Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 121: Ruby (NEW!)

Evening arrived, and Ace, Liu Mei, and Shan Yifeng stepped out of the system space.

As they gathered, Ace spoke, "After dinner, you both will be staying inside for the next few days."

Shan Yifeng's face instantly soured, clearly unhappy with the arrangement.

But oh boy, if only you could have seen Liu Mei's expression—pure bliss and joy, like she had just won the grandest treasure in the world.

Earlier that day, Ace had personally handed over 50 Spirit Pigs to the Hua family as a gift, along with a surplus of the pills he had been holding onto.

Hua Hua, upon receiving such wealth, nearly lost his mind. He went on and on about how this single gift was worth more than what the Hua family had accumulated in years.

Hua Lesy, however, was not present. Hua Hua said that she seemed to have been caught up in some trouble lately, though Ace didn't bother to dig deep into the details.

Regardless, the dinner went by smoothly, filled with good food and casual conversation.

Early the next morning, after ensuring the two kids were safely inside the system space, Ace set off on his journey.

But before he truly departed, he had one last stop to make—the old village. Catfish village.

There was, after all, something he really needed to do.

He had finally come to understand that the system space was the safest place in the world, and if that was the case, then there was no reason to leave behind the people who mattered to him.

It was time to bring Aunt Hong back with him.

And if his sister agreed… he would take her too.

As usual, the path was through forests and villages.

But just when he was one forest away from Catfish Village, he met her.

"Xiao Zhi, we meet again."

A familiar voice called out to him.

Ace came to a halt, his expression unreadable. Personally, he had no real connection with her—not anymore.

But he could not say the same for the old Xiao Zhi, his predecessor who had once been madly in love with this woman.

A strange, involuntary pull surged through his body, an instinct to embrace her—a lingering remnant of a past he had long discarded.

Keeping his distance, he asked flatly, "What do you want?"

From a few steps away, Xie Ninger smiled lightly.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? I need your help."

Ace shook his head without hesitation. "No. I'm busy."

He moved to walk past her, uninterested in prolonging this encounter.

But she stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"I really need your help."

Ace sighed. "And I don't have the time or energy for this." He took a step back.

Xie Ninger stepped closer, voice soft, almost fragile. "I'll be yours. However you want me, I'll be yours."

A long pause followed by a whisper.

"Just this once… help me."

Ace pinched the bridge of his nose. He could already feel a headache forming.

"Xie Ninger, there's a thing called moving on. Maybe you've never heard of it, but I have. I don't have feelings for you anymore. Let me through."

Xie Ninger studied him carefully, her gaze unreadable. "I know you're different now. You've lost your memories, and you're trying to be a better person."

Ace narrowed his eyes. "And? What does that have to do with you?"

Xie Ninger's lips curved slightly, but there was no amusement in her expression. "The fact remains that the old Xiao Zhi was madly in love with me. You can deny it, but your body is already reacting, isn't it?"

Ace inhaled deeply, exhaling through his nose.

"Xie Ninger…" he spoke calmly, but his tone carried the weight of finality. "I don't want to have anything to do with you."

He let out another slow breath before continuing, voice unwavering.

"What I—no, what the old Xiao Zhi wanted—was love. And what you are offering is nothing close to it. Whatever futile game you're playing, stop it. I've moved on, and this body will too."

A bitter chuckle escaped him as he muttered, "I can't believe I'm even wasting my time explaining this."

Xie Ninger, however, didn't seem the least bit surprised.

She tilted her head slightly. "Well then… I have something to share."

Ace didn't stop walking. "Not interested."

Xie Ninger's voice rang out behind him, "It's about your sister. Xiao Lin. Or better yet… Ruby."

Ace's pace didn't falter.

"Ruby, your sister," she repeated, louder this time. "She was also sent by your mother… to check on you."

Ace didn't turn back.

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Meanwhile in Catfish village, two women sat in the courtyard. The older woman tidying the hair of the younger one.

"Aunt Hong… do you think Brother hates me now?"

Ruby's voice was soft, as she sat on a wooden stool, letting Liu Hong gently weave her hair into a neat braid.

Liu Hong smiled, her hands never pausing. "Why would you think that? I've only met your brother a few times, but even I can tell how much he cares for you."

Ruby's lips curved, a smile meant to be reassuring… but it cracked at the edges.

Her laugh was soft. "Yeah… maybe."

But deep inside, she knew better. The brother she once knew was gone—killed by their own mother.

He had been banished from the family for failing to reach Silver Rank. Despite his remarkable talent in management, their mother had only ever valued power and strength.

That night was burned into her bones, no matter how much she wished to forget it.

She had crept into his room, heart pounding. The dim glow of a lantern flickered against the walls, casting long shadows. Her brother sat by the window, the silver light of the moon tracing his silhouette. A half-empty wine bottle dangled from his fingers.

He didn't turn when she entered.

"Oh… it's just you, Xiao Lin." His voice was soft. Tired. "Come, have a seat."

She remembered walking over timidly, her gaze fixed on her brother.

"Brother Zhi, are you really leaving the family?" she had asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

But he had not answered her question. Instead, he had said something else.

"Ruby, you're talented enough. Mother won't discard you. But if she ever does… you can come find me."

That was the last thing he had told her before sending her away.

That same night, he had walked out of the house, disappearing into the darkness—leaving the city behind.

Day after day, their mother sent someone to check on him.

"He's a drunkard."

"He beats children."

"He's nothing but a disgrace."

Each report chipped away at the image of the brother she had once known, turning him into a pathetic shadow of himself—or so they claimed.

And the one who had been giving this report was also the very same woman who had nearly taken her life not long ago.

Xie Ninger. Her mother's most trusted ally.

She shook her head, pushing away the thoughts.

With a forced smile, she turned to Liu Hong. "Aunt Hong, let me do your hair this time, hehe~"

She giggled, as she playfully tried reaching for Liu Hong's hair.