the rise of the useless son-in-law of a wealthy family

a wife

The woman laughed mockingly. "Yes, your life must be simple. But be careful, Su Jian. Not everyone here is happy with your marriage."

Su Jian tilted his head, feeling a bit confused. "What do you mean?"

But before the woman could elaborate, she walked away, leaving Su Jian with even more questions swirling in his mind.

Day by day, Su Jian began to notice the growing distance between himself and Xia Lengyi. They hardly spoke to each other, and Lengyi became increasingly cold toward him. Yet, despite her frosty demeanor, Su Jian couldn't ignore the tension that lingered in the air. He felt that there was more to Xia Lengyi than what she allowed others to see, and he couldn't help but wonder about it.

What puzzled him even more was the way Lengyi sometimes softened when she thought no one was watching. Like when she saw him eating heartily, or when she overheard him laughing to himself, she couldn’t stop a small smile from forming on her lips. What was Xia Lengyi truly feeling? Su Jian wanted to understand her better, even if he didn’t know why he felt that way.

"If I can understand her, maybe I can get closer," he murmured one night, staring at the stars twinkling in the sky.

That night, Su Jian stood by the window of their bridal chamber, gazing at the dark sky with a heart full of hope. The world he was facing now was vastly different from anything he had ever known, yet he felt as if his life was only just beginning.

This marriage, which seemed like a trap, might actually lead him to a new understanding of himself, of Xia Lengyi, and perhaps of a future shrouded in mystery.

.

Su Jian walked through the long corridors of the Xia family residence with steps lighter than he should have. Although his marriage to Xia Lengyi still felt foreign, he was beginning to feel a bit more at ease in this luxurious environment. But that comfort didn’t last long.

Su Jian had grown accustomed to the awkwardness that came with his new status, but today something felt different. There were whispers behind him, voices of the servants going about their work, but this time, the whispers were louder, sharper.

“That idiot of a man... how could Xia Lengyi marry him?”

“Oh my, he seems clueless. Just look at how he walks. Like a child learning to walk for the first time.”

“He should just return to his village instead of tarnishing our family’s reputation.”

Su Jian paused for a moment, overhearing the conversation. His heart pounded, though he tried not to show that he had heard it all. He knew people wouldn’t approve of his marriage, and perhaps some felt insulted by his new status. But no matter how much he prepared himself, the words still stung.

As he turned to continue his steps, he encountered two maids standing at the end of the hallway, deliberately blocking his path. Their faces bore expressions of disgust they made no effort to hide.

“So, this is Xia Lengyi’s new husband?” the first maid sneered. “An idiot who knows nothing and can’t contribute anything. Xia Lengyi has really stooped low.”

The second maid nodded in agreement, stepping closer to Su Jian. “You think you belong here? Everyone in the Xia family must be ashamed.”

Su Jian stared at them, trying to remain calm despite the anger boiling inside him. “You know nothing about me,” he said softly, trying not to lash out.

But they didn’t stop. The first maid laughed cruelly. “You’re just a foolish farmer who happened to get lucky. Don’t think you’ll earn any respect here just because you married Lengyi. Everyone knows you’re nothing more than an accessory.”

Su Jian felt his blood simmering, but he knew that acting rashly would only worsen the situation. He tried to walk past them, but the second maid blocked his way again, her grin filled with disdain.

“Who do you think you are?” the second maid said, her voice louder now. “Don’t make us laugh. Do you even know how to interact with people of our class? You’re nothing but a fool from the countryside.”

Su Jian opened his mouth to reply, but at that moment, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the hallway. The maids fell silent immediately, quickly averting their faces as if they had done nothing wrong.

From behind, Xia Lengyi appeared, dressed elegantly, her eyes sharp as they locked onto the two maids who had insulted her husband. Su Jian could sense something different in Lengyi’s demeanor this time. She no longer displayed her usual indifference but instead radiated restrained fury.

“You!” Lengyi’s commanding voice echoed, startling the two maids. “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t you know your place?”

The first and second maid froze, their faces pale as they realized their mistake. Lengyi stepped closer, standing proudly in front of them. “I won’t tolerate behavior like this. You work in this house, and you must respect everyone here, including Su Jian.”

The second maid tried to speak, but Lengyi raised her hand, silencing her. “If you continue treating Su Jian like this, I’ll make sure you never work here again. Do you understand?”

The two maids could only nod, their heads bowed in shame. “We understand, Miss Xia,” they replied almost in unison, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Su Jian was stunned by Lengyi’s sudden defense of him. He had never imagined that she would stand up for him. Though they barely knew each other, and though he was just an ordinary man looked down upon by those around him, Lengyi stood firm beside him.

The two maids quickly scurried away, leaving Su Jian and Lengyi alone in the hallway. Su Jian turned to her, his expression a mix of gratitude and disbelief.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

Lengyi didn’t look at him, her gaze still cold. “Don’t thank me. I only did what was necessary to maintain order in this house.”

But as she turned and walked away, Su Jian couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her actions than she was willing to admit.