I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 17

Shen Xizhi, like any ordinary woman eagerly awaiting her husband’s return, dashed over and threw herself into Song Yugui’s arms.

She clung tightly to her, her voice sweet and charming, “Wife~”

Song Yugui was stunned, her limbs stiffening. She lowered her head to glare at the person in her arms, unsure how to react.

A man carrying a hoe walked down from the hills after a day of farming. When he saw Song Yugui, he was about to greet her, but the word “Yu” got stuck in his throat.

His eyes widened as he stared at them in disbelief.

Song Yugui met his gaze, feeling even more awkward. Yet, the person in her arms remained oblivious, nuzzling affectionately against her neck.

Unable to bear it any longer, she lightly patted the slender waist in her arms. “S-Stop fooling around. Someone’s watching.”

Shen Xizhi: ?

What did she mean, someone’s watching?

Her deer-like, innocent eyes filled with confusion. When she turned her head, she saw a middle-aged man standing not far away, his hand raised as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Her fair little face instantly flushed red.

She quickly pulled away, her fingers lightly grasping the hem of her wife’s clothes as she shyly hid behind her, her long lashes lowered, too embarrassed to even greet the man.

Song Yugui happened to recognize the man and awkwardly called out, “Cousin.”

The man, equally awkward, lowered his hand. “Ah, you just got back? Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. I’ll eat soon.”

“Oh, oh. Eat early, it’s good to eat early.”

With that, the man awkwardly hoisted his hoe and hurried away.

Only after he was far enough did Song Yugui’s embarrassment fade slightly. She pulled the little wife hiding behind her out, puzzled by her sudden affection and frowning slightly. “What’s wrong with you today? Did you cause trouble? Or did someone bully you?”

Her every move seemed ingratiating, which felt off. Was she trying to butter her up because she’d messed up and needed help cleaning up the mess? Or had someone bullied her and she wanted her to stand up for her?

Shen Xizhi’s jade-like earlobes gradually turned pink. Her thick lashes fluttered, veiling the emotions in her eyes as she lowered her head, revealing her swan-like neck. She shook her head softly and whispered, “I haven’t seen Wife all day. I missed you terribly, so I lost control.”

Song Yugui: …

Stop pretending. You weren’t like this when we argued this morning.

Speaking of their morning argument, a thought suddenly struck her. “Did you realize you wronged me and felt guilty, so you’re acting like this?”

Shen Xizhi’s already flushed face grew even redder, like the evening clouds, blatantly revealing the answer.

Hmph, at least the villain has some sense of justice. I thought she’d just pin the blame on me without a second thought.

The young girl stood straight, her posture stiff, her expression bashful. She wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say.

She truly regretted it and felt guilty—even fearful.

Anxiously, she wondered, I’m being so affectionate now. Will she still be angry?

Ah, I messed up. She never liked me to begin with. I shouldn’t have hugged her. It might’ve made her even angrier.

The girl’s face filled with self-reproach. After a moment, she lifted her glistening eyes and looked at Song Yugui nervously.

Song Yugui snorted lightly and tossed the still-warm pastries she’d been holding into Shen Xizhi’s arms. Crossing her arms, she tilted her chin up and said, “Take them. If you’re unhappy about something in the future, just say it outright. Don’t give me the cold shoulder for no reason.”

The thought of coming home after a hard day’s work only to face the villain’s sour expression made her feel like the sky was falling.

Shen Xizhi instinctively caught the pastries, holding them dazedly. The warmth seeped through the oiled paper, slowly heating her fingertips.

As if she hadn’t heard clearly, she cautiously called out to the woman walking into the house, “Wife.”

“What is this?”

Song Yugui didn’t turn back, lazily replying, “Open it and see for yourself.”

Only after receiving permission did Shen Xizhi return to her seat at the table and carefully unwrap the oiled paper layer by layer.

A sweet fragrance gradually wafted out. Inside were two delicate horse hoof cakes and a small plate of snow-white rice-flour cakes.

Shen Xizhi froze.

Exhausted after a long day, Song Yugui didn’t even care whether she’d bathed or not. She collapsed onto the bed, instantly feeling her muscles relax as she let out a contented sigh.

Just then, Shen Xizhi hesitantly walked in. She glanced at Song Yugui, then quickly lowered her head. After a while, she peeked again. This back-and-forth continued until Song Yugui had no choice but to acknowledge her.

“What now, my young lady?”

Why was she back to looking so aggrieved and hesitant?

If she had something to say, why not just say it? It wasn’t like Song Yugui would hit her.

…Well, the original host would.

But what did that have to do with her, the modern-day Song Yugui?

Since she’d taken over, she hadn’t laid a finger on Shen Xizhi.

How could she still be so afraid?

Song Yugui was indignant. Dammit, tomorrow I’m making a voodoo doll of the original host. She left me with a wife to torment me.

Unaware of the curses running through Song Yugui’s mind, Shen Xizhi was wrapped in inexplicable emotions—her heart swelling, unsure how to release them.

“Wife, these are…”

Her snow-white hands held the pastries, her expression one of uncertainty, as if she still wasn’t sure whether the treats handed to her were truly hers.

Song Yugui glanced over and frowned. “Pastries. Don’t women like sweets? I bought them especially for you. Don’t you like them?”

Shen Xizhi’s heart raced. Her deer-like eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she slowly shook her head. “I like them. Are they really for me?”

She asked again.

Song Yugui sighed, finally understanding. The villain had suffered years of abuse and a difficult childhood, so whenever someone gave her something, she had to confirm repeatedly—Is this for me? Really for me? Not for someone else?

She was afraid of getting her hopes up, only to have them cruelly dashed moments later.

Song Yugui’s heart softened inexplicably. Patiently, she repeated, “They’re for you. I don’t like sweets. I bought them specially to cheer you up because you were so angry this morning.”

If I’d known she’d be so reasonable, I wouldn’t have bought them. They were so expensive… QAQ.

Hearing her confirmation, Shen Xizhi’s eyes lit up. She tiptoed over and sat on the edge of the bed, her sparkling eyes fixed on Song Yugui as she pursed her lips into a sweet smile. “Thank you, Wife. This morning, I misunderstood you and made you worry. Please don’t be angry with me, okay?”

Her voice was soft, almost like she was coquettishly pleading.

A shiver ran down Song Yugui’s spine.

The original host had no taste. The villain is so pretty—soft, sweet, and good at housework. What more could she ask for?

A moment later, she snapped out of it and shook her head, scolding herself. What am I thinking? Did you forget how mad she made you this morning?

Hmph.

Song Yugui lifted her eyes. “As long as you don’t overthink things and give me the cold shoulder in the future, I won’t be angry.”

Shen Xizhi’s heart tightened. She knew the morning’s incident had left an impression. Biting her rosy lips, she quickly nodded. “Mhm, I won’t overthink things again.”

Of course, this was a lie. If something similar happened again, she’d inevitably jump to conclusions. But she’d make sure not to show it so blatantly.

Today, Song Yugui had been in a good mood, which was why she hadn’t hit her. If it had been like before… she’d have beaten her black and blue.

It was too risky. She’d been reckless today, even daring to throw a tantrum. It seemed life had been too comfortable lately—so comfortable that she’d forgotten the hellish existence she’d endured before…

“Alright, go eat your pastries. They’re all yours. I forgot to buy cabbage seeds today. I’ll get some tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Shen Xizhi lowered her lashes, her eyes unreadable, but her voice remained obedient.

She didn’t know how long this kinder version of Song Yugui would last, but she hoped it would be a long, long time.