Chapter 92 - 43: Protection (2)

Chapter 92: Chapter 43: Protection (2)

He Jun hesitated, unsure whether to leave or probe a little more. He was caught in a moment of indecision.

"Is it something you’d rather not say? Is there some difficulty? It’s fine. Come on inside. We can have a bowl of water and talk it over slowly." Fang Rui grabbed He Jun’s wrist and pulled him toward the house.

"Huh?!"

As Fang Rui gripped his wrist, He Jun struggled instinctively. But with a single tug, he found he couldn’t break free. Instead, a powerful force pulled him forward.

’Eighth Grade! This man... he’s at least Eighth Grade! And to have such strength at such a young age?!’ He was unspeakably shocked.

At that moment, all other thoughts vanished from He Jun’s mind. He was overcome with terror.

In this era, especially amidst the current upheaval, might made right. If the weak dared to bare their teeth at the strong, they’d be beaten to death!

He quickly retraced his steps, reviewing his behavior since they first met to see if he had been rude in any way. After finding no fault, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

’But what if this man thinks I have designs on Third Sister, that my intentions are malicious? What should I do?’ He Jun grew worried again at this thought.

They went inside.

"Here, Brother He, have some water!" Fang Rui said, turning to pour him a bowl.

"I wouldn’t dare! I wouldn’t dare!" He Jun shot to his feet and rushed to pour the water himself, like an apprentice serving his master.

After pouring the water, he sat down, clutching the bowl with both hands. It was as if he were sitting on nails; he couldn’t keep still. Funnier still, he kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, not daring to spare Third Sister another glance for fear of causing a misunderstanding with Fang Rui.

Afterward, they exchanged a few lines of small talk before He Jun hastily made his excuses to leave.

"Take care, He Jun!"

Fang Rui let him leave.

Perhaps the man had good intentions, or perhaps he coveted Third Sister’s beauty and wealth. Who knew?

Judge by actions, not intentions. At least, in front of him, He Jun had done nothing out of line, nor had he been rude or brazen.

You glance at my woman, so I kill your whole family? You touch my dog, so I annihilate your entire clan?

It wasn’t like that. Not at all.

"Brother Rui!"

Seeing Fang Rui solve the problem so effortlessly, watching a man she had once considered a big shot bow and scrape before him, trying so desperately to please him...

...Third Sister’s limpid autumn eyes filled with adoration. The tender affection within them was like the endless drizzle of the June plum rains in Jiangnan, enough to make a person melt.

Even if Fang Rui didn’t possess such skill, she would have stayed by his side, her heart unwavering. But what woman in the world would refuse her beloved being more capable, bringing her more honor?

Just as a man feels proud of his woman’s beauty, wouldn’t a woman feel proud and happy when her man is capable and brings her honor?

’That look... Third Sister is too good at this...’

Fang Rui felt an itch in his heart, like the scratching of a cat’s paw. He subconsciously pulled Third Sister into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder. He breathed in her elegant, orchid-like fragrance and savored the fine texture of her cascading black hair.

"Ahem!"

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family’s cough came from the kitchen. "Nannan, Ling’Er, it’s smokey out here from the cooking. Stay and play in the inner room, don’t come out!"

This was a hint to the two of them that Fang Ling and Nannan were playing in the inner room, so they shouldn’t go too far.

"Third Sister, stop teasing me. Mother can see," Fang Rui said, taking two steps back with a self-righteous expression.

"Hee hee!"

Seeing Fang Rui’s cute, straight-laced act, Third Sister covered her mouth and giggled. A charming vitality radiated from her, lively and vibrant, like a girl of sixteen.

Amidst her laughter.

SZZZLE!

In the kitchen, vegetables were tossed into the wok, hitting the hot oil. A rich aroma exploded like a firework, filling the air.

’This is nice,’ Fang Rui thought.

Third Sister stopped laughing then. She gently took Fang Rui’s hand and said in a low voice, "Anyway, about what happened today... thank you, Brother Rui."

"Third Sister, you’re being silly again. With our relationship, why the need for thanks?"

Fang Rui wasn’t about to say she was a femme fatale. If you enjoy something, you must bear the corresponding price. If you accept a person, you must accept the corresponding responsibility.

Besides, he knew this was the worst of the trouble Third Sister could possibly bring.

After all, in the eyes of outsiders, Third Sister was just a mature woman of about an eight-out-of-ten in looks. Her hidden talents and inner charm were not for others to know.

Therefore, an Eighth Grade opponent like He Jun was the most she would likely attract.

In truth, even He Jun was more interested in Third Sister’s business acumen. His interest in her personally was just a bonus.

In short, it was as he thought: with his current strength, protecting one Third Sister in Changshan County Town was more than easy enough.

...

"That was terrifying!"

Leaving the Fang Family residence, He Jun patted his chest and let out a long breath as if he had just escaped a disaster, his face pale with lingering fear. "That man is truly strong! With power like that, it’s no wonder Third Sister is with him!"

"A pity..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, just shook his head, not daring to think about it any further.

"Strange, how could there be such a young expert here in Willow Alley? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him before."

He Jun considered trying to find out more, but in the next moment, he dismissed the idea.

First, the situation in the city was chaotic right now. Even if he put in the effort, he might not find anything out. He could better spend that energy on other things.

Second, he figured he probably wouldn’t have any further dealings with Fang Rui in the future, so there was no need to waste his energy.

"Forget it. Who knows, maybe that man is involved in the dirty secrets of some major family. It’s better for a person to know less. That’s how you live a long life!"

He Jun sighed and left without another thought.

...

Flames danced, casting a dim, warm-yellow glow that spread like the light of dusk.

The Fang Family’s dinner tonight was: stir-fried bean sprouts, stir-fried dried wood ear mushrooms, cornbread buns, corn porridge, and a basin of boiled eggs.

The aroma of the food, along with the billowing white steam, spread throughout the small house.

"Come, have an egg. Everyone gets..."

Fang Rui picked up the basin of boiled eggs.

"Brother Rui, we’ll each have one. The rest are for you. You practice martial arts, so you need the nutrition!" Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family interrupted.

"That’s right, Brother Rui, don’t worry about us. One each is enough for us. How could we eat so many?" Third Sister also chimed in.

"Alright, then," Fang Rui finally agreed with a sigh.

As Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family peeled an eggshell, she asked, "While I was cooking, it sounded like someone came by outside. Is everything alright?"

"It was nothing. It’s already been taken care of," Fang Rui said casually.

Indeed, the matter with He Jun might have been a big problem for Third Sister, but for him, it was truly just a minor interruption.

"That’s good."

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family nodded and didn’t ask any more questions. She turned to look at Fang Ling and Nannan, then suddenly rapped Fang Ling on the head with her chopsticks. "You silly girl, what are you doing taking Nannan’s egg yolk? Don’t bully your little sister!"

"I didn’t!"

Fang Ling looked aggrieved. "Nannan likes the egg white more, so I traded my egg white with her."

"That’s right, Grandma!" Nannan said, glancing cautiously at Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family.

After all, she had only been here for a day and was still a bit shy around strangers. She was okay with Fang Rui, but she was a little more afraid of Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family.

"Yes, Ling’Er is looking after her little sister. It’s just a children’s matter, isn’t it? Auntie, please don’t be angry," Third Sister also chimed in.

"Alright, as long as you girls are happy," Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family said, letting the matter drop.

"Eat up! Eat up!"

Fang Rui smiled, placing a serving of bean sprouts on everyone’s plate. He then took a peeled egg, separated the yolk and the white, and gave each part to Fang Ling and Nannan respectively.

"You just spoil them!" Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family said, shaking her head.

Third Sister didn’t speak, just smiled from the side, her eyes gentle.

"How is this spoiling them?!"

Fang Rui shook his head and started peeling another egg. He watched the two little girls eating contentedly with small bites like little hamsters, his gaze softening.

Relatively speaking, Fang Ling, this particular ’little hamster,’ had a better appetite and was cuter for it. Nannan was a bit quieter and seemed more well-behaved.

He also noticed that since Nannan had arrived, Fang Ling had a playmate and had become happier and more lively.

Dinner ended in this lighthearted atmosphere.

...

「After dinner.」

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family went to wash the dishes.

Third Sister was cleaning up.

The two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, were wiping the table.

Just then.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Another knock sounded at the door.

...