Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

As they walked closer, Liu Mei seemed restless, shifting on her feet and hesitating as if wanting to say something. Every so often, she glanced up at Ace before looking away just as quickly.

Shan Yifeng noticed. So did Ace.

Ace chuckled. "Go ahead."

That was all it took.

Liu Mei took off running, tears already spilling down her cheeks as she sprinted toward the village.

Shan Yifeng watched her go and let out a sigh.

"Uh… Master…" He hesitated, momentarily at a loss for words.

Ace smirked. "Why don't you go ahead too?"

Shan Yifeng shook his head. "It's okay, Master. I'll walk with you."

"Haha, fine, fine. Let's go then."

Ace patted his shoulder, and the two continued forward at a steady pace, following the echoes of Liu Mei's joyful cries.

As Ace and Shan Yifeng walked through the village, the atmosphere felt warm and familiar. The sounds of laughter, chatter, and the occasional clatter of pots echoed from nearby homes.

Shan Yifeng, for all his attempts to act mature, couldn't hold back his childlike curiosity.

He kept glancing around, kicking small rocks as they walked, occasionally running ahead before slowing down again to match Ace's pace.

By the time they reached Liu Hong's house, Liu Mei was already back in her usual home attire—a simple, neatly rolled-up tunic.

She was already at work, helping her mother grind herbs with practiced ease, her small hands moving with a familiarity that spoke of years spent assisting in the family trade.

Her expression was one of quiet joy, her eyes sparkling as she focused on the task.

Every so often, she would glance at her mother, who smiled fondly, gently correcting her grip or adjusting the amount of pressure she used.

It was a heartwarming sight, a stark contrast to the fierce and composed warrior who had stood in the arena just days ago.

Ace leaned against the wooden doorway, watching for a moment before speaking.

"You're right back at it already?"

Liu Mei turned at the sound of his voice, beaming. "Of course, Master! Mother needs help, and I missed doing this."

Liu Hong chuckled. "She couldn't sit still for even a moment. As soon as she arrived, she changed and got straight to work."

Shan Yifeng crossed his arms, nodding as if making a grand observation. "Hmph. You should teach her to relax more, Auntie Hong. She trains all day and now works at home too. No wonder she's so scary in a fight."

Liu Mei puffed her cheeks. "I'm not scary!"

Liu Hong laughed, shaking her head. "Come in, both of you. You've had a long journey."

Ace and Shan Yifeng stepped inside, the familiar scent of dried herbs and warm tea welcoming them.

"It's been a while, Aunty. Can you cook chicken for us?" Shan Yifeng asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Without hesitation, Ace pulled out a Spirit Chicken from his storage. The glowing label above it still read (Level 3)—not that he had the faintest clue what that actually meant.

Liu Hong accepted it with practiced ease, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

"Oh what a good time you all came in; lately, the village has been struggling with a shortage of rain. Food's been scarce."

That got Ace's attention. A problem with the crops? Something to think about later.

"Yifeng, go boil some water."

"Okay, Aunty!" The cheerful boy dashed off to the kitchen like he was on a grand mission.

Meanwhile, Liu Hong turned to the Spirit Chicken, gripped it firmly, and—without hesitation—squeezed its throat.

The chicken let out a strangled cluck, its life snuffed out after a few minutes of struggling.

Liu Hong took the now-lifeless Spirit Chicken and dunked it into the steaming pot of boiled water.

The heat softened the feathers instantly, and without missing a beat, she began plucking them out with a precision that made it look almost effortless.

Feathers flew, steam rose, and in mere moments, the once-proud Spirit Chicken was reduced to a smooth, bare carcass, ready for cooking.

With practiced ease, Liu Hong moved on to the next step.

She deftly chopped the Spirit Chicken into neat pieces, the knife gliding through like a hot blade through butter.

The wok was already heated, a thin layer of oil shimmering under the fire's glow.

As soon as the first piece hit the oil, a satisfying sizzle filled the kitchen.

The rich aroma of frying chicken spread instantly, making Ace and Shan Yifeng instinctively take a step closer.

Liu Hong worked efficiently, tossing in a few herbs and spices as the golden-brown crust formed on the meat.

The fragrance deepened, an intoxicating mix of crisped skin, sizzling fat, and roasted seasonings.

Just then, Liu Mei burst into the kitchen, practically glowing with excitement.

"Momma! I finished grinding all the herbs!" she announced, her hands on her hips, looking every bit like she had conquered a great battle.

She even puffed out her chest proudly, waiting for praise.

Ace chuckled, while Liu Hong simply nodded approvingly. "Good job, Mei'er. Now, come help me prepare the sauce."

"Yes!" Liu Mei beamed, rolling up her sleeves and hurrying over.

Meanwhile, Ace and Yifeng shared a glance—both thinking the same thing.

When's dinner ready?

The lively crackling of the frying chicken was briefly drowned out by a bright, cheerful voice from the entrance.

"Aunty Hong, I'm back! I brought the herbs!"

A young girl strode in with a bright smile, carrying a small bundle of freshly picked herbs. Her energy was infectious, her voice brimming with excitement.

But then, mid-step, she froze.

Her nose twitched as she caught the unmistakable scent of Spirit Chicken sizzling in the wok. Her expression shifted from excitement to curiosity… then to full alert.

"Oooo, I smell chicken—" she started, only to suddenly tense up, eyes darting around the room.

"Wait… who's here? Do we have guests?"

Ace, who had been watching the cooking process with single-minded focus, suddenly turned at the sound of her voice.

The moment he saw her face, his eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

Silence.

A beat passed. Then another.

"Xiao Lin?!"

Her breath hitched. Her grip on the herbs tightened.

"Brother?!"