Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

“Young Master Wang, it’s been a long time. I know you are determined to achieve fame and success, and I admire your ambition. With your talent, you will surely achieve great things. I am willing to stay by your side. Shouldn’t we start planning our marriage?”

This was a sentence Fang Yu heard as he turned the corner.

Originally, it had nothing to do with her, but since the person who said it was Fang Ling, Fang Yu stopped in her tracks and became a bit gossipy, leaning against the uneven wall to continue listening.

The two people sitting opposite each other at the tea stall were clearly not a good match, even to a discerning eye.

Fang Ling was dressed in a very clean coarse linen outfit, and she deliberately tried to imitate the demeanor of a rich young lady, which made her look rather comical.

On the other hand, Wang Yuan, dressed in brocade, came from a wealthy family and exuded a subtle air of arrogance.

However, Fang Yu could tell at a glance that Wang Yuan was a two-faced person. Judging from his superficial appearance, he was someone who frequented brothels.

This person is not a good match, so there's no need to even discuss whether he can become the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Wang Yuan took a sip of tea impatiently, but still managed to speak with composure: "Did Miss Fang come to see me just for this matter?"

Fang Ling clearly didn't notice his impatience and was still looking at him expectantly.

Wang Wenyuan glanced at her with a fleeting look of disdain: "Marriage is entirely decided by the elders. You, a woman, are showing your face in public and talking to me about marriage. If we were to actually get married, wouldn't today's events be a disgrace to the Wang family?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ling's already somewhat shy face turned bright red; she had indeed come on her own initiative today.

Wang Yuan didn't want to say anything more to her. He stood up and said, "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. As for the marriage, the elders in my family will make the decision."

"Young Master Wang!" Fang Ling hurriedly chased after him, grabbing his sleeve, "Young Master Wang..."

With her eyelashes lowered and her cheeks flushed, her shy demeanor was captivating and aroused Wang Yuan's wicked thoughts.

He subtly curled the corners of his lips, lifted Fang Ling's chin, and examined her closely.

Fang Ling was of average appearance, but in the countryside, she was considered quite attractive.

In the years since the engagement was arranged, the Fang family has frequently visited the Wang family to discuss the matter.

Even if the Wang family was not the best, they were still considered respectable in Qingshan City. If it weren't for the fact that the deceased patriarch of the Fang family had luckily saved his grandfather who had fainted by the roadside, thus arranging this marriage, how could they have actually married a country girl who was not presentable to the public as their mistress?

However, with her looks, she was more than qualified to be a concubine.

This was Fang Ling's first time visiting him, and Wang Yuan guessed that she must have encountered some troublesome matter.

He asked insincerely, "Do you have something to ask of me, or rather, something to ask of the Wang family?"

Fang Ling's eyes suddenly reddened, and she nodded gently.

Wang Yuan closed his fan, tilted his head slightly, and glanced at the restaurant next door: "It's windy outside, why don't we find a quiet place to talk?"

Fang Ling followed Wang Yuan to the restaurant.

Fang Yu didn't intend to get involved in this matter, but couldn't resist the urge to watch the drama unfold. Now that Fang Ling had gone in today, she knew without even thinking what would happen.

in the room.

Fang Ling stammered about her family needing money, but she didn't mention that it was because her gambling father had gambling debts.

For Wang Yuan, fifty taels of silver was just a matter of lifting a finger.

Fang Ling took small, quick steps toward Wang Yuan and carefully tugged at his sleeve.

She knew what it meant for her to come with him.

Anyway, she would marry into the Wang family sooner or later, it was just a matter of time. Although she was a little scared, it was still better than marrying that brute Lin Wu for fifty taels of silver.

Fang Yu was squatting on the roof, looking at the situation inside the room. Seeing Fang Ling's self-destructive appearance, Fang Yu hesitated.

If she meddles in other people's business, Fang Ling might even resent her.

Just as she hesitated, the roof tiles beneath her feet suddenly loosened and collapsed entirely.

"Wow!"

Fang Yu fell into the room so gracefully that tiles and wood chips were scattered all over the floor.

Startled, Fang Ling immediately threw herself into Wang Yuan's arms, looking like a frightened little rabbit.

Wang Yuan also took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her into his embrace.

Fang Yu patted the dust floating in the air, slowly turned around, and looked up at the sky with a bit of embarrassment.

"Fang Yu, it's you! Why did you fall from there? What did you see?"

Fang Ling's sharp questions were all stemming from her guilty conscience.

"This house is really poor quality," Fang Yu muttered under her breath, patting the dust off her clothes. "I was just passing by and didn't mean to disturb you. Why don't you continue?"

Wang Yuan's hand, which was around Fang Ling's waist, slowly loosened when he saw Fang Yu's face, which was covered with a little bit of powder.

They bear a slight resemblance, but Fang Yu's face looks more beautiful; it's the kind of beauty that's harmless and innocent.

Wang Yuan covered his mouth and coughed lightly before asking, "My name is Wang Yuan. May I ask who this young lady is?"

Before Fang Yu could speak, Fang Ling interrupted, "Young Master Wang, don't worry about her. She's someone we kicked out of our family. She's not a good person, so don't be fooled by her appearance."

Fang Yu deliberately glanced at the small couch behind them, which was used for a short rest: "I won't disturb your good time, farewell."

She turned and left, and it was too late for Wang Yuan, who was holding a folding fan, to stop her.

Looking at the mess on the ground, Wang Yuan had lost interest.

Fang Ling grabbed his wrist, trying to stop him: "Young Master Wang, we..."

Wang Wen flicked his folding fan twice: "I have something to attend to, so please excuse me."

"About the silver..."

Fang Ling's voice trailed off as Wang Yuanyuan's departing figure grew fainter and fainter.

Fang Ling knew that Wang Yuan was clearly attracted by Fang Yu's appearance.

After buying the necessary items, Fang Yu met up with Fang Xin at the city gate and then went home.

The dilapidated courtyard was filled with Li's washed clothes, a riot of colors that added a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise desolate space.

Li, who was doing needlework inside the house, came out when she heard the noise at the door.

"Mom, we are back."

The two sisters called out in unison as they came in.

Li held a coarse cloth handkerchief and wiped the sweat from the two sisters one by one: "Look at you, you must be exhausted. Are you hungry? I'll go cook."

"Let's do it together."

The mother and her two daughters busied themselves around the makeshift stove they had set up.

A steaming pot of braised pork with potatoes is ready.

Fang Xin took a deep breath of the aroma and said to herself, "From now on, we can eat meat every day."

Li put the best piece of meat on Fang Yu's plate: "Yu'er, you've been working too hard lately, you need to eat more to nourish your body."