NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: A Surprising Enthusiasm
Chapter 3: A Surprising Enthusiasm
Lu Yuan’s mind raced with questions about this mysterious system. Was this multiplier an active reward? Were there passive rewards too? If so, how would he trigger them? By definition, passive abilities couldn’t be deliberately activated—perhaps he needed to be patient and observe.
While Lu Yuan was lost in thought, a profound silence had fallen over the gathered villagers. No one had expected him to choose Su Liyan. By all accounts, she was considered the least desirable match in the village.
Murmurs turned to outright protest as the villagers began talking all at once.
“She’s a snake girl—not even truly human!” “Her status is too low.” “She’s bad luck.” “Look how scrawny he is! Will he ever be able to work properly?” “She doesn’t have the appearance of someone who brings fortune. Look at her devilish features!” “If you marry her, you’ll just have another mouth to feed who contributes nothing.”
An elderly woman pushed forward, her voice cutting through the others. “You said you recently encountered evil spirits. How dare you consider marrying such a creature?”
The matchmaker immediately jumped to Su Liyan’s defense. “Watch your words, sister! Su Liyan’s people are genuine snake folk, not evil spirits! Talk like that in the city and someone might report you to officials for promoting disunity. They take such accusations seriously.”
Throughout the commotion, Lu Yuan stood silently holding Su Liyan’s small hand, observing with cold detachment. Earlier, he might have believed these villagers were acting out of concern for his welfare. But now, with his memories fully integrated, he understood there was little genuine goodness to be found in this village.
As the arguments intensified, Lu Yuan suddenly slammed his fist on the table.
“What are you all arguing about?” he shouted. “This is my marriage, not yours! I came here to inform you, not to seek your permission!”
Su Liyan looked up at Lu Yuan in astonishment. She had assumed her chosen husband was merely a gentle, soft-spoken scholar. She never expected him to assert himself so forcefully. It seemed quite manly to her. Recalling his earlier words, she felt a warmth spreading through her heart.
The villagers were even more shocked. They knew Lu Yuan as the meekest, most timid person in the village. Yet here he was, pounding tables and raising his voice?
They exchanged suspicious glances, then looked at Su Liyan. Clearly, they decided, this little demon had already bewitched him. If he behaved this way before marriage, what would happen after the wedding? Surely he would fall completely under her spell!
Several women raised their voices even louder, insisting that Stone Pavilion Village had always maintained proper moral standards—no witches had ever been permitted to marry into their community.
Lu Yuan tilted his head and sneered. “Enough with this nonsense. Was it not my great-grandfather who made Stone Pavilion what it is today? You think your daily schemes and manipulations built this place? Weren’t you,” he pointed at one vocal critic, “only able to marry into this village because of my great-grandfather’s influence?”
His voice hardened. “I’ve made my decision. If you won’t accept my marriage to Su Liyan, I’ll leave—and I’ll take my great-grandfather’s remains with me!”
After this declaration, the village chief, who had remained silent until now, slammed his own fist down. “Absurd! The old man has been at rest for years. Would you disturb him now? Is this how a grandson shows filial piety?”
Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows. “I’m not afraid of stirring troubled waters. Just tell me straight—can I marry my chosen bride and continue living here afterward?”
The village chief was visibly angered by Lu Yuan’s disrespect but seemed genuinely afraid that Lu Yuan might follow through on his threat to relocate his ancestor’s grave. Since his encounter with evil spirits, this young man had changed dramatically.
Finally, through gritted teeth, the chief conceded. “Fine! Why not? You’re the last of the Lu family—of course you have the final say. We were only thinking of your welfare, but if you won’t listen, so be it.”
Lu Yuan nodded, satisfied. The village women still looked unhappy, clearly opposed to Su Liyan’s inclusion in their community, but the village chief quieted them. Lu Yuan had spoken truth—Stone Pavilion Village owed its prosperity to his great-grandfather. If his remains were removed, their thriving large village might diminish to insignificance within a few years.
Just as matters seemed settled, the matchmaker approached again, wearing an expression of concern rather than the satisfaction one might expect after successfully arranging a marriage.
“Um… sir, there’s something I haven’t mentioned yet…” she said hesitantly.
“Sir?” Lu Yuan turned, puzzled by the formality. He felt Su Liyan trembling slightly beside him, her head bowed as if in fear.
The matchmaker hurriedly explained, “Don’t worry, sir! Liyan is hardworking and has no illnesses. It’s just… she shows signs of atavism…”
“Atavism?” Lu Yuan searched his memories but found no reference to the term.
The village women, hearing this, visibly relaxed. Their expressions shifted from concern to something like amusement.
An elderly woman curled her lip. “Hmph! You’ve read so many books, yet you don’t know this? Atavism means she can revert to her ancestral form. Remember that snake girl who married into South Marsh Village a decade ago? The next morning, her mother-in-law found her son half-swallowed by a giant python!”
Su Liyan quickly looked up, desperately explaining, “No, no! When I revert to my original form, I remain fully conscious—just like a normal person! Besides, only my lower body transforms, not my entire body…”
It became clear that despite Su Liyan’s beauty, previous suitors had abandoned their pursuit upon learning of this trait. Who would want to sleep beside a wife only to wake finding a giant snake in their bed? How terrifying—and unlucky!
Su Liyan gazed at Lu Yuan pleadingly, clearly afraid he would reject her now.
Lu Yuan stood motionless, processing this information. If her lower body reverted to its original form, becoming serpentine…
Wasn’t that like… Nüwa from mythology? Or Medusa? Or the character Zhao Linger from folklore?
A slow smile spread across Lu Yuan’s face. “Wow~ That’s so cool!”
Su Liyan stared at him in complete confusion.
The villagers exchanged baffled glances.
Wait… why did this young man suddenly seem even more excited?