I Belong to My Wife Too
Lily Evans frowned as soon as she heard the news. Mark Hunter was never a good sort, and Howard Liu and Mark Hunter were two peas in a pod—sons from wealthy families who squandered their money and fooled around outside.
Besides, Howard Liu had so many mistresses. With a man that fickle, Lily Evans instantly disliked him.
That man was trouble. Lily Evans decided she’d have a good talk with Cynthia Wu, just in case she ended up rushing headlong into disaster.
With today’s business settled, Lily Evans returned to Clearwater Village with Lucky. She sent Lucky home first to report their safe return to Margaret Evans, while she headed straight to Cynthia Wu’s house.
Cynthia Wu was at home, helping to dry medicinal herbs. When she saw Lily Evans arrive, she greeted her with a smile.
Noticing that Mr. Wu wasn’t around and the house was empty, Lily Evans skipped the small talk. She got straight to the point: “I went to town today and asked around. That Howard Liu you mentioned—he spends all his time eating, drinking, and playing. He’s not a decent man. Sure, he’s not married yet, but his family already has several mistresses. Cynthia, don’t get hung up on him. He’s really not a good person.”
Cynthia Wu’s cheeks flushed as Lily Evans cut through her daydreams. Twisting her fingers, she tried to explain, “Lily, he’s... he’s not like that. Lily, he’s well-educated and speaks so elegantly, so much better than the rough men in our village. And besides, families in town always have mistresses—it’s not like us country folk, who only marry one.”
Looking at Cynthia Wu, Lily Evans couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Cynthia, we’re just village girls. The Liu family is a big name in town—they’d never look twice at us. If you’re smart, you’ll forget about him soon, before you end up with a broken heart. Trust me.”
Cynthia Wu bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Lily, I understand everything you’re saying."
Lily Evans patted Cynthia Wu’s hand. She knew that a young girl’s feelings couldn’t be untangled with just a few words; Cynthia would have to figure things out for herself.
The two were still standing when they heard movement behind them. Lily Evans turned around and saw Mark Hunter entering with a wild pheasant in hand.
"Lily, you're here too." Mark skillfully hung the pheasant on the rack in the yard and said to Cynthia Wu, "Cynthia, I caught a lot while hunting yesterday. I couldn't sell this pheasant, so I brought it over for you. Last month, I got injured and didn't pay for medicine—so let this pheasant settle the debt."
Lily could immediately tell Mark was fibbing. Pheasants were expensive, and medical bills weren't that much—clearly, Mark just wanted to give the Wu family a gift.
After saying his piece, Mark didn't linger and quickly left.
Lily glanced at Mark, then at Cynthia, secretly wondering when this girl would realize how good Mark was to her.
But matters of the heart can't be forced. Lily chatted idly with Cynthia for a bit before heading home.
When Lily got home, Margaret Evans had already finished cooking. At the dinner table, Lily brought up her plan to buy land and a house at Tenmile Hill.
Margaret listened, half believing, half doubting: "Lily, Tenmile Hill is so remote. If you buy a house out there where no one lives, will it really work?"
Lily blinked and smiled confidently. "Mom, trust me. If you believe in me, just go with it!"
Margaret was just a country woman, after all. No matter what, her experience couldn't compare to someone from the modern world who knows about real estate speculation. She worried, "Lily, that's thousands of taels of silver. Are you really going to spend it all?"
Lily smiled at Lucky. "Husband, you earned this silver. Should we buy it?"
Lucky nodded vigorously, looking as if it was only natural. "Whatever my wife says about spending silver, that’s how it’ll be. I earn it for my wife!"
Then, Lucky blushed and mumbled softly, "...I—I’m my wife’s, too."