Tang Wanran

This person is definitely out to harm me.

"No wife, I don't want a wife."

Lu Bian stepped out of the courtyard and waved his hands repeatedly at Gao Youlai.

"I'm used to living alone; when I'm full, my whole family is fed. If you ask me to take a wife, that's one burden added. If we have a child, that's two burdens."

"What are you saying?" Gao Youlai looked at Lu Bian with a face full of astonishment.

"Others would be overjoyed, so why are you so repulsed?" Gao Youlai asked.

"I'm just asking for your opinion. Don't be in such a rush to refuse. Can't you at least go see the person before you speak?"

"Follow me!"

Gao Youlai stepped forward, grabbed Lu Bian by the wrist, and pulled him toward the packed-earth road.

Gao Family Town was twenty miles away from Lu Bian's home, which wasn't too far. Gao Youlai had only come over to Fuling Mountain that morning, and they happened to reach the town just before lunchtime.

Old Master Gao was quite prestigious in Gao Family Town. Lu Bian didn't want to offend the family, which was the only reason he let Gao Youlai drag him along.

Lu Bian had already decided to refuse in his heart.

He knew clearly why Old Master Gao's family had taken a fancy to him.

First, he was a man without roots or ties, making him the perfect candidate for a live-in son-in-law. Second, Lu Bian was handsome, over seven feet tall, and physically robust; he was a top-tier beast of burden if used for labor. Finally, Lu Bian was educated. Although his calligraphy was average, he was literate and articulate, capable of upholding the face of the Gao family.

Even if Old Master Gao's family let him go, other families would eventually come looking for him.

However, Lu Bian had never considered the matter of taking a wife.

To him, women were truly a troublesome affair.

He wasn't the only one who thought this way; the others in the Chat Group shared the same sentiment.

Shi Tianwu was still deceiving the group members.

He used his initial life experiences to trick them, playing the role of a green version of himself whose magnetic field power had only reached the thirty-fifth heaven.

His "story" was currently "performing" at the point where he was escorting Xiao Yu and her group to the Silver Capital.

At this juncture, Shi Tianwu had been bewitched by Beisha and was caught in a tangled, messy romance with Xiao Yu.

Edward Newgate had never spoken of his youthful love life in the group, only telling the members that women could not be easily trusted.

Bruce Wayne, who lived a solitary life now, had once thought he found true love in his youth, only to be abandoned by the woman in the end.

Son Gohan... he was still a child and didn't understand anything yet.

As for the final member, Kakashi Hatake, he suggested... it was better to just watch the latest issue of Icha Icha Paradise.

Kakashi Hatake: [Arrived? Is the live stream ready to start?]

Lu Bian: [Do you really want to see it?]

Edward Newgate: [We do!]

Bruce Wayne: [I've already got the popcorn ready. Start the stream!]

Shi Tianwu: [Actually, taking a wife isn't all that bad, is it? You can gain some more life insights.]

[Lu Bian started a video chat...]

In the Chat Group, only Lu Bian's video feed remained; the others only opened their mics to speak. This was their version of a Chat Group live stream.

They arrived at Old Master Gao's house at noon, and Lu Bian immediately sat down for lunch with the family.

The head of the household was not present at the table, but Old Master Gao was there to keep them company. The one intended to be Lu Bian's wife was Old Master Gao's second granddaughter, Gao Zhenzhen, who was also eating at the table. There were also four or five others, including an uncle and an aunt.

When these people saw Lu Bian in person, they were all smiles, clearly very satisfied with this future son-in-law.

Gao Zhenzhen, the second young lady of the Gao family, would also steal glances at Lu Bian from time to time, acting shy and coy.

Lu Bian: [Friends, isn't she a beauty?]

Shi Tianwu: [She has a very blessed appearance. Brother, you are in for a treat.]

Just by the name, Gao Zhenzhen sounded quite pleasant.

But when "blessed" was used to describe someone's appearance, it was merely a euphemism for "fat."

Lu Bian was already numb.

The appearance and physique of the Gao family's second young lady solidified his resolve.

It was better to live life alone.

At first, he thought he was Marshal Tianpeng, but it turned out the second young lady of the Gao family was the one who fit the bill.

Hmm... Gao Family Town worships the Altar Cleansing Envoy, so perhaps they consider fat to be beautiful?

...No wonder they are looking for a live-in son-in-law. They probably couldn't find anyone else to propose to because no one wanted to marry her. Lu Bian thought darkly to himself.

"Many thanks for Old Master Gao's kindness, but I am a man from the Eastern Land. I intend to return to my homeland. Once I have saved enough travel money in your esteemed town, I will set off for home." Lu Bian came up with a reason to refuse.

"Oh! You are a man from the Upper Kingdom?"

"Sigh, very well then."

"If you don't mind, the Gao family will cover your travel expenses back home," Old Master Gao said, putting on an air of great righteousness.

"How could I possibly accept that?"

"Do not decline. I am merely performing a good deed to accumulate merit."

"You are young yet possess such remarkable ability, traveling the world all on your own. Your future is surely limitless. It would be a true pity if you were to remain trapped here in Gao Family Town, like a dragon confined to shallow waters."

Old Master Gao lowered his head, sighing with regret.

"Youlai, go to the storehouse and fetch some loose gold and silver."

Gao Youlai hurried off with quick, rhythmic steps, returning in the blink of an eye with a square wooden tray, which he presented before Lu Bian.

"Do not refuse," Old Master Gao insisted.

"..."

How did it come to this?

Lu Bian was somewhat at a loss regarding the turn of events today.

By doing this, was Old Master Gao trying to ensure he would no longer live in the vicinity of Gao Family Town?

Lu Bian felt a gaze fixed upon him from behind Old Master Gao.

So, was he considering his granddaughter after all?

Lu Bian: [Group members, what should I do?]

Shi Tianwu: [My advice is to take the money and leave.]

Kakashi Hatake: [This old man is worried about more than just his granddaughter.]

Kakashi Hatake: [Group Leader, your presence in this place is like a wild boar charging into a herd of domestic pigs.]

Kakashi Hatake: [The sows in the herd have all taken a liking to you, a robust wild boar, and the domestic boars have all been abandoned by the sows.]

Lu Bian: [Truly worthy of being Gao Village.]

Following the advice of his group members, Lu Bian accepted Old Master Gao's kindness.

Old Master Gao even sent two servants to accompany Lu Bian to the town market to purchase all the supplies needed for his long journey, generously providing a map of the eastern territories and helping him plan his route.

With a donkey and a two-wheeled cart, they had everything arranged for Lu Bian within three days, setting him on a path toward the east.

Back when the Tang Dynasty holy monk passed through Two Worlds Mountain and traveled to Gao Village, the journey took him from the bleak late autumn to the warm early spring; if one kept a steady pace, it would take three months to reach the great eastern kingdom.

"Warrior Lu, we part ways here."

Before his departure, Old Master Gao came in person to see Lu Bian off.

"The Great Song Kingdom is prosperous and flourishing these days, with Song merchants traveling all over the world. I hope we may meet again one day."

"!?" Lu Bian blinked.

--The Great Song!?

The Tang is over, and it's the Song now...