After Transmigrating, I Was Assigned Three Wives—Refusing Was a Crime! - Chapter 8:

Chapter 8: Wealth Stirs the Heart

What did whether he had money or not have to do with Sun Magan? That guy was never a decent person to begin with.

“Lu Qing, you’re the first person in Manglong Village to buy a wheelbarrow. Can we borrow it sometime?” Zhao Tiezhu asked, full of excitement. If he could push it around the village even once, he’d definitely be the most eye-catching guy around.

“Of course. As long as I’m not using it, anyone in Manglong Village can borrow it.” Lu Qing wasn’t stingy when it came to the wheelbarrow. It was just a wheelbarrow, after all.

“That’s great!” “Lu Qing really has a bright future.” “Yeah, not only did he marry three wives, now he’s bought a wheelbarrow too. Impressive!”

Everyone started praising Lu Qing.

“The credit goes to my good wives.” Lu Qing looked toward Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e.

Hearing that, the three women blushed with embarrassment. People had been saying they brought misfortune to their husband, yet Lu Qing said all of this was thanks to them. He was standing up for them.

“That’s right. Lu Qing is blessed.” “Truly.”

Soon, everyone began complimenting the three women too.

People are just like that. When they saw that Lu Qing had bought a wheelbarrow and filled it with things, they knew he had money. Naturally, everyone wanted to be on good terms with him.

After parting ways with the villagers, Lu Qing led Zheng Yulan, Cheng Su’e, and Han Qiuniang back to their rundown home.

Lu Qing looked at the dilapidated house. The issue of food had been resolved. Next was shelter.

Judging by the condition, this place was almost a hazard. It was no longer livable.

“What are you looking at, husband?” Zheng Yulan asked when she saw Lu Qing staring at the house.

“This house isn’t suitable to live in anymore. I’ll find a way to build a new one,” Lu Qing said seriously.

“Build a house?” Zheng Yulan looked at him in shock. Building a house would cost a lot.

“Yes. A big one.”

“Then we’ll do as you say,” Han Qiuniang smiled faintly. Now that food was no longer a problem, if they could fix the house too, it’d be even better. After everything that had happened today, she trusted Lu Qing completely. If he said he’d build a house, he would definitely do it.

The four went inside and began putting things away.

“You’ve all worked hard today. Sleep on the bed!” Lu Qing said, pointing to the only bed.

“Husband?” “Are you disgusted with us?” Cheng Su’e looked at him with disappointment. Since getting married, couples were never supposed to sleep separately. Lu Qing’s meaning was clear—he wanted to sleep apart, which felt like an insult. People might say they weren’t behaving like proper wives.

“Not at all.” Lu Qing waved his hand. “The bed is too small. It would be cramped with all of us. Let’s get to know each other better first.”

“Then you sleep on the bed, and we’ll sleep on the floor,” Zheng Yulan offered.

“That won’t do. You three are already frail. If you sleep on the floor and get sick, it’ll cost money.” As soon as they heard the words “cost money,” Han Qiuniang, Zheng Yulan, and Cheng Su’e fell silent and obediently lay on the bed.

Lu Qing made himself a spot on the floor. The night passed like that.

When Lu Qing woke up…

“Husband, you’re awake!” Han Qiuniang brought over water for him to wash his face.

“Thank you,” Lu Qing said politely.

“What’s wrong?” he asked after noticing Han Qiuniang looked wronged.

“Why are you thanking me, husband? Do you see me as an outsider?” she asked. In her view, serving her husband—bringing water, cooking, doing laundry—was her natural duty. Being thanked felt like he saw her as someone else.

“No, not at all,” Lu Qing said with a smile. “I won’t say it again then.” He gently pinched her cheek.

“Husband, hurry and wash up. Yulan already made breakfast.” Han Qiuniang blushed as she placed the basin down and left the room.

“Alright.” Lu Qing took a deep breath, washed up, and stepped out of the room.

“Husband!” Zheng Yulan had already set the table. Lu Qing noticed that his bowl had dry rice and meat, while the three women only had thin porridge with a few wild greens.

“What’s the meaning of this?”

“You’re the head of the house and a scholar. You should eat well. We’re just common folk, this is fine for us,” Zheng Yulan explained.

“No,” Lu Qing said firmly. “From now on, whatever I eat, you eat. And you must eat your fill. Otherwise, I’ll be angry.” He stared at Zheng Yulan seriously.

“Husband, we…” “You are my wives, not my servants. You want me to eat well while watching you drink thin porridge? You think I can swallow that?”

“But we…” Zheng Yulan tried to speak again.

“No buts.” Lu Qing cut her off sharply.

“Alright. We’ll listen to you.” Though Zheng Yulan was scolded, she was moved.

Lu Qing split his rice and meat among the three of them.

“Husband, I’m so lucky to have married you,” Han Qiuniang said, eyes welling with tears. Not even in their original families had they ever been treated this well.

After breakfast, Lu Qing told them to stay home while he headed back to the mountain to dig for ginseng.

“Hey, where is he?” Sun Magan muttered.

“You looking for me?” Lu Qing’s voice came from behind Sun Magan as he turned to search.

Lu Qing had noticed Sun Magan tailing him since leaving Manglong Village.

“I was just passing by,” Sun Magan chuckled awkwardly. “Brother Lu Qing, you made a fortune after going into the mountains, huh? Is there something valuable in there? Tell me so I can make some money too,” he said, trying to act friendly.

He didn’t believe Lu Qing had money. To him, Lu Qing’s sudden wealth had to be related to the mountain.

“There’s nothing,” Lu Qing replied calmly.

“Come on now. We’re all neighbors. Don’t act so cold. I’m not that easy to fool.” Seeing Lu Qing play dumb, Sun Magan’s face darkened, and his tone shifted.

“I said there’s nothing.”

From Lu Qing’s past memories, he knew Sun Magan was no good—always sneaky and constantly bullied him.

“Don’t be so shameless, Lu Qing.” Sun Magan reached out to grab Lu Qing’s collar, convinced that with just a bit of pressure, he could get the truth.

But just as he reached out, Lu Qing moved faster, grabbing Sun Magan’s thumb and twisting hard.

Crack!

“Aaagh!” Sun Magan let out a pained scream. Under Lu Qing’s strength, he slowly fell to his knees.

“You bastard, Lu Qing…”

“Hmm?” Lu Qing’s eyes flashed with anger as he applied more force.

“Ahh! Grandpa Lu Qing! I was wrong!” Sun Magan cried out in pain, begging for mercy.

“Get lost!” Lu Qing kicked him away.

Feeling the fury radiating from Lu Qing, Sun Magan was chilled to the bone. He hadn’t expected the Lu Qing he used to bully to turn so fierce.

“You just wait!” Sun Magan shouted as he limped down the mountain.