Among the beauties present, Luo Yang and Hong Jiaxin were the closest.
They were classmates and friends.
Before getting on the bus, Luo Yang joked, "Monitor, I'll ride and you walk."
She rolled her eyes.
"Sister will beat you to death!" Hong Jiaxin curled her lips.
Actually, the journey wasn't far, just over twenty minutes by car.
Shi Nan blew a large smoke ring and asked, "Niu Zai, is there anything fun at the Hongyun Brigade?"
This question stumped Luo Yang.
If asked where was fun, he really couldn't answer.
After all, what's considered fun depends on how you define it.
As a child, the places Luo Yang found fun included a small stream where he could catch fish, a pond that was suitable for swimming in the hot weather, or the ancient hot springs deep in the mountains.
"Sister Nan, do you want to go fishing or enjoy the landscape?" Luo Yang smiled.
"Damn, who has time to enjoy the scenery." Shi Nan scoffed.
Then Luo Yang guessed that the fun places she mentioned were secular entertainment venues, like KTV or bars.
"We could go to Sister Kick's bar for fun." Luo Yang said.
"Then let's go," Shi Nan said joyfully.
At that time, they hadn't gotten into the car yet.
Since he had known Shi Yun, Luo Yang often saw her hanging her head low, looking timid and inferior.
Luo Yang knew about the Shi family's terrible situation.
However, he still hoped that Shi Yun would perk up and bravely face life's challenges.
"Sister Yun, don't always look so downcast. Hold your head up high." Luo Yang encouraged.
Shi Yun blinked her eyes, just began to lift her head when it dropped again as if weighed down by a heavy yoke.
"You are my disciple, stick with me and you will have good days. Cheer up and live out your brilliance."
As soon as Luo Yang finished speaking, he heard Hong Jiaxin scoff coldly.
Actually, he was speaking sincerely, but when Hong Jiaxin hissed, even he laughed.
Once a personality is formed, it's not easy to change.
Luo Yang also knew it wouldn't be possible for Shi Yun to adopt another personality overnight; it would take time to change.
"Sister An has called several times to rush us; let's head back," Luo Yang said with a sheepish smile.
Shuang Qiao was sitting in the two seats in front of the car.
The rest were in the rear seats of the van.
Hong Jiaxin got into the car first, followed by Luo Yang.
The last to get in was Shi Nan, who took several quick drags on her cigarette, tossed it, and then got in.
"Big Sister Qiao, drive," Luo Yang softly called.
As the car hit the road, Luo Yang wanted to say a few words to encourage Shi Yun to keep a positive attitude toward life.
But Shi Yun's eyes were looking elsewhere.
So Luo Yang gently called out, "Sister Yun."
Shi Yun hummed in acknowledgment and then turned to face Luo Yan.
"Sister Yun, why do you always seem so shy? Usually, hold your head up. You're actually quite pretty. Have some confidence," Luo Yang said.
Shi Yun smiled timidly; she was usually quiet.
Just as Luo Yang was about to encourage her a bit more, suddenly a ringtone echoed inside the van.
The ringtone was from Hong Jiaxin's phone.
Hong Jiaxin answered the call and, judging by her tone, it wasn't bad news.
Luo Yang was most worried that bad people would directly call Hong Jiaxin, which, if it didn't scare her, would immediately remind her of her parents.
As soon as Hong Jiaxin hung up, Luo Yang teased, "Monitor, who was that call from?"
Hong Jiaxin scoffed coldly, "Why should I tell you."
From the contents of the conversation, Luo Yang gathered that the caller was likely Zhang Xue, the Student Council President of Dongfeng Middle School.