Cynthia Wu and Howard Liu, Heir to the Liu Family

Su Shimao was filled with unwillingness and anger. He clenched his fists, veins bulging on his face, looking fierce and terrifying. Su Meixiang was startled by her brother's appearance and quickly hid behind Mrs. Zhao.

Only then did Su Shimao snap back to reality. He yelled at Mrs. Zhao, "Now that you've delivered the things, go home! Didn't I tell you not to come to the academy unless it's necessary?"

Mrs. Zhao was startled by his shouting and tried to appease him. "Shimao, I was just worried about the weather turning cold these days and thought you might not have enough warm clothes at the academy, so I brought them for you. It's all my fault, please don't be angry."

Su Shimao still looked displeased. Su Meixiang mustered up her courage and tentatively asked, "Brother, were those your classmates just now? I saw Cynthia Wu talking to one of the gentlemen inside. Who is he?"

Although Su Meixiang spoke very cautiously, Su Shimao still sensed something unusual in his sister's tone.

Su Shimao turned to carefully scrutinize his younger sister.

Su Meixiang was considered quite pretty, possessing the simple, rustic beauty unique to country girls. From a man's perspective, she looked rather attractive and had a good figure.

Su Shimao's tone softened a little. "Meixiang, that was Howard Liu, Heir to the Liu Family. His family runs the cotton business and they're major landowners in Greenfield City. I heard Howard was bitten by a snake and was saved by Dr. Wu and his daughter, Cynthia Wu. That's how they know each other."

Su Meixiang responded with an "Oh," feeling her face flush. She couldn't help but envy Cynthia Wu's luck—imagine being the one who saved Howard Liu!

If only she, Su Meixiang, had been the one to save him—how wonderful that would be.

May Parker was deep in thought, her head lowered, completely unaware that David Evans was watching her, seemingly plotting something.

"Mother, May, you should take Mr. Carter's ox cart home. It's too far to walk," David Evans suddenly spoke in a gentle tone.

Mrs. Zhao looked surprised and quickly waved her hands, "No, no, May and I aren't that delicate! Besides, we're still worried about your betrothal money. We can't waste money like that."

David Evans frowned slightly, suppressing his look of disgust, and said, "It's only a couple of coins. Just take the cart."

Mrs. Zhao happily took May Parker and left, praising her son all the way, chattering, "My Evans is so filial, always thinking of his mother!"

May Parker protested, "Mother, I help you with chores every day. Why don't you call me filial?"

Mrs. Zhao shot May Parker a look, "That's not the same! You'll marry into another family someday. Your brother will become a top scholar and let me enjoy a good life."

May Parker pursed her lips, saying nothing. Mother was always biased toward her brother; she was used to it by now.

The two of them walked to the city gate to catch Mr. Carter's ox cart.

Lily Evans and her group had arrived first. Seeing Lily, Mrs. Zhao and May Parker exchanged sly smiles. The mother and daughter sat down on the ox cart, their tone sarcastic: "Oh, Lily, now that you're rich, why are you still squeezing onto the ox cart with us? Wouldn't a grand carriage be more impressive?"

Lily Evans thought to herself that she had no idea what these two were up to. Today she’d become a big landowner, and she didn’t want her good mood ruined. So, she sat with Cynthia Wu and Lucky, turning their backs on Mrs. Zhao and May Parker. The trip was peaceful enough.

When Lily Evans got home, she slapped a thick stack of property deeds onto Mrs. Wang’s table. "Mother, all these houses and shops belong to us now! Our family’s officially big landowners!"

Mrs. Wang was so happy she couldn’t stop smiling as she held the deeds. "I’ve lived in rundown houses all my life. Never dreamed I’d ever own so many!"

Lily Evans waved her hand grandly. "Mother, you can live in whichever house you want."

Mrs. Wang, now older, was attached to her roots. She smiled and put the deeds down. "I’ve lived in Clearwater Village all my life. I’m used to it here, know all the neighbors. I don’t want to move."

Lily Evans grinned and hugged Mrs. Wang’s neck. "Wherever you live, Lucky and I will live with you. We’ll do as you say!"

Mrs. Wang smiled and gently pinched Lily Evans's cheek. "You and that sweet mouth—always buttering me up!"

That night, the Evans family basked in the joy of becoming big landowners. But early the next morning, two unexpected guests arrived, shattering their happiness.