Married to the Lame Husband
Author: Xiaoying© WebNovel
Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Married Off for Debt Repayment
Grandma married me off to the village head's lame son, Ethan Grant, to pay off a debt.
What she didn't know was that Ethan owned fourteen houses.
After marriage, I was directly liberated from hell and began a brand new life.
But the vampire grandma came knocking again, hoping to replace me with my cousin.
Otherwise, she demanded a million in child support.
I laughed, "Child support? We need to calculate the accounts first."
1.
On the day I married Ethan Grant, small snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
Sitting in the main room, dressed in a bright red coarse cloth gown, my hands were numb from the cold.
No one cared if I was hungry or cold; they all only cared about the sixty thousand yuan dowry from the Grant family.
My parents died unexpectedly years ago, and grandma reluctantly took in the burden that was me.
Her most frequent phrase was, "You little brat, feeding you is worse than feeding pigs!"
Now, she finally caught the chance to "sell" me off for some change.
To force me into marriage, grandma, along with my cousin Mia Dawson, tricked me back from Glaston City and locked me up for four days and nights.
During this time, they only threw me one bowl of spoiled cold rice and a bowl of cabbage soup each day to keep me from starving.
"My dear sister, why the long face? Today's your big day!"
The ear-piercing voice belonged to Mia Dawson, who walked in.
"This is the son of the village head, a match carefully selected by grandma for you. You should be grateful!"
I had no desire to respond to her, being truly hungry, I took a few bites of an apple.
Mia, annoyed, kicked the apple right out of my hand with her high heel.
"I'm talking to you, gone mute?"
I looked up mildly, glancing at her, "Were you talking? I thought it was a big yellow dog barking."
"You!"
"Enough, what's the fuss about!"
Grandma hobbled in from outside, gently patted the furious Mia Dawson, and glared at me.
"Lily Dawson, today's special, I won't argue with you, but dare you bully Mia again, and I'll tear your mouth off!"
Indeed, from childhood, when I was with Mia, her lively and sweet manner always gained the elders' favor.
Everyone said she had a blessed face, capable of bringing prosperity to the family in the future.
And me, with my constant somber look, was seen as a bringer of bad luck.
This became one of the reasons I suffered so much growing up.
When Mia cried, I'd be the one to suffer, getting pinched on the hands and face was routine.
When my cousin Lucas Dawson stumbled, I'd be locked in the woodshed, not allowed out for a day.
This time, my uncle lost over a hundred thousand in the hot pot business, almost emptying grandma's coffin savings.
They owed Uncle Grant's family a hundred thousand and directly pushed me to marry off to pay the debt.
Uncle Grant had an only son, Ethan, who was quite good-looking.
But his legs were partially disabled, bedridden for years, and occasionally went out to collect waste to make a living.
It was said his yearly medical bills were owed in the tens of thousands.
To put it bluntly, I was marrying to become a lifetime full-time caregiver.
2.
Someone shouted outside, "Alright, the groom's family is here to pick up the bride, let's go!"
Grandma pinched my arm hard, "Stand up straight!"
The wedding procession moved forward, taking me to the Grant family.
Outside the tiled single-story house, people were already drunk at the banquet.
No wedding celebration, no toasting, no blessings from either side's parents.
I was covered with a red veil and directly sent into the bridal chamber.
To be honest, it might not even be called a bridal chamber.
The surroundings were chilly, possibly leaking wind, as the incandescent light illuminated my constantly trembling feet.
A vision of a wooden patterned cane appeared first in my view.
I slowly looked up, seeing a fair and delicate face, with deep long lashes, eyes gentle and warm.
I tentatively spoke, "Ethan Grant?"
"Don't look so surprised; it's not our first meeting."
The man, leaning on a cane, hobbled to the bed edge, and smiled faintly at me.
I gulped, unconsciously moving slightly to the right.
Counting in, aside from being my new husband, Ethan Grant was also my high school seatmate for one semester.
That was five years ago.
Back then, he was already crippled.
The teacher assigned him next to me, hoping I would help the new student fit in quickly.
I did help, but due to some incidents, I developed a troublesome relationship with him.
I even accidentally pushed him into a trash bin once.
Hence, upon learning about the conspiracy to marry me off to repay the debt, besides rejecting, I was slightly afraid.
"You seem to have remembered something?"
Ethan moved closer, his teasing smile widened, "What, afraid I'll take revenge for you pushing me into the trash bin years ago?"
My throat tightened, faking a smile to respond, "I know, you're not that kind of person."
"No, I'm not."
Upon hearing this, his mood strangely brightened as his dense lashes fluttered up.
"I'll wait until tonight's over to settle the score with you."
I: "..."
After speaking, he placed his cane aside, lifting his trouser legs with his hands, and arduously shifted onto the bed.
Watching made me feel a bit heart-wrenched, wanting to lend a hand, but he directly dodged me.
With eyes meeting, both felt somewhat awkward.
After thinking, I seriously explained, "You should know, right? This is an arranged marriage by my grandma. She shut me in for days and forced me into your family."
"But I thought about it, as long as I can escape my grandma, anywhere is a new start."
Ethan spoke softly, "Yes, I understand."
Feeling bolder, I sighed and continued.
"So, I hope we can get along peacefully. As long as you don't trouble me, I'll take care of you."
"Your legs, with joint efforts, could probably be treated."
"Coincidentally, I thought the same."
Surprisingly, he expressed these words with a hint of a smile.
His head was already resting squarely on the pillow.
Exhausted from the day's events, I clutched my small carry-on bag and lay at the foot of the bed.
Drifting into sleep, I felt a pair of slightly cool hands gently caressing my forehead.
It seemed someone tucked in my blanket corners softly.
Just like how my mother did for me, tenderly making one want to cry.
3.
The next day, Ethan went to the city to see a traditional Chinese doctor, said to be gone for two days.
I idled at home, reading several music textbooks.
On the third day, waking up, Ethan's enlarged handsome face appeared before my eyes.
Startled, I gasped, only to have him cover my mouth.
A few seconds later, he straightened up and lightly coughed, "Get up; today, we need to visit your grandma's house."
Oh, how could I forget this? A bride must return to her parents' home to receive family blessings.
Family? Thinking of this word, I nearly scoffed out loud.
I was entirely unwilling to return to that wolf's den.
Grandma, cousins, and uncle never treated me as a person.
I changed clothes and went to the living room, discovering the table filled with various breakfasts.
Looking carefully, there was red bean soy milk, purple sweet potato pancakes, pan-fried dumplings, all my favorite foods.
"Finish eating, then we'll depart."
Ethan rolled up his sleeves and casually pulled out a chair for me.
I sat down, moved my wrist, and only then realized that somehow, a silver women's watch had appeared on my hand.
I looked at Ethan Grant, who was drinking porridge, and waved my hand, "Did you give this to me?"
His tone was flat, "Who else? A ghost?" After a pause, he added, "A new wedding gift."
It's a bit embarrassing to say, but since my loving parents passed away, this is the first time in over a decade that anyone has given me a watch.
Back in school, Mia Dawson was in the same grade as me and always spread rumors that I had some filthy disease and had fleas, which were contagious.
With just a few words, she cut off all my paths to making friends.
After a while, I softly said to Ethan Grant, "Thank you, it's quite pretty."
Then, without thinking, I blurted out, "Last time at the two-dollar store, I also wanted to get a watch like this."
The moment I said it, I regretted it and quickly tried to correct myself, "No, I mean the ten-dollar store—it's quite well-made."
Across from me, Ethan Grant didn't speak, but his mouth twitched slightly.
When I arrived at Grandma's house, my cousin Lucas Dawson appeared at the door biting a banana.
"Ah, my dear cousin's back?"
"Come on, it's the first day back home, first kowtow to the Dawson family ancestors!"
The domineering tone in his voice made me frown.
"Come on now!" said Lucas Dawson, whistling, "I'm here to supervise you. If you don't kowtow, don't think about entering."
I hadn't seen Grandma or Uncle yet, but Mia Dawson came out from another bedroom upon hearing the noise.
She smiled playfully at me, then addressed Ethan Grant behind me directly, "Good morning, brother-in-law!"
Ethan Grant didn't seem to respond.
I glanced at Lucas Dawson, "You're not getting up? Squatting on the ground so early in the morning, going to give me a grand salute?"
"A salute isn't out of the question, but you're dressed like a peacock, our ancestors would be displeased to see that."
Lucas Dawson didn't have a comeback for a moment, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Ethan Grant stepped forward, his wrist lightly touched the back of my hand, "Well said, that was quite pleasing to the ear."
Mia squinted her eyes in confusion, observing our interaction.
"Brother-in-law, yesterday Grandma told me that my cousin is unattractive, lazy, and has a lot of petty theft habits."
"Seeing you two getting along fine after last night puts me at ease—"
"There's no need for you to worry."
Ethan Grant interrupted her, supporting himself with his crutch in his right hand, and grabbing my wrist with his left.
"I have a great relationship with your sister."
"Hmph," Lucas Dawson spat on the ground, grinning wickedly, "Looks like it's just bed affection from last night!"
"Lucas!"
Grandma, dressed in a robe, came out with a scolding tone, stopping him and then offering a weak smile.
"Come on, Ethan, and Lily, come in and sit."
I steadied Ethan Grant's elbow as we walked inside, but just as I was about to cross the threshold, Lucas Dawson kicked out, tripping me.
Which made Ethan unstable too, falling beside me.
Mia stepped in front of us in high heels, her laughter crisp as she took out her phone to take pictures.
Lucas Dawson laughed wildly, "Now that's pleasing to the eye! Lily, you hit your knee too, making you both cripples a pair!"
As soon as he finished, Ethan, who stood up, slapped him across the face.
Mia instantly stopped laughing, and Grandma exclaimed, "What are you doing! How dare you hit my grandson!"
Ethan didn't show any anger, with even a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.
Yet before Lucas could react, he twisted Lucas's hands and pushed him hard to the ground.
The movements were sharp and clean, hardly like someone half-disabled.
Lucas cradled his wrist in pain on the ground, while Grandma rushed over to check his injuries.
Ethan seemed a bit worn out, holding on to my sleeve, and I instinctively half-held him in response.
As we walked outside, Ethan turned around, his voice clear and serene.
"Grandma Smith, since your attitude is so clear, I won't pretend anymore."
"We've visited today, and if you're not welcoming, no matter when you send a grand procession to invite my Lily, she won't be coming again!"
After saying that, he didn't care about the colorful expressions of the three inside and pulled me away.
4,
Since that unpleasant incident at Grandma's house, Ethan and I haven't spoken for a few days.
Perhaps he didn't expect my so-called family could be so heartless.
At noon, while I was fiddling with music scores, Ethan pushed the door open with his crutch.
Recently, I've been accompanying him for acupuncture treatments, although there hasn't been much extra communication.
"Hey, you're back."
I rubbed my little hands, "I made tomato beef stew with rice for lunch today, let's eat together."
"Hmm, sounds good." Ethan smiled, taking a few books from my knee.
"Reading both music and financial books?"
I thought he'd follow up with, "Do you understand them?" but he didn't.
"The text in this version is a bit blurry. I'll get you a new one later."
I smiled and agreed.
I've been busy with self-study lately, as the Grant Family is about to work in the city, and I need to figure out how to make a living too.
But who knew, a few days ago, Ethan suddenly handed me two bank cards, saying to "just buy something nice to eat and drink."
When I checked the cards, I was stunned. The balance on both cards together was nearly two million.
In this day and age, does even recycling make this much money?
I hesitated to return the cards, but Ethan casually sat down, "My dad said, after marriage, the money should be handled by the wife. Any problem with that?"
I swallowed and extended my hand to take them back.
And today, early in the morning, Ethan handed me several red booklets while we were eating.
Opening them, my hands shook violently, and the soup spilled all over the table.
They were fourteen property certificates in total!
I trembled as I asked, "Are you really a recycler?"
Then, my new husband leisurely replied, "I am indeed a recycler, but I've also opened a couple of environmental companies in Belden City, which are my grandfather's legacy."
For two whole days, I couldn't sleep well, just feeling dazed.
Even as Ethan pulled me to go outside, I could hardly believe happiness came so fast.
He laughed, sliding another emerald-green bracelet onto my right hand.
"Alright, after two days of silly bliss, it's time to snap out of it!"
Someone in the village is getting married today, and my grandma's entire family is here too.
Seeing me, Mia immediately tried to stir something up.
"Sister, brother-in-law, did your leg injuries heal that quickly?"
I glanced at her, "Did your bratty brother's brain heal?" making her cheeks twitch in anger.
Looking ahead, Grandma was holding a girl in a pink long dress, vigorously "marketing" her grandson Lucas Dawson.
I recognized the girl, she was my high school classmate, named Ella, whose parents run a lumber business and are quite well-off, settled in the city.
Filial, understanding, hardworking, and loving to his girlfriend, Grandma Madam Smith praised Lucas Dawson to the skies.
I snickered internally, "Loving to his girlfriend?"
She has the nerve to say that! Last time Lucas almost sprained his ex-girlfriend's wrist over a video game.
"Who are these two?" Ella's parents asked, looking at Ethan and me.
Lucas Dawson arrogantly crossed his arms, eyes filled with animosity. "Oh, my cousin and her husband. A pair of cripples, a match made in heaven!"
The atmosphere briefly turned awkward, Ethan pulled me closer with a gentle smile, looking at Lucas Dawson.
"Seems like I went too easy last time, your face doesn't hurt anymore."
Upon hearing this, the humiliated Lucas rushed over to get physical, but someone held him back.
I also pulled Ethan back, to stay away from this mad dog.
In the scuffle, Ella's mom exclaimed, grabbing my wrist, "Oh my, this bracelet! Look, honey, isn't this the one we saw at the auction? A twenty-thousand-dollar antique!"
"What! Impossible!" Mia's face changed drastically upon hearing that, as if hearing a ghost story.
I was stunned too, instinctively looking at Ethan beside me.
Lucas spat in my direction, "Pfft! No way! They're just trash collectors!"
Grandma quickly echoed, "Exactly, you must have mistaken it. That wretched girl wouldn't have seen any real antiques!"
Mrs. Ella's mom wasn't happy, "My husband and I have been collecting antiques for years, we would never mistake it!"
She even pulled out a photo on her phone, "This is the picture I took at the auction, the antique bracelet, identical to the one your granddaughter is wearing!"
Grandma's expression shifted, eyeing my wrist with a mix of conflict and greed.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone