Cynthia Wu's Troubled Heart
The next day, Lily Evans went to the city with Lucky to handle the house purchase.
On Old Man Qian’s ox cart at the village entrance, Cynthia Wu carried her sack of medicinal herbs to the city, while Mark Hunter also 'just happened' to be heading in to sell wild game.
Lily Evans and Lucky sat down and noticed Cynthia Wu’s outfit was a bit different from her usual village look.
Today, Cynthia Wu seemed to have dressed up on purpose. Her hair was neatly combed, and she’d lightly powdered her face. The teenage girl looked as fresh as a newly sprouted hyacinth.
"Cynthia, off to sell herbs again?" Lily Evans sensed something was off with Cynthia Wu and asked tentatively.
"Mm, I’ve gathered another sack of herbs." Cynthia Wu was noticeably quieter today, a bit nervous and uneasy, her cheeks slightly flushed, head half-bowed—unlike her usual lively self.
Lily Evans felt Cynthia Wu was acting very strange, but didn’t want to pry too much. She kept a close eye and, when they parted ways in the city, pulled Mark Hunter aside and whispered, "Mark, could I trouble you to look after Cynthia a bit more today?"
Mark Hunter frowned slightly. He’d noticed Cynthia Wu was acting unusually today too, but didn’t ask much. He just nodded, "Of course. We’re all from the same village—out here, we’ve got to look out for each other. That’s what neighbors do."
With that, Mark Hunter went to help Cynthia Wu carry her sack.
Cynthia Wu tried to refuse a few times, but Mark Hunter silently stood his ground, carrying the sack beside her. Seeing his insistence, Cynthia joined Mark as they headed to the herbal shop at the market.
Lily Evans figured Cynthia Wu wasn’t the reckless type, and with Mark Hunter accompanying her, nothing should go wrong. So she went with Lucky to Savory House.
Mr. Baker, the manager of Savory House, was naturally very attentive to Lily Evans, the second owner. Seeing her arrive, he smiled, "Madam Lily, I’ve already contacted several sellers."
Mr. Baker, worried Lily Evans was young and inexperienced, kindly suggested, "My advice is that we go take a look at Tenmile Hill. Buying property is a big deal—you should see it with your own eyes before deciding."
Lily Evans smiled, "You’re absolutely right, Mr. Baker. I was thinking the same—I’d like to inspect Tenmile Hill myself."
Tenmile Hill is outside the city. It’s not really ten miles from Greenfield City, but walking there is still a challenge.
Of course, Savory House had a carriage. Mr. Baker called for a servant to bring it around, and the group boarded for Tenmile Hill.
"Hey, Mom, isn’t that Lily Evans?" By the roadside, May Parker clung to Helen Parker’s arm. Today, the mother and daughter had come to the city to bring something to Arthur Evans.
May Parker happened to see Lily Evans coming out the back door of Savory House and getting into the restaurant’s carriage.
"Ugh, it really is that brat! How did Lily Evans get on Savory House’s carriage? That fancy carriage—why should she get to ride it!" Helen Parker’s eyes went red with envy as she rubbed her aching legs and cursed, "I walked for over an hour to save a couple copper coins, but Lily Evans just rides in style! So what if she’s rich?"
May Parker was fuming too. She’d walked all the way from the village, and her legs felt like they were about to fall off.
"Mom, even if Lily Evans’s family gets rich, she’s still just a country girl. Why would a high-class place like Savory House let her ride their carriage?" May Parker stared jealously at the carriage, then suddenly remembered something!
May Parker’s eyes widened. She grabbed Helen Parker’s sleeve and whispered, “Mom, I just remembered—didn’t Mr. Baker say Lily Evans was now the second owner of Savory House?”