NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Some People Are Born to Be the Protagonist
Chapter 3: Some People Are Born to Be the Protagonist
Lu Yuan arrived at Shuntai Guesthouse breathless from running. These establishments were essentially small hotels, modest in every way but their purpose.
Inside, he approached the young woman at the front desk directly.
“I’m looking for Liu Sufen.”
Without hesitation or concern for privacy—such concepts weren’t priorities in this era—the girl replied, “Second floor, room 203.”
When Lu Yuan knocked on the door upstairs, a middle-aged woman with the unmistakable demeanor of a rural matchmaker answered, eyeing him with suspicion.
“Who are you looking for, young man?”
Lu Yuan offered his most disarming smile. “Aunt Liu, correct? I work at the Ministry of Industry. Here’s my work permit.”
He presented his identification, which Liu Sufen examined carefully, her expression still guarded.
“Aunt, my Aunt Xu visited you today, right?” Lu Yuan continued. “The one from the workers’ compound in the east of the city. Her son is Wang Xiaofei—we work in the same factory.”
Though Liu Sufen couldn’t read the text on the work permit, she recognized the steel stamp and red seal—impossible to counterfeit without risking imprisonment. Satisfied, she opened the door fully.
“Yes, come in. Did you have something to tell me?”
She wondered if Wang Xu had sent this young man with additional requests or instructions about tomorrow’s arrangements. After their afternoon meeting, Liu Sufen had concluded that Wang Xu would be a demanding client.
“I won’t come in,” Lu Yuan said with a light chuckle. “Actually, I’m here because I need you to find me a wife. Could you help me? Now, if possible?”
Liu Sufen’s eyes brightened immediately. Business arriving at her doorstep—no need to seek it out herself!
“Is that so?” she said, delighted. “Of course! The girls are in the first-floor dormitory. I’ll take you there.”
She locked her door and began leading Lu Yuan downstairs.
“These matters are usually handled by parents,” she remarked, glancing back at him. “Why are you here alone, at your age? Missing a wife that badly, are you?”
Lu Yuan feigned bashful embarrassment. “My parents traveled south for trade several years ago. Bandits intercepted them—they never returned. I’m alone now. If I don’t handle this matter myself, no one will.”
Liu Sufen’s expression softened, her mind already calculating.
“And your current situation?” she probed.
Lu Yuan straightened, chest puffing slightly. “I live in a workers’ compound—a public building exceeding 100 square meters. As you saw from my papers, I work at the Ministry of Industry. I’m nineteen and recently passed the examination to become a first-level worker, earning twenty-three yuan monthly. My household registration is in the imperial city.”
Liu Sufen stopped walking abruptly, examining Lu Yuan with newfound intensity. “Young man, is there… something wrong with you?”
The question made sense. His qualifications were exceptional: an iron rice bowl position at the Ministry, first-class worker status at only nineteen years old, imperial city residency, and—most impressively—a substantial public housing assignment. Most imperial city dwellings were hastily constructed private affairs, barely qualifying as shelter compared to proper village homes.
Lu Yuan spread his hands, smiling. “Look at me, Auntie. I’m standing right here—what could be wrong? I assure you, I’m perfectly fine.”
“With your qualifications,” Liu Sufen said, bewildered, “you could have your pick of city girls. My clients are village girls. Didn’t your Aunt Xu mention this?”
She remained suspicious. Why would someone with his prospects seek a rural bride? Was he mocking her business?
Lu Yuan sighed. “Auntie, these qualifications aren’t as impressive as you think. City girls expect the ‘three turns and one ring’ for marriage. Being alone, when would I save enough for such expenses? Besides, city women don’t understand practical living—they only know spending. Village girls live simply and peacefully.”
Liu Sufen’s face brightened as she resumed walking, pulling Lu Yuan along.
“You’re absolutely right!” she agreed enthusiastically. “Men today chase city women thinking they’re fashionable. But fashionable doesn’t manage a household! After six months of marriage, those fashionable attitudes disappear when confronted with daily necessities. A daughter-in-law should know practical living, shouldn’t she?”
Lu Yuan nodded repeatedly, wisely remaining silent.
Reaching the first floor, Liu Sufen turned to him. “Tell me, what kind of girl are you seeking? I’ll show you suitable candidates.”
Lu Yuan blinked innocently. “That’s difficult to express, Auntie. I don’t have specific requirements—I just want someone I connect with. Could we see them first?”
Liu Sufen hesitated. Normally, allowing a man to browse prospective brides would be inappropriate. Yet this young man’s exceptional circumstances and the fact he’d arrived independently persuaded her.
“Wait here,” she instructed. “I’ll check if the girls are prepared.”
She disappeared into a room, returning moments later to beckon him forward. “Come, child.”
Entering the dormitory, Lu Yuan surveyed the space quickly. Large bunk beds filled the room, occupied by seven or eight young women from surrounding villages—all brought by matchmakers like Liu Sufen for arranged meetings.
His gaze swept across the room before stopping suddenly, captured by one striking figure. The beauty before him left him momentarily speechless.
Some people, Lu Yuan thought, are truly born to be protagonists.
Her beauty transcended the ordinary, her presence justifying the words “Supreme Bargain” that had appeared above Aunt Wang’s head. There was no hesitation in his mind.
“Her,” he declared. “She’s the one.”