The matter of Ji Xiu going to work today as well.
Faced with Ji Xiu’s cold, frightening gaze, Sun Yue regretted it—truly regretted it…
“What did you just say about my wife?” Ji Xiu saw her expression shifting back and forth without a word coming out of her mouth. Growing impatient, he raised his voice and asked again.
Sun Yue snapped back to her senses. She glanced at Ji Xiu, fearfully avoided his eyes, and answered vaguely, “I didn’t say anything…”
“You think I’m deaf?!” Ji Xiu glared, threatening her outright. “Repeat it yourself. Don’t make me use my fists!”
Sun Yue’s face flushed white and green by turns. She was completely cornered and couldn’t help but cast a pleading look toward Li Shiyue.
Ji Xiu was someone who could beat even Guan Ji’an until his head split open and blood flowed. How could she, a girl, possibly withstand that?
“Stop looking at my wife. When you were yapping nonsense just now, why didn’t you remember she was standing right there? Now that something’s wrong, you suddenly know to look for her?” Ji Xiu took two or three big steps forward, standing in front of Li Shiyue and blocking her from view.
Sun Yue’s face turned pale. She pleaded softly, “Shiyue…”
Li Shiyue heard it and, for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, felt a tiny bit pleased inside. But clearly, this scene didn’t align with the values she’d long been taught. So even though she didn’t want to get involved, she still spoke up to reassure her, “It’s fine, don’t worry. Ji Xiu doesn’t hit women.”
Ji Xiu turned back and raised an eyebrow at her. “When I said I don’t hit women, I meant you specifically. You’re my wife—only you count as a woman in my eyes. Does this Sun Yue count as a woman?”
Li Siyue froze, feeling that Ji Xiu was spouting some very crooked logic…
But what could she do? Right now, she feels inexplicably happy.
Noticing the surprised looks being cast their way, Li Shiyue snapped back to her senses, feeling a little embarrassed. She secretly pinched his waist and scolded softly, “What nonsense are you saying?”
Ji Xiu replied shamelessly, “I’m saying Sun Yue isn’t a woman. If she dares bully you, I’ll beat her all the same.”
“I won’t dare again…” Watching them be so openly sweet, Sun Yue lowered her head and apologized in humiliation. “I really know I was wrong. I’m sorry. I won’t dare do it again.”
Ji Xiu shot her a glance and finally let her off.
Turning around, he grinned at Li Shiyue, bent down close to her ear, and coaxed her in a low voice, “Wife, I stood up for you. Are you happy?”
Li Shiyue’s heart felt sweet as honey, but she didn’t dare show it. She shot him a reproachful look, her tone softening. “Hurry up and go to work.”
Ji Xiu nodded obediently. “As you command, wife.”
He rubbed his head against Li Shiyue’s shoulder, then strode back to his spot and continued working.
Li Shiyue pressed her lips together in a smile and lowered her head to work as well.
The other villagers had been secretly watching the drama all along. Seeing the two of them being openly intimate, they couldn’t help sneering inwardly: morals are really going downhill—utterly improper.
But during the rest of the work, whenever no one was paying attention, people would still secretly glance at Li Shiyue, envy flickering in their eyes.
Clearly, not everyone thought the same way.
Even Sun Yue, upon noticing the smile at the corner of Li Shiyue’s lips, fell into a daze.
“Mom, I can handle a small thing like this. How could I let you get tired? Sit down quickly if you get worn out, your son will feel heartache.”
“Oh my, it’s just scooping some food…” Huang Taohua felt thoroughly comforted, her face blooming with a smile, yet she still insisted on serving the rice herself.
Ji Xiu refused several more times, but couldn’t outmatch Huang Taohua’s stubbornness. With a helpless sigh, he said, “Alright then, Mom, you go. I’ll listen to you and stop arguing.”
Seeing that Li Shiyue’s bowl was still empty, he naturally picked it up and handed it over. “Mom, scoop some for Shiyue too, while you’re at it.”
“Alright!” Huang Taohua was coaxed into high spirits, happily heading into the kitchen, not minding at all that she had to carry one more bowl.
Ji Xiu nodded and plopped down on a stool, turning to wave at Li Shiyue. “Wife, hurry up and come sit.”
Li Shiyue was already dumbfounded.
So this is why is Ji Xiu so favored?
She felt like she’d learned some very strange knowledge.
Ji Xiu didn’t care about her wandering thoughts. After scanning the room, he asked casually, “Dad, where’s Yingzi?
Ji Father had no temper left with his son and pointed toward the room. “Playing inside with Dongzi.”
“Oh.” Once he knew, Ji Xiu didn’t ask further.
Ji Dong was the son of Ji Xiu’s elder brother and sister-in-law. He was six years old this year, with a decent temperament not like those wild little brats outside who ran up mountains and into rivers all day. So Ji Xiu felt very at ease letting his daughter play with him.
After eating, the two of them didn’t disturb Yingzi. They rested for a bit, then went back out to work.
Only in the evening did they return to the Ji household to pick up Yingzi along with the grain and head home.
Ji Xiu said, “Wife, you’ve worked hard. How about I make dinner tonight? You’ve been busy all day—it makes my heart ache to watch.”
Li Shiyue felt warmth spread through her heart, but she also knew Ji Xiu’s cooking skills. She shook her head and said, “I’ll do it. You’re tired too—go rest.”
Ji Xiu looked deeply moved. He wrapped an arm around Li Shiyue’s shoulders and rubbed against her, sighing, “My wife is really wonderful.”
Li Shiyue felt a little shy and pushed him away. “Stop bothering me while I cook.”
“Alright then, I’ll go out now…” Ji Xiu turned reluctantly and left the kitchen, taking their daughter Ji Yingzi by the hand. The father and daughter happily started playing their “flying airplane” game in the yard.
Bursts of laughter drifted into the kitchen.
Li Shiyue glanced out the window, a knowing smile appearing on her face.
She didn’t ask for much. As long as Ji Xiu stopped slacking off, was willing to contribute to this family, and took care of her and their daughter, she would be satisfied.
Li Shiyue lowered her head and began cooking.
After a while
“Something’s not right…”
Li Shiyue raised her head, recalled the scene from noon, compared her own reaction with Huang Taohua’s, and suddenly set down the cleaver, furious.
Ji Xiu—that liar! He used the same sweet-talking routine on everyone, and yet she had fallen for it!
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