### Chapter 14: Where Are You, My Beloved Su? - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 14: Where Are You, My Beloved Su? The moment Huang Qingwan's soft and melodious voice reached Su Mo's ears, a subtle thrill coursed through his heart. He had often heard her voice in the game, yet experiencing it in real life was an entirely different sensation. In person, Huang Qingwan's voice was as refreshing as a gentle spring breeze. Despite being mesmerized by her enchanting voice, Su Mo remembered to reply to Huang Qingwan. "My lady, I learned the art of making candied sweet potatoes from my father during my childhood. Should you desire them, I can prepare it for you at any time." "No thank you, eating too much will make me gain weight." "Look at me." At her behest, Su Mo instinctively raised his head. Their eyes locked in an instant. What Su Mo beheld was a face of unparalleled beauty, as fair as jade. Her brows were like the delicate brushstrokes of mountains adorned with gentle mist, and her eyes were lively and bright. Momentarily dazed, Su Mo felt as if he were standing before a celestial goddess, dignified and graceful. Yet, Huang Qingwan's eyes held a slight mistiness, as if trying to discern the familiar yet elusive face before her. To ensure her emotions did not betray her, Huang Qingwan stifled her lingering reluctance with great resolve. "Steward Su... I am well now, you may leave." "Yes, my lady." With that, Su Mo swiftly turned and exited. The aura of Huang Qingwan was all-consuming and profound. It differed greatly from what he experienced in the simulation game. The disparity between the simulation and reality was like comparing a classic epic to a mere tale. Before today, he even thought Chun Zhu possessed some charm. But all pales in comparison now. Huang Qingwan in reality was akin to a deity walking among mortals. The Second Miss, whom he previously met, was merely an endearing and vibrant young girl. But when compared to her mother, they stood worlds apart. One was a celestial queen, the other a mere mortal. Even drawing such a comparison felt sacrilegious to Huang Qingwan. Standing in the courtyard, Su Mo collected his thoughts before preparing to depart. At that moment, Chun Zhu approached, her cheeks tinted with a delicate blush, avoiding direct eye contact with Su Mo. "Steward Su." "The lady holds you in high regard." "She mentioned that with continued diligence, there are great opportunities for you to ascend." "Moreover, she has instructed the head steward to increase your monthly allowance by two taels of silver." "Your allowance now surpasses mine." Chun Zhu expressed her admiration, all the while entertaining her own thoughts about Su Mo's potential. If he continued like this... Perhaps she could think about... Oblivious to the girl's thoughts, Su Mo quickly calculated the benefit of the additional two taels per month. Originally, the head kitchen steward's monthly salary was one tael and three qian. With the raise, he would now receive three taels and three qian each month. That amounted to thirty-nine taels and six qian annually. Including occasional bonuses, estimating forty taels was quite conservative! Forty taels. In this world with lower productivity levels, that was equivalent to four hundred thousand RMB! An annual salary of four hundred thousand. He had never earned that much on Earth! Plus, with his meals provided in the kitchen, he had minimal expenses to worry about. After saving for a few years, he could even afford a small courtyard outside the mansion. "Thank you, Sister Chunzhu!" "I'll treat you to some candied hawthorn when I get my paycheck." Chun Zhu, in her playful manner, teased him. "Just one stick of candied hawthorn?" "With such a generous allowance, couldn't you treat me to something a bit fancier?" Despite being momentarily awestruck by Huang Qingwan's angelic beauty, Su Mo's affection for Chun Zhu only deepened. Top-tier beauties were like dreams; exquisite yet unreachable. A charmer like Chun Zhu, with her slight curves, was far more realistic. "Alright, after payday, I'll treat you to a feast at Huaixian Tower!" "It's settled then!" With blushing cheeks, Chun Zhu made her exit. Su Mo, feeling buoyant, also left the courtyard behind. Returning to the kitchen, he was met with a buzz of gossip, each face alight with curiosity about the recent happenings. At the center of attention was Master Liu, with his small cunning eyes darting across his broad face, resembling a busybody old rat. "In my opinion, Chun Zhu is not only pretty but also more competent than Shaoyao. That figure, unlike Shaoyao’s bony frame, wouldn't risk snapping ribs in bed..." "..." As the lewd chatter echoed among the kitchen staff, Su Mo cleared his throat decisively. "Isn't there work to be done?" "Back to your posts, everyone!" With Su Mo's authoritative interruption, the group dispersed like startled birds, hurrying back to their tasks. They had watched Su Mo's return from the lady without a scratch and with astonishment. They had expected him to face reprimands over the candied sweet potatoes mishap. Contrary to their expectations, not only was he unscathed, but he also seemed to have gained something. The most disgruntled of all was Master Liu. For months, he had coveted the head position in the kitchen, yet the foolish housekeeper had chosen to bestow the role upon the newcomer, Su Mo! What did Su Mo possess that he lacked? As for Su Mo, he found Master Liu increasingly insufferable. One of the eight sufferings in Buddhism is to be near someone you loathe, capturing his situation perfectly. He wondered how long until this person would finally back off. ... "Impossible, how could there be nothing, how can there be no sign of him?" "The Prefect of Hangzhou, Su Donglai, has no son named Su Mo?" By the waters of West Lake. Two ethereal figures, one draped in blue, the other in white, stood amidst the mist, hidden from the eyes of ordinary people. The weeping willows gently brushed against Bai Suzhen's shoulder. Her face, unmatched in beauty, was marked with deep sorrow. "How can he not exist?" "How could he not be found?" Seeing her elder sister in such distress, Xiao Qing was even more certain that Bai Suzhen had lost her mind, concocting a man out of thin air. According to Bai Suzhen, they had cared for this man together for three years. How could that be possible? Who was Xiao Qing? How could she be influenced by a man to such an extent? To think her sister would do something so scandalous! "Sister, stop deceiving yourself. This man named Su Mo doesn't exist; he’s a figment of your imagination." "Seeking out Xu Xian is the rightful path." "Imagination?" Bai Suzhen shook her head, a determined look gracing her usually serene face. "Xiao Qing, it’s not an illusion." "Every moment, every day, is etched into my memory vividly." "You may have forgotten, but I haven't." "Su Lang is surely waiting for me somewhere now." "And this is the proof!" With that, Bai Suzhen pulled back the fabric on her wrist. Where once was smooth, jade-like skin, there now resided an Arhat tattoo. The faded golden strokes depicted an Arhat holding a chipped purple gold alms bowl in one hand and forming a half-mudra with the other. She then lifted the sleeve on Xiao Qing’s wrist. There, identical Arhat tattoos had appeared as well. "This!" Xiao Qing was stunned. When had this tattoo appeared on her body? Her immediate suspicion was that Bai Suzhen had put it there. "Sister, tell me honestly, was this your doing?" Bai Suzhen sighed softly. "Xiao Qing, when would I have the time or reason for such a thing?" "Try channeling your spiritual sense into the golden Buddha." Xiao Qing hesitated, torn between doubt and curiosity. With caution, she directed her spiritual sense towards the Arhat tattoo on her wrist. Within her mind. A blinding golden light burst forth like a radiant sun, flooding her sea of consciousness! (End of Chapter)