I changed my clothes quickly.

The thin fabric from earlier was replaced with something more appropriate, and I tied my hair neatly before stepping out of the room. There was no need to delay.

When I reached the corridor, I saw Fu Fei waiting.

"Go and call Fu Tong and Fu Teng," I said.

She looked at me briefly.

"Now?" she asked.

"Yes," I replied. "Bring them here."

She nodded and left at once.

I continued downstairs.

When I entered the main hall, I saw them seated already.

Madame Fu and Master Fu sat at the table, and across from them were the Zhao sisters.

Zhao Yin.

Zhao Yue.

Their posture was proper, but there was a faint tiredness in their expressions.

Fu Sheng was also there.

But he was not seated with them.

He stood slightly to the side, quiet and distant, as though he had no intention of joining the conversation.

I looked at him briefly, then shifted my attention forward.

The Zhao sisters noticed me and stood immediately.

"Miss Su," Zhao Yin greeted respectfully.

Zhao Yue followed her lead.

I inclined my head slightly.

"You may sit," I said.

They sat down again.

I took my place.

"You did not come earlier," I said. "I had asked you to join us for dinner."

My tone was calm, but direct.

Zhao Yin glanced at Zhao Yue before speaking.

"Our mother fell ill this evening," she said. "It happened suddenly, so we had to stay with her."

Her voice remained steady.

"We could not leave until our brothers returned," she continued. "That is why we were unable to come."

Zhao Yue lowered her head slightly.

"We came now to apologize," she added.

The room grew quiet.

Madame Fu’s expression softened at once.

"You should not apologize," she said. "Your mother’s health is more important."

Master Fu nodded.

"You did the right thing," he said.

Zhao Yin and Zhao Yue both looked relieved.

I studied them briefly before asking, 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"How is she now?"

"She is better," Zhao Yin replied. "Her fever has gone down, and she is resting."

I nodded once.

"That is good."

Madame Fu gestured lightly.

"You must be tired," she said. "Sit properly and rest."

The sisters relaxed slightly.

Just then—

Footsteps approached.

Fu Teng entered first, followed by Fu Tong.

They both paused when they saw the guests.

Fu Tong blinked.

"The Zhao sisters?" he said.

Fu Teng’s gaze shifted briefly before he stepped forward.

"You called for us?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

My voice remained steady.

"I did."

The atmosphere changed.

It was no longer just a visit.

I looked at Zhao Yin and Zhao Yue.

Then at Fu Teng and Fu Tong.

My thoughts were already clear.

.....

I looked at Fu Tong and Fu Teng.

Then I spoke.

"You two should take them out for a while," I said. "Show them around the residence."

My tone was calm, as if I were making a simple suggestion.

"You are all around the same age. It will be easier for you to talk."

Fu Tong blinked.

"Show them around?" he repeated.

He was clearly confused.

Fu Teng did not speak, but his gaze shifted toward me, as if trying to understand my intention.

Before Fu Tong could ask anything else—

Fu Fei reached out and hit his hand lightly.

He turned to look at her immediately.

"What was that for?" he asked in a low voice.

Fu Fei looked at him.

"Just go," she said.

Her tone left no room for argument.

Fu Tong frowned slightly, but he did not speak again.

Zhao Yin and Zhao Yue stood up, their movements careful and slightly hesitant.

They were not sure what this was about, but they did not question it.

"We will follow," Zhao Yin said politely.

Zhao Yue nodded beside her.

Fu Teng inclined his head slightly.

"This way," he said.

Fu Tong sighed under his breath but followed.

The four of them left together, their steps gradually fading as they moved further away.

The hall grew quiet again.

Now only a few of us remained.

Madame Fu.

Master Fu.

Fu Fei.

Fu Sheng.

And me.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Master Fu looked at me.

"What is going on?" he asked.

His voice was calm, but direct.

Madame Fu also turned her attention toward me, her expression thoughtful.

Fu Fei remained silent, though her gaze had sharpened slightly.

Fu Sheng did not move.

He stood where he had been, quiet and distant, as if none of this concerned him.

I looked at them.

Then I spoke.

"There is not much time," I said.

My tone remained steady.

I looked at them and spoke clearly.

"Men will soon be taken for war," I said. "People will come to this unit to select them."

The room fell silent.

Madame Fu’s expression changed immediately.

Master Fu straightened slightly.

"There is no time," I continued. "If Fu Teng and Fu Tong remain unmarried, they will be taken."

My voice remained steady.

"At the very least, they must be engaged. That alone can protect them."

The weight of my words settled in the room.

Fu Fei’s brows drew together.

"...So that is why," she said quietly.

I nodded.

"The Zhao sisters are the best option," I added. "They are suitable, and we already have a connection with them."

Madame Fu looked thoughtful.

"They are indeed good girls," she said.

Then her gaze shifted.

Toward Fu Sheng.

"Did you know about this?" she asked. "Do you support it?"

The room grew quiet again.

Fu Sheng looked at her.

Then his gaze moved toward me.

For a brief moment, he said nothing.

Then he nodded.

"It is for their sake," he said.

His tone was calm.

"The Zhao sisters are good," he continued. "If Su Long has chosen them, then it will not be a bad decision."

There was no hesitation in his voice.

Madame Fu watched him for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"I see," she said.

Fu Fei spoke then.

"What if they do not like each other?" she asked.

Her question was simple.

But important.

Madame Fu responded this time.

"At times like this, liking each other is not the first concern," she said.

Her voice was calm, but firm.

"Stability comes first. Feelings can grow later."

She looked toward the direction the others had left.

"As long as their temperaments are not in conflict, it can work."

Master Fu nodded slightly.

"That is true," he said.

The matter was not simple.

But the situation did not allow for hesitation.

And everyone in the room understood that.

At that moment—

My gaze shifted slightly.

Toward Fu Sheng.

He had not spoken once. Not even now.

I watched him briefly.

Then I looked away.

This matter—

Would move forward whether he involved himself or not.