Chapter 1 Love life, what year is this evening - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

Chapter 1: The Bonds of Destiny and Time "You were struck dead by lightning." "Shortly after your death, Lady Huang took her own life for love of you—her devotion is a tale of great poignancy." "..." "The system is commencing evaluation." "Throughout your life, you committed numerous atrocities. You deliberately spread rumors that caused Emperor’s suspicion of General Guo, inadvertently leading to the massacre of over three hundred people in the Zhennan General's Mansion. Only you and Lady Huang managed to escape." "To save a few coins on candied hawthorns, you murdered a peddler in the wilderness and disposed of the body in the mass grave." "Your culinary talent allowed you to shine in an inn." "You exploited your knowledge of soap-making, secretly using human bones from the mass grave to refine oil for soap, thus earning your first fortune." "Under the cover of darkness, you murdered the family that took you in and seized their estate." "You colluded with authorities to seize land from farmers, leaving them no choice but to work in your soap factory while you only provided two meals a day." "You poisoned your competitor with a rare chronic toxin during a banquet, causing them to die that night with no evidence pointing back to you." "Your romantic partner, Lady Huang, remained devoted and chaste, constant in her affection." "As a mere culinary steward, you were favored by the general's wife beyond measure, making your life well worth living." "You lived a total of twelve years, ultimately meeting your end through a bolt of lightning due to the accumulation of your sins." "Evaluation: Deserved!" ... "Phew!" "This game is so addictive." Stretching with satisfaction despite a sleepless night, Su Mo felt refreshed, perhaps thanks to the perks of the game. Originally, he wasn't from this world. On his second day after arriving here, by answering two unsolvable couplets correctly during the Lantern Festival, he passed the Zhennan General's Mansion's test and became a servant—a mere errand boy at the bottom rung. Before crossing over, he often cooked for himself, honing his culinary skills. Occasionally making a dish or two left the steward in awe, and soon after, he was promoted to manage the kitchen. From then on, he awakened a simulacrum game named "Bonds of Destiny," which allowed him to observe alternate life paths. Before each simulation, he could randomly determine his birthplace, identity, initial talents, and more, profoundly impacting the final evaluation. Once, he drew a talent called "First-rate Martial Artist," transforming him into a martial arts master in the simulation world. During the simulation, a female character from reality would randomly become his romantic interest. Watching was akin to seeing a holographic film play out, where Su Mo could influence decision-making at critical life junctures, altering the story's final outcome. Despite not participating directly, the experience held its own unique charm. After several simulations, Su Mo realized that "Bonds of Destiny" seemed rather disappointing because it never yielded any rewards, leaving him frustrated. Without a cheat code after transmigrating, it felt like a nightmare. Luckily, his wits kept him alive, barely scraping by. Eventually, he played without restraint, always selecting the worst options—inflicting and enduring torment as much as possible. To him, the characters were no more than virtual playthings in a rewardless pastime. The life just simulated was one of the better endings—from being hunted by enemies to dying of poison, being struck by lightning felt like a merciful end. But reflecting upon the looks and demeanor of this simulation's romantic interest, Su Mo felt the stirrings of rogue affection stirring within him. This time, the romantic interest was the wife of the Zhennan General—a woman of unrivaled influence, utterly unreachable in real life. In the simulation, Su Mo's identity overlapped with his real-life role, entangling him with Lady Huang over twelve years. Despite deliberately committing countless evil deeds, he somehow won her heart, surely thanks to the magic of "Bonds of Destiny." No matter how outrageous his choices, the bonded female character would automatically rationalize them in the most reasonable light. Morning had come. Playing "Bonds of Destiny" was undeniably time-consuming, and further simulations would have to wait until nightfall. Dressing in his short robe, Su Mo looked outside. Dawn broke—the sky lit with the first traces of daylight. It was time for the kitchen. After a quick wash, Su Mo ventured out. The frigid northern wind bit into his cheeks, another reminder of the harsh winter in this foreign land. His inadequate clothing offered little warmth, forcing him to warmth himself by stomping his feet and rubbing his hands on the way to the kitchen. Inside, the warmth suffused him, easing the cold stiffness of his body. The chefs were busy; the glow from the stoves flickered across their faces. Considering his newness, Su Mo avoided ordering others around and quietly inspected the ingredients, ensuring the vegetables and meats were fresh. Later, he needed to verify quantities and prices with the returning purchasing boy to prevent any discrepancies. A head chef hollered robustly, "Supervisor Su, there's no need to check. It's the Second Young Mistress's birthday today—I’ve gone over everything myself. If anything goes wrong, both you and I are responsible." Su Mo nodded silently, "Thank you, Chef Liu, but inspections must be routine." Irritation flickered across Chef Liu’s greasy face as he sneered, "Suit yourself!" Suit myself, indeed. Su Mo inwardly smirked. If anything went wrong, the blame would solely fall on him as the kitchen steward, not the head chef wielding the ladle. ... Meanwhile, in the general's wife's quarters, a woman of delicate and gentle beauty, with eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn waves, sat at her vanity. The assistance of two maids—one plump and one thin—helped arrange her hair. Despite her thirty-something years, her beauty was ethereal, her fair skin flawless, exuding a gentle glow. Yet, the fine red marks on her jade-like neck invoked a sense of pity. Gazing at her reflection, Huang Qingwan felt a wave of disorientation. Hadn't she already joined Su Lang in death? Why was she back here again? "What day is today?" she asked abruptly. Startled, the maids scrambled to answer, "Madam, today is the Second Young Mistress’s birthday!" "Ling’er’s birthday?" Huang Qingwan was lost in thought, recalling that it was six months after Ling'er’s birthday when the entire general’s household was condemned by imperial decree due to rumors. Su Mo, the kitchen steward, risked everything to help her escape and live in hiding under assumed names. With a soap-making technique of mysterious origin, he ensured they had a modest but comfortable life. She had hoped they could live out their days peacefully. But fate was cruel—her beloved Su Lang was struck dead by a sudden bolt of lightning. In despair, Huang followed him shortly after, unable to endure life without him. But now, she was reborn on Ling’er’s birthday. What was truly happening? Could it be that Su Lang was also reborn? Thinking this, Huang Qingwan felt her heart clench, as if gripped by an invisible hand. An indescribable warmth surged through her, coloring her cheeks with a swift flush, overlaying her snowy complexion with a delicate blush. Memories flowed rapidly, like a flickering lantern. She recalled every meal Su Mo personally made for her, how he sought out a single skewer of candied hawthorn for her over a rigorous journey when she had no appetite. How he remained by her side without rest during her illness. Their mutual passion filled her thoughts with joy mixed with a twinge of anxiety. Though she had returned, there was no guarantee that her Su Lang was the same man. Would he recognize her now? (End of the Chapter)