Women Only Learn Rules Through Hard Knocks

Lily Evans kept quiet, listening to the aunts complain, and thought to herself that every family has its own troubles.

Lucky brought up two full buckets of water, heavy and brimming. Yet when he lifted them, it seemed effortless.

The aunts marveled at Lucky's strength and kindly said to Lily, "Lily, those buckets are so heavy, but your Lucky is really strong! With that kind of strength, he could work like an ox. He's a real powerhouse."

In an agricultural society, strong laborers were highly prized. Seeing Lucky's honest and powerful appearance, everyone knew he was an excellent worker.

"Come here and put your shoes and socks on." Lily Evans beckoned to Lucky, who obediently came over, trying to please her: "Wife, I remembered the way today. From now on, fetching water is my job."

"Alright, it's your job now," Lily Evans replied sweetly, wiping the sweat from Lucky's forehead.

The young couple had finished fetching water and were ready to head home. Lily Evans walked ahead, while Lucky easily followed behind, carrying two wooden buckets without even breaking a sweat.

Lily Evans thought to herself that her bargain husband’s stamina was truly remarkable. With such strength and endurance, if he used it at night in bed, wouldn’t he tire someone out?

Pfft! Lily Evans suddenly realized what she was thinking, her ears turning red. She scolded herself for being so impure and snuck a glance at Lucky.

Lucky followed Lily Evans like a little tail, dutifully acting as the laborer, completely unaware that his wife was daydreaming about him. When Lily looked at him, he gave her a big smile.

That smile made Lily Evans’s heart skip a beat. The charm of a handsome man’s smile was just too much, so she quickly turned away to hide her flustered feelings.

Lucky’s looks and height were just too eye-catching. As the two walked through the village, they attracted quite a crowd. Some were curious, but most were friendly.

Lily Evans walked with her head held high, calm and composed.

Mrs. Thompson lounged under a crooked tree by the roadside, cracking sunflower seeds. When she saw Lily Evans, she sneered, "Oh, isn’t that the one who married the fool?"

Mrs. Thompson had a sharp tongue. Seeing Lily Evans ignore her, she took the initiative to block the way. The moment she saw Lucky, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.

Mrs. Thompson had assumed a fool would be ugly—maybe hunched or knock-kneed. She was ready to throw salt in Lily Evans’s wounds, but never expected Lucky to be so handsome.

“Lily Evans, where did you find such a good-looking fool?” Mrs. Thompson asked, eyes narrowing.

Lily Evans replied, "He was given to me by fate. If you want one, go ask the gods yourself."

Mrs. Thompson clicked her tongue, clearly dissatisfied with the answer, but she couldn’t help staring at Lucky. "What a waste of good looks on a fool," she muttered.

Lily Evans ignored her and continued walking. Lucky, holding the buckets, followed closely behind, looking at his wife with unwavering devotion.

Mrs. Thompson watched them go, then spat out a sunflower seed shell and muttered, "That girl is really something. She even managed to marry a fool who’s so handsome."

Lily Evans didn’t care what Mrs. Thompson said. She was more concerned about getting Lucky home and making sure he didn’t catch a cold.

She glanced at Lucky, who was still smiling at her. She couldn’t help but smile back, feeling that maybe, just maybe, this was her own kind of happiness.