" Fang Lin asked.
"It was just a joke. We were only saying it seemed like Niu Zai was drinking Yuying's milk. He wasn't really," Qin Piao explained.
"Why would you say that?" Fang Lin asked further.
So Qin Piao told her about the time at home on the staircase when Luo Yang happened to have his face against An Yuying's chest.