In the afternoon, Fang Chiye and his team left. Su Rui went to the county town and deposited the five hundred yuan into the credit union.

There were many street vendors selling agricultural products in town. She bought herbal medicine for Su Li’s lumbar disc problem, got a bag of crispy rice sticks for herself, and purchased some beautiful silk flowers for Su Hongpei and herself.

She couldn’t afford new clothes, but wearing a pretty flower for the New Year would do just fine.

With this unexpected windfall, Su Rui was in a great mood.

When she returned home, Su Chang’e made a few sarcastic remarks, but Su Rui ignored her.

Then Su Chang’e demanded, “What about the fake collar you promised me?”

Su Rui’s expression turned cold. “When did I ever promise you a fake collar?”

Su Chang’e pointed at the scabbed-over wound on the corner of her lips and said, “This! You’re so heartless.”

Su Rui sneered. “I said I’d make you a fake collar if you destroyed the evidence. Is that even evidence?”

Su Chang’e was speechless.

Su Rui smirked. “You even ran off and left me behind that day. We’re even now.”

Su Chang’e grumbled, “I heard you got a bonus, a thick stack shoved right into your pocket.”

Seeing Su Yuqin standing behind Su Chang’e, Su Rui didn’t hesitate to turn out her pockets and said, “The reward was five yuan. I already spent it all.”

Su Yuqin rushed over, saw the mess of things Su Rui was carrying, and scolded angrily, “Wasteful! You get a little money and start burning through it. Just wait until you have to beg on the streets!”

“Mom, say less. Little sister is bringing honor to our family.” Su Hongpei pushed Su Rui toward the west room and whispered, “Mom was caught playing flower cards by Sister Zhao. She got fined two yuan, and her ‘gambling money’ was confiscated. She’s in a foul mood.”

Su Rui didn’t care whether she was in a good mood or not. As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered. She turned and glared at both Su Yuqin and Su Chang’e before stepping into the room.

At dawn, the soft light pierced through the clouds.

A faint mist shrouded the landscape, and frost clung to the blades of grass along the muddy path.

The crackling sound of an electric current carried a broadcast message across every corner of Xiaoba Village.

“Attention, all militia members. Training will begin at precisely 7:30 at the grain-threshing ground.”

“Attention, all…”

Su Rui noticed that it was a bit windy today, so she sneakily layered a thin jacket under her spring-autumn shirt.

Su Li couldn’t carve wooden sticks fast enough to match her needs. He had promised to go up the mountain and cut bamboo for her, but for now, she had to use a sugarcane stalk as her makeshift golden staff.

Though it was a little embarrassing, at least if she got thirsty, she could take a few bites—definitely worth it.

By the time she arrived at the grain-threshing ground, there weren’t many people there yet.

However, one figure stood out in the empty space at the front, moving steadily up and down, doing push-ups.

Fang Chiye had probably just finished his morning run. He was wearing a military tank top, his broad shoulders and narrow waist sharply defined. As he lowered himself with one arm, the muscles on his strong back tensed, his arms firm and powerful. When he pushed himself up, the motion revealed glimpses of his chest through his collar, running down to his Adam’s apple.

Noticing someone approaching, Fang Chiye casually stood up. His orderly ran over and handed him a towel, which he used to wipe his face and neck in an unbothered manner. His well-defined muscles moved fluidly, his abs tight and chiseled.

His rugged and masculine presence made Su Rui’s ears burn. She hesitated three steps away, not daring to move any closer.

“What’s wrong?” Fang Chiye caught her staring but didn’t think much of it. He had no idea how dirty her mind had gotten.

Su Rui stammered for a moment, her brain scrambled by inappropriate thoughts. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Hello, Little Uncle!”

Fang Chiye, who had been about to put on his military jacket, paused. “Was that on purpose?”

Su Rui waved her hands. “It wasn’t! I won’t call you that again.”

Fang Chiye nodded slightly.

Su Rui turned to look at the dusty gray wall. “What now?”

Fang Chiye said, “That means you weren’t focused. Go stand over there as punishment.”

Su Rui glanced at the women arriving in small groups and tried to bargain. “…Can I not?”

Fang Chiye chuckled. “No.”

What a rotten morning!

Su Rui stood stiffly against the wall, gripping her sugarcane like Sun Wukong trapped under Five Finger Mountain, full of resentment.

Fang Chiye didn’t even need to see her face to know she was cursing him in her head.

Fortunately, he was somewhat considerate. Before everyone gathered, he let her off the hook to save her from embarrassment.

“Women are just as capable as men.”

Fang Chiye inspected Xiaoba Village’s militia team. Their basics were solid, and though their techniques were limited, they had clearly trained hard.

The grain-threshing ground was packed with militia members, mostly women. Fang Chiye could tell that Sister Zhao managed the village well and that the women of Xiaoba Village weren’t to be underestimated.

By the time he reached the third group, he couldn’t hold back a smile.

Old Lady Ah Xi leaned on her sugarcane stalk like a walking stick, gazing vacantly at Peach Mountain.

Wanzi held a horse stance with a look of utter despair, mumbling the multiplication table under her breath.

Si’er, a tall and strong woman who could easily fit two Su Rui-sized people inside her, was clinging to Su Rui’s leg, crying for her to stand up for her against a pig that had dared to nudge her.

The so-called “weak and disadvantaged” were all present.

And yet, they were the ones who had achieved merit.

“Attention!”

Fang Chiye blew his iron whistle, giving orders.

Si’er feared no one but Fang Chiye. The moment she heard the whistle, she let go of Su Rui immediately.

Freed at last, Su Rui quickly returned to her team, flashing her little tiger teeth at Fang Chiye in amusement.

Fang Chiye, completely indifferent, said, “Did I smile at you?”

Su Rui’s face fell. “No.”

Fang Chiye poked her shoulder with a small stick. “Keep your neck up. Shoulders tight.”

Su Rui straightened up, expressionless.

Satisfied, Fang Chiye walked a lap around the group before stepping away.

Su Rui had already begun mentally drafting a letter to her big brother, full of complaints about this damnable Captain Fang.

But she quickly tossed those thoughts aside when Fang Chiye moved to the center of the field and demonstrated a sharp and powerful set of military combat moves.

Realizing he was going to teach them military boxing, Su Rui was thrilled. Instantly, she found him a lot more pleasing to the eye.

By noon, Sister Zhao had arranged for a large pot of food to be sent over, indicating they would continue training in the afternoon.

Su Rui was full of energy, eating heartily and looking as refreshed as ever.

The others, however, were exhausted. A whole morning of training was more draining than nonstop farm work. Si’er, in particular, collapsed onto the ground and immediately fell asleep.

After lunch, Fang Chiye walked down the ridge by the grain-milling field, giving orders to his orderly.

Squatting on the ground, Su Rui shoveled food into her mouth while watching his back, finding it oddly appetizing.

She figured Fang Chiye had to be taller than her estimated 185 cm. She had no idea what this guy ate to grow like that—tall, lean, and muscular. Truly enviable.

“Comrade, is this the Xiaoba Village militia training site?”

A woman in a cadre uniform walked around the dusty wall. She carried a rare genuine leather handbag, and in the pocket of her jacket, two Parker pens were neatly tucked.

“Yes, all of Xiaoba Village’s militia members train here.”

Realizing her crouched eating posture wasn’t the most elegant, Su Rui held up her bowl and stood up. “What do you need?”

“Hello, Comrade. My name is Zhao Feijing. I’m a journalist from the capital, and this is my press ID.”

Noticing that Su Rui seemed to be in charge, Zhao Feijing handed her the ID and said, “I’m here to confirm if Captain Fang is training the militia. I also have some personal business with him.”

Only now did Su Rui realize that Zhao Feijing was quite tall. Hearing that she had personal business with Fang Chiye, she immediately pointed to a small figure about a hundred meters away.

“There. He’s over there talking to his orderly.”

Zhao Feijing had a good impression of this pretty rural girl and took the initiative to shake hands, saying, “Thank you.”

Su Rui also found Zhao Feijing quite likable, especially her standard Beijing accent, which sounded particularly crisp and lively.

Zhao Feijing walked a few steps, thought for a moment, then turned back to Su Rui and asked, “Can I ask you something?”

Su Rui said, “Go ahead.”

Zhao Feijing opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, “Never mind, I’ll ask him first.”

There was no need to say who “him” referred to.

Su Rui watched her with sharp eyes as she walked toward Fang Chiye. Halfway there, she even stopped to fix her hair and straighten her clothes.

Oh wow, she was really making a move.

Meanwhile, Fang Chiye noticed a jeep approaching from a distance and had already turned toward the grain-threshing ground.

The two met at the edge of the threshing ground and exchanged a few words before Fang Chiye glanced at his watch and picked up his whistle, ready to gather everyone. Zhao Feijing, however, looked at him with more than just admiration—there was clear affection in her eyes. She seemed to want to keep talking.

Being admired by a woman like this and still acting indifferent—was this man made of stone?

Even so… Su Rui quickly called out to Wanzi and the others, determined to make sure their group was the first to stand in formation.

Su Rui stared at Fang Chiye, waiting for him to blow the whistle. But after watching for a long time, she realized he wasn’t blowing it at all. Instead, he was motioning for her to come over.

Su Rui pointed to herself. “Me?”

Fang Chiye nodded.

She ran over with quick steps. Fang Chiye handed her the whistle and said, “Lead everyone in practicing what we learned this morning.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Su Rui noticed that Comrade Zhao’s expression didn’t look too good. She immediately understood—this was probably a case of unrequited love.

Just as she was about to leave, Zhao Feijing spoke faster than Su Rui could take a step. She asked Fang Chiye, “I heard you have someone you like.”

Su Rui froze in place—someone he liked?!

What a juicy piece of gossip! Was Fang Chiye secretly in love with someone? Was this a hidden subplot? So thrilling!

Fang Chiye seemed to notice the way the little girl perked up her ears. He sighed helplessly and said, “No, I don’t.”

Su Rui: Not admitting it, huh?

Zhao Feijing suddenly grabbed Su Rui’s wrist, startling her. “What are you doing?”

Zhao Feijing said, “You seem to know him well. Do you know who he likes?”

Fang Chiye stepped forward to stop her. “Don’t mess around. Let go.”

“We’re not close,” Su Rui quickly said. “I have no idea.”

Realizing she had lost her composure, Zhao Feijing let go of Su Rui’s wrist and exhaled. “I came all this way, and you won’t even see me? And now you won’t admit you like someone?”

Su Rui glanced at Fang Chiye, hoping he would be honest. Couldn’t he see that Comrade Zhao’s eyes were already turning red?

Fang Chiye noticed the look of reproach on the little girl’s face and sighed. “I don’t lie. If I say I don’t have someone I like, then I really don’t.”

Su Rui’s rationality snapped back into place. Other people might lie, but this was Fang Chiye. If he said it, she believed it.

Zhao Feijing took a step back. “Fine. If you won’t admit it, I’ll expose the truth myself.”

Fang Chiye frowned. “What are you going to do?”

Zhao Feijing said, “They say you have a photo of your special someone in your office. I’m going to see for myself who has you so mesmerized.”

She turned on her heel and walked away.

The guard beside Fang Chiye grew nervous. “Captain, should we stop her?”

Fang Chiye was using a temporary shared office, with people coming and going, so no important documents were stored there. But Zhao Feijing was right about one thing—the photo was indeed in the top drawer.

There was no point in saying anything more. She was determined to make a scene. “Find someone to follow her. Don’t let her cause trouble.”

“Yes, sir!” The guard looked between Fang Chiye, Su Rui, and Zhao Feijing, feeling a headache coming on.

The captain had finally gotten himself involved in relationship drama.

Su Rui, unaware of his gaze, saw Zhao Feijing walking off and quickly followed. She grabbed her wrist.

Zhao Feijing shook her off and said in a hoarse voice, “What do you want?”

Su Rui pointed in the opposite direction. “You’re going the wrong way. Zhuye Mountain is to the north, not west.”

Zhao Feijing stopped in her tracks, quickly turned back, and said a curt “thanks” before continuing forward.

Su Rui followed her again.

Zhao Feijing glanced sideways. “Am I going the wrong way again?”

Su Rui hesitated, then said, “No, but the steps leading up to Zhuye Mountain are slippery. Be careful.”

“I know.” Zhao Feijing narrowed her eyes. “Then why are you still following me?”

Su Rui looked at Fang Chiye, then lowered her voice. “If you find the photo, can you share it with me?”

Zhao Feijing frowned. “Why should I?”

Su Rui leaned in mysteriously. “I want to see what kind of ‘little vixen’ managed to steal his heart.”

Zhao Feijing was amused by the term “little vixen” and patted her bag. “I have film. Once I get a copy, I’ll make sure to give you one!”