Edward Brooks picked up the clothes that had just been pulled off by the idler, freshly washed and still dripping, and spoke to Nancy Johnson. As he gathered the clothes and placed them in a wooden basin, he drew a bucket of fresh water from the well and filled the basin. Just as he was about to retie the clothesline, he noticed Nancy Johnson standing in front of the hall, quietly watching him. In those captivating eyes, there was a strange expression.

　　"Why are you looking at me like that?"

　　"When did you become so refined, Little Yi?"

　　"Ah..."

　　"And why did those two Imperial College students vouch for you? One of them is even the son of the Assistant Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"

　　"Well..."

　　Edward Brooks gave an awkward smile. "We just met earlier.

　　When I was resting by the Wuzhang River, I overheard them discussing poetry and songs. I just chimed in with a few random words, never expecting them to take it seriously. That's all there is to it. I only just met the two of them."

　　Nancy smiled, but there was a hint of coldness in it.

　　"Little Yi, you have quite the skill—just a few words and you can win over two Imperial College students... Don't blame me for not warning you, but those scholars are all very clever. You'd better be careful not to fall for their tricks."

　　"What do I have that's worth scheming for?"

　　Nancy sighed, looking at Edward Brooks with a look of disappointment.

　　"I've heard that some Imperial College students often gather together, and sometimes they set up private arenas for wrestling matches.

　　You...

　　In short, it's best to be careful."

　　To put it plainly, some wealthy and influential students from the Imperial College secretly organize illegal fights and gamble on the outcomes.

　　Edward Brooks is skilled at wrestling, so it's inevitable that someone would take notice.

　　After all, Nancy Johnson grew up in Kaifeng Prefecture, far more experienced than Edward Brooks, who had only lived as a "living dead man" for ten days. She would never believe Edward Brooks's story just now! As his wife, how could she not know what kind of person her husband was? Although Nancy was very dissatisfied with Edward Brooks, when she thought of how he had stood up for her just now, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

　　They had been married for a year, yet had never shared a bed.

　　If word of this got out, it would be a great humiliation for any man.

　　Yet, Edward Brooks had defended her without hesitation, which moved Nancy even more.

　　After warning Edward Brooks, Nancy turned to go back inside.

　　But just as she was about to enter, she paused, and without turning her head, said, "Little Yi, I know you're unhappy, but I promise you: as long as I am a woman of the Yu family for a day, I will be a Yu family member for life. I have never done anything to wrong you, it's just that..."

　　At this, Nancy let out a gentle sigh.

　　"Little Yi, please don't gamble anymore.

　　Find a way to pay off this debt, and don't go back to your old ways—always seeking fights and neglecting your duties. The family shop is excellent; you don't know how many people envy us. If we run it well, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? Tomorrow, I'll prepare the cooked food myself, so we don't waste money outside for no reason."

　　Her voice was still cold.

　　But it carried endless hope...

　　In the past, Edward Brooks would have turned and left without a word, leaving Nancy to weep alone at home.

　　Now, even though Nancy said all this, she didn't expect Edward Brooks to listen.

　　Unexpectedly, as she entered the main hall, Edward Brooks's voice came from behind, "Nancy, marrying me has truly wronged you.

　　Though I, Little Yi, am not very capable, I swear I will never let you suffer."

　　In the year since marrying Edward Brooks, Nancy had probably never spoken so much to him in a single day.

　　For some reason, she suddenly felt a surge of emotion, her nose tingled, and two silent tears slid down her cheeks.

　　Little Yi, I'm sorry!

　　Nancy apologized silently in her heart.

　　She naturally knew why Edward Brooks was idle and also understood why he always sought out fights.

　　Because, in Nancy's heart, there was always someone else.

　　Since she was eight years old, that person had lived in her heart, and she still couldn't forget him. She married Edward Brooks because her parents arranged it. But she didn't like Edward Brooks, and always treated him with a cold face.

　　Edward Brooks knew about that person too!

　　But he was deeply in love with Nancy.

　　He wanted nothing more than to surpass that person, but all he ever got in return was Nancy's coldness.

　　Gradually, Edward Brooks became disheartened.

　　No matter what he did, he could never replace the shadow in Nancy's heart, which made him feel miserable. So he ignored the shop, hung out with idlers, and got into fights.

　　How could Nancy not understand Edward Brooks's feelings? But she just couldn't forget that person...

　　Deep down, Nancy knew she owed Edward Brooks.

　　But seeing Edward Brooks so idle and unambitious, she couldn't help but feel even colder toward him.

　　One hand gently rested on the doorframe.

　　Her thin shoulders trembled slightly. The sound of water came from behind—it was Edward Brooks washing clothes.

　　She wiped away her tears and returned to her usual cold demeanor.

　　She turned and walked out of the main hall again, came to the well, and pushed Edward Brooks aside. "How can a grown man do these things? If someone sees, they'll gossip and say I don't behave as a proper wife should.

　　Go check on the shop, and bring back some fresh meat while you're at it."