Shi Xu stood up. “Third Uncle, the family needs you to hold the fort and make decisions. You can’t go. I’ll go.”

“There’s Second Great-Uncle at home. That’s enough.” Shi Yan raised his hand to stop him. “Your father’s been stationed at Xinfu for five years. I went with him for three of those. I know Sitong City well. If your Fourth Uncle hadn’t insisted on going this year, the one whose life would be in question right now would be me. You’ve only been there once; how could you know it better than I do? Shi Xu, I have to go.”

Shi Xu’s eyes turned red. “Third Uncle, you’re the only elder I have left!”

Shi Yan walked over and patted him firmly on the shoulder. “Your grandfather isn’t that easy to kill. Your father and Fourth Uncle are both capable fighters. They’re definitely out there waiting for me. I have to find them.”

“Third Uncle!”

“Second Great-Uncle isn’t in good health and can’t handle exhaustion. Most of the time, the family has to rely on you—and also on Buyu.” Shi Yan paused. “From what I gather, she only plans to take Wanxia and Yan Shi’an with her. She has no intention of involving the Shi family at all. But we can’t let her pay the price alone. You’re the one she’s closest to in the family. Think about what you should do.”

Shi Xu nodded silently. He knew there was no stopping his Third Uncle.

Shi Yan smiled. “The household is in your hands now.”

“Come back alive.” Shi Xu’s eyes reddened further. “Third Uncle, you have to come back alive.”

Shi Yan gave his shoulder another hard slap. “My life doesn’t belong to just me anymore—I won’t lose it that easily.”

He had to stay alive to shield the Shi family from the storm.

—

Meanwhile, Shi Buyu had already eaten two bowls of rice and was about to go for a third. Huhutou Village had stockpiled quite a bit of grain and cured meat, and she was given only the best. It smelled heavenly.

She looked up at the sound of footsteps—it was Yan Shi’an.

Yan Shi’an didn’t come in, just stood at the door and said, “My men sent back word.”

“Come in. I’m not that formal,” Shi Buyu said, now full and not in a hurry to eat anymore. She put down her chopsticks. “Is everyone safe?”

“Safe.” Yan Shi’an stepped over the threshold and sat across from her. “We moved before the news spread in the capital. With just that small escort team, there was no way they could stop my people. The handoff to Wu Fei went smoothly.”

Shi Buyu poured him a cup of tea and slid it over, raising her own cup. “The deal is done. I’ll keep my promise.”

Yan Shi’an clinked cups with her and smiled. “Not waiting for your aunt to come back and confirm?”

“Until you give me reason not to, I’ll trust you.”

Trust.

Yan Shi’an savored the word. In his life, trust was rare. He trusted no one, and he knew no one truly trusted him either.

Yet here was someone saying she trusted him. What a novelty.

Their eyes met. They each raised their cups and downed the tea in one gulp.

Shi Buyu picked up her bowl to get more rice. Though she said she wasn’t bound by etiquette, she didn’t speak while eating. Not until she finished her third bowl did she speak again, casually.

“My aunt returns tomorrow. Then we’ll go back to the capital.”

Yan Shi’an refilled her tea, chuckling. “Just going to leave this place behind like that?”

“They’re not children. They know what they need to do to survive.” She slowly swirled her tea bowl and looked down at the gently rippling surface. “My people cleared all traces. Yours did too, I assume. As long as they hide properly, no one will find this place.”

“Speaking of which, I’m a bit curious.” Yan Shi’an looked at her. “From all your arrangements, it’s clear you have a fair number of people. You might have pulled this off on your own. Why make a deal with me?”

“Some things are worth risking. If it fails, I can always start over. But not everything’s like that. Once people are dead, they can’t come back. And besides, I don’t really have ‘people.’ They’re… well…” Shi Buyu thought for a moment. “They’re acquaintances.”

“You must have a lot of those.”

“I meet a few in every place I go. But not all become acquaintances.”

Perhaps it was the cramped kitchen, but they sat very close, and from just those few words, Yan Shi’an seemed to glimpse a different kind of life—vivid and full of stories. She must have traveled far and wide, making new friends wherever she went. Some likely gave her trouble too. She probably lived a life full of daring adventures and clever battles.

When something happened to the Shi family, her acquaintances came from all over to help. Some might be wealthy and powerful, others from influential families, or even tribal leaders from isolated islands. What they shared in common was that they all came, risking their heads for her. Some of them might have even once been her enemies.

Shi Buyu yawned, covering her mouth. She was full and now sleepy again.

“I haven’t been sleeping enough lately. I’m going to rest.”

“One more thing,” Yan Shi’an said, standing as well. He looked at her eyes still glistening from the yawn. “The capital will be tightening checks on all outsiders. You’ll enter with me under the identity of my cousin, surname Luo, given name unchanged. It’s a prepared identity—no issues with it.”

He paused, then added, “In this identity, your parents died when you were young. They had arranged a marriage between us. Now that your mourning period is over, you’re coming to join me. If you’re concerned about your reputation, we can say it’s just a verbal engagement.”

Shi Buyu nodded thoughtfully. “But you do want to use that kind of relationship.”

“Yes,” Yan Shi’an admitted openly. “I’m already nineteen. My teacher values me and, seeing that I’ve been alone in the capital for years, cares deeply about my affairs—especially my marriage. I don’t want to reject his kindness, but I can’t accept it either. I sometimes mention having sisters at home to my classmates. If I have a fiancée, it’ll save me a lot of trouble.”

Shi Buyu crossed her arms and gave him a once-over. “You’re good-looking, and your teacher is highly respected. Even high-ranking officials wouldn’t turn you down. Never thought about marrying into a powerful family? With your intelligence, getting them to work for you wouldn’t be hard. Why not take that path?”

Yan Shi’an flushed slightly from her open praise of his looks. “Maybe because I’m still young enough to mess around a bit. When I’ve worn myself out, maybe I’ll go that route.”

He was refreshingly honest. Shi Buyu yawned again. “I don’t care about empty titles. If it’s useful, then use it. I’m going to rest now.”

Yan Shi’an didn’t stop her. He followed her out of the kitchen and watched as she walked away under the moonlight, even her back radiating ease and confidence.

Since he’d met her, she’d always been like this. As if no situation ever posed a dilemma. Direct and decisive, she charged toward her goal—even with something as serious as a prison break. Once she handed something over, she let go entirely. No second-guessing, no meddling, no questions. She only took care of her part, and once her arrangements were done, she left without hesitation.

So rational, it was almost heartless.