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

Chapter 48: Business Developments

Wang Xiaofei nearly fainted at Lu Yuan’s unexpected intervention. He hadn’t wanted this marriage in the first place, yet here was Lu Yuan—the neighborhood troublemaker—suddenly speaking up as if concerned for the woman. Wang Xiaofei suspected Lu Yuan secretly coveted the “gas tank” woman himself and would mock him endlessly if she rejected the match.

Most infuriating were Lu Yuan’s implications about Su Liyan. Everyone around them rolled their eyes at his shameless claims.

“I really didn’t just look at your appearance,” Lu Yuan insisted, holding his wife’s slender waist. “I could see the beauty in your heart. I’m not a superficial person.”

These sincere-sounding words touched Su Liyan deeply. She embraced him, nodding. “I know. I like you not just because of your looks either.”

The onlookers exchanged glances. Only Su Liyan, completely besotted with her husband, would believe such obvious lies. No one understood what she saw in Lu Yuan. His appearance wasn’t particularly handsome, and his character seemed questionable at best. The assembled neighbors felt angry seeing how Lu Yuan manipulated such a sweet girl.

Lu Yuan turned to Wang Xiaofei with raised eyebrows. “I think this woman is nice—open-minded, a worker, from a respectable family. Sure, she’s physically strong, but that means she can work hard. Her appearance may be ordinary, but that’s what her parents gave her. Nobody can change that. What matters is a kind heart. Don’t be so superficial.”

Wang Xiaofei’s blood pressure rose with each word. How dare Lu Yuan claim all the reasonable-sounding arguments! But Wang Xiaofei remained certain of one thing: if Lu Yuan advocated for something, he should oppose it on principle.

Besides, Wang Xiaofei truly disliked the stocky woman. Having seen Su Liyan—who lived across from his house—the comparison was maddening. Imagining waking up each morning to his prospective bride, then seeing Su Liyan as he left for work… the thought alone made him furious.

Meanwhile, the “gas tank” girl gazed at Lu Yuan with gratitude. She had little interest in Wang Xiaofei’s situation. The shabby three-room house was approximately the size of her family’s bathroom. Now they wouldn’t even let her through the door, leaving her standing outside like a zoo animal on display.

The kind neighbor had spoken up for her. Looking at his public housing unit and his beautiful wife, she thought: this is what a good man deserves. She’d rather serve this brother and his wife than marry into Wang’s household. What terrible manners they had!

Lu Yuan noticed the woman’s appreciative gaze and raised his eyebrows slightly. Why was she looking at him so strangely? Was she interested in him? He hoped his kindness wouldn’t be misinterpreted.

The situation reached an impasse. Wang Xiaofei refused to proceed, not even inviting the woman inside. Wang Xu cursed repeatedly, but her son remained stubborn. She had no choice but to accept defeat.

The matchmaker, considering the woman’s feelings, turned against Wang Xu. She jumped up and down, hurling insults. Even if the match wasn’t suitable, basic courtesy demanded they invite the girl in for a brief conversation before deciding. Instead, they’d left her outside like a spectacle. Who would want to enter such a shabby house anyway?

The matchmaker, experienced in her profession, delivered scathing rebukes that were particularly unpleasant to hear. Though Wang Xu was normally the most aggressive resident in the compound, she dared not antagonize the matchmaker. She would need her services again if this match failed. She could only smile apologetically, endure the scolding, and reluctantly escort the matchmaker and the young woman out.

When Wang Xu returned alone with her head lowered, Lu Yuan couldn’t resist one final jab: “Auntie, didn’t I warn you? Don’t count on something before it’s accomplished. You acted like your family was marrying the Jade Emperor’s daughter!”

Wang Xu forced a smile and hummed noncommittally. She couldn’t risk offending Lu Yuan—if this match failed, any future prospects might be sabotaged by his interference. She dragged Wang Xiaofei, still standing stubbornly at the door, back inside.

Lu Yuan finished his orange soda with a satisfied burp and headed home with his arm around his wife’s waist.

Inside their house, Wang Xu and Wang Xiaofei immediately began arguing. The son blamed his mother for embarrassing him publicly. First, he had lost Su Liyan—beautiful, capable, and caring. Now he’d been humiliated before the entire compound.

Wang Xu recognized her mistake but refused to accept blame—what mother ever admits wrongdoing to her son? The argument escalated into a full-blown shouting match, their voices carrying through the open windows in the summer heat, echoing throughout the courtyard.

—

Around four o’clock, Lin Zhidong departed on his bicycle. Lu Yuan had planned to invite him for dinner, amused by how little the thin clerk ate—merely half a steamed bun and two small pieces of meat per meal, like a baby bird. However, Lin Zhidong insisted on leaving, displaying commendable etiquette and self-awareness. Lu Yuan respected his polite restraint.

After dinner, Lu Yuan and Su Liyan went out for a walk to aid digestion. They planned to visit Qianhai Lake in Xicheng District, but first, Lu Yuan took Su Liyan to the market management office of Wenfeng Commercial City to check on his property investments.

The dozen shops he owned had been available for rent for some time. To his delight, three had been leased—two at twelve yuan monthly and one at fifteen yuan. Lu Yuan’s household income had just increased by thirty-nine yuan per month!