"Exactly, a mere child has more dignity than you!" The porter, relieved by An An's words, grinned proudly. "Little beauty, the child said he'd compensate. You should just pay up quickly."
"It wasn't our fault, so we won't pay," An An stated firmly. He then looked at the porter's bandaged hand and anxious eyes. "Mom, I wanted to ask if you could revive this orchid."
An An glanced at the orchid. It was one that Huo Rou grew at home. It was just a potted plant, and for it, these two men wanted to send them to the police station.
"Let's just do a good deed. Mom, we can revive this orchid and return it to them," An An suggested.
Huo Rou knew An An had a soft heart. He had been observing the porter for quite some time.
"Alright, my An An is very kind," Huo Rou praised.
"You're slandering my son. You apologize to him, and I'll revive your orchid for you." Huo Rou certainly remembered the porter saying An An had tripped him. Helping was fine, but some things still needed to be settled clearly.
A flicker of joy crossed the porter's eyes. He looked at Xu Mao. "Cousin, this is acceptable. I'll apologize, and she'll revive the flower for us."
Xu Mao heard this and nudged him with his elbow. "You idiot, why apologize? It was your fault for tripping. What are you apologizing for? Why did I end up with such an idiot!"
He then looked at Huo Rou. "You? Revive an orchid."
Huo Rou stating An An was her son was already shocking enough. She looked so young and inexperienced; no one would believe she could care for orchids.
He had been here for so many years, learning a lot about orchid care from experts. Yet, in the few days the experts were gone, he had managed to ruin the orchid like this.
"If you don't pay today, you're not leaving!" Xu Mao, seeing Huo Rou's young and seemingly innocent appearance, increasingly suspected she was someone's mistress. He didn't believe she would dare to cause trouble.
"Huo Rou!" Qin Ning Yi's anxious voice called from behind.
An An turned his head in surprise. Qin Ning Yi was hurrying toward them.
Xiao Kong Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief at Qin Ning Yi's appearance.
A knight in shining armor, finally arrived.
"Are you alright?" Qin Ning Yi reached Huo Rou and looked at her and An An, asking with concern.
"Dad, we're fine." An An tugged at Qin Ning Yi's hand, very happy at his arrival.
Qin Ning Yi looked at Xu Mao. "Not letting you leave?" His voice carried the coolness of the night, reaching Xu Mao and making him shiver involuntarily.
"Who are you?" Xu Mao asked.
"His dad," Qin Ning Yi said, pointing at An An. He then instinctively glanced at Huo Rou, seeing no disgust in her eyes, but even a hint of a smile.
He paused and added, "Her man."
Huo Rou's eyes widened abruptly. Qin Ning Yi smiled at her. Just as Huo Rou was about to say something, Xu Mao spoke, "Then you'll pay? We'll let you go if you pay."
"You can't possibly deny the losses you caused, right?" Xu Mao weakly added under Qin Ning Yi's gaze.
"Dad, they fell down themselves and are blaming me," An An anxiously explained.
"It was your son who mischievously tripped me!" The porter shouted at the top of his lungs, signaled by Xu Mao.
"Nine million for one orchid. If you pay the money, it's over. There's no need to make things unpleasant," Xu Mao said, observing Qin Ning Yi's commanding presence. This must be a sugar daddy.
"This orchid hasn't been in good condition for a while. Whether he colluded with this porter to extort us is another matter," Huo Rou added, fearing Qin Ning Yi would generously pay.
Qin Ning Yi smiled gently at her, then looked around. A hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. "Assistant Xiao, get the police to check the surveillance."
Xu Mao followed Qin Ning Yi's gaze and saw a surveillance camera there. This made him a little flustered. If it was proven that he had fallen, then they would have to pay for the orchid themselves.
He glanced at the porter's cousin beside him. This person was always reckless. He had instructed him to do this. If they had to pay, this person would definitely cause a scene at home. That would truly be losing face.
No, he couldn't admit it.
Xu Mao made up his mind and, feigning composure, was about to speak when an old man rushed over.
"How did this orchid get broken!" The arriving elder had white hair, his silver strands reflecting faint light under the lamps. His voice was hoarse, and he appeared to be in his sixties or seventies.
He cried out in distress, crouched on the ground, and tenderly touched the orchid's bloom. He accused, "Little Xu! Is this how you do things? Is this that Hui Lan Jia Ren from today?"
Upon seeing this, Xu Mao realized it was the elder Liu Geng Yu, an orchid enthusiast. An idea instantly struck him.
He nodded at Liu Geng Yu with a look of sorrow. "Yes, Elder Liu, it was this little brat who caused trouble and refuses to compensate."
"I came today just to see this orchid. Now that it's like this, and no compensation!" Liu Geng Yu became angry upon hearing this and wanted to argue.
Xu Mao chimed in, "Exactly. You tell me, what should I do? I'm just a small manager and don't have the money to cover the guests' losses."
"Why should you cover the losses? Little Xu, you're just too kind-hearted," Elder Liu, hearing his manipulative words, thought he was too benevolent.
"I said, as long as he apologizes to An An, I'll help him revive the flower," Huo Rou said helplessly, wondering why this naive old man had suddenly appeared.
"Your child caused trouble, and you're asking for an apology for him? You!" Elder Liu, puffing out his beard and glaring, turned his head to look at Huo Rou.
As he looked, his eyes widened in disbelief.
He exclaimed in shock, "Sister Huo! Is that you!"
"And me, Grandpa Liu," An An said with slight displeasure.
"Oh my, little An An. What are you two doing here!" Elder Liu was so surprised to see them that he forgot everything else.
"Elder Liu, you said you'd get me justice!" Xu Mao quickly reminded him.
Elder Liu looked at Huo Rou, then at Xu Mao, and said righteously, "Justice! Of course, we need it."
"However, Sister Huo said it wasn't their fault, so it definitely isn't." Elder Liu changed his tune remarkably quickly.
He switched sides faster than a military coup. Qin Ning Yi couldn't help but size up Huo Rou and Elder Liu, feeling that there was more to this story.
"Elder Liu, you weren't saying that just now," Xu Mao said urgently.
Elder Liu looked at Xu Mao with condemning eyes, unmoved, and said with great disappointment, "Sister Huo already said she'd help you revive this orchid. Why are you so ungrateful?"