The corridor remained quiet as Bai Ming looked at Han Fuji, her gaze steady and thoughtful as she considered his words and the answers he had given her.

For a brief moment, she said nothing.

Then her lips curved slightly.

"If I agree," she said, her tone calm but carrying a faint trace of sarcasm, "then I suppose everything has already been decided."

Han Fuji did not interrupt her.

Bai Ming folded her arms lightly as she continued.

"But I will make one thing clear," she said. "I do not want a grand or complicated wedding."

Her voice remained even.

"I only want something simple," she added. "Something proper enough to silence those people and leave them with nothing to say."

A faint reaction passed through the group behind them.

Han Fuji looked at her, and then a small smile appeared on his face.

"That can be arranged," he said.

His tone carried quiet confidence.

Bai Ming held his gaze for a moment longer.

"Then I agree," she said.

Her words were calm.

For a second, the corridor was silent.

Then the mood shifted.

Fu Fei let out a soft laugh, and Fu Li covered her mouth as her shoulders shook slightly with amusement.

An Li smiled faintly from where she stood.

"I was right," she said lightly. "Three weddings."

Even Fu Teng’s expression eased, though he said nothing.

Han Fuji’s smile deepened slightly, but he did not step closer. He simply looked at Bai Ming, as if committing the moment to memory.

Behind them, Fu Tong frowned slightly, looking from one person to another.

"What did I miss?" he asked.

His voice carried confusion.

That question broke the last of the tension.

Laughter spread quietly through the corridor.

After some time, the laughter faded, and one by one, everyone returned inside the house, leaving the courtyard quiet once again.

In the end, only three of us remained outside.

Fu Sheng stood beside me, calm and steady as always, while An Li remained a short distance away, her posture relaxed but her gaze attentive.

The night air was cool, and the lanterns by the gate cast a soft, steady light as the red ribbons moved gently in the breeze.

For a brief moment, no one spoke.

I turned toward An Li.

"You stayed," I said.

My voice was calm.

She gave a small nod.

"There was no need for me to go in yet," she replied.

Her tone was light, but her eyes remained thoughtful.

Then she spoke again.

"There will be a selection soon," she said. "They are choosing a leader for Unit 50."

I did not show any surprise.

"I know," I said.

Fu Sheng spoke beside me.

"We are already aware," he added.

His voice was calm, but firm.

An Li looked at both of us, then gave a faint nod.

"Then you should also know that this will not be simple," she said.

I stepped slightly forward, my attention fully on her.

"Is there a way to win?" I asked. "Or is the outcome already decided?"

My tone remained steady.

An Li did not answer immediately.

She looked at me carefully before speaking.

"It is not fully decided," she said, "but it is also not completely open."

She paused briefly.

"If you want to win, you cannot rely on strength alone," she continued.

I listened without interrupting.

"You need the trust of the people," she said. "Without that, nothing else will last."

Her words were clear.

"People follow what they believe," she added. "If they believe in you, they will support you even without being asked."

I remained silent, taking in her words.

"You also need stability," she continued. "Food, order, and safety."

Her gaze met mine.

"If your unit is more stable than others, then that alone will give you an advantage."

Fu Sheng spoke quietly beside me.

"That can be built," he said.

His tone carried certainty.

An Li nodded.

"And influence," she added. "You need people who will speak for you, even when you are not present."

She paused briefly.

"Not only your own people," she continued. "Others as well."

I held her gaze.

"Then it is a contest of power," I said.

My voice was calm.

An Li gave a small nod.

"Yes," she replied. "But not one that is fought openly."

Silence followed her words.

The lantern light flickered between us.

"Then we prepare," I said.

My voice was quiet, but firm.

Fu Sheng stood beside me.

"We will not fall behind," he added.

An Li looked at both of us for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

"That is enough for now," she said.

Her tone softened.

"I only came to make sure you were aware," she added.

I gave a small nod.

"I understand," I said.

An Li turned to leave.

Then she paused briefly.

"Do not wait too long," she said. "Others have already started."

Her words were clear.

Then she walked inside.

The courtyard fell silent again.

Only Fu Sheng and I remained.

After An Li left, I stood in the courtyard for a moment longer, then turned and walked inside with Fu Sheng.

The house was warm and filled with quiet movement. The sounds of dishes and low voices came from the kitchen area.

As we approached, I slowed slightly.

Fu Tong was standing near the doorway.

An Nuan stood across from him.

Her posture was calm, her hands lightly folded in front of her.

"I heard about tonight," she said softly. "Congratulations."

Her voice was gentle.

Fu Tong frowned at once.

"I am not married," he said. "It is only an engagement."

His tone was quick, almost defensive.

An Nuan paused.

"I see," she said.

Fu Tong looked away briefly, then spoke again.

"And it does not mean anything," he added. "I am only doing this for now."

His voice was lower.

"Until the warriors come and go," he continued. "After that, everything can be reconsidered."

The words were clear.

An Nuan did not respond immediately.

Her expression did not change, but her fingers tightened slightly against each other.

Fu Tong did not seem to notice.

"It is not like I like her," he added. "This is just... necessary."

Silence followed.

The air between them felt different now.

An Nuan lowered her gaze for a brief moment.

Then she nodded.

"I understand," she said.

Her voice remained soft.

But something in it had changed.

Fu Tong did not look at her.

He only nodded once.

Then he turned slightly, as if the conversation had already ended.

I stood at a distance, watching quietly.

Fu Sheng remained beside me.

I remained where I was for a moment, watching the space between them settle into silence.

Fu Sheng stood beside me.

Then he spoke quietly.

"I think my brother likes An Nuan," he said.

His voice was calm, but certain.

I let out a faint breath.

"It took you long enough to realize," I replied.

My tone was even.

I looked ahead, my gaze resting briefly on An Nuan before I continued.

"But what can we do?" I said. "I am not sure her parents would agree to such a marriage."

Fu Sheng turned slightly toward me.

"Why not?" he asked.

His voice carried quiet curiosity.

I shifted my gaze to him.

"Because this is not only about feelings," I said. "It is about family, position, and stability."

My voice remained calm.

"Right now, everything is uncertain," I continued. "We are still trying to secure our place here, and even the leadership of Unit 50 has not been decided."

Fu Sheng listened without interrupting.

"From their perspective," I added, "this is not a situation they would easily accept."

He remained silent for a moment.

Then his gaze shifted toward Fu Tong again.

"But if he truly likes her," he said, "then it will not end here."

His tone was steady. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

I did not disagree.

"No," I said quietly. "It will not."

The kitchen remained filled with quiet movement.

But beneath it—

Something else had already begun.

After a moment, I turned away from the kitchen.

Fu Sheng followed beside me, and together we moved further into the house.

As we passed the inner corridor, another door opened.

Fu Teng stepped inside his room.

I paused slightly, my steps slowing without drawing attention.

Inside, Zhao Yin had already returned before him.

She had removed her outer clothes and changed into something simple. The room was quiet and orderly, and everything had already been arranged.

Fu Teng entered without speaking.

He did not look at her.

He walked straight past her, his expression calm but distant, and headed toward the inner dressing room.

Zhao Yin stood where she was.

She did not stop him or speak.

She only watched him go.

The space between them felt unfamiliar.

Not tense but not close either.

Fu Teng disappeared behind the inner curtain.

The faint sound of movement followed as he began to change.

Zhao Yin lowered her gaze slightly.

Her hands rested calmly at her sides.

She said nothing.

I stood there for a brief moment, observing quietly.

"Why am I feeling guilty all of a sudden."