Someone like this-either stay clear, or commit all the way.

Meanwhile, Cui Fu was heading toward the streets around West Peace Gate, his heart bobbing up and down with unease the whole way.

Yesterday, an idler had brought word that Wei An wanted him to visit a residence outside West Peace Gate for a talk.

He had not wanted to come. After all, Wei Nisheng had taken his silver at their very first meeting and held him firmly in the palm of his hand.

By their second meeting, he had heard that Wei Nisheng had killed Wang Rong, sealing his throat with a single sword stroke and splashing blood across the Central Hall.

A few days ago, he had gone even further, arranging adoption into another branch, carrying out Lineage Separation, and establishing his own household.

Someone like that was hard enough to avoid. Why would he deliver himself to the door?

Yet the idler carrying the message had said that Wei An had specifically instructed him, "The young master said it's up to you whether you come. But some opportunities, once missed, are gone for good."

After hearing that, he had hesitated all night, but came anyway.

Because he really had no choice.

The last time Cui Shi had gone home, she had boasted about the Wei Family's relationship with the Feng Family.

His mother had seized the chance to ask whether Cui Shi could help him find a position too, even an unranked clerk's job at a government office.

And the result? Cui Shi had said nothing at the time, merely smiling and saying, "We'll see."

Afterward, his father had summoned his mother and scolded her, made her kneel for half a day, and withheld six months of her allowance.

Meanwhile, his eldest brother had apparently used the Feng Family's connections and already secured a smooth transfer to Nanchang Prefecture.

Damn it, a legitimate son is a legitimate son, and a concubine's son is a concubine's son.

My mother's a concubine, so I was born a rung below everyone else. And to think I've helped you so much all these years. Pah!

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Cui Fu reached the entrance to the Small Courtyard.

He looked up and froze.

The Wei Family really was different. Even the tiniest scrap slipping between their fingers bought a degree of respectability he could scarcely imagine.

So this is that little terror's new home? It's a bit shabby, but at least it's a compound with two courtyards.

While Cui Fu stood distracted, a voice came from behind him. "Cui Fu."

Cui Fu whipped his head around.

There in the courtyard, beneath the jujube tree, stood an old chair.

Wei Nisheng was sitting in it, holding a book and looking at him.

Wei An stood behind him.

Sunlight filtered through the jujube tree's branches and leaves, falling over him in shifting patches.

Looking at that face, Cui Fu suddenly found it unfamiliar.

At their last meeting, Wei Nisheng had been composed, but his features still held a trace of childish innocence.

When he smiled, one could still see that he was a ten-year-old boy.

But now...

His gaze, his expression, even the air surrounding him had changed completely.

If Cui Fu had to describe it, it was the difference between a hidden edge and one fully bared.

At the sight, Cui Fu's heart tightened, and he hurriedly plastered on a smile. "Young... Young Master Wei, it's been a while!"

Facing Cui Fu, Wei Nisheng neither rose nor exchanged pleasantries. He spoke directly.

"Your eldest brother used Cui Shi's connections to transfer back to Nanchang Prefecture. You know about that, don't you?"

At Wei Nisheng's mention of this, Cui Fu's smile stiffened, and he nodded.

"Didn't your sister help you?"

Cui Fu's expression grew uglier, but he said nothing.

Wei Nisheng watched him with the ghost of a smile. "Apparently not."

Cui Fu gritted his teeth and finally could not hold back. "Young Master Wei, what exactly did you want to see me about? Just say it."

Wei An stepped forward and spoke on Wei Nisheng's behalf. "Cui Fu, naturally, the young master sent for you because he has work for you."

Cui Fu raised his eyes, and Wei An continued, "The young master has just moved here, and the courtyard needs putting in order.

"You have plenty of connections in the Capital and know a lot of people. Help us hire a few reliable temporary workers."

"Cleaners, errand runners, cooks-any of those will do. We'll pay the going rate. You won't lose out."

"So that's all it is." After hearing Wei An out, Cui Fu breathed a sigh of relief.

He immediately thumped his chest, all his apprehension swept away. "That little matter? Don't worry, Young Master Wei. Leave it to me!

"I know several people at the employment agencies. I guarantee I'll find you honest, capable workers!

"Men or women? Young ones or steady, experienced ones? Just tell me how many, and I'll get right on it!"

"Only..." Once he had finished, Cui Fu rubbed his fingers together, his face covered in smiles. "Well... about the errand fee..."

"Don't worry!" Wei An smiled. "You'll get your share, down to the last coin."

"Right you are! I'll get on it now!"

Delighted, Cui Fu nodded repeatedly and was about to take his leave when Wei Nisheng suddenly spoke.

"Wait."

Cui Fu stopped and turned to look at him.

Wei Nisheng watched him, his gaze deep. "Cui Fu, how old are you this year?"

Cui Fu blinked. "Almost... almost sixteen."

"Sixteen. Do you still intend to spend your whole life as an idler?"

Cui Fu froze. He had never expected Wei Nisheng to ask him that.

Wei Nisheng did not intend to wait for an answer, either. He continued.

"Your mother is a concubine, and not even one of respectable birth. She was a maidservant. You know perfectly well where she stands in the Cui Family."

"The Cui Family won't waste resources on you, and Cui Shi is even less likely to help. After all, she has a full brother of her own."

"So it's only a matter of time before you're driven out of the Cui Family. Am I wrong?"

As he listened, Cui Fu's expression grew increasingly ugly, and his fists clenched instinctively.

"Cui Fu, I'm not trying to mock you." Wei Nisheng looked at him, softening his tone. "I only want to ask you one thing..."

"Do you intend to keep drifting along like this? Earn a few coins running errands today, lose them all at a gambling house with a bunch of idlers tomorrow, and go begging for help the day after?"

"Heh." Understanding what Wei Nisheng meant, Cui Fu gave a cold snort. "Young Master Wei, that's my business. I wouldn't dare trouble you over it." With that, he prepared to leave.

But just then, Wei Nisheng suddenly said, "Cui Fu, your mother has never enjoyed a comfortable life, has she? Once you leave home, you'll never be able to bring her out."

Those words sent a tremor through Cui Fu.

At his side, Wei An spoke at just the right moment. "Cui Fu, the young master is only telling you this because he sees someone useful in you."

"If all you want is to muddle through life, the young master could have someone else handle today's task."

"But he didn't go to someone else. He came to you."

Wei An's words made Cui Fu turn back and look at Wei Nisheng.

"Young Master Wei, what exactly do you want me to do? Give me a straight answer!"

Wei Nisheng smiled faintly. "What I mean is simple."

"Work for me. Not just an errand or two, but a steady, lasting position.

"When I, Wei Nisheng, rise in the world, you, Cui Fu, will be one of the old hands who rose alongside me."

As an idler who mixed in the streets, Cui Fu naturally knew that Wei Nisheng was painting him a grand feast he could not yet eat.

But he also knew that the child before him was no ordinary person.

From an abandoned child in the Side Courtyard, to fame as the Fiery Child, to adoption into another branch and lineage separation, to leaving the Wei Residence and establishing his own household-every step had been sure and steady.

A ten-year-old with such a mind, in any age, would either achieve greatness or die young!

Besides, Feng Yan stood behind Wei Nisheng.

With someone like this, then, he had to either stay clear or commit all the way.

But did he have a choice?

Follow his sister? She only had eyes for her full brother and her own son.

Follow his father? His father only had eyes for his legitimate children.

Follow the Cui Family? When had the Cui Family ever treated him as one of their own?

And Wei Nisheng had been absolutely right about one thing.

He was a concubine's son, and the Cui Family was a modest household. Sooner or later, he would have to leave.

Nor did he want his mother to remain in the Cui Family. He wanted to bring her out and give her a comfortable life.

Having thought it through, Cui Fu gritted his teeth and raised his head to look at Wei Nisheng.

"Young Master Wei, aren't you afraid I'm working for my sister?"

Wei Nisheng smiled.

"Are you?"

Cui Fu fell silent for a long time. Then he dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Young Master Wei, from now on, I, Cui Fu, will follow you!"

Wei Nisheng watched him without immediately telling him to rise, saying only in an even tone,

"Following me takes more than a few words. You'll have to prove yourself."

Cui Fu raised his head. "How?"

"Hire the workers first. They must be honest, capable, and trustworthy."

"Do that well, and we'll talk about the future."

Cui Fu knocked his forehead hard against the ground. "Yes! Rest assured, young master. I'll see it done properly!"

Only then did Wei Nisheng nod and gesture for him to rise.

Cui Fu stood, bowed to Wei Nisheng once more, then turned and strode out of the courtyard.

Wei An watched his figure disappear beyond the Moon Gate before withdrawing his gaze and asking softly, "Young master, do you think this man can be useful?"

Wei Nisheng settled back into his chair, picked up the book he had set aside, and slowly turned a page.

"He can."

"But in this old servant's... But to my eye, he only wants a steady bowl of rice under you, young master." Wei An's tone carried some of an experienced man's wariness.

"Uncle Wei, who in this world doesn't?" Wei Nisheng looked up at Wei An, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

"No one bares their heart and offers unwavering loyalty to a stranger at first sight.

"Everyone's first thought is the same: they want a steady bowl of rice and somewhere secure to settle."

"But once that rice tastes better and better, until they can't do without it, unwavering loyalty follows naturally."

Wei An nodded thoughtfully.

"Besides, Cui Fu has spent years mixing in the streets..." Wei Nisheng turned another page, his tone casual.

"He has connections, understands the rules, and knows whom he can provoke and whom he can't."

"Used well, someone like that can be even handier than those house-born servants."