The malice of the Lin Family was something Luo Yang was acutely aware of.
Although he was not driving Tang Guihua's Peugeot 308, it was still wise to be cautious to avoid capsizing in the gutter.
As the saying goes, one mountain cannot hide two tigers.
Luo Yang and the Lin Family could only have one survive, coexistence was not possible.
From Hongyun Brigade to the county town, it was a short trip and soon they arrived.
In the martial arts school, Luo Yang met two young men who had come to learn, both strong-bodied and clearly the active type.
One was named Du Fei, the other Huang Jing.
When the two fellows met Luo Yang, they questioned him until Luo Yang nudged them with his shoulder, sending them stumbling back four or five meters, silencing their chatter.
They chose to learn the basic self-defense techniques for three thousand yuan and paid on the spot.
"Master, if someone bullies us, will you help us?" Du Fei with the long ears asked.
"As long as you're in the right, I will definitely help you," Luo Yang said.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Du Fei and Huang Jing left.
Classes would officially start tomorrow.
When only Luo Yang and Qiao Zai Shui were left in the martial arts school, Qiao Zai Shui said with a smile, "Niu Zai, you're a celebrity now."
Giving Qiao Zai Shui's delicate body a once-over, Luo Yang shuddered with excitement.
"Little Sister Qiao, no matter how famous I get, you are still my sworn sister," Luo Yang said.
"Then you have to look out for your sworn sister," Qiao Zai Shui said with a coquettish smile.
In Honghai County, the Shuang Qiao duo represented a combination of intellect and sensuality.
If it were not for their lack of success in business, the Shuang Qiao would be unattainable flowers, beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Having endured life's ups and downs, though now indifferent to fame and fortune, they still could not let go of their pride and aspired to rise again.
In their time of trouble, only Luo Yang helped them without regard for gain or loss.
This, the Shuang Qiao duo remembered well.
Thus, when chatting with Luo Yang, they were unguarded and would share their hearts with him openly.
"Little Sister Qiao, as long as I'm capable, I'll look out for you and Big Sister Qiao and won't let anyone bully you," Luo Yang nodded and said.
"Now that Chen Jie's beauty salon is closed for renovation, can you still sell annual memberships?" Qiao Zai Shui inquired.
She was related to Chen Jie by blood.
Normally, she would have directly asked Chen Jie.
But since Chen Jie's beauty salon was under investigation and she was in a bad mood, Qiao Zai Shui did not want to trouble her with questions.
Luo Yang had discussed this with Chen Jie and said, "Sales are still going on as normal. Little Sister Qiao, rest assured, I said I would help you sort out the loan shark issue and will not go back on my word."
Qiao Zai Shui slightly lifted her eyelids and glanced at Luo Yang with a look full of gratitude, saying, "Meeting such a good person like you, I wonder if we were close to you in a past life."
Seeing Qiao Zai Shui's coy whisper and the shy blush dancing on her pretty face, her lips moist and tender, a mix of allure and innocence.
And facing her directly, as he glanced at the two snow-capped peaks rising angrily from her chest, Luo Yang felt a sudden jolt.
As Luo Yang took a step closer, Qiao Zai Shui lowered her head even further, her mouth curling into a shy smile, her fingers entwining playfully.
"Little Sister Qiao, that outfit fits you really well. Is it made of cotton?"
As he spoke, Luo Yang reached out to touch it.
Qiao Zai Shui's face flushed red in an instant, and she quickly raised her hands to cover her chest, pursing her lips and giving Luo Yang a reproachful glance that seemed to say: The old drunkard's interest is not in the wine.
Caught out, Luo Yang felt a bit embarrassed and tried to cover it up sheepishly, "Little Sister Qiao, I really just wanted to feel the fabric of your clothes."
The statement had a ring of "protesting too much," about it.
Qiao Zai Shui's ears turned red, her cheeks flushed as if they could be squeezed for juice, lightly biting her lower lip, she said in a low voice, "Is that so? Aren't I trusting you?"
Up close, the scent coming off Qiao Zai Shui's delicate body was refreshing.
After lunch, when Zhang Jing went shopping for clothes, everyone went for a walk together.
All the other beauties bought clothes more or less, only the Shuang Qiao sisters quietly followed at the side.
Shuang Qiao's current financial situation is not optimistic, trying to save wherever possible.
Women love beauty.
Women love to shop.
Especially when other beauties were buying clothes, the Shuang Qiao sisters really wanted to buy clothes themselves.
Luo Yang wanted to satisfy them but unfortunately couldn't.
The reasons were twofold.
First was because Tang Guihua and An Yuying were there, and buying clothes for the Shuang Qiao sisters would make them jealous.
Secondly, Luo Yang took into account revealing the Shuang Qiao sisters' financial situation in front of everyone, which might hurt their self-esteem.
Considering these two points, Luo Yang did not buy clothes for the Shuang Qiao sisters while they were out shopping.
On the way to the martial arts gym, Luo Yang withdrew five thousand yuan from the bank.
Now with no one else around, Luo Yang pulled out five thousand yuan from his pants pocket and stuffed it into Qiao Zai Shui's hand.
Qiao Zai Shui blinked her bright eyes, curiously asking, "Why are you giving me money?"
Luo Yang smiled and said, "You guess."
Earlier when Luo Yang's gaze shot downwards with excitement, Qiao Zai Shui knew what he was looking at and had a good guess about what he was thinking.
Seeing him take out money now, Qiao Zai Shui became angry immediately, throwing the stack of bills at Luo Yang and said coldly, "Am I that cheap?"
After saying that, she pursed her red lips tight, the corners of her mouth filled with anger, yet her eyes turned red, and glistening tears circled within.
Luo Yang was utterly baffled, first picking up the money and then quickly understanding what was going on.
So he smiled and said, "Little Sister Qiao, you've misunderstood."
Qiao Zai Shui still thought Luo Yang wanted to buy her body with the five thousand yuan, naturally she was very annoyed.
With this presupposition, and seeing Luo Yang's rascally grin, Qiao Zai Shui became even more infuriated.
As everyone knows, Luo Yang was the person she trusted the most and had a very good impression of him.
Now, realizing he wanted to use money to buy her body, treating her like someone of low esteem, she felt both disappointed and resentful, her eyes as cold as ice.
Unable to control her emotions, Qiao Zai Shui swung her small fists and hit him.
Luo Yang stood there, letting her hit him.
Thump thump thump...
Even with all her might, Qiao Zai Shui couldn't hurt Luo Yang.
She initially didn't aim for any specific part, hitting Luo Yang's head too, but when she saw that he didn't move or hide away, instead looking at her sincerely, Qiao Zai Shui then chose to hit only his shoulders and chest.
By now, Luo Yang knew her anger had subsided a bit, so he reached out and held both her arms.
"Little Sister Qiao, listen to me first. If you're still angry after you've heard me out, even if you hit me for three hundred sixty-five days, I'll have no complaints," Luo Yang said seriously.
Qiao Zai Shui was still puffing her cheeks angrily. She glared at Luo Yang, then turned her face away, showing she accepted his terms.
Luo Yang then explained the reason for giving her the money, and finally said, "Little Sister Qiao, you are in need of money right now. My ability is limited, so I can't give much, but a few thousand yuan is still possible. Keep it for your needs, and if it's not enough, you can always ask me for more."
Hearing this, Qiao Zai Shui's tears flowed out, her moist eyes reflecting a hint of regret.
Slightly tilting her head back and gazing at Luo Yang, after looking at each other for a while, Qiao Zai Shui finally plunged into Luo Yang's welcoming arms.
"Why are you so good to me?" Qiao Zai Shui asked.
"Because you are my sworn sister," Luo Yang answered.
"I don't want you to be so good to me."
Although she said this, Qiao Zai Shui yet held Luo Yang's waist tightly, gently swaying her delicate body, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness, clearly acting coy with him.
"I just want to be this good to you."
Luo Yang embraced Qiao Zai Shui's slender waist, gently stroking her soft back.
Qiao Zai Shui pouted her red lips, but the corners of her mouth bore a thick smile of happiness. She rested her face on Luo Yang's broad shoulders, looking serene and refined. Her eyes smiled, as if envisioning a contented life ahead.