Qin Shoucheng felt very wronged.

Not only was his whole body in pain, but his elder brother didn’t even give him a chance to plead for mercy.

Clearly, it was his elder brother who called him over to explain the matter about the “affair with a young man,” but now he was being beaten to the point of agony, and his elder brother hadn’t mentioned a word about it.

Qin Shoucheng didn’t doubt that his second brother was lying, nor did he think that his elder brother was deliberately targeting him.

In his eyes, it seemed like his elder brother was testing him, but the result was not satisfactory.

With a sigh, Qin Shoucheng climbed up from the ground, feeling wronged.

He didn’t dare to resist his elder brother.

This elder brother, who had left home when he was seven and had been gone for five years, had left a faded impression in his mind.

However, he still remembered that when he was younger, his elder brother often played with him and would lift him high into the air.

At that time, he was the proudest child in Baili Village because he had two older brothers and one older sister.

But now, having left Baili Village, he was the most miserable boy in Yunxiang County.

Qin Fang didn’t press him too hard.

After letting out some frustration by beating him, he stopped and walked in front of Qin Shoucheng, looking down at him. “Can you stand up straight now?”

Qin Shoucheng replied, “Yes.” His voice was weak, lacking confidence.

Qin Fang said, “I can’t hear you. Speak louder.”

Scared, Qin Shoucheng quickly shouted, “I can!” After responding, he nervously looked at Qin Fang, fearing that he might say his voice wasn’t loud enough again.

Fortunately, Qin Fang didn’t push him further. He said, “When I left home to join the army, I was three years older than you. Although I was taller and stronger, I had eaten less meat in sixteen years than you have in just one month.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Shoucheng felt a pang in his heart. “Elder Brother, I…”

He didn’t know what he wanted to say, but he felt an overwhelming sadness inside.

Qin Fang didn’t look at his expression and continued, “I am your elder brother, and I have the responsibility to ensure you live well. However, this good life for you is something I fought for on the battlefield with my life.

In those five years, many familiar faces in our military camp went to the battlefield and never returned. When they didn’t come back, new faces replaced them. As I looked at those new faces, I couldn’t help but wonder when I would be replaced by them.”

Qin Shoucheng’s eyes turned red. “Elder Brother…”

Qin Fang continued, “But I can’t. Because I still have our grandparents, our father and mother, and younger siblings at home. So, I don’t have time to think about anything else. My time is spent training, making myself stronger, because only in this way can I safely return to Baili Village in five years.”

Tears streamed down Qin Shoucheng’s face, and he couldn’t utter a single bitter word.

He was naturally a mature child, but the grievances in his heart were now replaced by a different emotion.

Even Qin Shouye, who was secretly eavesdropping, lowered his head.

He knew that his elder brother had it tough but had never thought deeply about it.

It was also because they saw their elder brother’s success that they forgot the sacrifices behind it, and all those sacrifices were made with lives.

The military camp and the battlefield had always been suffocating places.

Suddenly, Qin Fang reached out and touched Qin Shoucheng’s head.

His serious tone softened, and he added a rare hint of a smile, “However, I’m very happy that my little brother, who once wore open-crotch pants and needed me to carry him up the mountain, has grown up.”

Qin Shoucheng was taken aback, his teary eyes gazing blankly at Qin Fang.

Why was his serious elder brother smiling?

He realized that since his elder brother returned home last March, he hadn’t seen him smile like this.

No, there had been times when he smiled, but that was when he was with his sister-in-law.

In front of them, Qin Fang had never smiled.

In his heart, Qin Fang was like a mountain, taller and more awe-inspiring than their grandfather and father. “Elder Brother?”

Qin Fang said, “You did well today. You encountered a situation without acting impulsively; you thought it through and also knew to seek advice from your older second brother. I’m very pleased that my younger brother has become a man capable of holding up the family during my absence.”

“Elder Brother…” Qin Shoucheng sobbed, tears streaming down his face.

This was the first time he had heard his elder brother praise him, and it made him happier than any praise from their grandfather or father.

Ever since he had gone to the border, he had felt pressure and deeply wanted his elder brother’s recognition.

Watching his elder brother and sister-in-law’s affectionate interactions made him envious, but he didn’t know how to achieve that.

At this moment, he finally… Qin Shoucheng cried like a child.

After all, he was still a child.

Qin Fang didn’t offer any comfort; a man should cry it out, and there was no need for consolation. “Do you know why I brought your second brother here today?”

Qin Shoucheng shook his head. “Isn’t it to explain the matter about, That young man…”

Qin Fang slapped him hard on the back, causing Qin Shoucheng to shrink back in pain.

Then he heard Qin Fang’s loud voice: “What young man? If you dare to slander me again, you won’t get dinner. Remember, I’m your big brother. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me directly, without needing to go through your second brother.” After saying this, he looked towards Qin Shouye, who was hiding in the shadows.

Qin Shouye suddenly tensed up, and shortly after, he heard his second brother say, “You too.”

Qin Shouye was stunned for a moment, then foolishly smiled, feeling that the five-year gap between the brothers seemed to disappear in an instant.

The sense of distance caused by Qin Fang’s success also vanished suddenly.

Compared to Qin Shoucheng’s vague feelings towards their elder brother, Qin Shouye had a much clearer impression of him, especially since he was already ten years old back then.

Qin Shouye stepped out from the corner. “Big Brother.”

Qin Fang said, “Let’s go eat; your sister-in-law must be waiting impatiently.”

Qin Shouye and Qin Shoucheng replied, “Mm.”

Qin Fang went to the inner courtyard, and Qin Shouye and Qin Shoucheng returned to their own courtyard.

In the courtyard, Niu Dan was waiting for them to eat.

Upon seeing Qin Shoucheng being carried back by Qin Shouye, Niu Dan curiously asked, “What happened to Third Brother? His clothes are all torn.”

Qin Shoucheng pouted and didn’t want to speak, his mind still echoing Qin Fang’s words: I’m your big brother. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me directly, without needing to go through your second brother.

Qin Shouye replied, “He went to be a thief.”

Naturally, Niu Dan didn’t believe this, making him even more curious.

He pestered Qin Shouye, “Second Brother, tell me! Second Brother, Second Brother…”

Qin Shouye said, “You’re so annoying.”

Yang Haiyan had already called for the dishes to be served.

The freshly made dishes were a bit hot, so they were set aside to cool until Qin Fang returned, making it just in time to eat.

It hadn’t been half an hour when Qin Fang returned, drenched in sweat.

The weather was already hot, and with the sparring, he was sweating even more.

Seeing this, Yang Haiyan said, “You should wash up before eating; otherwise, you’ll feel uncomfortable.”

Qin Fang agreed, “You eat first; don’t wait for me.”

But what’s the point of eating alone? Yang Haiyan decided to wait.

Once Qin Fang finished washing up and came out, she curiously asked, “How did you train Shoucheng?”

Qin Fang knew his wife loved gossip.

On the surface, she was gentle and virtuous, but deep down, she had a strong penchant for gossip.

However, he was happy to indulge her.

He took a sip of the soup she had prepared and then recounted the events: “Though lying to the teacher to ask for leave is wrong, he is somewhat steady and smart. He knows he’s young and can’t make decisions yet, so he asks Shouye for advice. He’s growing up.”

Yang Haiyan noticed his expression was different from before and understood that he was only pretending to be angry to show to Qin Shouye.

She smiled and said, “Shoucheng is originally a well-behaved and steady child; it’s just that his thoughts have become a bit more lively.”

Qin Fang was puzzled, “Lively?”

After spending time together, he occasionally heard her use some strange words.

These terms were not difficult to understand, but their usage was peculiar; he just hadn’t heard anyone describe them this way before.

However, it wasn’t anything serious.

Yang Haiyan explained, “Yes, it means he’s very lively. Compared to when he first came here last year, his personality has opened up a lot.”

Qin Fang thought about it and agreed.

Baili Village

Second Uncle Qin had been in Yunxiang County for quite some time, and he returned to Baili Village at the beginning of July.

Qin Fang was worried about his uncle traveling alone, so he had him travel with the escort team.

Now, Second Uncle Qin was riding in the escort team’s cart, returning home.

“Who is this?”

“Wow, the one in the cart must be a big shot.”

“Let’s go see; we don’t know where this big shot is from.”

In July, the weather was hot, and there wasn’t much work to do in the fields.

Some people went to the town or county to find work, while the remaining women had nothing to do but gossip in the village.

Second Aunt Qin loved to chat.

Ever since Qin Fang became successful, she loved it even more.

Although Second Aunt Qin acted timid in front of Qin’s mother and grandmother, she was quite fierce in front of others.

She had always been bold due to her personality, and with three sons and four grandchildren in the family, having many men around gave her confidence.

Now, her boldness came from Qin Fang’s success; no one in Baili Village dared to challenge her.

On the contrary, many people came to her for matchmaking, hoping to win over their second daughter.

Their second daughter was sixteen this year.

Generally speaking, even fifteen-year-old girls should be considered.

However, last year, as soon as the second daughter learned embroidery, Second Aunt Qin couldn’t bear for her to get married and wanted to wait until she was eighteen to earn some money for the family.

Little did she know that by holding her back, Qin Fang’s success changed everything.

The second daughter’s status was now different.

Even if they separated their family, if something happened to her, wouldn’t Qin Fang step in?

Even if he didn’t, wouldn’t Grandpa and Grandma Qin intervene?

Thus, the second daughter was no longer the same as before.

Second Aunt Qin felt that all this was thanks to her.

With Qin Fang’s success and the additional land provided to the second branch, the rented land could also bring in some income, so Second Aunt Qin stopped withholding the second daughter’s embroidery wages, allowing her to save up for her dowry.

Second Aunt Qin believed she was the best mother in Baili Village.

It was afternoon, and everyone was gathered together chatting.

Second Aunt Qin, munching on sunflower seeds, disdainfully remarked, “It’s just a cart; our Ah Fang has a horse and even guards.”