Ning Yao woke leisurely, having slept incomparably sweetly and soundly. When she opened her eyes, she found herself sitting on a stool. Somewhat bewildered, she stared blankly for a moment before rising to push open the door. Outside in the corridor sat one old and one young, two silent gourds who said nothing. Hearing Ning Yao's footsteps, Chen Ping'an turned and smiled. "You're awake. You were sleeping so deeply, I didn't call you earlier."
Ning Yao nodded, not particularly concerned about it, and asked, "Old Senior Yang?"
The old man said irritably, "What, were you afraid Chen Ping'an might take liberties while you slept? Don't worry, I kept an eye on him. That brat has the heart of a thief but not the guts."
Chen Ping'an hurriedly explained, "Miss Ning, don't listen to Grandpa Yang's nonsense. I guarantee I don't even have the heart of a thief!"
Ning Yao made a Qi Sinks to Dantian gesture with both hands and told herself, "A great person has great tolerance."
The old man shot the straw-sandaled youth a sidelong glance and chuckled in delight at his misfortune. "Seven apertures opened, six of them clear—one aperture completely blocked."
The rain had already weakened considerably. The old man said bluntly, "Bring that bag of Offering Coin over later. Then the payment for this little lass, along with the medicine you'll need from here on, will be settled in full."
Ning Yao frowned. "What kind of medicinal ingredients does Yang Family Shop have that they cost so much?!"
The old man said calmly, "When someone is starving to death, how much do you think the steamed buns in my hands are worth?"
Ning Yao said in a deep voice, "You're robbing people while their house is on fire!"
The old man smoked Dried Tobacco fiercely,