Mark Hunter Helps Out
Since the mushrooms had been ruined, Lily thought it would be a waste to return home empty-handed after climbing the mountain. She had finally made a trip to the city, and not bringing anything to sell would arouse suspicion. For now, she didn’t want outsiders to know about her dealings with Savory House. After all, villagers could fight over a single silver hairpin—let alone Savory House, the high-end restaurant chain with branches nationwide. If word got out about her business, with profits in the thousands, who knows how many would get jealous!
While Mrs. Zhao was feeling smug about Lily not making any money, Lily was already busy setting up several traps.
Mrs. Zhao hadn’t finished gloating when Lily caught several wild rabbits and pheasants, leaving Mrs. Zhao dumbfounded.
“Tsk, quite a haul!” Lily said with satisfaction, asking Yuanbao to put the game in a sack. The two of them headed down the mountain and into the city.
This time, Cynthia Wu was also on the ox cart into the city.
Old Man Qian saw the cart was full and leisurely drove everyone toward the city.
“Lily, you caught so much game to sell!” Cynthia Wu looked at the sack on Yuanbao’s back with envy, but without any jealousy.
“You’ve got plenty of herbs too!” Lily smiled, sitting close beside Cynthia Wu.
Dr. Wu had taught Cynthia Wu how to identify medicinal herbs, so she often went up the mountain to gather them. After keeping some for her own family, she would sell the rest in the city to help out at home.
Sure enough, Cynthia Wu brought a large sack of herbs, bulging and full.
“Cynthia, your sack is so heavy. Can you really carry it by yourself?” Lily looked at the sack, which was taller than Cynthia Wu herself.
Cynthia Wu laughed, “Even if I can’t, I have to. My father’s getting old and there are no men at home—I have to manage somehow, right?”
Suddenly, someone nearby piped up, “I’m heading to the market too—we’re from the same village. Let me help you carry the sack.”
Lily turned to see it was Mark Hunter. He was also carrying a sack of game to sell in the city.
“No, no, I couldn’t possibly trouble you,” Cynthia Wu protested.
Mark’s sun-darkened face reddened slightly as he lowered his head and tried to sound casual. “It’s no trouble at all. Out here, folks from the same village should help each other—that’s what neighbors are for, right? By the way, Lily, you and your husband haven’t sold much game before, have you? Why don’t you come with me? I know someone who specializes in buying game and offers fair prices.”
Lily stifled a laugh. She’d originally planned to sell her game to Savory House, knowing they’d never cheat her. But the moment Mark spoke, Lily understood his intention.
Turns out, Mark wanted to sell goods together with Cynthia Wu, but was afraid she’d refuse if she was alone—so he roped Lily and her husband in as well.
Mark Hunter was twenty, the village’s only hunter. He had no parents or siblings. With his excellent hunting skills and solid family background, he was honest and reliable—many young women in the village had their eyes on him.
“Sure, we’ll trouble you then, Mark. My husband and I aren’t too familiar with selling game, and we’re worried about getting cheated.” Lily was happy to do a favor in passing.
Mark had been nervous, worried Lily would refuse and he’d lose his chance to help Cynthia Wu. Seeing Lily agree, Mark broke into a wide smile, showing a mouthful of white teeth. “Great! Once we get to the city, let’s go together.”
Once they reached the city gate, everyone paid their fare, and Mark promptly picked up Cynthia Wu’s sack.
Cynthia Wu hurried to take it back. “Mark, you really don’t have to. I can manage myself.”
But Mark just gave a good-natured grin. “That sack’s way too heavy for you ladies. Don’t worry, I’m strong—sometimes I carry wild boars weighing dozens of pounds down the mountain, and it’s no problem. This sack is nothing. Besides, your dad often treats my injuries, so helping out a little is the least I can do.”
Seeing this, Cynthia Wu could only let Mark carry the sack for her.