The moment the name left his lips, Fu Sheng fell silent.

His eyes remained fixed on the woman as she stepped out of the crowd and walked away without looking back.

She wore a jade-colored hanfu, simple yet graceful, the fabric moving gently with each step. Her hair fell loosely down her back, and a small woven basket rested in her hand.

Fu Sheng did not move at first.

Shock held him in place.

"...What is she doing here?" he murmured under his breath.

There was no joy in his expression.

Only disbelief.

For a brief moment, he simply watched her, as if trying to confirm that she was real.

Then he moved.

His steps were slow and controlled as he followed her from behind, keeping enough distance so she would not notice him.

He did not call out to her.

He only watched.

She moved from one stall to another, her attention focused on the goods displayed before her.

Fu Sheng followed quietly, his gaze fixed on her back.

At one of the stalls, she stopped.

It was a vegetable stand filled with baskets of produce, including potatoes still covered with traces of soil.

She picked one up and examined it carefully before speaking.

"These are not fresh," she said calmly. "They were harvested too early."

The seller frowned.

"They are good enough," the woman replied. "You will not find better for this price."

The woman in jade placed the potato back and continued to look through the rest.

"These are uneven," she said. "Some are already soft."

Her tone remained calm but firm.

The seller hesitated.

"You have sharp eyes," she said after a moment.

The woman gave a faint smile.

"I only pay for what is worth it," she replied.

They spoke for a while, going back and forth over the price.

The seller lowered it gradually until she finally agreed.

"Fine," the seller said with a sigh. "Take them."

The woman nodded and placed the potatoes into her basket.

As she turned to leave, another vendor nearby spoke with a light laugh.

"Miss Wei, there is no way to fool you," he said. "You always see through everything."

Others nearby agreed.

"You cannot cheat Miss Wei," one said.

"She knows her goods too well," another added.

The woman only smiled faintly and continued walking.

Fu Sheng remained still for a moment before following again.

The name echoed in his mind.

Miss Wei.

But it was not just the name.

It was everything.

The way she spoke.

The way she examined things.

The way she carried herself.

His hand tightened slowly at his side.

"...It is the same," he said quietly.

Every movement and every word matched what he remembered.

Wei Meilan.

His first love and the mother of his sons.

Fu Sheng continued to follow her, his steps slower now.

He kept his distance, but he could not stop.

Because the more he watched—

...

Fu Sheng did not stop.

He followed her through the market, keeping his distance and watching every step she took.

Time passed.

The noise of the market rose and fell as people moved around them, but his attention never left her.

necessary, speaking little, and wasting no time.

Everything she did was steady and controlled.

Fu Sheng followed her from one end of the market to another.

Then—

She turned into a quieter street.

The noise faded as she walked away from the crowd and stopped in front of a small shop.

Fu Sheng slowed and stopped at a distance.

He watched as she stepped inside.

After a moment, he moved closer, just enough to see clearly without being noticed.

Inside the shop, the moment she entered, the shopkeeper looked up.

His expression changed immediately.

"Madam," he greeted respectfully.

She nodded and walked further in, placing her basket aside.

Fu Sheng looked inside.

The shop was filled with fabrics and embroidery frames. Threads of different colors were arranged neatly, and several unfinished pieces were stretched across wooden stands.

It was an embroidery shop.

She walked toward one of the tables and examined the work carefully.

"This stitching is uneven," she said. "Redo this part."

Her voice was calm, but firm.

The worker beside the table nodded quickly.

"Yes, Madam."

She picked up another piece and looked at it.

"The pattern here is too tight," she said. "Loosen it, or the fabric will pull."

The worker nodded again.

"I understand."

She moved from one table to another, checking each piece and giving instructions.

Everyone listened to her without hesitation.

Fu Sheng stood outside, unmoving.

His gaze remained fixed on her.

His hand tightened slowly at his side.

"...Madam?," he repeated quietly.

The way they addressed her... how long has she been here and what reason did she have for being here.

At the barren lands.Fu Sheng remained where he stood, watching her, unable to look away.

As the day came to an end, the light slowly faded from the sky.

The market had quieted, and most of the shops had closed.

Fu Sheng still stood outside.

He had not left.

He remained where he was, watching and waiting.

The street grew dim as lanterns were lit one after another, casting a steady glow across the road.

Fu Sheng exhaled slowly.

"It is already late," he said quietly.

"I should return."

But he did not move.

Just then, the door of the shop opened.

She stepped out.

The workers followed her to the entrance and bowed.

"Madam, have a safe return," one of them said.

She nodded slightly and picked up her basket before walking away.

Fu Sheng watched her.

Then he followed again.

The streets became quieter as they left the market.

She walked ahead, and he stayed behind, keeping his distance.

After some time, they entered another area.

Fu Sheng slowed as he stepped in.

"...Unit 40," he said under his breath.

The difference was clear.

The streets were lit with lanterns, the roads were clean, and the houses were orderly.

"This place is well managed, they must have leader or something." he said quietly.

He looked ahead again and continued following her.

Then she stopped.

Fu Sheng stopped as well.

In front of her stood a small house.

It was not large, but it was neat and warm. A wooden fence surrounded it, and light came from inside.

She opened the gate and walked in.

Fu Sheng moved closer and stood outside the fence.

He looked inside.

She had just entered the courtyard—

When the door of the house opened.

Three children ran out.

They rushed toward her without hesitation.

"Mother!"

"Mother, you are back!"

Their voices overlapped as they reached her and held onto her tightly.

She steadied herself and held them.

Her hands moved naturally.

Without hesitation.

Fu Sheng froze.

His eyes remained fixed on them.

"...Mother," one of them said again.

Fu Sheng’s hand tightened against the fence.

"Mother?!"