Courtyard House: A Start with Black Gold Swallowing 100,000 Silver Dollars

"Honey!"

"You've finally arrived!"

As soon as Maria saw Li Wenguo get out of the car, she ran up to him, wrapped her arms around him tightly, and pressed her lips, sweet as honey, into a hot kiss.

Ever since she experienced his scorching heat, Maria was like a flame. She was no longer the aloof, sophisticated young lady she used to be, but rather a girl experiencing her first love, longing for him, clinging to him, and asking him out every day.

"Shall we go to the dance hall tonight?"

Maria climbed into Charlie's gleaming Ford, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"A dance hall? That's too boring." Li Wenguo shook his head and smiled. "I'll take you to a more exciting place."

He has always avoided alcohol, and is even more afraid of running into acquaintances and getting into trouble.

"Where? Tell me quickly!"

Upon hearing the word "exciting," Maria's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward slightly.

"A new cinema has opened on Chongwen Road—it has private boxes, and the film selection is so thick you could use it as a brick."

He shifted gears, and his hand slid over to gently rest on her warm thigh.

"Let's watch a horror movie while..."

Maria caught sight of the restless hand, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a flicker of eager anticipation ignited in her eyes.

This day is December 25th.

It is auspicious for moving, getting married, traveling, and grooming.

It was also the wedding night that Li Wenguo had been eagerly anticipating.

The wedding banquet was held at Heyuan Restaurant, with more than twenty tables of continuous banquet, filled with shop owners, several bureau chiefs, foreign company colleagues, and neighbors.

When Xu Meijing heard that Li Wenguo had married his wife without saying a word, she made a few sarcastic remarks, but felt empty inside.

Li Wenguo was a transmigrator, so he didn't have any relatives. He claimed that he had fallen out with his family years ago and cut off all contact in anger, leaving him to wander alone in Shanghai.

But he didn't want to be looked down upon.

So, he molded his clone into a burly, imposing man with fierce eyebrows, and impersonated a cousin from the clan, who came specifically to offer his congratulations.

The moment the man appeared, the commotion in the hall fell silent—his black clothes were taut, his eyes were sharp, and he had a weapon bulging at his waist; he looked exactly like a ruthless bandit leader who had fought his way out of the mountains.

Even several bureau chiefs who were originally aloof subconsciously relaxed their shoulders, adopting a tone that was three parts polite and seven parts tentative.

The "cousin" was extremely respectful to Li Wenguo and even boasted in public, "When my elder brother takes over as clan leader, he'll be the first to deal with those old coffin-stuffers who rely on their seniority!"

With such a formidable figure as a foil, how could anyone dare to underestimate him? They all concluded that Li Wenguo came from a prominent family in Jiangnan, with deep roots and a legitimate lineage.

When I looked at him again, my eyes held a newfound respect that made me dare not act rashly.

This was exactly the flavor Li Wenguo wanted—he had it all figured out perfectly.

The banquet was filled with clinking glasses and deafening laughter. Li Wenguo accepted all drinks offered and emptied his cup in one go.

It took a full three hours to finally end.

He walked unsteadily, supported by Xianglan, and slowly made his way into the new house.

On the bright red wedding bed, the bride sat gracefully, her figure exquisite beneath the veil, exuding a serene charm. Li Wenguo's heart pounded, his eyes shining brightly.

Xianglan stood to the side, her fingertips secretly digging into her palm.

The main room was spacious and bright; she had lived there for almost half a year and had long considered it her own home. Now that the new family had moved in, she had to move to that narrow room in the west wing—how could she not feel resentful?

"Xianglan, you can go out now," Li Wenguo said.

"Yes, sir." She bowed her head and replied softly, "I'll be waiting outside. I'll come in immediately when you call me."

Before she could finish speaking, the edge of the bed swayed slightly—the bride visibly tensed up, and her breathing paused beneath the veil.

What does that mean?

The bride is serving you personally, why should you be the one to rush ahead?

This is clearly meant to sow discord between the wife and the other woman!

Xianglan suddenly realized what was happening, her face flushed, and she hurriedly retreated.

Li Wenguo paid no attention to these details; his gaze was already captivated by the bride's shapely figure, and he couldn't help but imagine just how beautiful her face must be under the red cloth.

The moment the veil was lifted, his breath caught in his throat.

A face of ethereal beauty came into view—a delicate oval face with soft yet resilient lines, eyes that rippled like spring water, a small, exquisite nose, and lips the color of cherry blossoms. Truly, her skin was as white as snow and her face as beautiful as a flower, captivating and mesmerizing.

It is even more beautiful than the fragrant orchid.

Li Wenguo's Adam's apple bobbed, his heart pounding: Thank God! These seven silver dollars were well spent! Absolutely worth it!

"Sir, we haven't drunk the nuptial wine yet."

He Shuting lowered her eyelashes, her ears were flushed, and her voice was as soft as a feather, yet it was a steady reminder.

She found her husband, whom she had never met before, pleasing to the eye at first glance—tall, composed, and with an unyielding sharpness between his brows.

Although I was also bought, I can't just give anyone a bad apple to me.

"Ah? Oh, okay, okay!"

Ouch!

Even their responses were as sweet as honey!

That soft, clear voice sent a tingling sensation through Li Wenguo's bones.

He drank the nuptial wine in a few gulps, then impatiently pulled He Shuting into his arms and pressed her down.

That night—

He felt as if he were floating on clouds, and he felt that there was no man in the world more proud than him.

The next morning.

Xianglan knelt in front of the hall to offer tea, holding a teacup, while He Shuting sat still, her face indifferent, not even bothering to lift her eyelids. She slowly reached out to take the teacup, and released it as soon as her fingertips touched it, as if she were shaking off something dirty.

No wonder—last night Xianglan chimed in with a comment, "Master, you must have been tired yesterday," as if she were the one in charge.

But He Shuting was the legally wedded wife, brought into the house with great ceremony, and Li Wenguo was her rightful husband.

What business is it of yours to concern yourself with my man's affairs?

Could it be that I, a respectable woman, am not as good as someone who was redeemed from a brothel?

Although she herself carried a contract of indenture, she came from a respectable family with a proper family tradition.

Xianglan bit her lip, her eyes reddening, and secretly glanced at Li Wenguo.

"Alright, alright, you're all my people. From now on, you need to live peacefully together and not make things difficult for me, understand?"

Li Wenguo felt sorry for Xianglan, and seeing that her lower abdomen was slightly protruding, his heart softened, and his tone became serious.

"Yes, Master is right. This servant dares not forget her roots, but Master is a respected figure in the capital. If there are no rules in this household, what will outsiders think?"

He Shuting lowered her eyes, her voice gentle, yet her words were like fine needles piercing her eardrums.

Li Wenguo's brow twitched—these words sounded innocent, but in reality, every word was barbed.

Who is this meant to be a warning to?

Tsk, a woman who's been to school, indeed, every word she utters is sharp!

he muttered to himself.

That's right, she wanted to establish her authority: firstly, to remind Li Wenguo not to favor Xianglan too much, since I am his lawfully wedded wife; secondly, to warn Xianglan that in this family, whoever is in charge and whose word counts.

"Alright, Master, Sister Xianglan, let's go have breakfast together."

Seeing Xianglan bow her head in agreement, He Shuting smiled and gently took Li Wenguo's arm, inviting the two of them to have a meal.

At this moment, she truly resembled a capable and composed matriarch.

Li Wenguo sighed inwardly—Xianglan was probably no match for her; he could only hope she wouldn't walk right into the line of fire.

Breakfast was prepared by the two maids, Xiao Cui and Xiao Ju. Two days ago, Li Wenguo spent money to buy them, signing a contract that would last until death; they would be his people for life.

When the world changes and the rules change in the future, the two of them may not want to leave anymore.

He Shuting sipped her porridge, but her gaze swept over Xiao Cui and Xiao Ju without making a sound—the two girls were around fifteen years old, with slender figures and their eyebrows and eyes were just beginning to develop; they were already beautiful and delicate.

only……

Why does her waist look even more supple than that of an average girl?

Steamed buns? No, they're probably riper than pomegranates!

She quickly glanced at Xianglan's lower abdomen, then looked down at her own flat stomach, and her heart skipped a beat—from now on she would probably have to call her "Sister Xiaocui" or "Sister Xiaoju"!

She glanced at Li Wenguo with disdain.

The latter was engrossed in eating his porridge, completely unaware of what was happening.

Halfway through the meal, Xianglan suddenly spoke up in a sweet voice: "Master, after you finish eating, please help me get some medicine to prevent miscarriage."

Oops!

Li Wenguo's heart sank suddenly.

as predicted--

"Snapped!"

The chopsticks slammed heavily against the rim of the bowl.

He Shuting put down her bowl, looked up and stared directly at Li Wenguo: "Sir, I'm full, please enjoy your meal."

After saying that, she got up and left, her skirt twirling as she walked away swiftly and decisively.

Xianglan smiled, her eyes crinkling with amusement, as if she had won a game, and stared at her retreating figure with amusement.

Li Wenguo had a splitting headache and couldn't understand why Xianglan, who was usually gentle and considerate, always had to argue with He Shuting.

Does entering this door mean that women are born knowing how to fight?

"Okay, I'll go with you in a bit."

The child is the most important thing.

He ate a few mouthfuls hastily, put down his chopsticks, and turned to go into He Shuting's room—he had to give Xianglan a good talking-to, as she was carrying a child and he couldn't afford to let anything go wrong.

But as soon as you push the door open, you see He Shuting sitting sideways on the edge of the couch, her shoulders trembling slightly, her eyes red, and tears welling up under her eyelashes, about to roll down.

Li Wenguo's heart tightened.

That's when I truly realized that matters within the household are the hardest to resolve.

"Master... Logically speaking, Xianglan being pregnant with your child and continuing the Li family line should be a joyous occasion. But..."

"But I am your lawfully wedded wife, your rightful wife... Why is she pregnant first?"

"I feel...suffocated inside."

Before she could finish speaking, tears were already streaming down her face.

"I know, I know... She just arrived a few days early, and besides, we don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet."

"By the way, she just got pregnant recently. Let's try harder, and maybe you'll have news soon too—maybe even earlier than her!"

Li Wenguo had no choice but to use a combination of persuasion and coaxing to comfort her.

"Sir, this is a premature birth!"

"It could easily lead to someone's death."

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

When his words were exposed, Li Wenguo didn't blush. Instead, he smiled calmly and said, "No matter whose belly it comes from, I will consider it all the same—I won't give a second glance to whoever is born first; and I won't care less about whoever is born later."

Even if I have a daughter, I'll still cherish her just the most.

"My father has been educated in Western books and has seen the world. He is different from those old-fashioned families."

"Oh!!!"

"You've been educated in Western books? Now that it's monogamy, you're pretending to be confused?"

He Shuting gave a cold laugh, her words as cold as ice.

"Hey! Don't be so stern—if you're really capable, you wouldn't be sticking to rules on paper, would you?"

Li Wenguo waved his hand dismissively.

He Shuting immediately fell silent, feeling a tightness in her chest, as if a wet cotton ball was pressing down on it.

Wasn't she herself born to a concubine?

If she hadn't come from a humble background, why would she have been treated like an object and pushed to others?