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

Chapter 46: An Unexpected Visitor

After processing what had happened, Lu Yuan understood Wang Xu’s comments had unsettled his wife, making her worry about their financial situation.

Quickly pulling Su Liyan close, he spent considerable time reassuring her with tender words until her mood lightened. But rather than returning upstairs, she gave him a seductive look.

“There’s something else I want too,” she whispered.

What a blessing indeed.

—

Over the next few days, Lu Yuan researched preschool options for his sister-in-law. He visited not only the institutions recommended by the third dean but several others with strong reputations.

While a child’s education ultimately depended on their own motivation—no amount of parental pressure could force an unwilling student to learn—Lu Yuan still wanted to provide the best possible environment for Su Lina.

After thorough consideration, he selected Qinghaitang, the school the dean had mentioned. The tuition seemed reasonable: twenty yuan for six months, roughly three to four yuan monthly. Su Lina could start the following Monday.

With arrangements finalized, Lu Yuan contacted the village brigade to notify his mother-in-law. They would arrive Sunday, with Lu Yuan and Su Liyan meeting them at the East City Gate that morning.

—

Saturday arrived with gentle morning light filtering through the curtains. Lu Yuan woke around eight or nine, emerging from the bedroom to find Su Liyan had already cleaned most of the house.

The bedroom curtains had been removed, along with tablecloths and mats—all soaking in preparation for washing. His wife’s dedication to cleanliness sometimes seemed excessive. Who washed curtains every two weeks?

“Why are you cleaning again?” he asked through a yawn as he headed toward the bathroom. “You work hard enough at the factory. Let’s rest today. I thought we might go out somewhere.”

Su Liyan turned to him with a sweet smile. “Brother, I’m not tired at all! Factory work isn’t difficult, and keeping our home clean is even easier.”

While the sampling inspection team’s work wasn’t particularly strenuous, Lu Yuan knew there was a significant difference between work and leisure. Now that everything was soaking, they’d need to complete the washing before going anywhere—likely not until evening.

After his morning ablutions, Lu Yuan found Su Liyan had already laid out breakfast—rice she’d prepared earlier and kept warm. He had just settled in to watch the “Craftsmanship” program when Lin Zhidong arrived.

“Master, Master’s Wife,” Lin Zhidong called affectionately as he entered, carrying another gift. The young man was unfailingly polite, always bringing something to acknowledge the imposition of his language lessons. Lu Yuan didn’t consider it taking advantage—after all, he was genuinely teaching Lin Zhidong—but appreciated the gesture nonetheless.

Su Liyan greeted their visitor briefly before carrying a large basin to the backyard sink. The neighborhood women clicked their tongues at the sight. What a shame, they thought, to work all day only to come home to housework.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan practiced conversation with Lin Zhidong. Su Liyan finished the washing relatively quickly—there wasn’t much compared to when they first married—and returned to prepare lunch.

As noon approached, Lin Zhidong began gathering his things, but Lu Yuan stopped him. “Where are you going? It’s lunchtime. Stay and eat with us.”

Though Lu Yuan was only half a year older than Lin Zhidong, he’d grown comfortable with the “Master” title his student insisted on using.

“I feel embarrassed always eating at Master’s house,” Lin Zhidong protested weakly.

“Nonsense,” Lu Yuan grinned. “Didn’t you bring enough food for us last time? Come on, it’s not one-sided—you help me too.”

Lin Zhidong nodded with a shy smile, though privately he remained puzzled. His master’s household had only one working member—an apprentice earning barely a dozen yuan monthly—yet their table always featured fish and meat dishes surpassing even his own family’s meals. It seemed improbable, but Lin Zhidong had learned early never to ask inappropriate questions.

At lunch, Lu Yuan sat beside his wife while Lin Zhidong sat across from them, complimenting Su Liyan’s cooking between bites. Su Liyan beamed at being addressed as “Master’s Wife.”

Midway through their meal, a child’s voice carried through the window: “The new daughter-in-law is here! The new daughter-in-law is here!”

Lu Yuan froze, blinking in surprise before suddenly remembering—today was Saturday, when Wang Xu’s prospective daughter-in-law was scheduled to arrive. In an instant, he dropped his chopsticks and rushed outside.

Su Liyan and Lin Zhidong stared in confusion at his abrupt departure. Finding herself alone with their guest, Su Liyan quickly set down her bowl and followed her husband.

Lin Zhidong hesitated briefly before abandoning his meal as well. He had barely stepped outside when Lu Yuan, now standing atop the courtyard wall, called back: “There’s orange soda in the kitchen. Bring out three bottles.”

Looking toward the compound entrance, Lu Yuan immediately spotted the approaching party. His exceptional physical conditioning granted him sharp vision, and what he saw left him momentarily stunned.

“Damn,” he muttered. “A complete minefield.”

Some might misinterpret his words, assuming he referred to impressive physical attributes. But no—Lu Yuan meant the woman was a dangerous complication, a walking disaster waiting to happen.