Chapter 98: An Unexpected Burn, Madam Huang's Embroidered Shoes - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 98: An Unexpected Burn, Madam Huang's Embroidered Shoes Checking was a given. Su Mo immediately opened the "Love Life" panel. He was curious about what he experienced during this simulation. It would only take a few minutes, so there was no rush to cook for Huang Qingwan and Guo Lin. ... [You were born into a gardener family. Your father's exquisite craftsmanship ensured you had a carefree and joyful childhood.] [At the age of six, your Yin-Yang Eyes awakened, allowing you to see things others couldn't. Initially, it frightened you, but over time, you started befriending these ghosts.] [Your favorite was a ghost named "Xiao Xie," whom you found extraordinarily beautiful, even planning to marry her when you grew up.] [Xiao Xie considered it childish talk and agreed to your request happily.] [You were thrilled; nothing seemed happier than the thought of marrying Xiao Xie when you grew up.] [Shortly after awakening your Yin-Yang Eyes, a wandering Taoist priest visited your home, claiming to have a destiny with you and wanted to take you as a disciple.] [Not wanting to part with Xiao Xie, you refused the Taoist's offer.] [Your father sent you to a private school to see if you had a knack for studying.] [After two years in school, your father decided you weren't cut out for academics and planned to pass down the family craft to you.] [Among the ghosts you knew, there was a master landscaper from a previous dynasty. His gardens blended seamlessly with nature, leaving no trace of human intervention. While mastering your father's craft, you also learned aesthetics and design from this master.] [By twelve, your garden designs gained fame in Yangzhou, though only the nouveau riche hired you.] [Following the master landscaper's guidance, you designed an infinite garden for a nouveau riche. Its ambiance amazed everyone, earning you the title of "Prodigy Gardener" overnight.] [Everyone sought your help with their home designs, and you earned a substantial income.] [At sixteen, the Yangzhou Weaving Office heard of your talent and invited you to design their new residence.] [You poured your heart into the design and met the woman who haunted your dreams.] [It was Master Cao's daughter, Cao Chunmei, graceful and beautiful, capturing your heart and distracting you from your work.] [Noticing your infatuation, the ghosts advised you, even having Xiao Xie possess Cao Chunmei for clandestine meetings.] [Unaware of the ghost's involvement, you believed Cao Chunmei reciprocated your feelings, breaking societal taboos.] [Upon discovering this, Cao Chunmei felt too ashamed to speak out.] [Having limited exposure to men, your presence deeply affected her, and she fell in love with you.] [You two frequently met in secret until the weaving house construction ended.] [When your affair was discovered, the Weaving Office's anger led both of you to be drowned in a pig cage.] [You died at seventeen.] [Your life, though recognized as a Prodigy Gardener, remained merely that of a lower-class craftsman, unable to reach life's splendor.] [Choosing the Taoist's path with your Yin-Yang Eyes might have altered your fate.] [Evaluation: Uneventful.] [No rewards were earned this simulation; please continue your efforts.] ... Su Mo wasn't surprised at not receiving a reward. If the simulated self had accepted the Taoist’s offer, fate might have reversed. The downside of automatic simulation is the randomness in choices. Yet it saves time, so Su Mo preferred it. He needed to cook for Madam Huang and Guo Lin, so he skipped starting a new simulation and focused on preparing the meal. With his acquired Quick Hands talent, his chopping speed blurred, and he soon delivered a large meal. Confident in his cooking skills, Su Mo prepared extra portions, planning for a dinner with Chun Zhu and Xu Miaoyin later, considering Madam Huang and her companion ate sparingly. Simultaneously, when Madam Huang and Guo Lin dined, Su Mo idled in the kitchen and swiftly started another simulation. [Start simulation?] “Begin!” [Randomizing birthplace.] [This time, you are born in Dadu of the Yuan Dynasty.] Yuan Dynasty? Despite his average history knowledge, Su Mo knew it was a regime established by the Mongols. He wondered what this random outcome would bring. [Randomizing fate character.] [You've been paired with the butcher's daughter, "Bai Jiao Jiao."] [Randomizing identity.] [Your identity this time is an abandoned apprentice left at Tianhe Temple's doorstep.] Seeing this random pairing and identity, Su Mo was unsurprised. It seemed obtaining a favorable start or character wasn't easily randomizable. The daughter of a butcher and a monk raised in a temple—what kind of love story could emerge? To overturn fate, good talents seemed essential, otherwise, it was futile. [Talent card detected, use it?] “Do not use it!” [No talent card used, randomizing talent.] [This time, your talent is "Buddha Heart, Sword Bones."] With a flash of violet light, the talent appeared before Su Mo. [Buddha Heart, Sword Bones: Holders possess a compassionate heart.] [An extraordinary speed in comprehending Buddhist scriptures and sword arts. However, great wisdom breeds harm, hinting at early death. Collecting merits may reverse fate.] ... Surprised by a purple talent appearing, Su Mo pondered the rarity. Out of over thirty simulations, he'd only received one purple and one gold talent. The odds of receiving purple talents were slim. Another prompt appeared. [Auto simulation?] Despite the desire to experience it firsthand, Su Mo had tasks to finish, so he opted for automation. “Auto-simulate.” [Simulating in progress.] [You were born... ] ... Watching the simulation progress indicator, Su Mo felt a flicker of hope. Purple talent, coupled with low status—perhaps fate could be overturned. As Su Mo mused, Guo Lin bounced over with excitement. “Brother Su, my mother wants to speak with you.” Looking at Guo Lin, lively and charming, Su Mo recalled the evening's simulation. A simulation foretelling the entire general's household demise. Despite the purple talent, Su Mo felt uneasy, contemplating how to forewarn Madam Huang. Sensing Su Mo's unease, Guo Lin was left uncertain. “What’s wrong?” Hearing her query, Su Mo forced a smile. “Nothing, really.” “Just recalling some matters at the tavern.” “Let’s go, shall we?” “Oh, sure.” Guo Lin, sensing Su Mo's low spirits, refrained from pressing, lest she upset him. While ascending the stairs, an idea struck Su Mo. He remembered the dead members of the Hengshan Trio. Maybe... He could say they had once visited some luxurious place and learned of General Guo’s demise. Then, claiming to overhear, convey it, and observe her reaction. Feeling clever for the plan, Su Mo relaxed. Outside the quiet room, four maids stood. Shaoyao approached. “Manager Su, Madam wishes to speak with you alone. The second young lady is not allowed in.” Hearing she was excluded, Guo Lin frowned. Guo Lin obediently sat on one of the chairs on the second floor. Su Mo felt somewhat relieved. This opportunity allowed for more candid discussions. He pushed the door open and entered. After closing the door, Su Mo found Huang Qingwan seated at the guest seat by the wall, sipping tea quietly. The Ru porcelain enhanced the allure of Huang Qingwan's skin, emitting an enchanting glow. "Madam." Huang Qingwan's gaze was overflowing with indescribable tenderness as she looked at Su Mo. "Come, Manager Su, sit beside me." With his courage bolstered by an increasing array of talents, Su Mo boldly took a seat next to Huang Qingwan, admiring her stunning beauty up close. Sensing Su Mo's ardent gaze, Huang Qingwan felt no embarrassment, only overwhelming delight. A woman adorns herself for her beloved. Being appreciated by Su Mo in such a manner was a blissful experience, particularly since she knew she wouldn’t have such opportunities to see Su Mo in their past life. She subconsciously brushed her hair back before handing Su Mo a cup of tea. "Manager Su, have some tea." Her slender, snow-white fingers held the cup, tinged with a delicate pink, leaving Su Mo momentarily dazzled. He quickly accepted the tea. But he fumbled, spilling the tea which landed right on Huang Qingwan's embroidered shoe on her right foot. The warm tea made Huang Qingwan furrow her brows slightly. Su Mo was alarmed, immediately squatting down from the chair to inspect Huang Qingwan's injury. "Madam, are you alright?" "Yes... I’m fine." Seeing Su Mo's genuine concern, Huang Qingwan couldn’t help but recall their past life's shared days. Disregarding common decorum, Su Mo gently removed her embroidered shoe, releasing a faint, elegant fragrance. He then slipped off her silk sock, revealing a small, white foot with a slightly flushed instep nestled in his hand. The toes were round and petite, slightly curled with tension, irresistibly inviting a nibble. Su Mo gently stroked the instep, finding it extraordinarily smooth and soft. Seeing no objection from Madam Huang, Su Mo couldn’t resist cradling the entire foot, lightly massaging it. It felt like holding a delicate piece of fine jade, its texture emboldening him, prompting him to increase the pressure of his massage. Madam Huang lightly bit her lower lip, her body subtly shifting, her eyes dreamy as she watched the proceedings. A tingling sensation traveled from the sole of her foot… Su Lang. You've truly captivated me today… (End of Chapter)