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

Chapter 2: The Hunt for a Bride

Lu Yuan had barely finished speaking when the old woman rolled her eyes at him.

“It’s Xu!” she snapped.

Looking at the old woman’s indignant expression, Lu Yuan suppressed a laugh. She lived directly across from his house, separated only by a narrow two-meter path, making them inevitable morning companions whenever they opened their doors.

Nobody knew her actual name—everyone simply called her Wang Xu. She had a son named Wang Xiaofei, one year younger than Lu Yuan. With her husband long gone, the household consisted of just mother and son.

Lu Yuan and Wang Xiaofei worked in the same factory workshop, though their positions differed significantly. Lu Yuan had recently passed his examination to become a first-level worker in the Industry Department, earning twenty-three yuan monthly. Wang Xiaofei remained an apprentice, bringing home a mere thirteen yuan.

This discrepancy had soured their relationship considerably over the past year. Wang Xu harbored deep resentment, convinced that Lu Yuan had somehow stolen her son’s opportunity for advancement.

“Aunt Xu,” Lu Yuan said with a mischievous smile, “why are you so cheerful today? Did you eat bee honey or something?”

“You’re the one eating bee droppings!” she retorted sharply before her expression shifted to unmistakable pride. “Our Xiaofei is getting married!”

Married? Lu Yuan blinked in surprise.

This announcement was shocking. Wang Xiaofei was the definition of a mama’s boy, never daring to contradict his mother. At the factory, he was painfully shy—the type who would practically tremble when speaking to women. In fact, Lu Yuan couldn’t recall him having any female acquaintances at all.

Why this sudden marriage?

After a moment’s reflection, understanding dawned on him. Wang Xu had been consulting matchmakers recently. Evidently, her efforts had borne fruit.

This puzzled Lu Yuan even further. The Wang family was among the poorest in the neighborhood, their house the most dilapidated in the courtyard. They weren’t even officially registered residents of the imperial city.

What girl would be desperate enough to marry Wang Xiaofei?

As if answering his unspoken question, a system notification flashed across his consciousness:

【Supreme bargain】

This had to mean the future daughter-in-law was exceptionally promising—that the Wang family had secured an incredible deal. Presumably someone beautiful, hardworking, filial, and kind-hearted.

But that raised another question: if such an exemplary young woman existed in the imperial city, why hadn’t she been claimed already? Why would she settle for Wang Xiaofei?

Only one explanation made sense.

“Is she from the countryside?” Lu Yuan ventured quietly.

Wang Xu bristled instantly, like a cat touching an electric wire. “What’s wrong with the countryside?” she practically shouted, her voice rising with each word. “What’s wrong with the countryside?! Rural people know how to live properly! They know how to treat others with respect!”

Her voice grew more passionate. “Besides, I’ve met my future daughter-in-law—she’s absolutely beautiful and charming! None of the city girls could compare to her!”

Lu Yuan suppressed a smile, realizing his simple question had triggered Wang Xu’s defensive tirade. His guess had been correct: Wang Xu had found a matchmaker who connected her with an attractive rural girl.

Lu Yuan harbored no prejudice against rural people—in his experience, country folk often possessed stronger work ethics and values than their urban counterparts. And this particular girl must be exceptional to satisfy Wang Xu, who was notorious throughout the compound for her demanding nature.

“Oh, dear Aunt,” Lu Yuan backpedaled smoothly, “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just repeating what others in the yard were saying. Personally, I think rural life has its own merits. Hardworking, caring people are valuable regardless of where they’re from.”

His flattery worked. Wang Xu’s expression softened noticeably, her previous animosity toward Lu Yuan temporarily forgotten.

Before she could respond, Lu Yuan leaned forward conspiratorially. “Auntie, where did you go to meet your future daughter-in-law today? Did you use a particular matchmaker?”

Wang Xu eyed him suspiciously. “Why are you asking? What are you planning?”

“Nothing underhanded,” Lu Yuan assured her with earnest sincerity. “I’m hoping to find a wife myself. I thought perhaps you could share your approach.”

“You want to look for a rural bride too?” Wang Xu asked incredulously. “These girls are all from farming villages.”

Lu Yuan spread his hands in a gesture of resignation. “Aunt, given my circumstances, I can’t possibly attract a city woman. I have only this small house and practically no savings. City women expect the three turns and a ring. Which of them would even consider me?”

Wang Xu’s expression turned contemplative as she processed his logic.

It was true—despite Lu Yuan having official imperial city residency and decent housing, he had no parents to support him. How could he possibly afford the traditional betrothal gifts on his modest salary of twenty-three yuan monthly? Without meeting these financial expectations, finding a respectable city wife would be nearly impossible. A village girl might be his most practical option.

Nevertheless, Wang Xu remained wary. “Tomorrow is Saturday. The matchmaker will bring someone to my house then. You can speak with the matchmaker yourself when she arrives.”

She had noticed changes in Lu Yuan recently. For years, she had found him naively gullible—easy to manipulate into sharing rice and flour. But over the past fortnight, he had become unexpectedly shrewd and considerably harder to fool. What if he saw her chosen daughter-in-law and somehow stole her away from her son?

Undeterred by her reluctance, Lu Yuan persisted. “I’m free tonight, Auntie. Why don’t we go meet her now? If it’s promising, we could visit her family tomorrow to discuss arrangements. Securing the marriage certificate quickly would benefit you as well.”

“Benefit me?” Wang Xu echoed, confused. “How would your marriage help me?”

Lu Yuan smiled knowingly. “Everyone in the courtyard is gossiping about your family arranging a marriage with a country girl. If I marry a rural bride first, I’ll draw all the attention. With me as the talk of the neighborhood, who would bother commenting on your son’s choice?”

Wang Xu’s eyes widened as the implications registered. Despite their humble circumstances, pride still mattered. No matter how attractive her future daughter-in-law might be, her rural origins could invite judgment. If Lu Yuan married a country girl first, her son’s similar choice would seem unremarkable by comparison.

Five minutes later, they parted ways with mutual satisfaction. Wang Xu hurried home to share the news with her son.

The moment she disappeared through the courtyard gate, Lu Yuan’s demeanor transformed. His casual stroll accelerated into an urgent sprint.

Chengnan Shuntai Guesthouse.

Time to claim a bride!