NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: A Fateful Encounter
Chapter 4: A Fateful Encounter
Lu Yuan considered himself a man of experience.
After all, he had spent years as an otaku back on Earth, with endless images stored on computers and smartphones. He had seen countless beautiful women—European, American, Caribbean, Japanese, Korean—with every imaginable style and appearance.
This included celebrities, starlets, those surgically enhanced and those natural. Yet none compared to the woman before him now.
What words could possibly describe her?
She embodied pure desire—the quintessential first-love face. Her beauty was both innocent and subtly alluring, markedly different from the sun-darkened women beside her who clearly labored in the fields regularly.
Did this mean she was pampered, unable to perform farm work?
No—the true explanation was far more remarkable. This woman had a pair of delicate black fox ears adorning her head.
Though this world resembled Earth’s 1970s and 80s, it differed in fundamental ways. Here, humans shared the world with beastmen and demons, though such races remained a small minority of the population.
The defining characteristic of demons was their imperviousness to the environmental effects that marked human laborers. While humans developed callused hands and sun-darkened skin from fieldwork, demons retained their pristine appearance regardless of their activities.
The woman before him exemplified this trait perfectly—her skin possessed an otherworldly luminosity, white with subtle pink undertones that seemed to glow from within.
Despite wearing only simple, well-worn garments, she transformed them into elegant attire, like wildflowers adorning a plain dress. Her enchanting eyes, perfectly proportioned nose, and full lips combined to create unparalleled beauty.
Lu Yuan had encountered countless digitally enhanced images back on Earth, yet none—even with beauty filters maximized—approached her natural radiance.
One question nagged at him: why would a woman of such extraordinary beauty resort to arranged matchmaking? With her appearance alone, wealthy urban bachelors should have been competing for her hand. What circumstances had reduced her to following a matchmaker into the city seeking marriage prospects?
When Lu Yuan directly indicated interest in this particular woman, Liu Sufang—the matchmaker—immediately protested.
“That won’t do, young man! She’s the one your courtyard aunt has arranged for tomorrow’s meeting. We’re scheduled to visit your aunt’s house.”
Lu Yuan responded with a disarming smile. “Auntie Liu, that’s not quite right. Everyone here is seeking a match based on mutual attraction, not purchasing merchandise on a first-come basis. People must connect personally, don’t you agree?”
He continued smoothly, “We should at least talk and get acquainted. What if we develop feelings for each other? Wouldn’t that simplify your work? Besides, the arrangement only commits her to visiting Wang Xiaofei’s home tomorrow—not to marrying him. Is she supposed to marry my Aunt Xu instead? Is one person’s preference sufficient?”
Though diplomatically phrased, certain realities remained unmoved by polite words. Lu Yuan pressed his advantage:
“Furthermore, my situation is unquestionably superior to Wang Xiaofei’s. If this young lady and I form a connection, I’ll provide a generous bride-price—at least ten yuan.”
Before arriving, Lu Yuan had learned that Wang Xu had offered the matchmaker three yuan as her fee. By raising the amount to ten yuan, he knew the matchmaker couldn’t possibly refuse.
Indeed, “money makes the world go round” proved universally true.
Liu Sufang’s eyes widened. “Ten yuan?!”
Moreover, Lu Yuan’s logic was impeccable. Wang Xu had merely arranged an introduction—success remained unguaranteed until tomorrow’s meeting. What if it failed? The matchmaker’s efforts would be wasted.
Here stood a young man clearly interested, offering a substantial payment contingent only on the girl’s agreement.
The matchmaker turned toward the room where the women waited and called out, “Liyan, come here quickly! Everyone else should retire—we need to rise early tomorrow.”
Even her name seemed destined for significance, unlike the common floral or pastoral names many women bore.
At the matchmaker’s summons, the woman named Li Yan emerged, while the other women inside watched with undisguised disappointment.
Lu Yuan observed everything with keen interest.
In the pavilion behind the guesthouse, the three of them sat together.
Liu Sufang explained Lu Yuan’s circumstances to Su Liyan in detail. As she listened, Su Liyan appeared increasingly astonished. Were his prospects truly so favorable?
Then the matchmaker outlined Su Liyan’s situation for Lu Yuan. Her story was simple: she came from Shigezhuang village, fifty miles south of the imperial city. Her father was deceased, leaving only her mother and herself.
Lu Yuan found nothing objectionable in these details. Looking directly at Su Liyan, he spoke with earnest candor:
“I’m captivated by you—have been from the moment I first saw you. It was truly love at first sight.”
His directness brought a deep blush to Su Liyan’s beautiful face. How could he express such feelings upon their first meeting? It was tremendously embarrassing.
Liu Sufang silently marveled at the young man’s boldness and eloquence. City men certainly possessed confidence!
Both Lu Yuan and the matchmaker now watched Su Liyan expectantly, awaiting her response.
Su Liyan glanced briefly at Lu Yuan before averting her enchanting eyes, her face radiating shy uncertainty.
Her bashful demeanor only intensified Lu Yuan’s attraction.
In truth, Su Liyan found herself equally drawn to Lu Yuan. His attributes appealed to her—standing 1.78 meters tall (impressive in this era of widespread malnutrition), handsome features, and articulate speech. How could she not be intrigued?
Yet something held her back.
She remained silent, casting a timid glance toward Liu Sufang, who suddenly realized it was her responsibility to speak.
The matchmaker cleared her throat awkwardly. “Young man, there’s something about Li Yan I haven’t disclosed yet. I must explain it before we proceed further.”
Lu Yuan’s expression darkened with concern. What could be wrong? Perhaps Su Liyan suffered from some serious illness? But no—she appeared perfectly healthy.
Liu Sufang recognized his misapprehension and quickly waved her hand. “It concerns Li Yan’s family background. Her father participated in the Three Kings Rebellion…”
Lu Yuan blinked as understanding dawned.
Now everything made sense! This explained why someone of Su Liyan’s exceptional beauty required matchmaking assistance.
The Three Kings Rebellion had occurred more than a decade ago when several princes rose against the throne. Though quickly suppressed by the new emperor, the aftermath led to extensive purges.
Officials involved faced execution or exile according to their culpability. In severe cases, entire families were executed; in lesser offenses, only the primary participant lost his head and property, with wives and daughters returning to their ancestral homes.
Though these family members escaped immediate execution, their lives remained precarious as investigations continued for years afterward, resulting in additional executions.
Who would risk association with such politically tainted individuals? Involvement could bring misfortune.
Official investigations had concluded three years ago with imperial documentation formally closing the matter. Yet public wariness persisted.
The imperial city’s officials and wealthy families particularly avoided such connections—what if the imperial court reopened investigations someday? Moreover, such marriages were considered neither honorable nor politically astute.
With elites maintaining this attitude, common citizens naturally followed suit.
Lu Yuan, however, remained utterly unconcerned about these historical matters. The issue had been officially resolved long ago.
Su Liyan watched anxiously, her beautiful face tense with anticipation. This marked her third matchmaking attempt. On two previous occasions, prospective suitors had shown interest until learning her background, whereupon they promptly withdrew.
And now…
“Why dredge up ancient history?” Lu Yuan interjected firmly. “The past is behind us, and the imperial court has rendered its final judgment. When these events occurred, Liyan was merely a child—how could she bear any responsibility? I care nothing for her background, favorable or otherwise. I care only for Li Yan herself.”
He turned to Su Liyan with unwavering determination. “I’m drawn to you irresistibly. Will you accept me? Please answer directly. If you’re willing, we’ll visit the district office tomorrow to obtain our marriage certificate!”
As someone who had endured suspicious glances since childhood, Su Liyan had never experienced such unconditional acceptance from anyone.
She studied Lu Yuan’s face—resolute, sincere, radiating masculine confidence.
After a long moment, moisture gathered in her beautiful eyes. She lowered her exquisite face shyly and whispered:
“Yes.”
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for securing the supreme-level advantage] [Reward: Top-level physique, 10,000 yuan] [The reward has been transferred to the host’s space, please verify receipt]
Lu Yuan: “????”