"I brought Harris here since I'll need someone to help me manage operations at the orphanage," Jiang Ning said calmly. "I'll be busy with my training for the next few months, so I won't have the time to oversee everything myself."
Harris bowed his head slightly, adjusting his monocle as he stood beside him. "I'll handle the accounts and ensure the funding reaches the orphanage on time, my lord."
Across the table, William and Josephine sat nervously, their fingers intertwined. Rasmus hovered behind them, unable to hide his curiosity.
The air in the orphanage office was light but filled with anticipation. Sunlight spilled through the dusty windowpanes, bathing the room in a warm glow.
Jiang Ning stood to the side and let Harris handle the official work. The middle-aged aide took out a neat stack of parchment from his satchel and began reviewing the contract terms with William, who represented the orphanage.
Their discussion was methodical, straightforward. Both men knew exactly what they wanted.
After half an hour, the sound of quills scratching across parchment came to an end.
"The agreement is finalized," Harris said, his voice polite but firm. "Funds will be sent on the first day of each month without fail."
William's lips trembled slightly as he stood and shook Harris's hand. "We should be the ones thanking you. This… this will change everything for us."
He turned toward Jiang Ning and bowed deeply, his old eyes glistening. "My lord, you have my deepest gratitude. With your support, the children will no longer go hungry. They'll have clothes, books, and hope. That's more than we ever dreamed of."
Jiang Ning smiled faintly. "I'm just keeping my promise, Sir William."
Josephine wiped her eyes discreetly, and even Rasmus clenched his fists, visibly moved.
Money had always been their greatest burden, and now, with a few signatures, that weight was gone.
When the excitement died down, Jiang Ning spoke again, his tone calm but purposeful. "Sir William, if it's alright, I'd like to speak with Rasmus privately."
The old knight nodded, understanding immediately. "Of course, my lord."
He gestured for the others to leave the room.
Once they were gone, Jiang Ning looked at the boy standing before him. "Have you made your decision?"
Rasmus took a deep breath, his expression resolute. "Yes, my lord. I've thought about it for days. I don't want to be powerless anymore. I want to protect my family, my brothers and sisters, so that we never have to live in fear again."
His hands clenched tightly at his sides. "Please, my lord. Let me follow you. Let me become strong enough to protect the people I love."
His voice shook at first, but by the end, it rang with conviction.
Jiang Ning felt a familiar warmth in his chest. That's the Rasmus I remember, he thought. The one who fights not for glory, but for those he loves.
"Good," he said simply, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Pack your things. From today onward, you'll come with me to North Pine Town. We'll begin your training once I've finished my current obligations."
Rasmus's eyes widened, then brightened with excitement. "Yes, my lord!"
As the boy ran off to prepare, Jiang Ning's gaze drifted toward the window. Sunlight filtered through the dusty glass, scattering into golden shards across the floor.
He exhaled softly. This is just the beginning.
A few hours later, a small caravan departed the orphanage, heading toward Vale. Several wagons carried the children selected to work at the workshop, all wide-eyed, nervous, and excited.
William rode alongside Jiang Ning, his expression curious but wary.
"I came along to make sure everything goes well," he said. "It's hard to let the children go without seeing where they'll stay."
"That's understandable," Jiang Ning replied with an easy smile.
When they arrived, the children couldn't stop staring. The workshop stood tall and freshly painted, sunlight gleaming off its glass windows. Inside, the air smelled faintly of jasmine and soap, clean, comforting, and new.
Vince was waiting at the entrance, looking only slightly more groomed than the last time Jiang Ning saw him. He hurried forward, bowing when he saw his lord. "You're back, my lord! Everything's ready for the newcomers."
Jiang Ning nodded. "Good. Let's begin."
Inside, several long tables had been set up, each one neatly arranged with molds, oils, and tools. The children were gathered around, listening attentively as Vince demonstrated the process step by step.
William observed quietly beside Jiang Ning, his brows furrowed in thought. "This environment is far better than I expected. The children even get proper meals."
He watched a young boy accidentally spill some melted oil and flinch, expecting punishment, but instead, Vince simply smiled, handing him a clean rag. "Don't worry about it. Just try again. Everyone makes mistakes."
William's eyes softened. "Still, can they really manage this kind of work?"
Jiang Ning chuckled lightly. "Mistakes mean they're learning. Give them a week, and they'll find their rhythm. Once they do, they'll take pride in their work."
William turned to him with a faint smile. "Then I can rest easy knowing they're under your care."
"Good," Jiang Ning said. "That was my intention."
The workshop buzzed with life, laughter, chatter, and the clinking of tools. It was a scene that brought a rare smile to Jiang Ning's face.
Later that day, Jiang Ning and Harris moved through the bustling marketplace of Vale.
The smell of spices, sweat, and roasted nuts filled the air as merchants shouted prices and buyers haggled loudly.
They'd come to discreetly sell a small batch of Dragon Tail Ferns. The stalks were carefully wrapped in silk cloth, hidden inside a plain wooden crate.
"We'll sell them to several different shops in smaller quantities," Harris explained as they walked. "Selling too many at once would raise suspicion."
"Understood."
Harris handled the negotiations while Jiang Ning watched silently, absorbing everything he could. The old aide's manner was calm and professional, his words smooth, never forceful, yet firm enough to command respect.
Within a few hours, they had sold off three separate batches to apothecaries and alchemists across Vale.
The profits were staggering.
Jiang Ning had seen gold before, but to see so much pass through his hands in a single afternoon was something else entirely.
Still, what impressed him more than the money was Harris's efficiency. Every deal was calculated. Every buyer walked away satisfied but never suspicious.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two men boarded their carriage back to North Pine Town.
Jiang Ning leaned back in his seat, his eyes distant in thought.
I need someone who can handle this kind of work permanently, he realized. Vince is a genius inventor, but he's terrible with people. If he managed everything alone, it would all collapse within weeks.
His first thought was Harris, but he quickly dismissed it. The man already handled too much of the household's business to take on another burden.
He rubbed his temples, thinking hard.
There was someone else once…
A face appeared in his mind, a woman's face.
He winced, looking away as though trying to push the memory aside.
No.
The thought twisted like a knife in his chest.
Not her.
He clenched his jaw. There must be other options. I'm not ready to face her again.
Rasmus, seated across from him, noticed his troubled expression. "My lord, are you alright?"
Jiang Ning blinked, then forced a small smile. "It's nothing. Just an unpleasant memory."
Rasmus nodded, wisely staying silent after that.
When they finally arrived at North Pine Town, the stars were already out.
Rasmus's eyes widened as he looked around. "So this is the domain of House Ning…"
He could hardly believe what he saw.
The streets were clean, the lamps bright. Merchants still worked late into the evening, greeting passersby with smiles. Children played near the fountain in the square, laughing freely, unafraid.
No beggars. No filth. No guards shouting at the poor.
The town was alive, safe, and prosperous.
Rasmus whispered under his breath, "This… this is incredible."
He looked at Jiang Ning with newfound admiration. "Your family must truly care for its people, my lord."
Jiang Ning smiled faintly at that. "That's our duty. A noble house that forgets its people doesn't deserve to stand."
Rasmus nodded firmly, his respect deepening further.
As the carriage rolled toward the Ning estate, the faint sound of music and laughter drifted through the town, signs of life thriving under House Ning's rule.
Jiang Ning looked out the window, his gaze thoughtful.
One day, he thought, this peace will be tested again. But next time, I'll be ready.
The flickering lantern light reflected in his golden eyes, and the night around North Pine Town glowed as if the stars themselves were watching.