Lin Ming wiped his cold sweat, then glanced at Yuhan He and Yaya. "Did you see me selling stuff just now?"

Yuhan shot Lin Ming a disdainful look. "I saw it, sure. But your decency was totally exposed."

"Huh? Really? Compared to someone inside the Academy—like the Headmaster—I’m bursting with decency!" Lin Ming stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Is that so?" Yuhan eyed him suspiciously. "But for now, you’re the least decent person I’ve ever met."

"..." Lin Ming wanted to retort, but realized her qualifier "for now" was spot-on. He couldn’t argue.

Yuhan still felt a pang of jealousy over Lin Ming’s act. She knew it was fake, but it stung—after this morning’s blow to her confidence, hearing him praise someone nowhere near as pretty as her, even falsely, left her unsettled.

Yaya watched them awkwardly, feeling too young to understand. She quickly asked, "Brother, but we’re not as thick-skinned... or smooth-talking as you!"

Lin Ming glanced at Yaya. Her timing was perfect, diffusing the tension. He grinned. "Yaya, that trick’s for guys. I’ve got a different method for girls."

"Then why not just teach us the other method instead of demonstrating this one?" Yuhan cut in.

Lin Ming gave her a deadpan stare. "Would you have believed me without a demo?"

"Yes!" they chorused.

"Seriously?!" Lin Ming gaped. "Am I really that trustworthy?" He touched his face, wondering if this was the perk of good looks—the Headmaster’s flamboyant confidence suddenly made sense.

Watching Lin Ming caress his cheek smugly, Yuhan shuddered. "Senior, don’t get ideas. We just had no other options. And you made such a logical case—who else would we trust?"

"Eh," Lin Ming sighed disappointedly. So it wasn’t about his looks.

"Enough, Senior. Just spill the method!" Yuhan’s forehead throbbed with exasperation.

"Right. Ahem..." Lin Ming straightened up. When tasks were involved, he turned serious—a habit honed over years.

"First, the easiest method for Yaya." He fixed her with a stern gaze.

Yaya snapped upright under his stare. "Go ahead, Brother!"

"Good." Lin Ming nodded. "Yaya, target couples—married pairs or dating duos."

"Why?" Yuhan frowned.

"Because men show off in front of women. They’ll usually buy. If the guy hesitates, Yaya just acts cute for his partner, sweet-talks her, and she’ll pressure him to buy." Lin Ming explained confidently.

"Got it!" Yaya beamed. Convinced it’d work, she dashed off.

Yuhan called after her, "Yaya, wait!"

"Sister Yuhan, what is it?" Yaya stopped, puzzled.

"Give us some flowers. It’ll speed things up." Yuhan smiled warmly.

"Okay!" Yaya handed her a small bundle.

But Yuhan took the rest. "We’re two people—we need more. Meet back here after selling."

"Sister!" Yaya’s voice trembled with gratitude.

"Go! Sell each for 5 silver coins. No questions." Lin Ming patted Yaya’s shoulder.

"Thank you, Brother and Sister!" Yaya vanished into the crowd.

"Now, Senior, how should I sell?" Yuhan turned to Lin Ming.

"You? Easy. Approach single guys and ask if they want to buy."

"...That’s it?"

"Yep."

"Too simple!"

Lin Ming rolled his eyes. "Simple’s good. What more do you want?"

"Why so simple?" Yuhan pressed—she always dug to the bottom of the clay pot.

Lin Ming sighed. "Hello? You’re gorgeous! Single guys are mostly Single Dogs. A beauty like you asks, they’ll grovel. Except for rare cases—keep it classy, no dirty thoughts."

"So you’re saying I’m pretty?" Yuhan’s face flushed slightly.

Lin Ming blinked. "Aren’t you always pretty? Why the question?"

"Senior, you’re awful!" Yuhan’s cheeks burned crimson—his first compliment. She thrust half her flowers at him and fled.

Lin Ming stared after her, baffled. "Weird..."

...

The sky dimmed, half-lit by sunset’s glow. Forty-five minutes had passed since they started selling flowers under the Wind Tower.

Lin Ming tossed gold coins as he headed to the meetup spot—earnings from his sales. No one gave 5 gold coins like that earlier woman, but he’d still made 10 gold. He smirked inwardly: *Those flowers netted 10 gold? Lin Ming, you’re incredible! Wait till they see my haul—hehehe.*

He chuckled slyly, a creepy grin spreading.

Bystanders shot him odd looks. Lin Ming snapped back to composure, walking calmly to the rendezvous—unfazed.

Yuhan and Yaya were already waiting.

"You’re so slow, Senior," Yuhan complained.

"Am I?" Lin Ming frowned.