Their gazes both landed on Yu Xifeng standing outside. Old Cai snapped impatiently, “Alright, get up.”

Yu Xifeng tried to stand, but her legs felt like they were stuck to the ground. When she tried to lift herself up, her whole body pitched forward. Zhang Qiu was quick and sharp-eyed, anticipating this, and grabbed her hand, pulling Yu Xifeng up.

Old Cai stared fixedly at the flesh and said, “You’re using the wrong way to exert force, the blood’s not flowing. Standing like a wooden post—do you think you’re squatting over a latrine?”

It felt like ants were crawling up from the soles of her feet.

Leaning on Zhang Qiu for support, Yu Xifeng steadied herself for a long moment before she could step forward.

“You got up too quickly. Next time, take it slow,” Zhang Qiu said.

After that burst of energy passed, Yu Xifeng felt her stomach growling so loudly it seemed like her chest and back were pressed together.

She chewed the braised pork with clenched teeth.

Old Cai asked her, “Are you coming back tomorrow?”

Yu Xifeng slapped her chopsticks down, “I will.”

She walked away upright and straight.

“A promising young one,” Old Cai said, staring at Yu Xifeng’s back, somewhat lost in thought.

Old Cai sat back down, seeming to recall something, sighing with melancholy.

Zhang Qiu lowered her head.

Silence remained in the room.

Zhang Qiu picked up the leftover braised pork, saving it for dinner.

Once out of Old Cai’s sight, Yu Xifeng suddenly bent over, her waist giving out.

Her leg was also lame, limping as she went.

Who would have thought today wasn’t over yet.

The next several days were all about standing post exercises.

“Impatience and restlessness also serve to temper your temper,” Old Cai said.

Yu Xifeng suspected he was getting revenge.

Revenge because she refused to marry his grandson.

She stood post every day until drenched in sweat, adding ten more minutes each day than the day before.

Occasionally, Zhang Qiu would wipe the sweat from the corners of her eyes.

After standing post continuously for half a month, Yu Xifeng felt her body much lighter.

This feeling was hard to describe, like all impurities had been expelled and her whole body was renewed inside and out.

Because she noticed her body improving, each session became less unbearable.

Yu Xifeng sparred with Old Cai again.

Though she still didn’t win, she sensed her foundation was much more stable.

Her breath was also much longer.

This increase in strength was even and spread throughout her body.

Yu Xifeng was very pleased.

Zhang Qiu gave her a packet of herbs: “Take this home to wash with, or better soak in it. This will maximize the effects. It’s a recipe I once saw and used myself. It strengthens the body. I bet you’ll get better results than I did.”

After starting her standing post practice, Yu Xifeng no longer went to Old Cai early in the morning.

She stood for a full hour at home in the mornings.

In the afternoon, she would go to Old Cai’s to learn boxing.

One day, as Yu Xifeng went out, she saw a woman standing at the door.

The woman craned her neck to look inside. “Young lady, do you live here alone?”

Yu Xifeng closed the door, neither confirming nor denying.

“Is there something you need?”

“Oh, oh, my daughter lives there. My surname’s Zhang. You can just call me Sister Zhang.”

Sister Zhang pointed toward the house where the two brothers lived.

Her daughter was probably the woman inside.

Yu Xifeng didn’t want to exchange pleasantries. She was in a hurry to go practice boxing with Old Cai.

“Miss, how old are you?” Sister Zhang asked. “Where are your family? Why aren’t they with you?”

Yu Xifeng replied, “I have things to do. I’m leaving.”

When Yu Xifeng returned, she saw Sister Zhang dragging over a stool, sitting at the doorway, looking toward her room.

Beside her was a young man.

They looked like mother and son.

Yu Xifeng frowned.

When Sister Zhang saw Yu Xifeng, her eyes lit up like a wolf spotting meat, suddenly yanking her son up.

“This is my son. He’s a bit slow, not handsome but the most honest. You’re all young people—make friends, why not?”

What was going on lately?

So many random romantic prospects.

Yu Xifeng glanced at the young man behind Sister Zhang, no special impression.

In height, looks, and temperament, he was quite ordinary.

Compared to him, Zhang Qiu was far more pleasant to look at.

“It’s so late, why are you only just back? The area outside is chaotic. You’re a young girl, don’t get fooled by anyone,” Sister Zhang scolded.

“Sorry, I don’t make friends,” Yu Xifeng said.

Sister Zhang was about to say more but decided there was time ahead, no need to rush.

She gave her son a signal to try to make a good impression on the young lady.

Yu Xifeng couldn’t be bothered with their drama. She stood post in the mornings, got beaten in the afternoons—Old Cai was sly, binding sandbags on her hands and feet.

Every hit landed perfectly.

Yu Xifeng was so beaten down she lost her temper.

She was too busy thinking how to fight back, no time for these two.

Deng Feiyu gave a shy smile, his face blushing to his ears.

Sister Zhang felt a pang of mixed feelings.

After Yu Xifeng went inside, she teased her son, “You’re going to marry a wife and forget your mother already.”

Deng Feiyu changed the subject, “Mom, how long do we have to stay at sister’s place?”

“Why the rush? Your sister’s place isn’t any worse than district five. Today she steamed buns; I saved one for you in the room. Hide it and eat it tonight.”

Yu Xifeng took a shower and collapsed exhausted onto the bed.

She was gradually realizing the subtle benefits of the Two-Poles Boxing method.

These days, she was tired every day.

But she could feel her progress.

Her body was forged and refined; her spirit remained high.

Her sleep improved a lot too.

She used to sometimes wake from nightmares about her past life, startled.

Or react instinctively to small noises.

Yu Xifeng knew it was because her mind was too tense.

But she couldn’t relax, always fearing danger from unexpected places.

Now, though she still worried about the future, she no longer tossed and turned at night.

This rare opportunity, Yu Xifeng wanted to seize as much as possible, to improve even more.

Because of the heavy exercise, her appetite increased.

She ate dinner at Old Cai’s and then added another dish of braised meat or fried chicken chunks, plus a small box of fruit.

That afternoon, Yu Xifeng went to see Old Cai as usual.

She brought her own provisions: half a catty of rice and a handful of sweet potato vines.

She grew sweet potatoes in her room, so taking some leaves wasn’t strange.

Extra food also counted as tuition to Old Cai.

“Yu Xifeng!”

She was called by Zhao Yao.

Zhao Yao had come to look for Sister Yun, but unexpectedly ran into Yu Xifeng at Old Cai’s place, where she was being disciplined.

Zhao Yao’s gaze fell on the bag in Yu Xifeng’s hand and became even more eager.

“Long time no see, little Yu. I just knew you were here too.”