"Er Gouzi?!"

Fang Rui’s brow arched.

This was the shop’s original assistant. After Fang Baicao enlisted in his place, business declined, and he had been let go. Fang Rui never expected him to return.

’Judging by the looks of it, this visit isn’t friendly.’

"Ah Rui,"

Er Gouzi strode in, his back ramrod straight and his chest puffed out with pride, like a nobleman returning home in silken robes. But as he turned, he immediately began bowing and scraping to the other man. "What are you waiting for? Come on over! Today, I’m introducing you to a very important person."

"You’d better be on your best behavior. Don’t be ungrateful for this opportunity," he whispered, leaning in closer.

Fang Rui’s eyes narrowed.

Back when Er Gouzi worked at Caozhi Hall, he never missed a chance to suck up to him, calling him "Brother Rui" at every turn. It wasn’t the same affectionate "Brother Rui" used by Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family or Third Lady; their term was one of genuine endearment. Er Gouzi’s "Brother" was pure, sycophantic flattery.

Now, it was just "Ah Rui."

’So he’s gotten bold, has he?’

Fang Rui’s gaze shifted to the other man.

The man had a crooked mouth and a small lump on his forehead. He was short, maybe five-foot-one or two, and looked to be in his thirties.

Fang Rui recognized him, too. His name was Zhang Bao, Lord Hu’s own brother. He’d thrown his weight around quite a bit, relying on his brother’s reputation, making himself "infamous" on the surrounding streets.

To his face, people feared and respected him enough to call him "Lord Bao." Behind his back, they called him "Zhang Waizui."

Fang Rui didn’t know why the man was here today, but he was sure it was nothing good.

"Well now, Lord Bao, you’ve graced us with your presence! Sit, sit!"

A smile bloomed on Fang Rui’s face as he brought over a chair. "Is there something I can help you with? You didn’t have to come all this way yourself, Lord Bao. You could have just sent word!"

Zhang Bao ignored Fang Rui. His beady eyes scanned the interior of Caozhi Hall, an expression of undisguised contempt on his face. He leaned back and sprawled in the chair, then arrogantly jutted his chin at Er Gouzi.

"Good news! Great news!"

Er Gouzi immediately beamed. "Ah Rui, you have a sister, don’t you? A pretty little thing, I hear. I brought Lord Bao here to have a look. If he likes what he sees, we can arrange a child betrothal..."

"Oh?" Fang Rui’s eyes narrowed at his words.

Everyone knew that Zhang Bao’s son was a simpleton. This was pushing his sister into a pit of fire!

Fang Rui recalled how well the Fang Family had treated Er Gouzi when he worked at Caozhi Hall. Back then, the man had been like a lapdog, constantly bowing and fawning over them.

Who would have thought...

It was clear now he wasn’t a lapdog, but a wolf in sheep’s clothing—an ungrateful, backstabbing traitor born with rebellion in his bones.

Fang Rui looked from Zhang Bao to Er Gouzi and knew instantly what was happening. ’This was Er Gouzi’s idea... He’s trying to use my sister as a stepping stone to ingratiate himself with Zhang Bao!’

A chill settled in his heart, but he let none of it show on his face.

"What’s the matter, Ah Rui? Are you unwilling?"

Seeing Fang Rui lost in thought and seemingly hesitant, Er Gouzi’s voice turned cold. "Let me tell you something. This is a great honor for your family, a blessing most people couldn’t even dream of. You’d better not be ungrateful!"

The man’s once-obsequious demeanor was gone, replaced by the arrogance of someone borrowing another’s power. He was like a dog barking with its master’s backing. The moment his fortunes had turned, he had started throwing his weight around, perfectly embodying the image of a vile lackey.

A thought struck Fang Rui. ’I could solve this for now just by revealing my status as an Entry Grade Martial Artist.’

’But that would guarantee Zhang Laohu’s family would hold a grudge against me. They’d find a chance to strike when I’m vulnerable sooner or later!’

It was a temporary solution, not a cure for the root problem.

Besides, it would expose his trump card and attract unwanted attention.

Clearly, it was an incredibly foolish move.

’In the coming chaotic times, you can’t be the nail that sticks out.’

As his thoughts shifted, a smile returned to Fang Rui’s face. "How could I dare refuse? It’s just... my sister... Sigh. I’ll bring her out and let Lord Bao see for himself!"

With that, he turned and went into the back room.

...

The back room.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Fang Ling had, of course, heard the commotion outside.

Fang Ling was still too young to understand what was happening and listened in a daze.

When Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family heard Er Gouzi had arrived and was trying to arrange a marriage between Fang Ling and Zhang Bao’s simpleton son, she was overcome with shock and fury. She gripped the corner of Fang Ling’s sleeve so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Only the knowledge that Fang Rui was an Entry Grade Martial Artist gave her a sliver of confidence, keeping her from losing her composure completely.

"Mother, don’t worry. Just leave it to me."

Fang Rui entered, giving Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family a reassuring look before taking Fang Ling’s hand to lead her out. "It’s okay, Ling’Er. Be good."

...

A moment later, Fang Rui led Fang Ling out.

Fang Ling’s hair was a listless, yellowish color, a clear sign of malnourishment. Although the Fang Family’s meals had improved slightly over the past half-month, and they’d had a bit more sustenance, recovering from long-term deficiency wasn’t so simple.

On top of that, her little face was covered in pimples and freckles. In short, she was far from what anyone would call pretty.

Both Zhang Bao and Er Gouzi were stunned when they saw her.

Zhang Waizui might have been ugly, but he still knew beauty from ugliness. Seeing Fang Ling now, his face darkened. "Er Gouzi, is this the ’pretty little thing’ you were talking about?"

"This... How... How did she end up looking like this?"

Cold sweat beaded on Er Gouzi’s forehead. He stammered, at a loss for words. But then, an idea flashed in his mind. He pointed a finger at Fang Ling and shouted, "It’s fake! This has to be a Blinding Technique..."

With that, he lunged forward, closing the distance in a few quick steps. He reached out, aiming to viciously rub Fang Ling’s face and expose Fang Rui’s ruse.

But Fang Rui grabbed his wrist in a flash. "Er Gouzi, you’ve gone too far!"

"See that? He’s panicking! His guilty conscience is showing! It must be painted on!" Er Gouzi yelled.

Zhang Bao’s gaze turned suspicious as well.