"Chai's running low!" Zhou Ni exclaimed anxiously. "Hurry up and take some out! Oh, look at you, so clumsy. Just pick me up and carry me over; I'll manage it myself."

In my rush, I scooped Zhou Ni into my arms and carried her to the hearth, setting her down so she could arrange the firewood herself. As expected, with her experience, the flames quickly roared to life. Instead of watching the fire, my gaze dropped to Zhou Ni cradled in my embrace.

She was truly beautiful. Though her complexion was slightly darker, it spoke of health and nature. Moreover, the darkness was only on the exposed parts; looking down past her collar, the skin beneath was pure, pristine white. That expanse was so generous and fragrant, immediately stirring memories of my wives' soft bosoms. I should call home soon, or they’d worry.

"What are you staring at, silly? Put me down now," Zhou Ni tapped me lightly. Her cheeks flushed crimson; it was the first time a man had held her like this, and she noticed his eyes kept straying toward the inside of her collar.

I carefully placed Zhou Ni back onto the stool and instinctively wiped a hand across my sweaty face. "It’s blazing hot. I’ll find you a fan; you can fan yourself while tending the fire."

"Hee hee hee, you go look in a mirror yourself, hahaha!" Zhou Ni suddenly burst into laughter.

I bolted into the room and rushed to the mirror. Damn it, I was truly covered in soot this time. Looking at my hands, I realized where the grime on my face had come from. It seemed rural life was too unfamiliar; I really wasn't adapted yet.

Washing my face, I stood by the kitchen, drying it as I spoke to Zhou Ni. "To be honest, I'm also a student at Longteng University. I'm a freshman in the Finance Department. How about you?"

Zhou Ni's voice held a hint of dejection. "I was almost a freshman in the Agricultural Science Department."

I questioned her. "Why study agricultural science? Other departments are good too."

Zhou Ni sighed. "You city kids have grand ambitions, but all we know is digging in the dirt. If I don't study agriculture, what else would I study?"

"That's true; the living environment greatly influences one's choice of university major. Once this local issue is resolved in a couple of days, we’ll leave together. I know some people at Longteng University, so being a few days late for registration isn't a major problem. Tomorrow, you study hard, come back, and build a modern farm to ensure our nation achieves complete self-sufficiency in grain."

Zhou Ni let out a heavy sigh. "Why is everything so simple when it comes from your mouth? I know you're a capable city person, but the fish are gone. Setting aside my tuition, my brother's tuition for this semester is still uncertain. Besides, if I leave, what about Mom? How can she manage plowing over a dozen mu of land all by herself?"

I pondered for a moment. "Don't worry. Bring your mother to the capital too. I'll find her an easy job there paying over three thousand yuan a month. Then, you and your brother can help out in your spare time, and earning a thousand or so monthly for living expenses will be enough. Afterward, we'll save up to buy your brother an apartment. Then, young ladies and lads will flock to you two siblings, and I guarantee your mother won't be able to stop smiling."

Zhou Ni laughed—a genuine, radiant laugh. It was the first time she had smiled so happily since her father's accident. "Zhao Qian, no matter what, I thank you. Although what you describe sounds incredibly distant, it has at least given me some hope. I will work hard. Perhaps one day we will meet in the capital. Just don't pretend you don't recognize me then."

"Do I sound that mercenary? I know you don't fully believe this, but in a few days, I'll contact my family and we'll leave. As for Zhang Tiancheng, I'll arrange for people to deal with them later. You absolutely cannot let this delay your precious study time. Of course, when it’s time for his execution, we will definitely invite you to attend the proceedings."

Seeing that I wasn't joking, Zhou Ni froze. "You can't be serious? Who exactly are you?"

"Of course, I'm serious. I never joke. Who am I? Didn't I just say? Zhao Qian—the Zhao from Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, the Qian from Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li."

Zhou Ni was caught between laughter and tears. "I'm not asking for your name; I want to know your status, your identity."

"Didn't I tell you just now? A freshman in the Finance Department at Longteng University. However, I omitted one thing."

Zhou Ni anxiously pressed, "What?"

"I'm actually quite old. After graduating from high school, I served five years in the military before my father forcibly made me return to college."

Zhou Ni chuckled. "Who would believe that? You look no older than twenty, perhaps even eighteen. You just seem a bit wise beyond your years."

"Hehe, as long as you don't mind. Oh, by the way, why hasn't Auntie come back yet? Maybe I should go out and look for her."

Crash! The door was suddenly slammed open. The village woman I'd met at the village entrance burst in. "Nini, it's bad! Your mother is being beaten outside! Hurry and look! I think it might be people from Zhang Tiancheng's side!" The woman bolted out the door, clearly not wanting to invite trouble for herself.

"What!" Zhou Ni sprang up from the stool. "Ow!" Her legs couldn't support her weight, and she started to collapse again.

I caught Zhou Ni just in time, placing her back on the stool, and threw a towel onto the floor. "Damn it! Which blind idiot dared to show up? Zhou Ni, don't be afraid. I'm going out to check; I’ll be right back. I guarantee your mother will be fine. You absolutely must not move."

How could Zhou Ni not be terrified? She was petrified. It looked like Zhang Tiancheng had sent people for revenge. Her mother's health was already frail; how could she stand against those men? If something happened to her mother, how would Zhou Ni continue to live? In an instant, Zhou Ni pinned all her hopes on the 'Great Pervert.' This morning, he handled three men with ease; even if Zhang Tiancheng brought more people, it should be fine, right?

After a moment of silent prayer, Zhou Ni couldn't sit still any longer. She pushed herself up, leaning on the wall, and hopped slowly toward the courtyard on one foot. In her mind, she thought that if the 'Great Pervert' could bring her mother back unharmed, let alone being his girlfriend, she would willingly serve him like an ox or a horse. Thinking further, if things truly unfolded as he described—avenging her father, solving her and her brother's tuition, and taking her mother to work in a big city—she could never repay the favor, even as a slave.

Hopping too quickly, Zhou Ni tumbled down into the courtyard with a thud. Ignoring the pain, she continued to pray for her mother's safety. "Zhao Qian, you must bring my mother back safely. Even if you treat me like you did last night, I won't be angry. I'm begging you... Heaven bless, Buddha bless, Guanyin bless..."

Just as Zhou Ni finished reciting the names of the divine beings, both Eastern and Western, the sound of chaotic footsteps echoed from the doorway. Zhou Ni looked up, and her face went pale with fright. It wasn't Zhao Qian and her mother entering, but a group of men!

It’s bad. The 'Great Pervert' must have been defeated, and they rushed in here. But wait, why did these men look so strange? Every one of them was either dragging a leg or supporting an arm, and their faces were swollen like steamed buns. The fight must have been brutal. Could something have happened to the 'Great Pervert'?

However, the sound that immediately followed from outside made Zhou Ni breathe a massive sigh of relief. She suddenly smiled. Could this 'Great Pervert' truly be a god sent from heaven to help them? Why had their family's situation taken such a sudden positive turn since he arrived?

"Line up, every single one of you! You will each kowtow one hundred times. If your performance is satisfactory, you might be released early. Poor performance will result in an added penalty. We'll discuss other matters after the kowtows are finished."