I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 12
Shen Xizhi’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Unintentionally caught, a surge of inexplicable shame and humiliation welled up in her heart. She buried her head even lower, her voice soft and faint as she denied it, “N-no, I didn’t.”
Song Yugui deliberately hardened her expression. “Then lift your head and let me see.”
Shen Xizhi stiffened, her head nearly dipping into her bowl of rice.
Hmph.
“Not listening?”
These three words seemed to clutch the young woman by the throat. After a moment’s hesitation, she slowly, ever so slowly, raised her eyes, casting a timid glance at Song Yugui before lowering them again. Her eyes were rimmed red, looking utterly aggrieved.
Song Yugui was baffled. Life was clearly improving—so why was she crying?
Had someone wronged her? Had she wronged her? Did she mess up by serving her food?
The more she thought about it, the less she understood. Song Yugui’s face darkened like a pot bottom. “Why are you crying? Give me a reason!”
She seems angry.
When she’s angry, she hits people.
Fear and unease churned in the young woman’s heart again. Her snow-white teeth bit down on her delicate lips, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. After a long pause, she shrank back and uttered a few trembling words: “I-I’m sorry.”
Her voice was soft, fragile, and trembling. Her fluttering lashes lifted cautiously, stealing another glance at Song Yugui before quickly lowering again.
Song Yugui was stunned. I asked why you’re crying, and you apologize? Are we even having the same conversation?
Her anger flared. “I asked why you were crying in the middle of a perfectly good meal. Who exactly are you apologizing to?”
The sudden outburst startled Shen Xizhi even more. The image of Song Yugui from days past flashed before her eyes—her body still remembered the pain of her beatings. The moment Song Yugui grew angry, fear seized her completely.
Yet, her lips remained tightly sealed, as if sewn shut, refusing to utter a single useful word.
No one ever told her the great villain had such a stubbornly reticent personality.
Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Xizhi saw Song Yugui’s furrowed brows, deep enough to crush a mosquito. Her delicate frame trembled again, her lips quivering as her expression grew even more pitiful. Her red-rimmed eyes brimmed with thick mist, threatening to spill over at the slightest provocation—making it impossible to scold her without fearing she’d burst into tears.
Finally, Song Yugui gritted her teeth and asked, “Are you deliberately trying to ruin my meal?”
She had been happily eating meat earlier, speaking gently and sweetly—why the sudden tears? Could it be she found her chopsticks dirty?
Suspicious, Song Yugui glanced down at herself.
Unable to hold back, she demanded, “Are you disgusted by me?”
The young woman’s tearful expression froze, replaced by flustered confusion. How could she think that? She’s her wife—why would she be disgusted by her?
Well… perhaps in the past. But now…
When Song Yugui wasn’t losing her temper, drinking, or fooling around—how could she possibly be disgusted by her?
Shen Xizhi hurriedly shook her head, her large eyes fluttering like butterfly wings, softening hearts effortlessly.
“Then what are you crying about?”
Song Yugui forced patience into her tone, though she still sounded gruff.
The young woman dared not stay silent any longer, afraid that if she delayed, Song Yugui’s anger would escalate into violence—and being beaten hurt.
So, with a pout, she whispered cautiously, “I’m happy.”
Song Yugui: ?
Happy?
Tears of joy?
Are you insane?
Her expression twisted with confusion. Seeing the young woman holding her bowl obediently, she guessed the reason for her happiness.
It must be the meat.
But was that worth crying over?
Unfathomable.
She studied Shen Xizhi for a long moment before her expression softened. “If you’re happy, then be happy. Why cry? I thought I’d done something wrong again.”
Shen Xizhi bit her lip, stifling her tears, still speaking softly, “I didn’t mean for you to notice. You were the one who asked.”
Song Yugui’s eyebrow arched. “So it’s my fault?”
She hadn’t meant that at all.
So she shook her head frantically, like a rattle-drum.
Adorable.
“Fine, eat. The food will get cold if you don’t hurry.”
Stir-fried with lard, it was best enjoyed hot.
Her tone gentled.
This eased some of Shen Xizhi’s worries. No beating today. Her wife is in a good mood—no beating today.
“Mhm.”
“Eat more.”
She buried herself in her meal again. If they had been sitting closer, Song Yugui might have reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear—but they were across from each other.
“I can’t finish anymore. Wife, don’t serve me more.”
This was the first time she’d eaten so much. Her stomach felt uncomfortably full, but she didn’t want to waste anything, forcing herself to finish what was in her bowl. Song Yugui watched her small face scrunch up in distress and found it hard to believe.
How could such a tiny bowl of rice and a few bites of side dishes fill her up?
Her appetite’s like a kitten’s.
She said, “Let me check.”
Before Shen Xizhi could react, she walked over and pressed a hand against the young woman’s soft belly, feeling the slight bulge beneath. Only then did she withdraw her hand.
Muttering, “You really are full. If you’re full, stop eating. Just eat a little more each meal from now on—your appetite will grow eventually.”
She seemed fixated on the idea of expanding Shen Xizhi’s appetite, harping on it repeatedly.
But Shen Xizhi didn’t understand. Her lashes lowered, veiling her thoughts. “Why does my appetite need to grow? What’s wrong with a small appetite?”
A small appetite meant less food—saving a lot of provisions.
Other families preferred spouses with small appetites. Why was she the exception?
Song Yugui’s expression turned stern, disapproval clear. “What’s good about a small appetite? Yours isn’t naturally small—it’s from starvation. Long-term hunger makes people sick and keeps them thin. Plumpness means health.”
Though this era lacked physical examinations, she could tell at a glance that Shen Xizhi was severely malnourished. She was also quite short, around 1.6 meters, while the original host—well-fed—stood at 1.7 meters.
“But everyone thinks thinner is prettier.”
Shen Xizhi pressed her lips together, adding softly.
Song Yugui couldn’t care less about others’ opinions. She looked at her and said firmly, “I prefer plumpness. I don’t like overly thin people.”
Shen Xizhi understood. No wonder she never liked me, always hitting and bullying me.
I’m not her type at all.
But if that’s the case, why did she marry me?
She didn’t understand.
“Alright, if you’re done, stand up and take a walk with me. Don’t sleep on a full stomach.”
It wasn’t good for digestion. Hadn’t she heard the saying, A hundred steps after a meal, and you’ll live to ninety-nine?
Shen Xizhi hadn’t, but she didn’t ask why she shouldn’t sleep after eating. She simply obeyed. As long as Song Yugui didn’t beat her, she’d do whatever she was told.
Song Yugui’s heart melted all over again. She reached out, supporting Shen Xizhi as she stood.
Shen Xizhi’s expression was docile and meek. In truth, her features were strikingly beautiful, but her timid demeanor overshadowed her innate allure.
“From now on, take a walk after every meal.”
It was the only way to restore her health.
For such trivial matters, Shen Xizhi didn’t care about her own preferences. She murmured her assent.
The two walked down the slope and ran into Auntie Li, whom they’d met earlier. Auntie Li had married into the village from a neighboring one and felt a kinship with Shen Xizhi, often treating her kindly.
Song Yugui thanked her for lending them a cabbage earlier, and Auntie Li waved it off.
“Neighbors should help each other. Your household only has two women—it’s pitiable. Of course I’d lend a hand if I can.”
Song Yugui didn’t think their situation was particularly pitiable. In fact, if there were parents-in-law added to the mix, that would be a nightmare. Just the two of them was simpler.
But she knew the older woman meant well, so she didn’t argue, merely nodding with a smile before tugging Shen Xizhi along. “Let’s walk over there.”
“Okay.”
Shen Xizhi obeyed without question, following closely by her side.
The near-full moon bathed the path in silver light, illuminating their way.
Up ahead, a commotion broke out. As Song Yugui led Shen Xizhi closer, a sharp shout pierced the air—
“Song Xingchuan!”
Song Yugui froze, staring in disbelief at the crowd.