Zhou Cheng’s resume was the envy of many.

In this new era of peace, promotion standards have become increasingly strict. Zhou Cheng had been exceptionally fortunate – qualifying for work at age 15 due to his physical capabilities, receiving battlefield promotions for his achievements, and last year, at just 20 years old, he was promoted and transferred to the capital with another advancement. While most people acknowledged his abilities, a small minority harbored jealousy and spoke of him with thinly veiled sarcasm.

Upon returning to his unit, Zhou Cheng donned his uniform, and his casual demeanor vanished. Once in uniform, he transformed into “Zhou Yanlang” (Zhou the King of Hell), known for his fierce determination.

He cast a cold glance at his critic, saying nothing, yet somehow managing to frighten the person who had been speaking sarcastically about him.

The man’s heart skipped a beat – Zhou Cheng’s extended leave had made him forget just how terrifying Zhou Yanlang could be.

“Old Fang, why are you running? I don’t eat people,” Zhou Cheng said with a smile, which only made Old Fang more terrified. Though they were of the same rank, Old Fang couldn’t understand why he feared Zhou Cheng despite being ten years his senior – ah, that was exactly what he resented. Why should Zhou Cheng, ten years his junior, have achieved more merits and reached the same rank as him?

It galled Old Fang that he was equal in rank to 20-year-old Zhou Cheng.

With the current trend of promoting young officials, even if they continued advancing at the same pace, Zhou Cheng would certainly hold a higher position by retirement.

A ten-year head start – how infuriating!

Old Fang gathered his courage and spoke up: “Who says I’m running? Zhou Cheng, you think you’re so impressive.”

Old Fang couldn’t accept how Zhou Cheng had managed to have his disciplinary action canceled. Zhou Cheng ignored him – the disciplinary action had been puzzling, to begin with, and his superiors, concerned about it marring his record, had discussed and converted it to a verbal warning that wouldn’t appear in his file.

Old Fang was just a coward, and Zhou Cheng couldn’t be bothered with him, walking away with measured steps.

Old Fang found it strange and discussed privately with others about how the “King of Hell” seemed different after his “leave.”

“He must be plotting something!”

Zhou Cheng’s improved temperament made Old Fang even more wary. When subordinates saw the King of Hell occasionally smile, they became terrified. Something had to be wrong – who knew if Zhou Yanlang was secretly planning to deal with them?

The leaders were pleased, thinking Zhou Cheng had reflected well on himself and become more mature.

But in reality?

He had simply fallen in love…

At 20, Zhou Cheng had never dated – everyone knew he treated men and women the same.

No one could have imagined Zhou Cheng finding love on his own. They had assumed he would be like those who struggled to marry, forced into arranged marriages approaching 30, but during his leave, he met Xia Xiaolan.

Before returning to duty, they had just confirmed their relationship. Being in love had improved his mood, making others think his personality had softened.

Thinking of Xia Xiaolan made Zhou Cheng want to clutch his chest and grin like a fool – his woman was perfect in every way, and he loved everything about her.

Unfortunately, they were both too young and would have to wait two years to marry.

In a few months, Xiaolan would come to the capital for school.

Zhou Cheng smiled at a leafless willow tree in the training ground, while Old Fang tiptoed past, wondering what evil scheme the King of Hell was planning – why not just confront him directly?

Of course, even in a confrontation, Old Fang couldn’t win against Zhou Cheng.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t attend the Liu family’s pig slaughter.

After helping Liu Yong secure his rental, Xia Xiaolan headed to Yang City with her money.

With 5,000 yuan in capital this time, if managed well, she and Li Fengmei could have more money to open their shop. Since she needed to purchase a lot of goods, she brought Liu Fen along. Liu Fen had never traveled far, with the furthest she’d been being Shang City.

Having a good relationship with Chen Wangda made getting travel permits convenient, and adding Liu Fen’s name allowed Xia Xiaolan to buy train tickets.

The crowded train station made Liu Fen nervous, but when she saw people trying to push against Xia Xiaolan, her maternal instincts kicked in, and she stayed close to protect her daughter from the crowd.

Two train tickets cost over fifty yuan, making the round trip to Yang City cost over a hundred yuan in transportation alone. Not counting lodging and meals, back when Xia Xiaolan first “awoke,” even if she had wanted to take Liu Fen far away, they couldn’t have managed without money or influence.

Now it was different – wherever Liu Fen wanted to go, Xia Xiaolan had the means to take her.

With money in their pockets, they could survive anywhere.

However, being away from home was hard, and Liu Fen wasn’t the type to seek adventure when she could earn well in her hometown. She was extremely satisfied with her current life.

“This time I want to visit a sister who helped me greatly during my first trip to Yang City.”

Bai Zhenzhu sold fruit, and since dates were inexpensive in Shang City, Xia Xiaolan thought she could either eat or sell them, so she brought two bags. Since mother and daughter were traveling light, the dates weren’t a burden.

Fresh dates cost 0.15 yuan per jin, and Xia Xiaolan packed two bags totaling 100 jin.

It cost 15 yuan, and Liu Fen didn’t object.

Everyone was frugal when poor, but now Liu Fen earned more than 15 yuan daily. Since “Sister Bai” had helped before, showing gratitude was appropriate. After more than thirty hours on the train to Yang City, Liu Fen had broadened her horizons. Being naturally quiet, she carried a bag of dates and followed Xia Xiaolan’s lead without complaint.

“Xiaolan, can you manage? Let me carry your bag too.”

Xia Xiaolan refused, “I can manage. Let’s take the bus.”

Though there were usually handcarts available, Xia Xiaolan had too much to purchase this time and might need to arrange shipping.

Yang City, being a major city, had public buses – another new experience for Liu Fen.

Xia Xiaolan asked locals for directions, and after two bus transfers, they reached Bai Zhenzhu’s fruit stand. Yang City was warmer than Shang City, barely cold in early winter. Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen worked up a sweat carrying the dates around before finding the Bai residence.

Bai Zhenzhu’s fruit stand was set up at an intersection.

Yang City’s warm sun made people drowsy. Though the area near Yang City was suitable for growing fruit, seasonal limitations and lack of off-season greenhouse technology meant there weren’t many fruits available in November.

Apples, tangerines, and pomelos occupied most of the stand’s space.

There were also a few withered pears.

“Buying fruit?”

Bai Zhenzhu’s voice was drowsy, but when she opened her eyes, and saw Xia Xiaolan.

“Sister Bai, I came to visit you.”

Bai Zhenzhu felt awkward.

Having grown up playing with boys and mastering family martial arts that made her unbeatable among peers, she had no experience dealing with delicate girls.

Xia Xiaolan was exactly that kind of delicate girl.

Bai Zhenzhu had casually given her address before, never expecting Xia Xiaolan to visit.

“Comrade Xiaolan!”

She stiffly didn’t know what to say, but Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t let her feel awkward and quickly introduced Liu Fen.

Bai Zhenzhu became even more nervous – this was an elder! Though each bag of dates weighed 50 jin, she could easily carry two, this girl was missing something, actually asking Xia Xiaolan if she had come to resell fruit:

“These dates are very fresh, but unfortunately my stand isn’t doing great business… but don’t worry, I’ll help you sell the goods.”