Found a Treasure
"Wife, I'm all clean now!" Lucky called out after his bath, his hair still dripping wet as he bounced into the room. Lily Evans glanced at him and was momentarily stunned.
Her dirty, simple-minded husband was now clean—and so handsome she couldn't look away! Lily's father's old clothes hung loosely on Lucky, yet he somehow wore them with a carefree charm.
It’s true what they say—clothes make the man, but only for ordinary folks. A top-tier heartthrob like Lucky could look stunning even in a burlap sack.
Lily herself was renowned for her beauty in the neighboring villages, but Lucky’s looks were simply flawless. Having such a gorgeous husband to admire every day was a treat! Not to mention, Lucky was obedient and sweet.
Where else could she find such a wonderful husband? Lily suddenly felt like she'd struck gold.
"Wife, smell me—I’m fragrant! What did you use on me, it smells so good?" Lucky snuggled up to Lily, holding his arm to her nose. A faint, pleasant scent wafted over.
Lily couldn’t figure out what the scent was. Her family was so poor, there was no way she could afford incense. She eyed Lucky suspiciously—could he naturally smell this good? Had she picked up a male version of the legendary "Fragrant Concubine"?
At this moment, Lily didn’t know that Lucky had trained in martial arts since childhood, soaking in special medicinal baths. The scent had long become part of him—a natural fragrance he carried.
Margaret Evans came out and caught sight of Lucky’s appearance, thoroughly astonished. But thinking back, even when he was dirty, his face was striking—now that he was clean, he looked even better.
Now, when Margaret looked at Lucky, she saw him through the eyes of a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law—the more she looked, the more she liked him. She imagined that if Lucky and Lily had a child, it would surely be as beautiful as a golden boy and jade girl.
"Mom, we’re out of water. I’ll go fetch some," Lily said as she prepared to cook dinner, realizing all the water had been used for Lucky’s bath.
"I’ll help you, wife!" Lucky immediately grabbed two buckets, trotting after Lily with a goofy grin.
Margaret Evans saw that Lucky, though simple-minded, was hardworking and willing to help. She liked him even more, and reminded him, "Lucky, you’re not familiar with the village roads. Stick close to Lily and don’t wander off."
Lucky nodded vigorously, extra obedient: "Don’t worry, Mom! I’ll go wherever Lily goes. I always listen to Lily and Mom!"
Margaret Evans couldn’t stop smiling. "This child is sweeter than honey."
===
Evans Family.
Grandma Evans sat on the heated brick bed, harshly scolding Helen Parker for her incompetence, her face dark with anger.
Helen Parker wasn’t one to take it lying down. She snapped back, "What’s the point of yelling at me? Who knew Lily had a wild man hidden away and ruined our plans? Simon is my son—I want to get his betrothal gift together too! If you’re so angry, go scold Lily! Why blame me? You use me as your tool when you need me, and now that things have gone wrong, it’s all my fault?"
Grandpa Evans glared at them, barking, "Enough! Stop your bickering—aren’t you ashamed?"
Helen Parker immediately complained, "Dad, if Mom had just used her authority as Lily’s grandmother and refused to recognize Lily and that wild man’s relationship, we could’ve dealt with that brat. But Mom wouldn’t say a word—what was I supposed to do?"
Grandpa Evans scolded, "Eldest daughter-in-law, are you brainless? The Evans Family can’t wait to cut ties with Lily and her mother, but you keep trying to get involved. You might not care about your reputation, but Samuel does!"
Helen Parker retorted, "Dad, that’s not fair! Was I the one who wanted to get involved with Lily? It was Mom who wanted to sell Lily for money, that’s how we got caught up in this mess. Now you’re blaming me for getting too close?"
Grandma Evans slapped the table. "Enough, eldest daughter-in-law! Why did I want to sell Lily for money? Wasn’t it to help pay for your son’s marriage? When I suggested it, you were all for it. Now it’s suddenly my fault? Has a dog eaten your conscience?"
Sam Evans, who’d been silent the whole time, muttered softly, "Lily’s not livestock, you can’t just sell her off."
Helen Parker, furious but unable to vent at her in-laws, turned on the honest Sam Evans: "Why didn’t you speak up when we were short on Samuel’s betrothal money? Now you’re suddenly defending Lily? Are you worried about that brat Lily, or your lover Margaret Evans? Or maybe Lily isn’t the second son’s child, but yours and Margaret’s bastard?"