May Sutton grumbled, "It's not your wedding. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Vivian Lee gave a sly smile. "I just want my sister to hurry up and marry into the Quillan family so she can enjoy a life of comfort."
'She guessed Ian Quincy was already itching to torment Cecilia Adler, which was why he was pushing to register the marriage. After all, beating your wife was just a domestic dispute that no one else could meddle in.'
Cecilia Adler calmly replied, "If that's the case, why don't you go enjoy it yourself?"
May Sutton bristled at her words. 'If my own precious daughter hadn't looked down on Ian Quincy, would this marriage ever have been your turn?' "Some people really know how to play innocent after getting the better end of a deal..."
"Mom, that's enough," Vivian Lee cut in.
'Cecilia was young, not stupid.'
'If Mom said too much and made her suspicious, it could delay the marriage registration with Ian Quincy. What if something else went wrong?'
Cecilia Adler couldn't be bothered to watch the mother-daughter duo's little act.
She turned, went back to her room, locked the door, and took out her stamps, looking through them one by one.
She discovered that several of the stamps had printing errors.
Her heart began to pound.
'Are they fake?'
'No, that can't be right.'
Ian Quincy had said that the one she'd casually handed him was worth seven or eight yuan.
Therefore, she dared to speculate that the misprinted ones were the legendary "flaw" variants—unique rarities.
Even more valuable.
'I've struck it rich.'
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
Cecilia's hands tightened, and she clutched the stamp album to her chest.
"Sister, I have the document."
Suppressing her excitement, Cecilia unhurriedly put the album away before going to open the door.
Vivian Lee handed her the document. "What time are you registering the marriage tomorrow? Are you scared, with it all happening so suddenly? I can go with you, you know, for moral support." 'It'd also be a good chance to see just how Ian Quincy deals with Cecilia.'
"Ian didn't give a specific time. I'm meeting him first thing in the morning," Cecilia said, then added with feigned curiosity, "I'm the one registering my marriage. Why do you seem so happy about it?"
'Does Vivian really think that as soon as I'm married to Ian, he'll instantly turn on me?'
'She had no idea where Vivian got her information about Ian, but she was sure of one thing: he was absolutely not the jealous, vengeful, and twisted person the neighborhood gossips made him out to be.'
"You're my sister, of course. You're marrying such a great catch, so I'm happy for you," Vivian Lee replied, her words perfectly seamless.
"Thanks," Cecilia replied dismissively, then sent Vivian away with the excuse that she needed to rest.
She took a nap at home.
Once she was fully rested, she headed back to the black market.
It was even more bustling than the day before.
Many new stalls had popped up selling couplets and paper window decorations.
A pair of simple paper cuttings cost one cent.
She thought her own paper cuttings were much better than the ones at the stalls. If she sold hers for a cent and a half, she wondered if anyone would buy them.
No sooner said than done.
She ran home, found some red paper, and shut herself in her room to start cutting.
Dragons and phoenixes bringing prosperity, magpies heralding joy, carp leaping over the dragon gate, five sons achieving greatness...
Under her skillful hands,
the figures became remarkably lifelike.
She only stopped when she ran out of red paper.
Holding the thick stack of paper cuttings,
she was so happy she muttered to herself:
'After I register the marriage tomorrow, I'll take these to the market to sell.'
'I could make fifty cents!'
Just then, a knock sounded on the door.
"Cecilia, what are you doing hiding in your room? Don't forget you're registering your marriage with Ian tomorrow."
It was Lucas Lee.
"I'm not doing anything. I know," Cecilia said.
Lucas Lee added, "After you've registered the marriage, you should ask about Ian's work situation. Don't be direct about it. Be subtle."
Cecilia pretended not to understand. "I've always been direct. I don't know how to be subtle."
"You silly girl, you're so dense. Just ask him what his plans for the future are."
Cecilia scoffed. "Whether he has plans or not, I still have to marry him, don't I?" 'Even if Ian Quincy really is a psychopath.'
Lucas Lee was at a loss for words. After a moment, he insisted, "Just do as I say and ask."
"Got it." 'How annoying!'