In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

“Teacher, I won’t refuse your request.” Manlio smiled shyly.

Anno sighed. "You should learn to say no to others, Manrio." He was quite satisfied with Manrio, except for his academic performance and his complete inability to refuse others.

Manlio just smiled and didn't say anything.

Anno patted Manrio's head: "I want you to learn another skill... the skill of sugar making."

“Yes, okay, teacher,” Manrio replied without hesitation.

Even if it interferes with your studies in painting?

"Yes."

“You should learn to say no, Manrio,” Anno repeated.

“That deceased uncle was named Fedino, wasn’t he?” Manrio suddenly looked up at Anno, staring directly into Anno’s eyes.

"Huh? Um..." Anno was somewhat taken aback, wondering why Manrio brought up this sad matter.

"Then, can I change my name to Manrio Fedino Springer?" Manrio looked at Anno seriously.

For some reason, Anuo suddenly felt like crying.

He hugged Manrio tightly: "Thank you, Manrio, thank you."

Manrio blinked, then smiled and patted Anno on the back.

......

Aside from designing costumes for Harley and the others and completing the few remaining orders she had, Anno didn't take on any new orders and instead devoted herself entirely to learning how to make sugar.

Ferdinand had described the sugar-making process to Anno before his death, and Anno recorded it completely in his manuscript.

As for why he chose to study it himself instead of simply handing the manuscript to Manlio, Anno always adhered to a certain theory.

You are only qualified to teach others what you have learned yourself.

Anno made a special trip back to the town of Falgao with his Aunt Anna. After paying respects to Uncle Ferdinand, Anno dissected the entire sugar-making tool and recorded the model in a manuscript. After returning to Florence, he personally made a tool.

After three months, when the weather was starting to get a bit hot, Anno finally produced qualified cane sugar.

Aunt Anna tasted the sugar made by Anno and cried for a long time.

Anno himself was also somewhat moved.

When I was rescued, I couldn't eat a single bite of food. I only woke up after drinking water mixed with sugar.

Both Halle and Leonardo da Vinci visited Arnold several times and were surprised to find that the man was not the elegant and quiet artist, but Lawrence, who rolled up his sleeves and started making sugar like a worker.

Leonardo da Vinci took an interest and came over to learn sugar-making from Anno for a few days, only to be slapped away by Verrocchio, who was holding a stick.

Harley, perhaps to repay Anno for selling them the blueprints at a very low price, had helped them several times, making Aunt Anna feel a little sorry for this silly little girl.

After figuring out how to make sugar, Anno began to teach Manrio. This process would be very long because Manrio was very small. Although he was still growing, Anno estimated that Manrio's final height would not exceed 1.6 meters.

Because of his short stature, using many tools was very difficult, but Manlio still chose to learn diligently.

There was no other reason than that Anno had asked me to do it.

............

October has arrived.

Manlio has basically mastered the art of sugar making, and Anno can finally take a break.

One day, Anno came to the riverbank again, wanting to clear her head, but saw a familiar wine-red color.

Harley's hair, like Anno's, is always so well-maintained.

"Harley," Anno greeted with a smile.

He and Harley had been partners for a long time and were quite familiar with each other, so there was no need to be so polite with terms like "sir" and "madam."

Using such honorifics among familiar people can sound very distant.

"Lawrence? Don't you teach your students in the studio?" Harley, who was sitting on the grass, turned her head when she heard Lawrence's voice.

------------

Chapter 199 wasn't particularly dramatic.

Anno stood not far behind Harley: "No, it's okay for Manrio to slow down his learning pace a bit now."

Manlio wasn't exactly a genius, but he was hardworking, and while learning the sugar-making craft, he didn't neglect his painting skills too much.

"And you, why did you come to the river?" Anno asked with a smile.

“What brought you here is my reason.” Harley turned her head back to look at the shimmering water on the river.

Anno didn't answer, but just smiled and sat down not far from Harley: "How's business lately?"

"..." Harley was silent for a moment, then smiled and replied, "It's a little tiring, but this is the life I chose."

On the river, a fish leaped out of the water, creating a ripple.

Anno let her hair down and lay down on the grass.

Winter hasn't arrived yet, and the temperature is hovering around 16 or 17 degrees Celsius.

Anno's hair hasn't grown back to its original length yet, but it's not short anymore.

He lay on the ground, looking at the sky: "That's good. But is it unfortunate or fortunate to be able to choose your interest as a career?"

Harley didn't respond.

A long silence fell between the two.

“Hey, Lawrence, ever since I saw your designs, I’ve had this idea,” Harley murmured, lying on the ground with her elbows under her head.

Tell me about it.

"Nowadays, whether it's the aristocracy or the common people, everyone wears such cumbersome clothes. I'm thinking, what if we could apply the structure you designed to everyday clothing, instead of formal wear..."

"I see...that's a very good idea."

"And don't you think it looks really bad for men to wear those completely tight-fitting leggings?"

“…Indeed.” Anno recalled that she could only occasionally wear the light straight-leg pants she designed at banquets, and most of the time she had to wear those stupid and uncomfortable tight pants, and responded involuntarily.

“Lawrence, I am the daughter of a nobleman, but I despise the affectations and stubbornness of the aristocracy,” Harley explained. “I want to do something innovative!”

"What do you need me to do?" Anno smiled.

“I’ll do it myself this time.” Harley’s smile radiated confidence. “I enjoy making clothes, and I have a general understanding of what kind of clothes are convenient, pretty, and inexpensive.”

"If there's anything I can help you with, I won't hesitate to lend a hand, Miss," Anno said, half-seriously and half-jokingly.

He and Harley have known each other for a long time, and so far they have maintained a relatively good and pure friendship.

“Of course, Lawrence.” Harley sized up the young man.

Yet, a complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

Anno felt Harley's gaze, but didn't dare turn around to look.

Did neither of them feel any attraction?

......

Anno sat at her workbench, with a piece of... jewelry in front of her?

Is it a bit too big for jewelry?

This is an ornament so luxurious it seems unreal.

It's more accurate to call it a pure gold shawl than a necklace. To solve the problem of the shawl being too monotonous, he embellished it with many other metals and gemstones. The most eye-catching one is a white gemstone as big as a pigeon egg located on the chest.

Anno spent over a thousand Floras to purchase these items in order to complete this work.

However, judging from the current results, Anno is satisfied.

This gold-woven shawl is not like a simple gold chain, which is too ostentatious and old-fashioned. Instead, it is actually made of finely woven gold threads, reflecting light and appearing incredibly dazzling.

This piece of jewelry is the most elaborate, expensive, and effective piece that Anno has ever created.

Leonardo da Vinci and Manlio stood to the side, marveling at the sight.

"Lawrence, are you planning to sell this piece of jewelry?" Da Vinci circled around the shawl, almost dazzling Anno's eyes.

“Sell…uh, not for now.” Anno grabbed Da Vinci. “Leonardo, be more composed.”

Verrocchio walked in: "Oh, Lawrence, is this your new work?"

“Hmm, teacher, you give your evaluation.” Anuo looked at the teacher, who looked much older than a year ago.

Verrocchio shook his head: "I won't judge; your achievements and skills far surpass mine."

Since Girandaio, Perugino and Botticelli left the studio, Verrocchio had immersed himself in creative work, and that year saw an explosive increase in his outstanding works.

However, in the face of such an outstanding student, Verrocchio still chose to acknowledge Anno's superiority.

Anno didn't know what to say, so he could only stand up and hug his teacher.

"Aren't you planning to sell this piece of jewelry?"

Anno hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I plan to keep it for a while."

Verrocchio patted Anno on the shoulder: "You have your own ideas, so go for it, lad."

Anno eventually named the shawl-like necklace "Goddess's Love".

......

The completion of the Goddess's Love project also signifies that Anno is facing a shortage of working capital again.

With no other option, Anuo had to take on a few more orders to barely make ends meet.

Time slowly moved into December.

Harley's long, burgundy hair appeared at Anno's mansion.

After more than a month of design and experimentation, Harley came up with a result that at least satisfied herself.

This is an outfit designed specifically for young girls: a coat paired with a one-piece dress that abandons the separate structure of the top and bottom, and high heels that make women appear taller.

Harley, her face flushed slightly, showed off her achievement.