Yang Ning picked up the eraser beside him and whisked away the writing in a few strokes. Chalk dust drifted faintly through the sunlight.
From the entrance of the Incense Burning Room nearby came a soft rustling. Yang Ning turned to look and saw Qiao Bin holding a large broom and dustpan, head lowered as he diligently swept the Open Space in front of the door. He was thorough, not even sparing the fallen leaves and dust caught between the bricks.
Thinking of the schemes he'd been carrying out these past few days, and how they'd caused this simplehearted man to take the blame for so much, Yang Ning couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt. He walked over and reached for the broom in Qiao Bin's hands.
"Brother Ning?" Qiao Bin looked up, sweat beading on his round face. Seeing Yang Ning, he paused, then broke into his usual honest smile. "You're awake?"
"Mm." Yang Ning answered, putting a little force into his hand as he took the broom. "Why did you get straight to work as soon as you arrived? You could've left these chores for me."
Qiao Bin wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and chuckled. "Oh, I came by this morning to take over from Junior Sister. She went back to the hall to handle some business. I had nothing else to do, so when I saw some leaves and dust by the entrance, I figured I'd sweep them up."
Yang Ning glanced into the Incense Burning Room. The windows were bright and clear, and the floor gleamed like a mirror. It had obviously already been given a thorough cleaning.
Following his gaze, Qiao Bin hurried to explain, "Brother Ning, didn't you say before that Junior Sister shouldn't come in here to clean