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

hidden world

Su Jian woke up earlier than he expected. The sunlight streamed through the window of the bridal chamber, illuminating his still-dazed face. He looked up at the intricately painted ceiling before shifting his gaze to Xia Lengyi, who was still asleep on her side of the bed. In the solitude of the morning, an uneasy feeling crept over him.

He knew his life had changed since this marriage, but what did it mean for someone like him? Su Jian felt like nothing more than a puppet, aimlessly drifting, following paths set by others. This marriage, which should have marked a new beginning, felt like a deeper trap than anything he had ever faced.

Yet, despite his confusion, Su Jian was certain of one thing: Xia Lengyi was extraordinary. Somehow, he felt this marriage wasn’t just about their families—it was also about him, about something hidden behind his façade.

Xia Lengyi woke with a heavy head. The night before, though she hadn’t slept well, she had tried to ignore the reality that she was now married to the village fool. But the truth was undeniable. She, Xia Lengyi—the most beautiful and refined woman in the village—was now the wife of a man almost entirely devoid of dignity.

She stared into the large mirror in the corner of the bridal chamber, looking at her reflection. Her serene face now seemed more worn, weighed down by an invisible burden. Remembering how low everyone thought of this marriage, Lengyi felt trapped between her family’s duty and her personal pride as a woman.

“What am I supposed to do?” she wondered, gripping the edges of the mirror. “Am I really supposed to accept all of this?”

Before the thought could linger, the door creaked open, and Su Jian stepped in with his usual innocent expression, his hair still messy from sleep.

“Uh... good morning,” he said with a wide grin, seemingly unaware of how awkward the situation was.

Lengyi looked at him blankly. “What do you want, Su Jian?”

Su Jian scratched his head, looking confused for a moment. “I, uh, was just wondering if we should... have breakfast together?”

Xia Lengyi took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?” she said coldly. “You don’t even know what to do as a husband, not even for something as simple as this.”

Although Su Jian felt a bit hurt, he didn’t show it. He merely chuckled and shrugged. “Maybe I just don’t understand all the rules yet. But I wouldn’t mind learning.”

A tense silence hung between them for a moment before Lengyi rose from the bed and walked out of the room, leaving Su Jian behind, still scratching his head in confusion.

 

A Tense Morning

Breakfast at the Xia household was quiet. Su Jian sat at one end of the table, eating quietly, though he felt incredibly out of place. The Xia family members present studied him with sharp gazes. No one spoke, but the tension was palpable.

Lengyi sat across from him, her eyes fixed on Su Jian’s face. Although she appeared indifferent, her heart was heavy with worry. She reminded herself that this was just a formality, a duty she had to accept for the sake of her family’s honor. But what would happen next?

“Mr. Su,” Xia Jing, Lengyi’s father, suddenly spoke. “I hope you remember that this isn’t just an ordinary marriage. The Su family holds significant influence, and we must ensure this relationship goes smoothly. Do not do anything that could tarnish our name.”

Su Jian looked up, nodding slightly even though he didn’t fully understand. “Of course, Mr. Xia. I’ll do my best.”

Xia Jing studied him intently, as if searching for something within Su Jian that might provide reassurance. But all he found was confusion and an unexpected cheerfulness.

“Remember,” Xia Jing continued, “this marriage is only the first step toward many things. Do not squander this opportunity.”

But Su Jian simply smiled innocently, offering little in response. To him, the world was full of mysteries and adventures, and he never thought too hard about what he was supposed to do. All he knew was that he was now part of the Xia family, and maybe—just maybe—that meant something greater.

 

After breakfast, Su Jian was led by a few servants to explore the Xia family estate. Though he wasn’t entirely sure what he was supposed to do, he walked with a light step, trying to enjoy every detail of the grand and luxurious place, so different from his modest home.

During the tour, Su Jian encountered a young woman who seemed surprised to see him.

“You’re... Su Jian, right?” she asked, her tone laced with mockery. “I’ve heard a lot about you. Is it true you’ve married Lengyi?”

Su Jian nodded with his usual innocent expression. “Yes, that’s true. Why? Is there a problem?”

The woman paused, studying him with a sharper gaze. “No problem. It’s just that... you must be incredibly lucky.”

Su Jian clicked his tongue, puzzled by her words. “I don’t feel lucky. I’m just living my life.”