Lin Lan reached up, plucked a climbing rose from her neighbor's wall, threw it on the ground, and crushed it underfoot. She shot Zhang Yazhen a wicked grin. "You'd better remember this, Zhang. Three strikes and you're out. If there's a next time, I'll make you understand why flowers are so red!" With that, she swaggered off.
Zhang Yazhen waited for Lin Lan to leave, then scrambled to the courtyard gate in a few quick steps. She hastily shut it and leaned against the door panel, cold sweat dripping down her back.
As Lin Lan emerged from the Xiong family's gate, she saw He Cuicui's back as she hurried away. Lin Lan couldn't be bothered to spare her a glance and walked straight home.
Zhao Dehai and the other two men came down from the roof. Master Xu, who was behind them, smiled and said, "We'll be done before the afternoon is over."
"Thank you for all your trouble," Lin Lan said gratefully.
Zhao Dehai nodded politely. "It's no trouble. We'll be on our way."
