Living a Good Life Together

Selling her is for her own good? Lily Evans couldn't help but laugh in anger at Helen Parker's words.

Helen Parker, full of righteous indignation, pointed at Margaret Evans and said, "Your mother is nothing but a man-chasing tramp..."

Helen was about to call her a slut, but when she met Lily's suddenly cold gaze and saw Lucky standing tall and strong beside her, she lost her nerve and swallowed her words. "Your mother's reputation is ruined. You're already fourteen, and who in the surrounding villages would dare propose to your family? I saw you were about to become an old maid, so out of old times' sake, I wanted to help you find a husband. What's wrong with Arthur Miller? He's rich, owns land, and if you marry him, you'll live a life of luxury with maids to serve you. Isn't that better than staying in this broken house living a hard life? I'm going through all this trouble to arrange your marriage, and yet you accuse me of trying to sell you off!"

Helen's words were harsh, but there was some truth to them. Given Lily's circumstances, suitors should have been lining up at her door, but Margaret Evans's reputation had kept Lily's marriage prospects at bay.

The villagers, hearing Helen's reasoning, found it somewhat convincing.

With the crowd on her side, Helen grew bolder. "Margaret, look what you've done to your daughter! She could've married well, but now she has to settle for a simpleton as a live-in son-in-law. Why is Lily's fate so bitter, stuck with a mother who drags her down? If I were you, I'd jump in the river and join my dead husband, save everyone the trouble!"

Margaret's face went deathly pale and she staggered.

Lily shot Helen a glare. "Shut up. If you want to jump in the river, go ahead, but stop making a scene here! My family's business is none of yours! If you think Arthur Miller is so great, send your daughter to enjoy his riches! Sixty-something old man with a dozen wives—how shameless!"

Lily took Margaret's hand and said, "Mom, don't listen to her nonsense. She's just trying to upset you. Look at Lucky—he's wonderful, caring, and handsome. What more could we ask for?"

Lucky's eyes lit up at Lily's praise. He stepped in front of them, puffed out his chest, and said adorably, "Mom, I'll take care of my wife and be filial to you. I'm really good at working—I chop wood better than anyone!"

Margaret looked Lucky over carefully. He was tall and muscular, a real worker. Except for his simple-minded expression, he was actually quite handsome—no one in the nearby villages could match his looks.

With such a strong man in the house, they wouldn't have to worry about being bullied anymore.

So what if he's a little slow? As long as he's good-hearted. Margaret came around, patting Lucky's arm. "Good child, take care of Lily and live a good life together."

Helen sneered from the side, "What kind of life can you have with a simpleton? Dragons have dragon sons, phoenixes have phoenix sons. My boy was born clever and will be a top scholar someday—I’ll enjoy a good life then. Lily and her fool of a husband will only have fool children and be poor and miserable forever. When you end up with a nest of simpletons, don’t come crying! Lily, it’s not too late to regret. Come beg Arthur Miller—maybe he’ll still take you in."

If she can't sell for fifty taels of silver, surely twenty taels will do!

"Enough out of you! Do you think we're all blind? Everyone knows Arthur Miller's house is a pit of misery. Why are you so eager for Lily to jump in? You just can't stand to see her do well!" The village chief scolded Helen.

Helen rolled her eyes. "Pfft, what do you all know?"

Lily shot Helen a cold look. "How I live is none of your business. If I fall on hard times, I won't beg you for help. If I strike it rich, don't come looking for favors. Our families have nothing to do with each other."

Helen burst out laughing in disdain. "Big talk! You think you can get rich? With that attitude, you'll be poor for life! If you ever do get rich, I'll crawl from one end of the village to the other like a turtle!"