I Want to Provide for My Wife
“Wow, what a plump rabbit!” Dr. Wu chuckled as he watched Zhang Mu run off, lifting the wild rabbit and smacking his lips. “Zhang Mu is really thoughtful. Hunters often get injured, and he always comes to my house for treatment. Besides paying for medicine, he’ll bring me some game every now and then. He truly knows how to show gratitude.”
Lily Evans noticed the eager look Zhang Mu gave Cynthia Wu, and it was clear something was off. But Cynthia Wu didn’t seem to react to Zhang Mu in any special way. This sort of thing couldn’t be spoken about carelessly—it could ruin a girl’s reputation. So Lily tactfully changed the subject and took her leave from the Wu family.
On the way home, Lucky was unusually quiet. Even after Lily made dinner, Lucky, who would usually perk up at the sight of food, still hung his head and couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.
That night, as Lily sat on the heated brick bed, she asked, “Lucky, what’s wrong? You’ve been off ever since we left the Wu’s place. Are you feeling sick?”
Lucky bit his lip, hesitating for a long while before cautiously asking, “Wife, am I just a useless pretty boy living off you?”
Lily was taken aback. “Did Mrs. Thompson say that to you?”
Lucky nodded, his expression both aggrieved and pitiful. “Wife, I can’t earn money. A man’s supposed to provide for his family, but in our home, you’re the one making all the money… I—I feel so useless… Please don’t despise me, okay? I’ll figure out a way to earn big money so you can live a good life.”
That Mrs. Thompson and her big mouth! Lily was so angry she could tear her apart. Lucky was so pure—why would she say such things to him?
“Lucky, you’re definitely not living off me, you know?” Lily took his hand and patiently explained, “Look at you—chopping wood, carrying water, taking care of all the heavy chores at home. Just yesterday, you even climbed up and fixed the leaky roof! You do so much for the family. How could anyone say you’re living off me?”
“Does housework really count as contributing?” Lucky leaned in, his eyes wide and pure, reflecting Lily’s face.
“Of course it does!” Lily started counting on her fingers. “Lucky, if you hired someone in town to fix a roof, it’d cost seven or eight hundred copper coins a day, not including materials. The wooden planks you used were from trees you chopped yourself—that’s worth another hundred coins. Just fixing the roof alone is worth eight or nine hundred! If you hadn’t done it, we’d have to hire someone and spend all that money. The money you save is basically money you’ve earned!”
Lucky scratched his head. “Wife, what you’re saying… it does sound like it makes sense.”
“That’s exactly right!” Lily continued, “And look at the water carrying—if Mom and I had to do it, we’d get sick from overwork, and then we’d have to spend money on medicine. Now that you do it, you save us the cost of medicine and keep us healthy. That’s money you’ve earned! And as for chopping wood, a bundle sells for ten coins in town. You chop three bundles a day—that’s thirty coins. Lucky, you’re really not living off me at all.”
Lucky’s face turned a little red. “Really? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
Lily squeezed Lucky’s hand. “Why would I lie to you? Others might not see housework as a contribution, but I know my Lucky gives so much to our family!”
Lucky’s eyes sparkled, and he suddenly hugged Lily tightly. “Wife, I want to take care of you forever!”
Lily was caught off guard by the sudden hug, but she smiled, her heart full. She patted Lucky’s back, laughing, “Okay, okay, I’ll let you take care of me for a lifetime!”
Lucky grinned happily, his worries swept away. For him, being able to protect and provide for Lily was everything.