Chapter Ten: This Is No Longer the Xie Household, Father Would Do Well to Exercise Some Restraint

However, by the time he looked up in a flustered state, Cheng Yuan’s retreating figure had already vanished from the doorway.

Xie Changzhi froze for a long while. The hand he had extended toward the axe on the ground retracted, and he slowly brought his hands up to touch his burning, crimson earlobes. With his elbows resting on his knees and his head bowed, his thin lips were pressed tightly together.

Cheng Yuan’s target was none other than Lu Bai. She had observed the situation at the village chief’s house earlier and confirmed that Lu Bai was not home. She surmised that he must have been busy flirting with the magistrate’s daughter at the time, and she should be able to intercept him now.

Standing on the village path, Lu Bai frowned as he looked at her, a flicker of disdain appearing in his eyes—as if he had expected this.

"Jiang Yuan, didn't we agree to call off the engagement? We have no relationship now. Blocking my path like this will only ruin your reputation!"

At this, the look in Lu Bai’s eyes became even more contemptuous. A village woman was just a village woman—illiterate and lacking any sense of propriety. She was nothing like his precious Jiao-Jiao, who was well-read, courteous, and gentle.

"I know you might find it hard to let go of me, but the truth is what it is. Jiang Yuan, we are simply not a good match."

With no one else on the road, Cheng Yuan stopped putting on an act. She rolled her eyes at him and held out her hand. "First of all, my surname is Cheng now. Second, hand over the silver you owe me."

Lu Bai was stunned for a moment. Ignoring her name change, his face darkened instantly. "What’s the rush? It’s not like I’m not going to pay you back!"

Cheng Yuan remained in the same posture. "Actually, I am in a great rush. Lu Bai, don't try to change the subject. You aren't planning on welching on your debt, are you?"

Lu Bai’s face grew even gloomier. "A mere fifty taels of silver... Jiang—Cheng Yuan, I never realized you were such a materialistic woman! And to think I felt guilty..."

"Ah, yes, yes, I am exactly that kind of woman. And don't bother with the guilt; guilt doesn't put food on the table. It’s just fifty taels, so hurry up and give it to me. You wouldn't want me to spread the word about you and the magistrate’s daughter, would you?"

Cheng Yuan reached into her bodice and pulled out a pale yellow handkerchief, waving it in front of Lu Bai. The white character "Lu" embroidered on the corner was strikingly visible.

Lu Bai’s face turned deathly pale in an instant, and his hands frantically patted his own robes.

"Stop searching, this is the one," Cheng Yuan said with a mischievous smile. "Lu Bai, you should really watch where you're going. Otherwise, it would be quite embarrassing for me to have received such a gift after you so kindly put on a show for me."

"What do you want!" Lu Bai whispered, his voice trembling.

Jiao-Jiao and he had been meeting in secret, and the magistrate was already arranging for her to be seen by young gentlemen of equal social standing. If this matter were to reach his ears, given his own current status, he would undoubtedly face dire consequences.

"I’m not you; what use would I have for this handkerchief? I just want my fifty taels." Cheng Yuan tilted her head, feigning a look of simple innocence.

But Lu Bai saw right through her now. He was so angry he bit his lip until it bled, yet he couldn't fathom how the handkerchief he had kept so carefully had ended up in her hands. Thinking of his promising future, he angrily fished out some broken silver from his robes—totaling about twenty taels—and handed it over, his heart bleeding. He had long since spent the fifty taels buying jewelry to please Jiao-Jiao; there was nothing left!

"Give me the handkerchief first, and I'll pay you the rest when I have it." Before Lu Bai could finish his sentence, the silver was already in Cheng Yuan’s hand.

She happily tucked the silver and the handkerchief back into her clothes, looking at him as if he were a fool. "Do you take me for an idiot? I'll return it once you've paid in full. I'll give you seven days at most. If you don't pay up, you know what will happen."

Cheng Yuan did not miss the flash of murderous intent in his eyes and raised an eyebrow. "As a weak woman, I wouldn't dare come find you myself, but my husband and my brother-in-law insist on tagging along, terrified that I might be bullied."

A sweet smile curved Cheng Yuan’s lips. Lu Bai felt a chill in his heart and quickly scanned his surroundings, but the houses on both sides made it impossible to see if anyone was hiding nearby. He clenched his fists, then eventually let go.

"You had better keep your word!"

Lu Bai spat out the threat. Though Cheng Yuan didn't see the point—after all, he was the one who lacked integrity and honor, yet he seemed afraid that others wouldn't follow the rules—she let out a scoff and began walking back.

In her mind, she chatted happily with the system. "This beginner’s gift pack is great! Thumbs up!"

After she had returned home earlier, the system had informed her of a delayed beginner’s gift pack—a lucky draw. Anything could be won, even immortality! Cheng Yuan had been excited, determined to pull an SSS-rank item, but found she had only drawn the "Master Thief" skill. As the name implied, it allowed her to steal things. It sounded impressive, yet seemed rather useless. It was labeled as level one, implying it could be upgraded, though the system only mentioned that practice might help. She had come out specifically to practice this skill; currently, she could steal any object within fifty meters, and it would instantly appear in her hand.

She had originally intended to steal the silver directly from Lu Bai, but upon seeing him, she had discovered the handkerchief and changed her plan on the spot. She certainly wouldn't return the handkerchief—or rather, even after he paid back the silver, she would likely steal it back again to give the magistrate a surprise. Don't talk to her about morality; Lu Bai had taken advantage of her household more than once. She was just letting off a little steam.

"But really, can't I check in more than once a day?" Cheng Yuan was still unwilling to give up. Aside from the initial check-in at home, then at the town square, and on the mountain, she had tried to check in on the road, only to be warned by the system about the daily limit.

"No." The system’s voice was cold and ruthless.

Cheng Yuan had to settle for disappointment. She checked her inventory: forty-five taels of silver, a complete set of kitchen sauces, and a variety of daily medicinal herbs.

As she hummed a tune and returned to the courtyard, she saw Xie Tingjun and his son with their backs to her, speaking to Xie Changzhi. Xie Changzhi wore his usual submissive expression, but when he looked up in a panic, he caught sight of Cheng Yuan.

"Miss Cheng Yuan..."

"Don't 'Miss Cheng Yuan' me. She's outside now. Tonight, I’m sleeping in your room! You sleep in mine," Xie Yanzhi said, hands on his hips, his nose practically in the air.

"Your brother’s health isn't as good as yours. As the older brother, you should be more accommodating; don't fight him over a room," Xie Tingjun said in a deep voice, showing no awareness that forcing his eldest son to give up his room was an act of blatant favoritism.

Seeing that Cheng Yuan didn't move, seemingly content to watch the show, Xie Changzhi’s long eyelashes trembled. He lowered his gaze, then bit his lip, pressing it into a stubborn, straight line.

"I won't," he said. "Miss Cheng Yuan said it was for me. If Father has any objections, perhaps you should discuss them with her. After all, we are no longer at the Xie estate; we are living under someone else's roof, and it would be best to be more obedient!"

The implication was clear: don't think that just because I'm easy to bully, you can only pick on me. He wasn't alone anymore; he had a wife now.