He quietly pressed his ear against the window, recognizing the voice as somewhat familiar—and male.

Late at night, a man sneaking around—Sizhe already had his suspicions.

His nerves instantly tightened. This man must be here to demand money. What if he’s armed?

Sizhe decided to scare him off. “Who are you? What are you doing at my house in the middle of the night?” he called out.

Yu Sheng only then realized he’d knocked on the wrong door. He hurried to slip away—getting caught would mean facing either theft or indecency charges, neither of which he could afford.

But as the saying goes, while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole lurks behind.

Before he could even spot them, two burly men waiting outside struck the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious.

Now, Xiao Yi had no choice but to step in. He’d assumed Nan Sheng had been caught in an affair and that the man had fled, leaving her alone to face the Lin Family’s wrath.

Tsk, what a shame—a comrade with such questionable morals!

So, after scaring off one, Sizhe ended up with two (plus one more).

Xiao Yi’s knocking wasn’t exactly quiet. Before Sizhe could decide what to do, Nan Sheng woke up too. She dressed and came out, finding her son already there.

“You’re awake too? Who’s outside?”

“No idea!”

Sizhe didn’t know how to describe the man. Better to let his mother see for herself.

“It’s me, Xiao Yi!”

What was he doing here at this hour?

Though annoyed, Nan Sheng opened the door—otherwise, the neighbors would gossip, and no amount of explaining would help.

Once inside, she saw Xiao Yi and the town’s postman dragging in an unconscious man. She frowned. “Did you kill someone?”

Xiao Yi nearly laughed in frustration. He wanted to correct her—it was adultery, not murder! And who was he doing this for, anyway?

“Comrade, maybe take a look at his face before jumping to conclusions.”

Nan Sheng shut the door and led them to the west room. Xiao Yi explained first.

“I finished work late and had a buddy who knew where you lived. He brought me to check the place out so I could sign the contract first thing tomorrow.

Then I saw this guy at your window, calling for someone before scrambling to run off. I figured he might cause trouble for you, so I knocked him out.”

Nan Sheng relaxed. Of course—a businessman of his stature wouldn’t act recklessly.

Xiao Yi yanked Yu Sheng’s hair back, forcing his face into view. Nan Sheng’s pulse jumped. He looked too familiar—she’d even felt his abs once, back when she was still the original owner. He must be here for money.

“He won’t wake up suddenly, will he?”

Xiao Yi raised a brow. What, did she want to make sure he never woke up?

Nan Sheng met his gaze. “Yi-ge, since you’re helping, finish the job. Take him with you when you leave—dump him anywhere.”

Xiao Yi realized things weren’t as he’d assumed, but it wasn’t his place to pry. He signaled Little Qi to drag Yu Sheng to the living room to stand guard while he and Nan Sheng discussed business in the west room.

Sizhe listened quietly the whole time.

Xiao Yi pulled out two copies of the contract. “Everything’s written as you requested. If there are no issues, I’ll have my men start testing the ice-making process tomorrow. The stones—I’ve already arranged for saltpeter to be sourced.”

Not much for now, just a trial run.

Once the contract was signed and stamped, the saltpeter ice-making formula was in Xiao Yi’s hands. The detailed instructions were like treasure to him.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take the formula and skip out on payment?”

Though he had integrity, this woman’s boldness was something else—partnering in business without even knowing who he was or where he came from.

Nan Sheng extended her hand. “I haven’t properly introduced myself. I’m Nan Sheng. My husband is a battalion commander, and in a few days, he’ll be taking up a post as a clerk at the town government office.”

Xiao Yi suddenly found it hard to breathe. Damn—a black-market dealer running into a government clerk, the kind who could shut down your business with a word!

Nan Sheng teased, “No raising grain prices, got it? Or I’ll report you and have the militia patrol that street every day!”

Xiao Yi quickly adjusted his attitude, shaking her hand briskly. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Nan-jie! Your word is law. This is our joint venture—please go easy on us.”

With Nan Sheng’s government ties, the source of her ice-making formula needed no further questioning. Before leaving, Xiao Yi asked, “Nan-jie, want us to take care of him?”

Nan Sheng shot him a look. “Just some personal grudges. No need to kill anyone.”

Though she didn’t say more, Xiao Yi was sharp—he could see how much she despised the unconscious man. Before dumping him, he made sure to wake him up, only to knock him out again.

“Yi-ge, even if that Nan-jie works for the government, do we really have to grovel like that?”

Little Qi had a decent impression of Nan Sheng, but Xiao Yi was his role model. Seeing him fawn over her didn’t sit right.

“What do you know?” Xiao Yi snapped. “From now on, show Nan-jie respect. Her government connections are a huge advantage for us. A single tip from her could feed us for years.”

Right now, Xiao Yi truly saw Nan Sheng as a business benefactor—one he couldn’t afford to slight.

The next day, Nan Sheng and Sizhe overslept. Worse, the boy still had school.

“Eight o’clock already. Since you’re late anyway, eat first, then I’ll take you.”

Sizhe blinked. Shouldn’t they rush to school immediately?

“Mom, Teacher Tang makes late students stand in punishment!”

Nan Sheng, busy cooking, gave him a disappointed glance. “Son, you’re so naive! Just say today’s your mother’s death anniversary—that’s why you’re late. The teacher won’t mind.”

“I can’t lie!” That was Sizhe’s bottom line.

“It’s not a lie! You didn’t say you went to visit a grave.”

Breakfast was buttered prawns and rice. After last night’s excitement, both mother and son needed the energy.

As they were leaving, Siqi woke up. Nan Sheng told her to stay put—she’d be back soon.

Nan Sheng pedaled fast, arriving at the school by 8:40. Sizhe watched her, thinking, If you walk me to class, I’ll serve you hand and foot for life.

But Nan Sheng turned and left without a second glance—her exit as cold as her disdain for the chatty Teacher Tang.

This was Sizhe’s first time being late. At the classroom door, Teacher Tang signaled the class to study on their own.

“Lin Sizhe, why are you late? Did your stepmother refuse to let you come?”

Sizhe shook his head, murmuring, “Today’s my mother’s death anniversary.”

Though he escaped punishment and even earned a sympathetic look from the teacher, Sizhe felt no joy—only the loss of something important.

Integrity, where have you gone?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep