Chapter 5: Mu Wanguan Is Sent to the Countryside

Mu Wanguan refused to believe it and secretly channeled her ability again.

She discovered that her once vast sea of consciousness now held only a tiny speck of "green"...

Had her ability really plummeted from SS-rank to F?

No, it wasn't even F-rank; it was inferior to that of a newborn infant. If she weren't so deeply familiar with her own powers and born with immense mental fortitude, she wouldn't have even detected its existence.

What was happening?!

For the first time, a sense of dread sprouted in Mu Wanguan’s heart. She hadn't felt this panicked even when she left the interstellar federation and traveled through space-time.

"What's wrong?" Fang Yinnian stood up abruptly; he was the first to notice that something was off with her.

A moment ago, the girl had been smug, her face glowing with triumph despite the mud caked upon it. Yet, in the blink of an eye, those phoenix eyes, which seemed capable of outshining the stars, had dimmed with unease.

The moment Fang Yinnian stood, the wild grass Mu Wanguan hadn't yet stuffed into her pocket slipped from her unsteady grip, threatening to fall to the ground.

Fang Yinnian stepped quickly to her side, instinctively catching the grass. "Did you remember something?" he asked.

He assumed that whatever Fang Wenbin had threatened her with earlier was only just sinking in, causing her current distress. "You—"

"Wow, I'm done for!" Mu Wanguan snatched back her "treasure," clutching the mud-stained bundle to her chest and letting out a loud wail.

Fang Yinnian’s temple throbbed, but he crouched down beside her, patiently coaxing, "Don't talk nonsense. What exactly is the matter? Did Fang Wenbin threaten you again?"

"Don't be afraid, I won't let you be sent to the countryside—"

The countryside?

Right, there was also the matter of being sent to the countryside.

The time she was currently in was 1970, in the New Huaxia Republic. According to ancient historical records, being "sent to the countryside" during this era meant going to rural areas full of various plants to perform manual labor.

She could do that!

As long as her ability remained, as long as there were enough plants, she could restore her powers to their peak—or even upgrade them.

Her path was not yet blocked.

Mu Wanguan abruptly lifted her dirty little face, leaning in close before Fang Yinnian could react. "I want to go to the countryside!"

Too close.

The girl’s face was too close. He could even smell the faint, fresh fragrance wafting from her.

Fang Yinnian’s breath hitched, and he leaned back.

It wasn't until the girl's scent faded slightly that he raised a hand, poking her forehead with his index finger to push her away.

"Absurd!" Fang Yinnian’s voice was cold and sharp, a stifled frustration burning in his chest.

He didn't even know why he was angry. He stood up and gestured at Mu Wanguan, who was looking up at him. "Just how long are you going to keep making a scene? Who was it that said they would rather die than go to the countryside?"

That "who," of course, referred to the original host, who had said it while throwing a tantrum after learning about Fang Yinnian’s accident and his forced retirement from the plantation.

But that was then, and this was the current Mu Wanguan.

Mu Wanguan refused to accept it. She jumped up and looked at him defiantly. "Who’s making a scene? It wasn’t me, anyway."

"You!"

"Enough!" Fang Xun struck his cane heavily against the floor. Looking at the two who were about to bicker again, he asked, "Can someone tell me who you saw outside just now?"

Ru Xiuhua, having heard the name "Fang Wenbin," asked worriedly, "Did those people come to cause trouble again?"

The "those people" referred to the family of the eldest son born to Fang Xun’s first wife. That entire family was rotten to the core.

Fang Xun’s first wife, Bai Qiuhe, was the daughter of a local scholar. Yet, she possessed none of the elegance of a refined lady; she was greedy and selfish. In her youth, seeing that Fang Xun’s family was wealthy, she schemed to marry him.

Less than half a month after the wedding, she caught sight of a warlord officer who was even wealthier and more powerful. After successfully seducing him, she forced Fang Xun to divorce her and married the officer while pregnant with their child.

At the time, Fang Xun didn't know she was pregnant. Humiliated by being forced into a divorce only a month after the wedding, he left his hometown to join the army.

Years later, they met again in the capital. Bai Qiuhe discovered that Fang Xun was no longer the man he once was, and she brought their eldest son to "reclaim his heritage"... it was a complete mess of a debt.

"Speak!" Fang Xun roared.

Fang Xun was usually very stern when silent, but now, with his face cold and his authority fully on display, even Mu Wanguan—who was used to her own marshal father’s intimidating presence—quietly shrank back.

Knowing when to yield, Mu Wanguan tucked away her "claws" and shuffled backward.

She shuffled right behind Fang Yinnian.

Fang Yinnian’s gaze followed her. Seeing the brat who had been arrogantly back-talking a second ago now hiding behind him to deflect the old man’s fury...

Who taught her to be so shameless?

Fang Yinnian laughed in spite of his anger.

"You’re still laughing!" Fang Xun knocked his cane again. "Yinnian, you tell me, who did you see?"

Fang Yinnian huffed and stepped back, beating Mu Wanguan to the single sofa—which had been her target.

Mu Wanguan’s eyes widened for a moment. She stopped being timid and glared at him.

Fang Yinnian ignored her, his voice cold and indifferent. "Didn't you hear? It was Fang Wenbin."

His eyes darkened, a flash of danger crossing his black pupils. "He came to find this brat and told her to divorce me and marry him."

"Who would want to marry a weakling!" Mu Wanguan didn't like the sound of that and kicked Fang Yinnian. "I’d kick him flying in one go."

Fang Yinnian looked down at her foot, the dangerous glint in his eyes fading into a helpless smile. "Yes, yes, I saw that."

He was implying something.

When he looked up again, he saw his grandmother’s worried expression. He sighed, stood up, and helped Ru Xiuhua sit down. "You don't need to worry. No one will believe someone like him, who only knows how to cajole and has no real substance."

"Mu Wanguan actually has a bit of a brain."

"What do you mean 'a bit of a brain'? I'm a genius!" After retorting, she realized it didn't sound right. She tried to correct herself, but she was a step too slow—

"Cough, right, you really are a genius." Fang Yinnian stifled a laugh, continuing to soothe the old lady while explaining to the old man, "When I arrived, he was half-coaxing and half-deceiving Wanguan, and he even tried to lay a hand on her."

"Wanguan, you weren't hurt, were you?" Ru Xiuhua asked, looking at her nervously.

Fang Yinnian replied, "No, she’s sharp; she kicked him flying with one blow."

Mu Wanguan had intended to explain, but hearing Fang Yinnian praise her so readily, she lifted her chin, full of arrogance and triumph.

Like a... proud, pampered cat?

The smile in Fang Yinnian’s eyes deepened as he recounted how the members of the Revolutionary Committee had arrived later to "catch them in the act."

"Thank goodness, thank goodness, thank goodness Wanguan is okay." Ru Xiuhua pounded her chest twice, and after calming her nerves, she reached out. "Wanguan, come here to Grandma, let me have a look at you."

"I... I wasn't hurt." Mu Wanguan felt a bit uncomfortable.

She found that the people on ancient Blue Star were all... very gentle.

It was a bit overwhelming for her.

"Come here and let Grandma see you, even if you weren't hurt."

Since she insisted, Mu Wanguan had to go over awkwardly.

As soon as she got close, she shoved Fang Yinnian aside and sat in his original spot. Her dirty little face turned bright red. "I'm really fine. He was such a weakling; I could kick two of him away."

Mu Wanguan held up two fingers. "No, wait. I could kick two hundred weaklings flying."

"Keep bragging." Fang Yinnian couldn't help but tease, unable to stand seeing the brat looking so pleased with herself—especially while she was still so dirty.

"Cough." Even Fang Xun couldn't take it anymore and coughed, signaling Fang Yinnian to tone it down.