Chapter 1553 - 1540: A-Tan’s Marriage Conditions

Ada looked at the man, towering a head above her, his arms as thick as her thighs. Her body trembled slightly, but she felt a strange sense of safety.

He was fierce, but spoke little. At night, he gave her the bed and slept on the floor himself. He handed all his money to her and even left breakfast for her. These ordinary gestures might not have even made her blink in the past.

If not for the accident a year ago, she might have never crossed paths with Marcus Quinn. But now she had nothing; her father died, her fiancé found new love, and she couldn’t return to Seacoast. If her ruthless relatives found out where she was, they would surely exploit her last ounce of value.

The more Ada thought about it, the more desolate she felt. The ivory tower her father built for her had collapsed, and she was no longer the Chase Family’s rich young Miss.

Ada stared blankly, realizing that her life had veered off the broad road into a thorny cliff.

Marcus noticed her silence, neither agreeing nor refusing. Her eyes were red and swollen, making her small, pale face resemble the most exquisite doll in a shop window, invoking great pity.

Marcus gave her a deep look before heading out. When he returned, he brought back a few stir-fried dishes, perhaps knowing her stomach couldn’t handle rich food. The dishes were light, accompanied by a big serving of fish porridge.

"Come and eat. Think on a full stomach," he called her over, placing the porridge before her while he squatted on the side, eating.

"Didn’t you give me all your money?" Ada asked, watching him—such a big man—squat to eat, his body straight and posture stable. She meant to offer him the chair while she sat on the bed but blurted out those words instead.

"On credit. I’ll work tomorrow and repay it with my earnings," he said lowly.

Marcus thought that since he had given her the money, it wasn’t right for him to ask for it back. Fortunately, he frequently ordered takeout from the small restaurant, and the owner knew him. Even if they weren’t familiar, seeing him so fierce and robust meant they might have extended credit anyway.

Ada gazed into his jet-black eyes, inexplicably trusting that what he said was true.

Initially, he didn’t want to save her, but she clung to his leg, begging for help. But this man was unlike any of the men she had met before. Her ideal husband was a genteel noble like Rochester from Jane Eyre—gentlemanly, brave, and respectful.

Marcus worked with his hands; he was like a wild beast on the plains—fierce and uncivilized. She could even imagine he hadn’t read much. They had no common language, and he had no life plan, no proper job, lacked financial acumen, and lived in a sunless, damp basement.

Could she really spend the rest of her life with such an honest man?

Ada felt bewildered again, thinking back to the upheaval at home. She was no longer the young lady she once was, not even knowing who imprisoned her in that remote house.

Ada shivered, realizing her expectations and fantasies about marriage and her future partner would never come true.

Her sole support now was this strange man who saved her.

Ada looked at the silent man, stammered, "Mar... Marcus, we can marry, but I have conditions."

Marcus paused mid-bite, lifted his head, and quietly nodded for her to continue.

"In the future, you go out to work while I manage the home and finances. Once we save enough, we can move out, rent a south-facing apartment, and only then marry." She couldn’t bear the basement environment any longer but understood his poverty, suggesting only to move to a better place.

Managing the home and finances were her strengths, as she had received an all-rounded education. Financial management was a socialite’s must-have skill. Seeing Marcus, a laborer, with only 2,000 yuan stuffed in a suitcase, she realized if he managed the finances, it’d be a mess.

Saying these words, she felt a vague grievance, a decision equating to severing ties with her past, locking away the girl dreaming of being a Princess deep within her heart forever.

Marcus’s dark eyes lingered on her face for a while, seeing her pretty face filled with grievance, confusion, yet sorrow and determination. Even knowing she likely wouldn’t leave, when she agreed, he was briefly silent.

Fountain City was just his temporary stop; he never expected to pick up a wife there. Once married, he couldn’t have his wife roaming the streets; they needed to settle down.

"Okay," Marcus decided after a brief silence. Fountain City was fine; they would start a home here.

After their agreement, they said nothing more. Both were silent—Marcus a man of few words, Ada distracted. Learning about her father’s death and her fiancé’s upcoming wedding was heartbreaking. Had it not been for the endured non-human captivity and torment over the year, she might have broken down sooner.

The present life beat living in the dark house, enduring starvation and beatings.

At night, Ada continued to sleep on the bed. Marcus lay a sheet on the floor, sleeping there again.

The basement was hot and damp, without air conditioning. Sleeping on the floor wasn’t too warm. Ada, fearing him somewhat, didn’t call him to share the bed.

With clarity between them, Ada slept soundly despite the heat, waking up drenched in sweat, her weak constitution prone to catching colds, yet the sweat made her feel lighter.

The next morning, when Ada opened her eyes, Marcus was gone, along with his tool bag, and as usual, he left breakfast on the table, this time porridge and dumplings.

She got up, washed up, and realized her dirty clothes from yesterday were missing from the bathroom. Did Marcus wash them? Including hers?

Ada blushed deeply, now noticing the basement’s simplicity but also its cleanliness and order. This man didn’t even leave garbage overnight, was both diligent and obsessively clean, having excellent habits.

Ada ate breakfast, savoring the juicy dumplings and millet porridge, unknowingly finishing a whole bowl. Once satisfied, Ada gazed around their impoverished home and started planning their small family’s future.