Chapter Five: The Price of Marriage

“Something all four willingly surrender may mean four separate things,” Zhiwei said in the van. “Or one thing jointly owned.” “Freedom,” Zhou Lin suggested. “None of us owns it.” Jiming's phone displayed GRANDFATHER. The old man said only, “Bring the contract-wife to dinner. The creditor knows she has awakened.” The Lu heirs had renewed Aftertaste's debt for generations. A century ago, the family rose on Chenxing's twelve properties but paid only the worldly price. Their descendants owed the price in fate. When the shop chose a spouse, every shared asset and desire accrued interest. “So your fifteen-percent wedding gift was collateral,” Zhiwei said. “Bait. The more Lu property you accept, the faster the debt recognizes you.” “Did you know?”