Edward Harper's expression eased slightly; he seemed to sense Charles Harper's sincere attitude of admitting fault—at least, this was something he had never shown before.

Just then, the gatekeeper William Harper hurried over, speaking cautiously, "Master, Madam... there is a visitor outside."

Edward Harper's face returned to its sternness, his eyes narrowing as he asked solemnly, "Who is visiting? Could it be someone from the Lu family coming back again?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Harper also rekindled hope, a trace of anticipation flashing in her beautiful eyes.

William Harper hesitated, "This... this..."

"This what? Speak up!" Edward Harper demanded angrily.

William Harper replied, half laughing, half crying, "They're from Suzhou, claiming to be here on behalf of Lihong Courtyard to collect a debt. They say the young master spent three days at Lihong Courtyard, racked up over four hundred taels of silver on credit, and they've come to collect..."

Edward Harper's face instantly darkened, and his previously softened eyes turned murderous: "Get out, get out! From this day forward, the Hao family has no such unfilial son. Even if I, Edward Harper, am left without an heir, I will not have such a useless thing as you. William Harper, what are you standing there for? Throw this scoundrel out! From now on, he is never to set foot in the Hao family home again!"

Charles Harper had a premonition that tragedy was about to befall him. His heart bled—what kind of situation was this? So the original Charles Harper really was a pitfall. Big brother, you enjoyed everything and left your little brother with nothing, not even a sip of soup.

Visiting brothels is a personal hobby, but why did you have to do it on credit?

Chapter Two: The Fallen Phoenix

Being thrown out of the house is inevitably a bit embarrassing.

Charles Harper felt like the cooked duck had suddenly flown away. Just moments ago, he was still a young master, and in no time at all, he had taken a senseless scolding for someone else, and now he was nothing.

William Harper, with his son James Harper, escorted Charles Harper to the main gate. William Harper, full of reluctance, said, "Young master... the master is angry right now, don't provoke him further. Go and lay low for a while."

Charles Harper nodded and said, "Uncle Harper, I know you've always treated me the best."

William Harper nodded with deep reluctance, "Young master, take care."

Charles Harper said emotionally, "Uncle Harper, I still remember when I was little, you let me sit on your shoulders and carried me around the courtyard. Even then, I knew Uncle Harper treated me like his own son."

William Harper was on the verge of tears, "Young master, out there, take care of yourself. Don't get into trouble again."

Charles Harper took a deep breath and said, "Uncle Harper has always been so good to me—could you lend me some silver? Ten or twenty taels, do you have any? Uncle Harper, I know your monthly salary isn't much, but you've been with the Hao family for so many years, surely you could lend me twenty or thirty taels..."

William Harper's expression changed instantly, his old face turning numb, and his tone became much more indifferent: "Young master, remember to come home and visit in two or three years. Maybe by then, the master will have calmed down."

Charles Harper said, "If not twenty or thirty taels, three or five taels would do. Fine, for the sake of our relationship, just give me five hundred copper coins."

With a bang, William Harper slammed the main gate shut, leaving Charles Harper shut out.

Once again, Charles Harper lost all face.

What kind of people are these? After all these years of friendship, they won't even lend five hundred copper coins. The world is truly going downhill—clearly, this world is not suited for someone as pure as me.

Charles Harper was at a loss. The golden rice bowl was gone, the long-term meal ticket was gone, and he could no longer be a young master. Now, penniless and thrown out, losing face was a small matter—starving was the big one.

He realized his fan was still tucked at his waist, so he pulled it out and impatiently opened it, fanning himself irritably. The great love guru, reduced to this—what now? The love guru manual his master had passed down didn't seem to mention what to do after transmigrating.

It seemed that from now on, he could only rely on himself.

Just then, the side door opened a crack, and Little Grace slipped out through it.

Hope flared in Charles Harper's heart. He couldn't help but think, could it be that his parents couldn't bear it after all and were going to invite him back?

Wahaha, the long-term meal ticket is back!

Little Grace grinned and said, "Young master, I told you, you're finished."

Charles Harper quickly asked, "Did the master have a message for you, or did the madam ask you to tell me something?"

Little Grace replied seriously, "I was eating when the madam called me over."

Charles Harper hurriedly asked, "What did the madam say? Did she say to invite this young master back home?"

But Little Grace shook her head, put her hands behind her back, stood on tiptoe, and pouted, "The madam said that with a rebellious son like you, the family is truly unfortunate. So she decided to let you suffer a bit. If you want to come home, you have to marry Miss Lu first. So, young master, you have to go to Zhenjiang, sincerely apologize to the Lu family, and truly change your ways. Only if the Lu family..."

Marry Miss Lu...

What a daunting task!

Charles Harper was a bit unconvinced. What's so special about Miss Lu? Could she possibly have flowers growing on her face? Why must he marry her?

But now, even the madam had hardened her heart. If he wanted his long-term meal ticket back, he had to win over the Lu family's girl—otherwise, he'd end up a beggar.