Butler Wang watched helplessly as Su Nuohan’s figure disappeared behind the thick doors of the Young Marshal’s residence.
In the end, he did not dare to force his way in. He could only leave in a dazed and dejected state.
After entering the residence, Su Nuohan immediately felt as though she was being watched.
She casually lifted her gaze, her eyes lightly drifting toward the bright window of the second-floor study.
As expected, a tall and cold figure stood silently behind it, observing everything downstairs through the glass.
Their gazes briefly met for a moment before Su Nuohan quickly lowered her lashes. Her thick eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes, perfectly showing a hint of “exhaustion” and “disappointment.” Under the escort of a maidservant, she silently walked into the western-style building.
Just as she stepped into the living room, Fu Chengyan came down from the staircase.
He had changed into dark-colored loungewear. His complexion seemed slightly better than yesterday, but his deep eyes remained as sharp as ever, as if they could see through people.
Su Nuohan walked forward two steps, a look of concern naturally appearing on her face. Her voice was gentle. “Are you feeling better?”
Fu Chengyan glanced at her and nodded faintly. Then he asked, “You still don’t plan to go back and take a look?”
Upon hearing this, Su Nuohan immediately showed a perfectly appropriate trace of distress. Her eyes reddened slightly, a thin layer of moisture appearing within them. She gently shook her head, her voice carrying a barely noticeable hint of choking emotion. “No… even if I go back, what can I do? I am neither a detective who can capture bandits nor a deity who can turn stone into gold. Going back would be meaningless.”
She portrayed the image of a tender woman who felt heartache for her maternal family but was utterly powerless, with perfect precision.
Fu Chengyan quietly watched her performance. After a moment, he slowly said, “In that case, I will have Qin Feng make a trip and send over the fifty silver dollars mentioned yesterday.”
Su Nuohan appropriately showed a hint of surprise. “It hasn’t been sent yet?”
“Mm.” Fu Chengyan responded, his gaze still locked on her, not missing any subtle reaction.
Su Nuohan took a light breath, as if calming herself. Then she forced out a grateful yet sorrowful smile. “Alright, thank you. Although these fifty silver dollars cannot restore their previous life, at least… at least they won’t starve on the streets for now. It can help them survive a while longer.”
Her words were extremely well-spoken, full of “kindness” and “helplessness.”
Listening to her seemingly righteous speech, Fu Chengyan’s lips curled almost imperceptibly into a faint, cold smile. “Oh? You truly think so?”
Her smile became even more gentle and helpless, even carrying a trace of understanding toward the Fu family’s situation. “Otherwise? The Young Marshal commands tens of thousands of soldiers. Daily provisions and military pay are enormous expenses. In such difficult times, everything requires money.”
“For you to spare fifty silver dollars to help the Su family is already an act of great kindness and not easy at all. I… am deeply grateful.”
After hearing this, the dark glimmer in Fu Chengyan’s eyes deepened.
What a “deep gratitude,” what a “not easy at all.”
He did not continue pressing on the matter and instead asked casually, “In your opinion, who in Yun City could have such ability—to silently wipe out the Su family cleanly?”
Su Nuohan lightly furrowed her brows and shook her head. “I have been in the countryside before, and I have only returned to Yun City for a few days. I am not familiar with Yun City.”
“Moreover, I am a woman waiting to be married and rarely leave the residence. How would I understand such things?”
“However, I have heard… that the world is not peaceful these days, with bandits everywhere. Perhaps… it was some extremely capable great bandit. Or perhaps… as Madam said, some righteous thief.”
Fu Chengyan looked at her meaningfully and said indifferently, “Talk of ghosts and gods is illusory and unreliable. On the other hand, this ‘great bandit’ who can act so cleanly is truly… astonishing.”
Su Nuohan let out a soft sigh. “Yes… I only hope the police station can solve the case soon and recover the stolen items.”
At that moment.
Madam Fu walked in from the side hall. Seeing the two of them talking, she smiled. “Yan’er, Nuohan, what are you talking about? Have you had breakfast yet?”
Su Nuohan immediately restrained her worried expression and replaced it with a gentle smile as she turned to Madam Fu. “Mother, we were just chatting casually. It’s nothing.”
Fu Chengyan also withdrew his scrutinizing gaze and returned to his usual cold demeanor. “Mother, I will go to the study to handle some official matters.”
Madam Fu shot him a glare. “You brat, is your body better now?”
Fu Chengyan nodded. “Much better.”
Madam Fu chuckled softly. “Good that you’re better. I have a task for you today—you are to take Nuohan out shopping and stroll around the streets.”
“You were already unable to complete the wedding ceremony properly due to your illness on the wedding day. You owe Nuohan that much. Now that you are better, you should spend time with her properly.”
“Mother… I…” he tried to refuse.
“Hmm?” Madam Fu raised her brows sharply.
Fu Chengyan immediately gave in under her gaze and reluctantly agreed.
Seeing this, Su Nuohan smiled and said, “Mother, the Young Marshal commands thousands of men. Military affairs are important. He should not delay matters because of me.”
Madam Fu waved her hand dismissively with a smile. “What military affairs? Don’t worry about that. Today, this boy is yours. Military matters can wait.”
Hearing this, Su Nuohan looked toward Fu Chengyan.
Fu Chengyan also glanced at her, then turned and walked toward the dining room.
The two of them finished breakfast in silence.
Madam Fu acted swiftly and had already ordered a car to be prepared.
Although Fu Chengyan remained cold-faced, he did not object further.
Qin Feng had originally been assigned to go to the Su residence, but Madam Fu called him over again and ordered him to personally drive them.
Fu Chengyan and Su Nuohan sat side by side in the back seat.
The car interior was spacious, yet it felt as though an invisible wall separated them. The air was so heavy it was almost suffocating.
Su Nuohan turned her head to look out the window. The streets of Pingjin City slowly moved backward.
Although the world was in chaos, this northern stronghold still retained its prosperity. Shops lined the streets, and crowds flowed like weaving threads. Yet occasionally passing patrol officers, notices posted on walls, and the voices of children selling newspapers constantly reminded everyone of the tense situation.
Fu Chengyan also looked out the opposite window.
The car finally stopped at a rather bustling street corner.
“Young Marshal, here we are. How is this place?” Qin Feng turned around and asked.
Fu Chengyan looked at Su Nuohan and said indifferently, “This commercial street is quite lively. Shall we stop here?”
Su Nuohan smiled and nodded. “Alright.”
Qin Feng got out to open the door for Fu Chengyan, then quickly went to open the other side for Su Nuohan.
The two stepped out and walked side by side into the commercial street.
Qin Feng followed them at a distance, his sharp eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
A handsome man and woman walking together, combined with Fu Chengyan’s unmistakable military presence, immediately drew the attention of passersby.
Soon, some people recognized Fu Chengyan’s identity and respectfully stepped aside. Others curiously observed the woman walking beside him—Su Nuohan.