Mark Hunter's Intentions

Normally, Samuel Evans would never allow any Evans family member to appear in front of his classmates, because he felt the family was beneath him and would embarrass him.

But this time, he broke his usual rule and didn’t refuse outright. Instead, he acted as if he was considering it: "May, we’re going on an outing. It’s possible to bring family, but..."

May Parker immediately jumped in, "Brother, I’ll behave tomorrow, I promise! Whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do! Just take me with you!"

Samuel Evans put on an exasperated look, as if he were helpless against his sister’s pestering, and finally relented: "Fine, I’ll take you. But it’s not convenient for a girl to go alone. Tomorrow, bring Cynthia Wu with you. You two girls can keep each other company."

May Parker immediately protested at the mention of Cynthia Wu: "Why should I bring her? I hardly know her. Besides, if I ask her and she refuses, I’ll look so lame."

Samuel Evans replied, "I’m doing this for your own good. The group is all young men—what would it look like for you to go alone? Cynthia Wu is acquainted with Howard Liu and the others. It wouldn’t be proper to bring a complete stranger."

Just thinking about Cynthia Wu saving Howard Liu made May Parker burn with jealousy. She really didn’t want to bring Cynthia Wu along.

But Samuel Evans insisted: if Cynthia Wu didn’t come, May Parker couldn’t go either. May Parker had no choice but to give in, saying, "Fine, I’ll ask Cynthia Wu, but if she doesn’t want to go, that’s not my fault."

With that, she left the house, clearly unwilling, heading for the Wu family’s home.

Samuel Evans watched May Parker’s departing figure and murmured to himself, "May, don’t blame your brother. I’m doing this for your own good..."

May Parker arrived at the Wu family’s house, only to find Dr. Wu and Mark Hunter there.

"Dr. Wu, where’s Cynthia?" May Parker craned her neck to look inside and saw Mark Hunter and Dr. Wu sitting in the courtyard. Mark Hunter wore his usual hunter’s outfit, his skin tanned from the sun.

May Parker pursed her lips in disdain at the sight of Mark Hunter. She had no respect for these farmers and hunters—only scholarly young gentlemen like her brother ever caught her eye.

"Cynthia went to the river to do laundry," Dr. Wu replied.

"Oh, then I’ll go find her at the river." May Parker, disappointed, pouted so much she could hang a bottle from her lips, and headed toward the river. If it weren’t for wanting Samuel Evans to take her on the outing, she wouldn’t bother with Cynthia Wu at all.

"Dr. Wu, give me at most half a year. If my business succeeds, I’ll come to propose marriage." Mark Hunter waited until May Parker left, then nervously rubbed his hands. "I’m just a hunter, with nothing but a rundown shack and no land to my name. I’ve always worried Cynthia would suffer if she married me. But now I’ve found a new path, and in half a year I’ll know if it works out. If it does, and Cynthia marries me, she’ll be secure for life. I may not make her rich, but I’ll never let her be wronged."

Following Lily’s advice, Mark Hunter had invested everything he owned in two shops and two houses at Tenmile Hill. If these properties really increased in value, the rental income alone would support his whole family.

Dr. Wu had always liked Mark Hunter. He was a skilled hunter, devoted to Cynthia Wu, and always respectful to Dr. Wu. Dr. Wu had long wanted Mark Hunter as a son-in-law. But Mark was too honest, always feeling he needed to achieve something before he could propose, so he’d waited until now.

Dr. Wu nodded, "Mark, I’ve seen how you treat my daughter. Even if your business doesn’t succeed, I’d still be happy to give you her hand in marriage. Cynthia’s my only child, and I just want her to have a good life. It’s just us men here, so I’ll speak plainly. I know you well, and I trust you completely with Cynthia."

The two men chatted for a while until Cynthia Wu returned, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Dad, I’m going into town tomorrow."