The Darling of Heaven Owns a Rip-off Shop

Li Anqing had Wang Linglan’s parents sign and seal to confirm severing ties with Wang Linglan. Afterward, under the urging of their son, he handed over twenty taels of silver to their son, who laughed heartily, cradling the silver as he ran back into the house. Father Wang hurriedly chased after him, shouting that this money shouldn’t be squandered and should be saved for getting a wife. Their son impatiently replied that he understood the importance of it.

Wang Linglan’s mother wanted to chase after him too, but Li Anqing suddenly called her out.

”What more do you want? We’ve signed and sealed; you can take her away now. Bad luck, just take her away quickly!” Wang Linglan’s mother said impatiently.

To Wang Linglan’s astonishment, Li Anqing took out an additional ten taels of silver and said to her mother, ”This ten taels of silver is an extra for you because you gave birth to her.” Of course, this ”her” referred to Wang Linglan.

Wang Linglan’s mother never dreamed there would be such a good thing. With a beaming face, she was about to receive the silver, but Li Anqing pulled his hand back and said, ”I suggest you keep this ten taels hidden, don’t let that father and son know. And remember what you said today, never come looking for us again.”

Wang Linglan’s mother paused for a moment, then nodded somewhat blankly and took the silver.

Li Anqing said to Wang Linglan, who was standing nearby, ”Let’s go.”

”I’ll pack a few things...” Wang Linglan whispered, ”Take a few clothes.”

”There’s no need, let’s go.” Li Anqing didn’t want to stay even a moment longer in this suffocating family, nor did he want Wang Linglan to remain in a place that broke her heart.

Wang Linglan dared not object, following Li Anqing, walking out of the main door.

Wang Linglan’s mother stood at the door, watching Wang Linglan leave, her feelings shifting from initial satisfaction and relief to bewilderment.

The harbinger of misfortune was gone just like that, and her son now had money for a wife, and she had secretly gained ten taels of silver for herself. It should be a good thing, right?

Wang Linglan’s mother’s thoughts were interrupted by the voices of the father and son in the back yard. She snapped back to reality and hurried off to find a place to hide the silver. This was her private money.

...

Wang Linglan got into a carriage with Li Anqing.

Li Anqing waved to his brother, thanked him, and then drove the carriage home.

Wang Linglan remained anxious until the carriage stopped, hearing Li Anqing call from outside, ”Wife, we’re home, come on down.”

Wang Linglan stepped off the carriage awkwardly, looking at the house in front of her. Home, would this be her home now?

”Come with me.” Li Anqing reached out, took Wang Linglan’s hand, and led her into the house, ”You stay in the main room for now, there’s a new set of clothes I bought for you in the wardrobe, and the dressing table is where you women put on makeup, I bought rouge and a few pieces of jewelry for you to use temporarily. We’ll get new ones when we have more money. In a few days, we’ll have a banquet to celebrate our marriage.”

Wang Linglan, led by Li Anqing, entered the room and looked at the clean and tidy house. When she saw the rouge and jewelry on the dressing table, the kind she’d only seen in jewelry stores in town, she never imagined she could afford them in her lifetime.

”Are you hungry? Take your time to get familiar with this place while I prepare some food for you,” Li Anqing said.

”Let me do it,” Wang Linglan hurriedly said. She was bought as a wife; how could she let her husband cook for her?

”Then let’s do it together.” Li Anqing grinned.

As Wang Linglan looked at Li Anqing’s smile, she subconsciously asked, ”Why are you so good to me?” They had never met before, why was he so kind to her?