A group of children had gathered in the villa courtyard.
The voices from the third-floor window had been so loud that these sharp-eared children had naturally heard them.
When Lu Xin came out, the children immediately looked at him with worried eyes. Some were angry, some afraid, and some both angry and afraid. Of course, quite a few looked both angry and afraid, with a hint of exasperation at his hopelessness.
Lu Xin lowered his head, unwilling even to meet the children's gazes, and walked past them quickly.
He climbed onto his motorcycle and slowly rode out of the villa.
When he reached the gate, Lu Xin slowed down.
Turning his head, he saw the security booth at the villa entrance. It was only three or four square meters, spotlessly decorated, and equipped with a small charcoal stove. The old security guard stood inside, quietly looking at him through a layer of brand-new glass.
Lu Xin quietly looked back at him. The two of them remained silent for a long time.
Likewise, it seemed impossible to discern any unusual emotion in each other's eyes.
After a full three or four seconds, Lu Xin gave him a slight nod and asked softly, "Why haven't you been growing flowers lately?"
The old security guard froze, momentarily at a loss for how to answer.
Lu Xin said, "Keep growing them. I've specifically left a flower bed for you."
After saying this, he slowly twisted the throttle and rode out of the villa. He gave the two minibus drivers waiting outside fifty yuan, then said nothing more as the motorcycle gradually picked up speed and headed far down the road.
Inside the security booth, the old security guard suddenly felt a chill run down his back only after a long while.
Only then did