I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 30

After finishing the final cleaning tasks at the tavern, Song Yugui was ready to leave. She went to inform the manager that she would stop working after this month. The manager was initially shocked and repeatedly asked if she had suffered any mistreatment at the tavern. Upon learning it was due to personal reasons, she became quite reluctant to let her go.

This girl was quiet and hardworking—it would be hard to find someone like her again.

Lan Xiang fanned herself lightly, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. “Then what will you do after leaving the tavern? You still have a wife to support—don’t tell me you’ve been poached by the tavern across the street?”

At this, her expression grew wary. The rival tavern had a habit of poaching her staff—even two waiters had been lured away. What nonsense! It wasn’t like they were chefs—why bother poaching them?

Song Yugui knew the two taverns had long been at odds and quickly shook her head. “Of course not. I plan to go home and butcher pigs.”

“Oh? Butcher pigs? You know how to butcher pigs too? Are they pigs you raised yourself?”

“Yes, in the countryside, every household raises pigs.”

Lan Xiang’s eyes lit up, and she smiled warmly. “Is that so? Well, if your pigs turn out well, I’ll have the kitchen staff come and buy some. It’s the least I can do after our time working together.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you, Manager.”

Having someone’s support was the best outcome. Song Yugui thanked her sincerely, her lips curling into a faint smile.

After bidding farewell to the manager, she returned to the back room to fetch her wife.

As soon as Shen Xizhi saw her, her bright, watery eyes sparkled, and she lifted the hem of her skirt to hurry over, her smile soft and sweet. “Sister Yugui, are we going home now?”

Song Yugui casually took the girl’s slightly cool hand and replied, “Yes, let’s go. Were you bored?”

“A little, but now that you’re here, I’m not bored anymore.”

Her clear, luminous eyes gazed at Song Yugui, every word spoken with earnest sincerity.

Song Yugui’s heart melted again. As they walked out, she glanced down and asked, “What would you like to eat tonight? Let’s go buy something.”

“Let’s not buy anything. The cabbage at home has grown enough. I’ll stir-fry some for you when we get back, and we can give one to Aunt Li’s family too.”

She had borrowed a cabbage from Aunt Li earlier and hadn’t forgotten.

“Alright, then we’ll do as you say.”

The meat and vegetables sold in the evening were never as fresh as in the morning, so it was fine not to buy any.

Besides, their household often ate vegetarian meals anyway.

As the two walked down the street, bustling with people, Shen Xizhi suddenly stopped, frowning slightly as she looked toward a nearby clinic, her expression one of astonishment. She stood rooted to the spot, unable to be pulled away.

Song Yugui instinctively followed her gaze and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Then, her eyes landed on a face so heavily bandaged it was nearly unrecognizable.

Huh?

Shen Xizhi’s eyes fixed on the person, pausing for a long moment before she finally managed to react. Her delicate, pale finger trembled slightly as she pointed at the man inside the clinic, who occasionally let out pitiful wails. “Is… is that the one who came to our house yesterday?”

Song Yugui, reminded of the previous day, froze before frowning and scrutinizing the man more carefully. Comparing the locations of the injuries—hey, it really was Song Bao, the guy who had spouted nonsense at her house the day before.

Seeing him, she couldn’t help but recall what Shen Xizhi might have suffered if she hadn’t transmigrated into this novel. Her tone cooled noticeably, her expression stern. “Yes, it’s him. I beat him until he looked like a pig’s head yesterday. Almost didn’t recognize him.”

Shen Xizhi turned back, her eyes widening in shock, her voice rising slightly as if she’d heard something utterly unbelievable. “You… you beat him?!”

Her mind went blank, replaying only one thought: Song Yugui had beaten up her usual partner-in-crime, the one who always egged her on to do bad things.

Her long, thick lashes fluttered over her round eyes as she clutched at her wife’s sleeve, both shocked and incredulous. “Why… why did you beat him?”

In her memory, her wife had been on excellent terms with this man. They met often and went out together, which was why something as important as selling her wife had been discussed with him.

But what had she just heard?

Her wife had beaten up her own good friend?

And beaten him so badly he was unrecognizable?

Shen Xizhi’s wide-eyed expression resembled a startled fawn, her cheeks slightly plump, her eyes sparkling—utterly adorable.

Song Yugui felt a surge of anger just looking at Song Bao. If not for her nine years of compulsory education, she’d have loved to let this scumbag meet the same fate as in the original novel.

With a cold snort toward the wailing man, she turned back to her wife, her expression instantly softening like a gentle breeze. “He dared to disrespect you and even had those kinds of thoughts. Beating him up was going easy on him.”

Shen Xizhi stared blankly at her wife, as if pondering something. After a moment, she glanced back at the thoroughly beaten Song Bao, then at her wife, repeating this a few times before her eyes suddenly reddened. She threw herself into Song Yugui’s arms, pressing her entire body against her and clinging tightly, as if she wanted to wrap her legs around her waist if not for the last shred of rationality holding her back.

Song Yugui, afraid she might fall, quickly hugged her back, her expression bewildered. “What’s wrong, Xizhi?”

Two women embracing so intimately in the middle of a crowded street naturally drew many sidelong glances. Out of politeness, no one commented directly, but whispers began as soon as they walked away.

Song Yugui held her steady, soothingly stroking the back of her head.

“We’re in public, Xizhi. Whatever it is, let’s talk at home.”

She knew her shy, reserved wife would be mortified once she calmed down after such an emotional outburst in public.

Shen Xizhi clenched her fists, lifting her teary eyes from Song Yugui’s chest. They shimmered with unspoken words, guilt, and other emotions.

Perhaps due to her lack of emotional intelligence, Song Yugui only sensed that her wife’s expression was complicated—but exactly how complicated? She couldn’t quite tell.

Inside the clinic, Song Bao, freshly bandaged and holding a prescription, spotted Song Yugui outside and stumbled back in fright, tripping over the steps and landing hard on his backside, nearly sitting on the foot of someone waiting in line, earning a displeased “tsk.”

Song Yugui shot him a cold, warning glare. Song Bao’s lips trembled with humiliation as he pointed a shaking finger at her, but not wanting another beating, he cowardly retreated back into the clinic, ignoring the puzzled questions from the attendants.

Seeing how harshly Song Yugui treated Song Bao, Shen Xizhi no longer harbored even a sliver of doubt. She trusted her wife completely, heart and soul.

And she was filled with deep remorse. Though Song Yugui had been a scoundrel in the past, she had truly changed for the better recently. Yet Shen Xizhi had clung to her suspicions, refusing to believe her, even deliberately threatening suicide to scare her.

She… she had been too cruel.

Shen Xizhi’s heart ached with guilt. She felt she had wronged her wife. She was worse than Song Yugui had ever been.

“Let’s ignore people with ill intentions. Let’s go home, alright?” Song Yugui asked softly, looking down at the girl in her arms.

The girl nodded meekly, reaching for her hand and holding it tightly before finally pulling away from her embrace. “Yes, let’s go home. We’ll walk back.”

They had taken an ox cart that morning, which cost two coins. Today, Song Yugui had also bought her pastries, which must have cost quite a bit…

They needed to save money where they could.

Shen Xizhi’s eyes softened, her delicate face the picture of docile sweetness.

“Alright, whatever you say.”

Xizhi was always so thoughtful about saving money. Touched, Song Yugui unconsciously rubbed her palm after taking her hand.

The two walked home together. Since they’d returned early, Song Yugui was about to suggest cutting some pigweed to feed the pigs when her little wife repeated her earlier move—stopping abruptly, then throwing herself into Song Yugui’s arms, burying her face in her neck and nuzzling fiercely, her soft cheeks rubbing against her in a way that felt incredibly comforting.

Song Yugui, however, was nearly knocked over, her breath almost leaving her. Utterly confused, she hesitantly placed a hand on the girl’s slender neck. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting strange since earlier. Did… did seeing Song Bao scare you?”

That was the only explanation. The girl had started acting off after seeing Song Bao—she must have been frightened.

Well, she had beaten Song Bao to a rather gruesome state.

The bruises from the day before had swollen overnight, making his face truly resemble a pig’s head.

But Shen Xizhi shook her head, then looked up at her, her eyes now glistening with unshed tears, her lashes damp and clumped together, as if she were about to cry.

Song Yugui’s heart ached instantly. Cupping the girl’s face, she softened her voice to a whisper, coaxing her gently. “What’s wrong? Don’t cry. Tell me what’s bothering you, okay?”

She was utterly helpless when Shen Xizhi cried.

Shen Xizhi sniffled, her eyes red-rimmed, her lashes still dotted with tears, sticking together wetly—she really seemed on the verge of breaking down.

Aunt Li, carrying a freshly picked cabbage, passed by but backtracked when she saw the scene, her face darkening with anger. “Song Yugui, didn’t you promise never to bully Xizhi again?!”

Song Yugui: ???

Wait, I’m innocent!

“I—I didn’t…”

Song Yugui raised her hands in surrender, about to defend herself when Shen Xizhi, hearing someone scold her wife, quickly turned to explain, afraid of any misunderstandings. “No, no, Sister Yugui didn’t bully me. I was the one who wanted to cry. Auntie, please don’t scold her.”

The girl clutched Song Yugui’s hand, her eyes still teary as if she’d been wronged, but her body leaned instinctively toward her wife.

The sight nearly made Aunt Li turn and flee. Even as a middle-aged woman, she couldn’t help but blush at the young couple’s display. What was going on? Wasn’t Xizhi supposed to be shy and introverted?

Song Yugui was equally baffled. Just this morning, Xizhi had been a bit distant—why was she suddenly so affectionate again?

Aunt Li looked between Song Yugui and Shen Xizhi. Though she feared someone as sweet as Xizhi might be bullied, since the girl herself denied it, she couldn’t insist on defending her. She could only eye Song Yugui suspiciously and say, “Between wives, you should always communicate kindly. Don’t be too harsh.”

With Xizhi’s delicate frame, how much bullying could she even withstand?

After a few more admonishments for Song Yugui to treat her wife well, Aunt Li left with her cabbage.

Song Yugui’s face fell. Her reputation! Just now, it had been tarnished yet again!

Since when was she “always too harsh”?

She was nothing but gentle!!!

Once Aunt Li was out of earshot, Song Yugui gritted her teeth, forcing her expression to soften as she unconsciously stroked the soft skin under her thumb, her tone resigned. “See? Even Auntie misunderstood. What’s really going on? Don’t cry.”

“Okay.”

Since she’d been told not to cry, Shen Xizhi puffed out her cheeks, holding back the sting in her nose until the urge to sob faded. Her voice came out hoarse. “Sister Yugui…”

“Yes?”

Song Yugui held her breath, waiting intently. She was determined to find out what had upset her wife so much!

First the hugs, now the tears—what was going on?

“I’m sorry.”

After a long wait, all she got was these three whispered words.

Song Yugui was stunned. “What are you apologizing for?”

Had she truly fallen for the male lead?!

Was this a confession?!

Was she being cuckolded?!

Each possibility made Song Yugui’s heart turn cold with dread.

But the girl only murmured an apology for their earlier argument, her voice soft and hesitant, like a kitten’s, thick with remorse. “I… I shouldn’t have doubted you or thrown a tantrum, making you work so hard to comfort me… I’m sorry, Sister Yugui.”

If it had been the old Song Yugui, being misunderstood like this would have led to violence.

But yesterday, she had patiently coaxed her, repeatedly assuring her: I won’t do that, I won’t sell you, I won’t go back to how I was before.

She… she had truly changed. She was a good person now.

Shen Xizhi’s eyes welled up with tears, overwhelmed. She couldn’t hold back—she was going to cry, wuu…

Ah.

It took Song Yugui a moment to process what Shen Xizhi had said, especially with those teary, red-rimmed doe eyes staring up at her.

Her wife had finally seen the light, recognized her kindness, and started to trust her. How touching.

She gently wiped the moisture from the girl’s eyes, brushing away all traces of tears. “What’s there to apologize for? And why cry over it? If you cry, people will think I’ve been bullying you again.”

Shen Xizhi looked up, her expression as pitiful as a wronged puppy’s, shaking her head before burying herself in Song Yugui’s chest again, hugging her waist and pressing her cheek against her shoulder, her voice choked but earnest. “You didn’t bully me. You never bully me. You’re the best to me.”

Her words were startlingly direct—something Song Yugui had never heard from her before, despite her usual softness. Had her conscience finally returned?

Song Yugui, now thoroughly clung to, instinctively patted her back, her lips curling into a smug smile as the words sank in. “Good, you finally see how good I am to you. So you really trust me now?”

“I do, I do! I’ll never doubt you again.”

How could she have ever doubted someone who treated her so well? She was heartless! Worse than a beast!

The girl, now certain her wife had never intended to sell her, felt a sweet, indescribable warmth spread through her chest, her voice dripping with honey despite her red-rimmed eyes.

Song Yugui smiled faintly, wiping away her tears. “Then no more crying. After all my explanations, you still didn’t believe me. What changed your mind?”

“I… I didn’t know you’d gotten so angry yesterday…”

She’d beaten Song Bao to a pulp! If she’d known earlier, none of this would have happened.

Had she known, she’d have been so overjoyed she’d have clung to her wife and refused to let go.

At the thought, Shen Xizhi’s cheeks flushed slightly, her large, beautiful eyes blinking rapidly.

“Huh?”

Song Yugui paused, then burst out laughing as understanding dawned. “So that’s why.”

So it was seeing her beat up Song Bao that convinced her she wasn’t planning to sell her.

Well, better late than never.

Song Yugui stroked Shen Xizhi’s soft hair, her heart melting further as the girl snuggled closer.

“Glad you’re not angry anymore. I was worried you’d make yourself sick holding it in.”

Shen Xizhi didn’t reply, burying her face deeper.

“Let go for now. I’ll go cut some pigweed, and you can feed the chickens?”

Having just reconciled with her wife, Shen Xizhi wanted to stick to her like glue, clinging to her at all times. At the suggestion of being left behind, she instinctively leaned closer, her watery eyes pleading as she gazed at Song Yugui.

Song Yugui blinked. After two months together, she’d learned to read Shen Xizhi’s moods. Hesitantly, she ventured, “Do you… want to come with me to cut the weeds?”

Shen Xizhi’s eyes lit up, and she nodded eagerly. “Mhm, mhm.”

She wanted to go too. With both of them working, they could gather more.

“Alright, let’s go together.”

Shen Xizhi hurried to fetch two baskets, one for each of them. With daylight still on their side, they returned with baskets full of pigweed.

The two sows in the backyard, one large and one small, had grown considerably plumper since their initial scrawny state.

Eating two or three meals a day—what pig could resist gaining weight under such conditions?

The more they ate, the better—more meat for her to butcher later.

She’d slaughter one for New Year’s.

Other families might have reserves, but theirs had nothing. Without a pig to slaughter, their New Year’s table would lack even a single decent dish.

After feeding the chickens, Shen Xizhi busied herself preparing dinner. Song Yugui checked on the pigs before heading inside, where she found her wife bustling by the stove.

“Xizhi.”

“Sister Yugui, sit for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon.”

She’d reverted to her usual sweet, docile self—even more so than before.

“Let me help with the fire.”

Not wanting to sit idle while her wife worked, Song Yugui offered to tend the flames.

Seeing her about to add more firewood, Shen Xizhi quickly stopped her. “No more, it’s almost done. Any hotter, and it’ll burn.”

“Oh.”

The firewood was set aside, and Song Yugui scratched her head awkwardly. She could cook, but not exceptionally well—especially not with a firepit.

Thankfully, Shen Xizhi could. Otherwise, she’d have starved within days of transmigrating.

Song Yugui sighed. Shen Xizhi, in the midst of dishing out the food, immediately looked up, alert. “What’s wrong? Bored? If you’re bored, you can go play with the chicks for a bit. Dinner’s almost ready.”

She’d traded a cabbage with a village auntie for two eggs earlier, planning to make egg drop soup.

Play with the chicks?

I’m not a child.

Song Yugui recalled her past habit of picking up the chicks and setting them down, which had led to them fleeing at the sight of her. Better not.

She shook her head. “I’ll stay here with you.”

Her tone was casual, but to Shen Xizhi, it sounded like, I don’t want you to be alone.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She thought, perhaps Song Yugui had been rejected by the village beauty and had since reformed, no longer liking her.

But even so, she was happy.

No one had ever treated her so well—worrying about her hardships, ensuring she ate well and stayed warm.

And… she’d never taken liberties with her. Well, hugging while sleeping didn’t count—that was just to keep her warm. It was kindness.

In any case, Song Yugui was wonderful. Even if she hadn’t liked her before and only started now, she was still overjoyed.

Shen Xizhi’s eyes shone with tender warmth as she gazed at Song Yugui.

Song Yugui, unnerved by the attention, straightened unconsciously, lowering her head before peeking up again—only to find her still staring.

She fell silent. By the time the soup was ready, she couldn’t resist asking, “Do I have soot on my face?”

She’d been sitting by the fire—a little soot wasn’t impossible.

Otherwise, why would her wife keep staring?

But Shen Xizhi only blinked blankly and shook her head, still watching her. “No, why?”

“If there’s no soot, why do you keep looking at me?”

Shen Xizhi, realizing what she was being asked, flushed instantly. She sidled up to Song Yugui, clinging to her arm and giving it a coy tug, too shy to meet her eyes. “You’re teasing me on purpose.”

Her cheeks bloomed a delicate pink, her eyes naturally misty with shyness as she peeked up at Song Yugui.

But Song Yugui, oblivious to her charm, was utterly baffled. Huh? What was she supposedly “teasing” about?

What did she know?!

She stared blankly as Shen Xizhi nestled into her embrace, her voice sweet and soft. “Dinner’s ready. Sister Yugui, go sit for a bit, okay?”

Dazed, Song Yugui was led to the table, her confusion unabated.

Shen Xizhi, lost in her own happy assumptions, was brimming with joy.

Just like me back. Just like me, and I’ll never go hungry again. I’ll live well, and I’ll love Sister Yugui very, very much.

Dinner was simple but left them both stuffed.

Song Yugui took Shen Xizhi for a walk around the village to digest their meal, then they retired for another night of shared sleep.

Unlike the deliberate seduction of the previous night, tonight her wife was back to normal.

After washing up, Song Yugui returned to find a snow-white figure curled obediently under the blankets, her sparkling eyes crinkling as she smiled at her. Her heart skipped a beat, an inexplicable tingle running through her.

As she approached, the girl’s smile widened, sweet and adorable.

“Sleep well. We have to get up early tomorrow. Come with me to town—I’ll finish these last two weeks, then I’m done.”

Shen Xizhi was surprised, wrapping herself around Song Yugui as she lay down, hugging her waist and resting her head on her shoulder.

The soft, warm body pressed against her was far from unpleasant—in fact, it was quite comfortable. Song Yugui didn’t protest, instinctively returning the embrace.

After some time, the girl had gained a little weight. If only they had scales in ancient times—she’d have loved to see how well her “pig-rearing” skills had paid off.

Shen Xizhi clung to her, her voice laced with curiosity. “Why stop suddenly?”

She didn’t think Song Yugui was quitting because it was too hard or because she wanted to return to her old thuggish ways—she was just puzzled.

Song Yugui hugged her gently. “I want to go back to butchering pigs for a living. Is that alright?”

She was asking for Shen Xizhi’s opinion.

Realizing this, the girl’s eyes brightened. Of course, she wouldn’t object—life was already much better than before. Anything was fine.

“Mhm, mhm. I’ll listen to you.”

Like a docile vine, she clung tightly to the one willing to protect her, her long lashes fluttering shyly, her lips pressed together in contentment. “I’ll go with you to butcher the pigs.”

Song Yugui: …

“That won’t be necessary. Wait for me at home.”

Butchering pigs was a messy, bloody affair—she didn’t want to scare her delicate wife.

“Then I’ll wait for you at the door, not at home.”

She compromised, burying her face in Song Yugui’s chest, unwilling to be apart. Her slender waist swayed slightly under her wife’s hand, as if coquettishly, her voice muffled by the fabric. “I don’t want to be home alone.”