I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 40
After finally coaxing her into a better mood, Song Yugui got up to feed the pigs. Shen Xizhi sat in the yard, holding a plate of pastries and watching her busy herself, her eyes brimming with tender warmth.
Chi Xiangyue, bored out of her mind, had just gone inside but poked her head out again, eager to find something to do. This time, she spotted Shen Xizhi, and her eyes instantly lit up. She dashed over excitedly. “Miss, I forgot to ask your name earlier. What is it?”
Shen Xizhi: “…”
Why is it her again? QAQ.
She lowered her head and after a long pause, muttered, “Shen Xizhi.”
“Oh~ Miss Shen! Then I’ll call you Xizhi from now on. My name is Chi Xiangyue—you can call me Yue’er. What are you eating?”
“…Pastries. My wife bought them for me.”
She had initially planned to ignore the other girl with a cold demeanor until she lost interest in chatting. But remembering the silent look her wife had given her the other day, she reluctantly added that line.
“Wife… Oh, right!” Chi Xiangyue suddenly seemed to recall something. She glanced around, then leaned in closer, covering her mouth with one hand as if sharing a secret. “I haven’t asked you yet—why do you call her your wife? Aren’t you sisters?”
Shen Xizhi gave her a sidelong glance, baffled as to why such a question needed to be whispered.
Her voice grew even frostier. “I’m surnamed Shen, and she’s surnamed Song. How could we be sisters?”
Oh, right…
Chi Xiangyue froze for a moment before asking, “Then are you… lesbians?”
Having come from the capital, she was familiar with the term lesbian. While such relationships were generally frowned upon in the capital, she had assumed rural areas would be even more conservative. To her surprise, here were two women openly married and living together.
“Does your family not have anyone else? Just the two of you?”
“Mm.”
“Then…” Chi Xiangyue fidgeted, suddenly shy. After a pause, she asked, “What does lesbians actually feel like?”
Shen Xizhi: “???”
Her head snapped up in shock.
How could this person ask such a thing!
Was it appropriate to pry into others’ private affairs like this?
Had she no sense of shame?!
What infuriated Shen Xizhi even more was…
She didn’t know what lesbians felt like either.
Song Yugui had never touched her—they just slept side by side every night. Hmph. If she didn’t want to, fine! It wasn’t like Shen Xizhi cared!
Shen Xizhi huffed angrily.
She had no intention of continuing this conversation with Chi Xiangyue and turned her back on her, her posture icy in the cold wind.
Having spent a day with her, Chi Xiangyue was already accustomed to her aloof, unapproachable nature. Unfazed by the cold shoulder, she kept chatting away cheerfully.
When Song Yugui returned from feeding the pigs, she saw this scene: the female lead happily engaging in a one-sided conversation with the villainess.
The villainess’s expression was grim, and the moment she spotted Song Yugui, her lips quivered pitifully.
Her eyes screamed for help—Save me!
Honestly, the female lead was far too sociable. In modern times, she’d definitely be an extreme extrovert.
Xizhi was clearly ignoring her, yet she still stuck around.
Song Yugui stifled a laugh and hurried over. Shen Xizhi’s expression softened with dependence as she approached, lips pursed, arms outstretched for a hug the moment Song Yugui was within reach.
My wife wants a hug? She quickened her pace.
“Miss Chi, we’re heading inside now.”
Chi Xiangyue blinked, stunned by their casual intimacy. She couldn’t understand how someone could have two completely different faces—wasn’t this the same person who’d been frosty just moments ago?
“Ah, oh, okay. You two go ahead. I’ll wander around a bit more.”
New to the countryside, she was still in the phase where everything fascinated her and didn’t dwell too much on her neighbor’s personality.
Holding Shen Xizhi, Song Yugui waited until Chi Xiangyue was out of earshot before sighing. “She really likes playing with you?”
Shen Xizhi puffed out her cheeks, grumbling under her breath, “I don’t like playing with her. I’d rather be alone.”
“It’s fine. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to town. If you don’t like her, we just won’t engage.”
“Mm…” Shen Xizhi responded meekly, nuzzling into her wife’s embrace and rubbing her face against her chest before asking about her day.
“Just the first day, so we haven’t broken even yet. A few more days of sales should do it.”
The east and south streets already had pork vendors, but the west street didn’t. Today, she’d set up shop there. Since most people didn’t yet know about the new stall, they still went to the east and south streets, so lower sales were expected. A few more days would fix that.
Shen Xizhi didn’t fully grasp these things, but she trusted her wife’s judgment and nodded obediently.
“If we haven’t broken even, don’t buy me pastries anymore. They’re so expensive, and I don’t even like them that much.”
The pastries were exquisitely crafted—just looking at them screamed expensive, and yet she’d bought so many.
Sister Yugui was getting worse at managing their finances.
“I’d never think anything’s too expensive if it’s for you,” Song Yugui replied breezily, ignoring the blatant lie in the last sentence.
Shen Xizhi’s breath hitched, her lashes fluttering shyly.
Fine. Even if Sister Yugui was bad with money, she was always so good to her.
Better than anyone else. So even if she couldn’t manage finances, Shen Xizhi would still love her.
“Are you hungry? Should we have hand-pulled noodles for dinner?” Shen Xizhi asked softly, her expression gentle.
“Sure, anything’s fine.”
With her agreement, Shen Xizhi got up to retrieve the proofed dough and began rolling it out.
Chi Xiangyue had shadowed her all day, even watching her knead the dough, claiming she’d try it herself later and might need Shen Xizhi’s help if she failed. So annoying.
Song Yugui couldn’t cook, so her role was limited to tending the fire—a task she often bungled, resulting in Shen Xizhi shooing her out when the flames got too wild.
Banished to the yard, she sat in the cold wind, eyes closed, savoring the chill. Then something landed on her face. She opened her eyes—snowflakes.
Winter here was brutally cold. The only reason she’d survived so far was sheer willpower.
Just endure it. Once they had more money, she’d buy herself proper winter clothes.
The egg and shredded pork noodles were ready quickly, featuring a fried egg, a handful of pork shreds, and some cabbage. The aroma was delightful.
As she sat down, Shen Xizhi picked the meat from her bowl and placed it in Song Yugui’s. “Sister Yugui worked hard today. You should eat more.”
Song Yugui sighed. “How was I the one working hard? You’re the one managing the household. Isn’t that more tiring? Eat it yourself.”
She transferred the meat back.
Ugh. Even meat had to be politely fought over. They were truly too poor.
Well, it wasn’t like she’d expected to escape poverty in just a few months.
Song Yugui lowered her head and slurped up the noodles. At the bottom of the bowl, she discovered a soft-boiled egg.
She froze.
“What’s this? Why is there an extra egg?”
Shouldn’t it be one each?
Shen Xizhi’s mind flashed back to the morning when Song Yugui had deceived her and sneaked off to town alone. She shot her a reproachful glare. “You boiled two eggs this morning. I only ate one.”
Eggs weren’t prohibitively expensive, but in the countryside, anything that cost money was precious.
One was enough for her.
Song Yugui frowned and moved the egg back to Shen Xizhi’s bowl. Shen Xizhi refused, widening her eyes in displeasure and continuing to glare.
“Don’t try to save money for me. One egg isn’t a big expense. Eat it. If you pull this again, I’ll…”
She wanted to threaten Shen Xizhi, but halfway through, her words tangled. She didn’t know how to finish.
Shen Xizhi kept staring, as if waiting to hear what she’d say.
After a long pause, Song Yugui blurted out, “If you do this again, I’ll ignore you.”
Shen Xizhi: “…”
“Hmph.”
She lowered her head silently, splitting the egg in half and giving Song Yugui the larger portion. “We’ll share it like this!”
She insisted on splitting it.
Song Yugui relented helplessly. “Fine, fine.”
Shen Xizhi, satisfied, ate quietly for a while before suddenly looking up, her tone fierce. “You’re not allowed to ignore me!”
Song Yugui was taken aback—had her threat actually worked?
But it was just a bluff. Making her angry would backfire.
So she quickly softened her voice. “I won’t, I won’t ignore you. I was just teasing. How could I ever ignore you?”
Her apology eased Shen Xizhi’s tension. After scrutinizing her expression to confirm its sincerity, Shen Xizhi mumbled, “That’s more like it.”
Having woken up early after a long time, Song Yugui felt drowsy despite not having slept enough.
But going to bed right after eating wasn’t healthy—her stomach needed time to digest.
She took her wife for a walk along the village paths to aid digestion.
In the past, the women of Song Village had avoided her. But as time passed and they realized Song Yugui had truly changed—now devoted solely to her wife—they relaxed. Seeing her outside no longer sent them scurrying away.
Some even greeted her out of politeness.
In the past, they wouldn’t have dared—a single greeting could lead to unwanted pestering.
Now, it didn’t matter.
“Yugui, out for a stroll with little Shen again?”
“Mm. Good evening, Auntie.”
The auntie didn’t understand why one would say “good evening,” but she didn’t dwell on it, waving as she left.
After walking a while, someone called out from afar, “Xizhi! Xizhi! Over here!”
At the sound of that voice, Shen Xizhi’s face darkened. She tugged Song Yugui’s sleeve, eager to flee.
But Chi Xiangyue, trained in martial arts, was light on her feet. In a few leaps, she blocked their path.
“Xizhi, did you come to play with me?”
Shen Xizhi: “…”
What kind of person would say something like that?
Were they close? Why would she seek her out?
“I didn’t—”
Before she could finish, another girl stormed over. “Song Yugui!”
Hearing that voice, Song Yugui’s bad memories resurfaced. Her eye twitched as she reflexively replied, “My wife and I are just out for a walk. I’m not stalking you!”
Her response was swift and resolute. Song Xinyu, stomping her foot in frustration, snapped, “I didn’t say you were stalking me!”
Song Yugui scrutinized her. She hadn’t said it, but the implication was clear.
Every time, it was the same accusation. She was tired of explaining.
Song Xinyu huffed. “I just came over to say hi since I saw you.”
Song Yugui didn’t miss a beat. “Next time, don’t.”
Were they on greeting terms? She didn’t want Shen Xizhi misunderstanding and causing drama.
Song Xinyu was livid. What kind of person was this?! As if she’d wanted to greet her in the first place!
Shen Xizhi had bowed her head the moment Song Xinyu spoke, her expression shadowed. Only when her wife responded with such bluntness did the darkness recede.
Her lips pressed together as she reminded herself: No more irrational jealousy. Sister Yugui will get angry.
She didn’t want her angry…
Unconsciously, the girl edged closer to Song Yugui.
Chi Xiangyue’s eyes darted between them, her curiosity piqued. “Is there some history between you all? Can you tell me about it?”
She was dying to know.
Song Yugui: “…”
Why did the female lead have to ask about everything?!
Song Xinyu crossed her arms and snorted but didn’t elaborate.
Another person slowly caught up, calling out, “Cousin.”
Song Yugui realized—so the female lead had been hanging out with the male lead earlier.
Makes sense. They were the author’s ordained couple, after all.
“Cousin, you guys keep having fun. Your cousin-in-law and I are heading back.”
She had no interest in getting involved. With that, she took Shen Xizhi’s hand and left.
Shen Xizhi had been simmering with quiet resentment, her gaze tinged with malice as she glanced at the others. But the moment her wife led her away, her mood lifted.
Hmph! Sister Yugui doesn’t like any of them. She only likes me!
The girl lifted her chin proudly, as if she’d won some invisible competition.
Once they were far enough, Song Yugui patted her head. “This village is so small. We keep running into them.”
Shen Xizhi nodded in agreement, leaning into Song Yugui’s embrace.
“Let’s not walk this far next time.”
“Mm. Next time, I’ll take you to the main road.”
The main road led out of the village, where fewer locals and more outsiders could be found.
“Okay. I’ll listen to you.”
So obedient.
Deeply moved, Song Yugui led Shen Xizhi home.
As they undressed for bed, she murmured, “If you don’t like them, just don’t talk to them. Eventually, they’ll stop seeking you out.”
Shen Xizhi undressed swiftly and efficiently, soon clad only in pristine undergarments. She wrapped her arms around Song Yugui’s waist, her voice muffled. “I don’t want people saying we’re rude.”
Now she cared about reputation?
Song Yugui stroked the slender curve of her waist, giving it a light squeeze. Not wanting to push, she conceded, “Then stay close to me when we’re out. If I’m there, it’ll be fine.”
“Okay.”
Shen Xizhi agreed softly, her lashes lowered.
They climbed into bed together. Song Yugui’s hand, resting on the girl’s waist, slid down unconsciously to cup the soft swell of her rear.
The body in her arms trembled slightly but didn’t pull away. Instead, Shen Xizhi pressed closer, her chest flush against Song Yugui’s, the rounded curves flattening under the contact.
Her damp, shimmering eyes met Song Yugui’s for a fleeting moment—shy, expectant—before she buried her face in Song Yugui’s neck, warm breath fanning across her skin.
A familiar position.
By now, Song Yugui was used to it. Having woken early that morning, she was dead tired. Adjusting their posture, she cradled Shen Xizhi’s head and declared, “Sleep!”
Shen Xizhi, aware they’d need to rise early again the next day, obediently shut her eyes, willing herself to sleep.
Luckily, the day’s sorrow-fueled chores had exhausted her. Within moments, she was deep in slumber.
Both woke before dawn the next day. The journey from the village to town wasn’t short, so they had to start earlier than the townsfolk.
The sky was still pitch black. Song Yugui yawned as she pushed herself up. Shen Xizhi hurried to prepare breakfast, but Song Yugui stopped her. “Let’s just wash up and go. We’ll eat in town.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Shen Xizhi was just as drowsy, her eyelids heavy. Relieved at not having to cook, she slumped against Song Yugui, compliant to her every word.
Song Yugui led her to wash her face. The icy water chased away most of their sleepiness.
The village was silent, everyone still asleep.
Song Yugui carried the remaining pork to town. She hadn’t slaughtered a new pig—being a novice, she was taking it slow.
What if she slaughtered too much and couldn’t sell it all? Better to start with yesterday’s leftovers, secure some profit, then plan the next step.
She didn’t want to end up with unsold meat, forced to repay debts through manual labor.
When they arrived, only a few stalls were set up. Shen Xizhi busied herself arranging the meat on the counter, quickly preparing their stall.
The vegetable-selling granny from yesterday arrived slowly.
Having shared a stall with Song Yugui before, she’d chatted with her a bit. Spotting the lovely young woman beside her, she raised her eyebrows. “Brought your sister to help today?”
Song Yugui blinked. Shen Xizhi turned to stare at her, as if awaiting her answer.
Why would she be upset? It was natural for others not to know their relationship.
“Auntie, I told you before—I don’t have siblings. This is my wife. She’s helping me today.”
“Oh! Your wife!”
While same-s3x marriages were legally recognized now, heterosexual unions were still more common. So when people saw two women together, “wife” wasn’t their first assumption.
A quick explanation sufficed. After Song Yugui’s words, the old woman merely looked surprised, glanced between them, and said nothing more.
Song Yugui called to Shen Xizhi, “Wait here. I’ll buy some steamed buns.”
“Wait—let me go. I don’t know how to sell pork.”
The girl looked uneasy, afraid to mind the stall alone.
But Song Yugui refused to let her buy breakfast alone. Given Shen Xizhi’s self-sacrificing tendencies, she’d probably only buy one for herself. No way—she was already skin and bones.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t wander off—wait for me.”
“Hey—”
Before Shen Xizhi could stop her, Song Yugui dashed away.
Left with no choice, Shen Xizhi could only stomp her foot in frustration and wait.
Luckily, they’d come out so early that even the breakfast stalls had just opened, with few customers around. Song Yugui was fast, returning quickly with a large oil-paper bundle—clearly holding several plump, steaming buns.
Shen Xizhi frowned. “Why so many again?”
“Hmph. ‘Many’? I only got you two. If it were you, you’d have bought just one.”
She ate only one egg—how could she possibly splurge on two steamed buns, which were even more filling?
Song Yugui had her wife’s habits down pat.
Shen Xizhi opened her mouth to retort but found no rebuttal. The accusation was spot-on—that was exactly how she’d behave.
In the end, she could only stomp her foot again, seething helplessly.
Song Yugui found it amusing. Still adorable. She unwrapped the bundle to let the steam escape. “I got you one meat and one veggie. Which do you want first?”
“Why’d you buy meat? I’d have been fine with two veggie ones.”
Meat buns cost three wen each, while veggie ones were only two.
“Of course you need meat. You’re already skin and bones.”
She couldn’t let her grow any thinner under her care.
Shen Xizhi gave up, shooting her a reproachful glare before picking up a steaming buns and taking small, delicate bites.
Song Yugui had bought three for herself and ate them casually. Shen Xizhi, despite her rural upbringing, ate with refined elegance, unlike Song Yugui, who devoured hers in three large bites.
After finishing her three buns, Shen Xizhi was only halfway through her first—a veggie one, fragrant with oil and greens.
When she reached for the meat one, she hesitated. “Are you full?”
Song Yugui knew her self-sacrificing tendencies were acting up again. Without turning, she said, “Full. Eat.”
“Oh.”
The street was abuzz with vendors minding their own businesses, occasional shouts and calculations floating through the air.
Since the meat was from yesterday, Song Yugui priced it at thirty wen—five wen cheaper than fresh meat—attracting more customers who soon crowded the stall.
Whether it was the lower price or her second day of sales building recognition, the eighty-plus pounds of meat sold much faster today, disappearing before noon.
The sales totaled 2,433 wen. Combined with their remaining 1,903 wen, they now had 4,336 wen—a true profit.
Song Yugui tucked the heavy coin purse away, eyes sparkling as she wrapped an arm around her wife’s waist. “Let’s go buy you clothes!”
Of course, earnings should be spent pampering the wife. If not on her, where else would the money go?
Shen Xizhi flushed at the embrace, squirming slightly under the imagined stares of onlookers.
In reality, people were indeed watching. As they packed up, someone asked cheerfully, “Heading back so early?”
“Mm. Sold out, so no reason to stay.”
Her discounted meat had even drawn purchases from nearby vegetable sellers, who now regarded her warmly.
They chuckled. “Cold weather like this—better to go home early.”
Their faces betrayed undisguised envy.
Not wanting to linger and invite resentment, Song Yugui quickly finished packing and led Shen Xizhi away.
Unaware of their exact earnings, Shen Xizhi tugged at Song Yugui’s sleeve, whispering, “Don’t! Don’t buy anything! I have enough clothes. You finally made some money—shouldn’t you save it?”
After living in uncertainty for so long, she feared returning to those days. Saving up would give her peace of mind.
But her wife was hopeless with money—better than before, but still reckless!
“It’s fine. We made plenty. First, some clothes for you. Then I’ll give you pocket money later. Next time we come to town, you won’t have to stay with me at the stall—you can go shopping, buy whatever you like.”
At the mention of pocket money, Shen Xizhi’s cheeks pinkened, her fingers curling shyly.
Fine. If she insisted on giving her money, Shen Xizhi would just save it for her.
“I like staying with you to sell pork.”
She didn’t enjoy shopping alone. If they went, they’d go together.
Unable to dissuade her, Song Yugui took her to a clothing shop, where her eyes immediately landed on the snow-white dress she’d coveted but couldn’t afford before.