Fated Deception: How I Accidentally Married a Nine-Tailed Fox

Chapter 12: A New Standard of Living

Lu Yuan awoke close to half past nine the following morning, hardly what one might call an early start. The previous night’s activities had extended well into the early hours—he and Su Liyan hadn’t settled into bed until nearly dawn, after finally bathing together. Even then, Lu Yuan’s ardor hadn’t diminished, leading to an intimate encounter initiated, surprisingly, by his initially shy wife.

The bedroom was quiet now. Lu Yuan rose and opened the door to find Su Liyan already engaged in household tasks, soaking curtains and tablecloths in a large basin. Upon noticing him, she looked up with lingering shyness in her eyes.

“Brother,” she called softly, “breakfast is ready. I’ll bring it to you.”

That morning, Su Liyan had awakened with vivid memories of their passionate night. Her face flushed at the recollection. Something had awakened within her under her husband’s attentions, revealing a side of herself she hadn’t known existed.

Lu Yuan found her bashfulness endearing. His wife seemed to possess two distinct personalities—one reserved and demure in daily life, another passionate and uninhibited in their private moments. Both pleased him immensely.

After washing his face, Lu Yuan returned to find breakfast waiting. The meal appeared to have been prepared some time ago and kept warm.

“What’s this?” he asked, examining the two-grain pancake before him. “Have we run out of white flour already?”

Su Liyan blinked in confusion. “There’s still some flour in the pantry, but…” She hesitated. In her village, even two-grain noodles were considered a luxury, reserved for special occasions and festivals.

Lu Yuan nodded in understanding. “From now on, we’ll only eat white flour. Discard any corn flour we have—it has no place in our home.”

The regional diet consisted of several staples, each reflecting a different economic status. Sweet potatoes were consumed only during times of famine or by the most impoverished families. Cornmeal represented a step up, though it remained harsh and unpalatable—the local variety was ground with the cob, creating a coarse texture that irritated the throat when swallowed. Unlike the sweet corn varieties Lu Yuan remembered from his previous life, this corn produced a bland, brick-like cake when cooked.

Most villagers subsisted on cornmeal daily. City dwellers typically consumed “two-in-one” noodles—a mixture of equal parts corn flour and white flour that yielded a softer, more palatable result. White flour alone represented the height of luxury.

For Su Liyan, raised on cornmeal with occasional two-grain noodles during festivals, their current meal seemed perfectly adequate. But Lu Yuan, accustomed to finer fare in his previous existence, found even the thought of two-grain noodles unappetizing.

Su Liyan nodded in immediate acceptance of his decree.

After the meal, Lu Yuan dressed to go out. They were scheduled to visit Su Liyan’s parents the following day, and he couldn’t arrive empty-handed—appropriate gifts were essential. He preferred to shop alone, knowing Su Liyan would protest expensive purchases.

“I won’t return for lunch,” he informed her, affectionately pinching her cheek as he stood at the doorway. “I’ll find something along the way. Make yourself a proper meal with white flour—don’t be frugal. We have sufficient funds.”

It was nearly ten o’clock, and without a bicycle, Lu Yuan faced a considerable walk to the markets. He knew his wife’s natural inclination toward thrift and wanted to ensure she didn’t deprive herself in his absence.

Su Liyan’s heart warmed at his concern. She straightened his collar tenderly as he reached into his pocket and withdrew ten yuan.

“Keep this for personal expenses,” he said, pressing the money into her hand. “Ask for more if needed.”

In their society, financial management fell naturally to men, though they were expected to provide their wives with monthly allowances for small purchases. Women from reputable compounds typically received three to five yuan monthly—Lu Yuan’s offering was exceptionally generous.

Su Liyan protested immediately. “Brother, this is too much! What would I possibly need with such an amount? We have everything we need at home.”

Lu Yuan smiled patiently. “Accept it. You’re unfamiliar with city life—everything here requires payment. There are many beautiful things to discover. Purchase whatever pleases you, or save it if you prefer. Know this: as my wife, you’ll never want for anything.”

Su Liyan’s emotions overwhelmed her. She embraced him, pressing her face against his chest. “Brother, you’re so good to me.”

“You’re my wife,” he replied simply. “Who else would deserve such treatment?”

After a moment’s reflection, he added a caution: “When speaking with others, however, mention only that I provide you with eighty cents monthly. And never reveal our true financial situation.”

Lu Yuan had explained their wealth as an inheritance from his parents, concealing its true origin with the system. While Su Liyan accepted this explanation readily, neighbors who had known Lu Yuan for years would question such sudden prosperity. Undue attention might lead to reports to authorities or foster dangerous resentment.

Su Liyan nodded in understanding. “My mother taught me never to display wealth unnecessarily.”

Relieved by her comprehension, Lu Yuan departed with a final affectionate gesture.

Alone, Su Liyan returned to her household tasks. The pile of soaking laundry awaited her attention, presenting a dilemma. Washing at home would incur water charges, while the compound’s communal pond offered free access. However, using the pond meant passing a gathering of elderly women whose gossip she dreaded.

After a moment’s hesitation, Su Liyan straightened her shoulders resolutely. She had married Lu Yuan legitimately—there was nothing shameful in their union. Regarding Wang’s family, she had merely agreed to meet their son, never committing to marriage.

From childhood, Su Liyan had endured malicious talk. She had developed resilience against such pettiness. Let them speak—she would focus on creating a good life with her husband.

With newfound confidence, she lifted the heavy basin and stepped outside.