But now, he was withdrawn and quiet—a shadow of his former self.

This scene only strengthened Fang Rui’s resolve to grow stronger, to seize power and master his own fate.

After the Sorghum Flour was transferred to a new bag and the original sack was returned to him, Fang Rui took his leave without lingering.

Xiaochu walked Fang Rui out.

Fang Rui sensed that Xiaochu seemed to want to say something, but ultimately, he said nothing.

He didn’t press the issue, feigning ignorance as he left.

Once he was some distance away,

Fang Rui stopped abruptly, unable to hold it in any longer. He cursed, "Fuck this world..."

...

Since they were next-door neighbors, the Third Lady’s House was even closer. He arrived in no time.

KNOCK KNOCK!

Fang Rui knocked.

"Who is it?" a tender voice called from inside.

"Nannan? It’s me, your Brother Ah Rui."

CLICK.

The bolt slid back, and the door, which had been propped shut from the inside, swung open. It revealed a pretty little girl, about five or six years old, with a dot of cinnabar between her eyebrows and dressed in a traditional blouse and long skirt.

"Brother Ah Rui!" Nannan chirped.

"Where’s your mother?" Fang Rui asked, patting the little girl’s head.

"She went to fetch water!"

Nannan said, "Mommy told me that when I’m home alone, I shouldn’t open the door for strangers or any other neighbors. But she said I could open it if Brother Ah Rui came to return the bowl."

"You’re so smart."

Fang Rui playfully tapped the little girl’s nose. He didn’t ask about her father—the Third Lady was a widow.

It was rumored, however, that the Third Lady had the backing of a Military Leader in the city.

He believed it was most likely true. Otherwise, with the Third Lady’s looks, it would be impossible for her to live such a stable, peaceful life in times like these.

"Brother Rui!"

Just then, a sweet, melodious voice called out from behind him.

"Third Sister!"

Fang Rui turned around and saw the Third Lady setting down a water urn. She stood gracefully under the hazy, veil-like moonlight, one hand on her hip, the back of her other hand wiping the fine beads of sweat from her forehead. Though she was only in her twenties, her body, as tempting as a ripe peach, overflowed with the captivating charm of a mature woman.

The sight stunned him.

His gaze went blank for an instant before he regained his composure.

To be honest,

His predecessor had certainly fantasized about this older sister-figure next door. In the past, whenever Xiaochu talked about the pretty girls he’d seen while wandering the streets, his predecessor would remain silent but scoff inwardly, believing none of them could ever compare to the Third Lady.

And now?

Fang Rui... was just as tempted.

But he was aware of the reality. An ordinary soldier in the county might not be Entry Grade, but the Military Leader behind the Third Lady most certainly was. He was not someone to be trifled with.

A beautiful woman?

Fang Rui certainly appreciated beautiful women, but if it meant taking such a risk, he was sorry, but he could only admire her from a distance.

"You’re here, Brother Rui?"

The Third Lady smiled, like a water lily in full bloom, swaying in the moonlight with a captivating charm unique to a mature woman.

She was a little surprised. She had been aware of Fang Rui’s old crush on her, but she hadn’t taken offense.

After all, she was not ignorant of how other men looked at her—with far more lecherous gazes. In comparison, the timid peeks and blushing shyness of a handsome young man like Fang Rui didn’t disgust her. On the contrary, it served as proof of her own allure, and she was subconsciously proud and pleased.

’Brother Rui... seems to have changed a bit these past few days,’ the Third Lady thought.

For instance, right now, Fang Rui wasn’t blushing and avoiding her gaze as he used to. Instead, he met her eyes openly. His gaze was clear, without a hint of timidity, and he wasn’t staring where he shouldn’t.

This raised her opinion of Fang Rui a notch or two, and she decided she would be more inclined to build goodwill with him in the future.

Indeed, her previous gesture of giving him dumplings had simply been to curry favor with the Fang Family. After all, the Fang Family’s Medical Skill had been passed down through generations. Building goodwill with them could provide a safety net for her and her daughter, just in case.

"Third Sister, I came to return the bowl. Were you fetching water? Here, let me help you."

Fang Rui appeared composed, but he still felt a little awkward. He quickly changed the subject and moved to help her.

Before the Third Lady could refuse, he lifted the water urn in one go.

He hadn’t expected it to be so full. The urn and water together must have weighed a good seventy or eighty jin. It would have been very heavy for a woman, but for him, now at the Entry Grade, it was nothing.

However, lifting such a heavy water urn didn’t fit his established persona of a sickly youth.

To cover up this discrepancy, Fang Rui casually explained, "I’ve been trying a folk remedy lately. I feel like my health has improved a bit, and I have more energy."

In truth, it wouldn’t have been a huge problem even if the Third Lady knew he had reached Entry Grade, but he instinctively wanted to keep his trump cards hidden.

"Is that so? That’s a true blessing. Congratulations, Brother Rui."

The Third Lady smiled, a glint in her eyes.

In her memory, Fang Rui had always been a sickly weakling. This didn’t look like he’d just gotten "a bit better."

"Sit down, Brother Rui. I’ll pour you some water."

"Thank you, Third Sister."

Fang Rui didn’t refuse. He sat down and deliberately started panting, trying to maintain his persona while changing the subject. "Third Sister, where were you this afternoon? I noticed your door was locked when things went down at the Chus’."

The Third Lady paused as she was pouring the water. "I went out to buy a few things. Today is Nannan’s birthday."

"Oh, is that so? Happy birthday, little lucky star."

Fang Rui tapped Nannan’s nose again, then turned the conversation to what he was truly concerned about. "Third Sister, you’re well-informed. I was hoping to ask... how are things outside the county now?"

He was asking out of concern for his father.

"I’m not entirely sure either."

The Third Lady shook her head. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, "However, the reserve soldiers at the County Magistrate’s Office are also about to be deployed. It will happen in the next day or two... This is significant news. You must not spread it to anyone."

Normally, she would never have shared this information with the Fang Rui of the past. But seeing how he had changed recently, and given his performance just now, she decided to grant him a major favor.

—After all, letting an outsider know that her backer was leaving could invite unnecessary trouble. It was a risk for her as well.

The Third Lady didn’t reveal her source, but Fang Rui knew it must have come from the Military Leader backing her. That meant the information was highly reliable.

"Thank you, Third Sister. I understand. I’ll be sure to keep it to myself."

Fang Rui agreed, but his heart sank.

’When would the reserve soldiers from the County Magistrate’s Office be deployed as reinforcements?’

’Only when the situation on the front lines had turned dire!’

This meant that Fang Baicao, who had gone out with the army, might be in danger.

Even knowing this, with his current power, there was nothing Fang Rui could do.

’I can’t help Dad, but I can at least make preparations here at home... I need to hurry up and buy grain from the Black Market,’ he mused.

Afterward,

Fang Rui exchanged a few more pleasantries with the Third Lady before taking his leave.

Upon returning home, he immediately found Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family. "Mom, where are the family’s savings? Give me some—I’m going to buy grain!"

...