Chapter 3: Come with me, brother, and I

Now there are already quite a few people on the street.

Don't think it's just a short while; every shop has already opened and is preparing to open.

It also has the prosperous and imposing look of the Huangcheng.

On the road, Lu Yuan looked at Su Liyan, who was curiously looking around nearby, and said:

"Sister, this Huangcheng isn't the countryside; a single breakfast costs two mao of silver. You say, Gao Tingyu earns less than twenty silver yuan a month—is that enough?"

Lu Yuan is lying; a breakfast that costs two mao is something only a rich second-generation like Lu Yuan could afford.

Ordinary people, making breakfast themselves in the morning, spend only a few fen.

Su Liyan looked at Lu Yuan in some surprise; things in the Huangcheng are so expensive……

That's right……

The Huangcheng isn't comparable to the countryside……

Before Su Liyan could think further, Lu Yuan immediately said again:

"The key is his mother, Gao Xushi; that old lady really isn't something pleasant—she's practically a stinking jar in the courtyard!!

"Being lazy and gluttonous is bad enough, but Gao Tingyu is also a mama's boy—well, you know what a mama's boy means, right? It means he listens to his mother in everything.

"He hands over all his earnings to Gao Xushi; if you ever want to eat a sweet potato, you'll have to gauge her mood first!"

Lu Yuan really isn't talking nonsense.

Gao Xushi really is lazy and gluttonous; any good stuff goes straight to her own belly!

Hearing this, Su Liyan said with a panicked face:

"Ah… no… isn't it said that city folk eat erhe noodles? How… how could one eat sweet potatoes and still have to watch someone's expression…"

"This… this isn't even as good as the countryside; at least there you can eat cornbread…"

Hearing this, Lu Yuan smirked inwardly, then raised his eyebrows and spoke solemnly:

"That's right, sister—you should also check what his family's situation is like!

"Like the other people in the courtyard, their families have elders; take Ge Daya in the courtyard, for example—he's an eighth-rank forge worker, earning over eighty silver a month.

"Even if not the best, take me, your brother—I'm a third-rank forge worker, earning thirty-six silver yuan a month; though it's not much, I have no parents, so I can eat my fill and the whole family won't go hungry, and life is still good.

"But the Gao family can't manage—only he earns money, and he's just a lowly worker making less than twenty silver a month; his mother doesn't earn anything, so their life is inevitably tight.

Hearing this, Su Liyan's face filled with grievance, already on the verge of tears:

"But… but the person who introduced us said……

"They said the Gao family is a military household, with good conditions; once I move in, they'll buy me a sewing machine, and after marrying in I'll stay home raising the kids and enjoy blessings……

Hearing this, Lu Yuan immediately curled his lip and said:

"Can you believe what those people say? They're just a one‑hammer deal—take your money and run; they'll surely deceive you!

"Besides, what military household? It's just that his father died on the battlefield, and the Imperial Court gives his family an extra ten silver each year; you say that sewing machine is also the pension given after his father's death.

"That's all the Gao family's assets; after buying a sewing machine, what would they have left? You'll end up chewing sweet potatoes every day!

"Besides, have you seen his home? It's just one room; after you marry and have kids, wouldn't four or five people have to crowd into that single room?

"By then you won't even have a place to turn around!!!

Lu Yuan really isn't exaggerating; everyone in the courtyard knows exactly what level the Gao family is at.

Having said that, if the Gao family truly had good conditions, they would have already sought a city girl—why look for a country one?

Su Liyan also understood this point clearly.

After thinking with a face full of grievance for a while, she reddened her eyes and softly sobbed:

"It… it doesn't matter… women are just meant to be oxen and horses for others… my family's situation isn't good either; marrying him would be a match of equals, and at least I'd be able to live in the city……

Su Liyan's little figure with reddened eye sockets is truly pitiful to behold; Lu Yuan couldn't help but want to go wipe her tears.

However, regarding Su Liyan's words, Lu Yuan was at a loss for words.

You really don't know what you look like, do you??

You really don't know how good‑looking you are, do you??

Besides, it makes sense—now that we're after the war, women truly aren't worth much during these wartime years, and Su Liyan probably rarely leaves the village.

Moreover, she really is a good woman, worthy of so many labels.

She doesn't even disdain Gao Tingyu.

But the problem is…… she's not enlightened!!

With such a diamond bachelor standing before you, you don't have any ideas??

You don't even ask Brother if he's married?

Is Brother's looks inferior to that Gao Tingyu's?

Lu Yuan truly isn't bragging when he says he's devilishly handsome now!

Although it's said he transmigrated into someone else's body, after coming over Lu Yuan's original appearance merged with this body's looks, and now he's truly handsome to die for.

Alright, seeing how honest Su Liyan is, she definitely wouldn't come up with such thoughts on her own, so I'll have to say it myself.

It's also definitely up to this big gentleman—myself—to say it.

However, no rush.

After bringing Su Liyan to the breakfast stall he had just visited, Lu Yuan loudly called out to the vendor:

"Give me a basket of fresh‑meat soup dumplings, two fried dough stick, and a cup of soy milk."

Having said that, Lu Yuan thought for a moment, then said:

"Pack it to go."

After speaking, Lu Yuan handed over an enamel basin.

The vendor's eyes lit up, and he immediately greeted him.

Lu Yuan must bring his future wife to have a look at the big residence at home.

Take a look at the big shop along the street.

After having a look, as long as things go smoothly, to avoid delays, this afternoon Lu Yuan will take Su Liyan to get the marriage certificate.

After handing the enamel basin filled with soy milk by the boss to the startled Su Liyan, Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"You don't mind using the basin I've used, do you?"

Su Liyan was startled, then her face slightly red as she hurriedly said:

"How... how could it be, Yuan Ge?"

Hmm, not bad, just now it was still Lu Ge, now it's Yuan Ge, the relationship is gradually getting closer.

After receiving the soup dumplings and fried dough stick, Lu Yuan directly shoved them into Su Liyan's hands.

At this point, Su Liyan was already frightened.

This is all for me??

Even in the village, during New Year one might not necessarily get to eat a meal of white flour...

This now...

Looking at this scene, Lu Yuan grinned and said:

"Don't be polite with me, I have money."

Su Liyan originally didn't dare to take it, but she had been sitting in an ox cart since last night, arriving here without having eaten a meal, and she was both cold and hungry.

Now Su Liyan is really hungry to the point of feeling faint.

This bun is so fragrant...

After restraining herself for a moment, Su Liyan finally couldn't resist the temptation and immediately opened her alluring red lips to take a big bite.

Her eyes were about to overflow with emotion, looking at Lu Yuan she spoke indistinctly:

"Thank you, Yuan Ge."

Afterwards, Lu Yuan took Su Liyan towards his grand residence, wanting her to see his big house and the shops.

However, this made Su Liyan a bit puzzled as she said:

"Yuan Ge, aren't we going back?"

Since that's the case, Lu Yuan no longer pretended, and directly looked at Su Liyan and said:

"Come with me, I have a secret to tell you."

(End of chapter)