At that time it was just past six in the morning.
Faint light filtered in through the window, rendering the room dim and hazy.
Usually, An Yuying would wake up early as she had to teach at the school.
The others wouldn't get up until after eight.
After all, people like Qin Piao didn't have formal jobs yet, so there was no rush to wake up.
Last night, she had wanted to talk to Luo Yang alone, but the opportunity never came.
When Luo Yang walked out the front door, An Yuying followed him out.
Luo Yang turned around, curious, "Sister An, what's wrong?"
An Yuying's voice was gentle as she said, "Niu Zai, I wanted to ask about your situation, how is it going?"
While Luo Yang was an optimist, on occasion she had seen his face take on a serious tone.
An Yuying knew all too well that the trouble he faced was not minor; she was powerless to help and could only fret on the sidelines.
Beyond inquiring about the progress of his situation from time to time, she really didn't know how else she could be of help.
Dealing with the Lin Family was not something An Yuying could assist with.
Explaining more would only scare her.
Since she wasn't involved, it might be better not to tell her.
"Sister An, it's nothing. I can handle it," Luo Yang said with a smile.
Moods can be contagious.
If Luo Yang were to frown and appear troubled all day long, that would just make An Yuying worry more.
"Niu Zai, I know your stress is huge. I just want to help lighten your load. You always treat me like an outsider," An Yuying pouted her red lips as she spoke.
"Sister An, I know, you know that too. If the Lin Family is looking for trouble, I can deal with it. Don't worry. I'll be fine," Luo Yang assured.
Knowing she was still worried, he changed the subject.
At home, An Yuying liked to plant various flowering plants.
In the "Shennong Scripture" landscape painting, there were many beautiful wild flowers on the grassy slopes.
Many of them he couldn't name, he just found them beautiful.
Red, yellow, purple, white—the colors were dazzling.
Lighting a cigarette, Luo Yang smiled and said, "Sister An, would you like to plant some flowers, the really pretty kind?"
An Yuying nodded, "Yes, what kind of flowers do you have?"
She hadn't seen Luo Yang grow flowers before and wondered where he would get them for her to plant.
"Come on, let's go back to Sister Piao's house. I'll get them for you," Luo Yang said with a smile.
In reality, he just had to stand by the roadside and retrieve them from the "Shennong Scripture" landscape.
But materializing them out of thin air would most likely confuse An Yuying.
Then he would have to spend time explaining.
"Qin Piao's house only has several pot plants; I have those kinds of flowers too," An Yuying spoke softly.
"They're not the ones she grows," Luo Yang said with a smile.
As he spoke, he turned and walked towards the door.
An Yuying had no choice but to follow him inside.
Just then, Qin Piao was walking out, and on seeing Luo Yang, she smiled, "Niu Zai, where are you off to so early?"
Luo Yang said with a smile, "Sister An wants to plant flowers, I'm getting her some."
Qin Piao knew best what flowers her own home had.
She had grown cacti, daffodils, and cock's combs.
An Yuying had these flowers at her house as well.
Qin Piao said with a smile, "Niu Zai, Yuying has them at her house."
Luo Yang stated, "No, she doesn't. Close your eyes in the room, and I'll perform a magic trick to make them appear."
Neither of the women believed him.
An Yuying, with a light laugh, coquettishly said, "Niu Zai, you're tricking me. Once I turn around, you'll be far away."
He chuckled and said, "Sister An, Sister Piao, if I don't produce flowers for you to plant, you can punish me. Alright, now turn around and don't look."
While they were talking, Hong Jiaxin also came down from the second floor out of curiosity.
Luo Yang went out to the front door, dug up two fresh flowers from the grassy slopes of the "Shennong Scripture" painting, then held them and walked back into the house.
"Alright, take a look," Luo Yang said.
When An Yuying and Qin Piao turned around and saw the two fresh flowers, they were both shocked and delighted.
Hong Jiaxin thought Luo Yang had dug them up outside and scoffed, saying she needed to use the restroom.
But Luo Yang needed to wash his hands and went in first.
"Are you deliberately competing with me for the restroom?" Hong Jiaxin was none too pleased.
"Class Monitor, you're really smart, that's exactly what I'm doing," Luo Yang said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, she got angry and rushed over.
The commotion attracted the other beauties to see what the fuss was about.
Hong Jiaxin, without further ado, dragged Luo Yang outside and then proudly declared, "Thinking of competing with me? No way!"
At that moment, Luo Yang hadn't finished washing his hands and squeezed back in, smiling, "Class Monitor, can you let me wash my hands first, please?"
The two refused to yield and started to argue.