I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 42
Chi Xiangyue cut enough pig grass for three people by herself before heading back with the others.
On the way back, she suggested again, “Can I feed the pigs later? I’ve never fed pigs before, and I’ve never even seen them eat.”
Song Yugui: “…Whatever makes you happy.”
Shen Xizhi tightly gripped her wife’s hand. Hearing her wife speak to Chi Xiangyue, she couldn’t help but move closer, as if she wanted to join the conversation—yet she remained silent.
Song Yugui glanced sideways and saw her pouting, clearly upset again.
She had been keeping an eye on her wife the whole time. Seeing this, she wrapped an arm around Shen Xizhi’s slender waist and gently stroked it, as if to comfort her.
Since the female lead was willing to take over the pig-feeding task, Song Yugui couldn’t be bothered to interfere. She let Chi Xiangyue in and left her to her own devices.
Then, she led Shen Xizhi into the house, closed the door, and in the dimly lit room, embraced her by the waist, asking softly, “Are you still feeling upset?”
Shen Xizhi nodded silently without explaining why.
To be honest, Song Yugui suspected the villain had depression. She would often get quietly sad over small things or suddenly feel down for no apparent reason.
Sigh, I’ve heard this illness is hard to cure. I’ll have to be gentler and more patient with her, slowly coaxing her. Otherwise, what if she commits suicide?
Shen Xizhi was still lost in thought, recalling various infuriating scenarios. Suddenly, as if struck by a realization, her beautiful, delicate face flashed with displeasure. She buried her face in Song Yugui’s neck, stared at her fair skin, steeled herself, and bumped her lips against it.
Her warm lips met the cool skin that had just been exposed to the cold wind. Her eyes instantly brightened—she loved it!
The earlier displeasure vanished in an instant.
Song Yugui, however, didn’t notice the deliberate contact. Still stroking Shen Xizhi’s back soothingly, she said, “Don’t be upset anymore. Do you want braised pork? If you do, I’ll save a piece of pork belly for you, okay?”
Shen Xizhi pursed her soft lips, which were still pressed against Song Yugui’s skin, and fell silent. She… she didn’t react at all?
I was secretly kissing her!
Ugh, idiot.
Who wants that stupid braised pork anyway?
The little girl cursed inwardly, her face full of grievance. Yet, after a long pause, she still weakly replied, “Okay.”
Her brows drooped pitifully.
“Mm.”
A hand reached up to stroke the back of her head gently.
Chi Xiangyue knocked on the door but didn’t enter, merely calling out cheerfully, “Are you guys in there? I’ve finished feeding the pigs. What should I do next?”
Song Yugui was puzzled. Has the female lead developed an addiction to working at my house?
She released Shen Xizhi, but the latter clung to her arm, unwilling to let go, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Shen Xizhi loved sticking close to her, and Song Yugui didn’t mind. They were married, after all—no one would gossip even if they saw them like this.
Song Yugui stepped out from behind the door and calmly replied to Chi Xiangyue, “We’re going to take a nap. You can head back first.”
“Huh? You’re not doing anything else? Just sleeping?”
“Yeah. You know we woke up early.”
Chi Xiangyue nodded dejectedly. Right, they got up at Yin hour (3-5 AM).
“Alright then. Have a good nap. I’ll leave now. I’ll come play with you again later!”
Come again?
Song Yugui was rendered speechless.
She truly couldn’t figure out what about her household attracted the female lead. Was it the abundance of chores?
Hmph, must be. She’s probably picked it up from my wife.
Somehow influenced by her wife, Song Yugui also started grumbling internally.
Shen Xizhi watched Chi Xiangyue leave, and her gloomy mood inexplicably lifted a little. She hugged Song Yugui and whined softly, “Good thing I went to town with you today. Otherwise, I’d have been annoyed to death.”
“Yeah, I didn’t expect Miss Chi to be so clingy.”
“She clings to me, but she clings to you too.”
Shen Xizhi pouted. “You’re not allowed to be nice to her.”
Hearing this, Song Yugui suddenly understood. Ah, she’s afraid I’ll make a better friend.
That’s impossible!
The villain and I are the closest—besties for life!
Besides, getting close to the female lead is a bad idea. Just seeing the male lead annoys me.
Song Yugui vowed solemnly, “Don’t worry, I won’t be nice to her. You’re my favorite!”
This answer finally lifted Shen Xizhi’s spirits a little.
After leaving Song Yugui’s house, Chi Xiangyue didn’t feel like staying home either. Her father was out teaching, leaving her alone and bored. She thought of another new friend she’d made, Song Xinyu, and decided to visit her.
Song Xinyu had nothing to do that day and was delighted when her new villager friend came to play.
But she was caught off guard by the news she heard.
“You said Song Yugui and her wife have a good relationship?”
Song Xinyu’s eyes widened in shock.
In her memory, Song Yugui had always hated the wife she married, often bullying her. There were plenty of rumors in the village, and she’d heard them all. How had their relationship improved so much in just a few months?
She had seen Song Yugui being affectionate with that woman but assumed it was another act to make her jealous. Could it be real this time?
Chi Xiangyue, unaware of their history, nodded. “Yeah, it’s the first time I’ve seen a same-s3x couple. They’re always together. When I went to cut pig grass with them today, I even saw them secretly holding hands.”
Song Xinyu: “…”
“They… secretly held hands?”
The question came out with difficulty, her almond-shaped eyes widening further.
Song Yugui actually loves her wife that much now?
But before…
Song Xinyu’s expression turned dazed. Back then, her feelings for me seemed genuine too—just too intense, to the point it was terrifying. That’s why I kept rejecting her.
Later, when she heard about Song Yugui mistreating and even beating her wife, she felt relieved she had refused her. When she met Shen Xizhi, she had even condescendingly advised her to divorce Song Yugui.
No one could have predicted that a person everyone had written off as rotten would have such a dramatic change of heart.
And now, her life was gradually improving.
Song Yugui napped with Shen Xizhi in her arms and woke up before dusk.
Afternoon naps were the worst. If they didn’t sleep enough, they’d feel groggy and struggle to open their eyes. But if they slept too long, they’d be wide awake at night.
Right now, Song Yugui was in the can’t-open-my-eyes phase—and so was her wife.
The two sat on the bed hugging each other, their mouths slightly more awake than their eyelids, but neither could pry their eyes open.
Shen Xizhi murmured drowsily, “Sister Yugui, I’m sleepy.”
Song Yugui hummed in agreement. “Me too. So sleepy.”
“Sister Yugui, I still want to sleep…”
Song Yugui’s rationality finally returned slightly. She cracked her eyes open a sliver and shook her head firmly. “No, no. If we sleep now, we won’t be able to sleep tonight. If we stay up late, we won’t be able to get up early tomorrow. Let’s wash our faces to wake up.”
It was still cold outside, and the water was freezing. Splashing it on their faces instantly jolted them awake.
Song Yugui exhaled deeply. “That feels good.”
Shen Xizhi copied her, washing her face the same way, her cheeks turning bright red from the cold.
“So cold!”
So cute.
“Yeah, the cold helps wake you up.”
“It’s really cold! Feel my face—I can’t even feel it anymore.”
Song Yugui took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, only for a head to suddenly lean in toward her, presenting a fair, tender-looking face.
Unable to resist, she pinched Shen Xizhi’s cheek.
Her skin was so delicate that even a light pinch left a red mark.
Shen Xizhi, who had just claimed she couldn’t feel her face, immediately yelped, “Sister Yugui, you pinched me so hard it hurts!”
Her watery eyes glared at Song Yugui indignantly.
Seeing her displeasure, Song Yugui quickly apologized. “Sorry, my hand was too rough. Let me rub it for you.”
She gently stroked Shen Xizhi’s soft cheek with the back of her hand.
When Song Xinyu arrived, this was the scene she witnessed—one woman looking at the other with doting affection, while the other blushed shyly. They looked… surprisingly well-matched.
Chi Xiangyue spotted Shen Xizhi from afar and immediately called out, waving enthusiastically. “Xizhi! Yugui!”
The two stiffened at the sound. Before they could turn around, Chi Xiangyue had already jogged over.
“Do your pigs eat dinner? Do you need to cut more grass for them?”
Song Yugui: “…”
Pigs eating dinner? Unheard of.
She was speechless.
“No.”
Chi Xiangyue actually seemed disappointed. “Oh. Then let me in—I’ll feed your chickens some rice.”
Song Yugui: “…”
“Sure.”
She silently opened the fence, and Chi Xiangyue happily ran home to fetch the rice.
Song Xinyu stood to the side, feeling awkward facing the two alone.
Her brow furrowed unconsciously.
Shen Xizhi disliked her and always felt hostile toward her. Seeing her there, she tightened her grip on Song Yugui’s hand.
Song Yugui, however, felt nothing toward Song Xinyu. After all, it was the original host who had harassed her—her misunderstandings were understandable. But Song Yugui was wary of further misunderstandings and thus didn’t act particularly friendly, merely nodding before leading Shen Xizhi inside.
Shen Xizhi was overjoyed that her wife wasn’t interacting with someone she had once adored. Like a little tail, she obediently followed Song Yugui inside.
Song Xinyu was left standing alone in the cold wind, staring at their retreating figures.
“Wife.”
Before entering the house, Shen Xizhi glanced back at the graceful woman still standing outside and suddenly called out.
Song Yugui instinctively responded, “Hmm? What?”
But Shen Xizhi just lowered her eyes and changed the subject. “Are you hungry? Should we make egg pancakes for dinner?”
“Sure, whatever you want.”
“When the weather gets warmer, let’s buy a few more chicks. Then we can have eggs every day.”
Right now, most of their eggs were bought. Their hens only laid one or two eggs a day—far from enough.
“Sounds good.”
Mentioning purchases reminded Song Yugui of the money. She pulled out several pouches filled with copper coins from her pocket.
“This is our earnings from the past few days.”
Shen Xizhi froze. The pouches were bulging, clearly heavy. The last time she’d seen this much money was on slaughter day.
The little girl looked at the pouches, then at Song Yugui, and asked hopefully, “Can I count it?”
She could have just asked how much was inside, but she loved counting money—it made her feel more secure.
Song Yugui raised an eyebrow. “Of course. My money is yours—do whatever you want with it. Go ahead and count.”
“It’s not like I can do whatever I want. You wouldn’t agree if I told you not to spend it.”
Though Shen Xizhi’s eyes curved happily, she couldn’t help grumbling.
Song Yugui also complained, “That’s because you always refuse to buy anything, insisting on saving. I don’t want you to suffer after marrying me.”
Deep down, she knew her wife was just being considerate, and it warmed her heart. But she still had to grumble a little.
Shen Xizhi, after being chided, fell silent. Carefully, she poured out the coins and began counting them one by one, placing each back into the pouch after tallying.
Song Yugui, not wanting to disturb her, simply took a stool outside to enjoy the cold breeze.
After what felt like forever, Shen Xizhi finally emerged, clutching the pouches, her dark eyes shining brighter than the stars at night.
“Sister Yugui, there’s almost 4,000 wen!”
Song Yugui beckoned her over.
Shen Xizhi obediently nestled into her embrace, twisting her slender waist to half-sit on Song Yugui’s lap, her expression excited.
Song Yugui wrapped an arm around her waist and smiled. “Did you sort the money?”
“Mhm! Each pouch has 1,000 wen.”
Four pouches meant 4,000 wen.
She took out three. “We’ll use these tomorrow to pay the deposit for goods. This last pouch is your reward.”
“Huh?”
Shen Xizhi blinked in confusion, her ears and nose tinged pink, looking utterly adorable.
But once she processed it, she immediately tossed the pouch back and hugged Song Yugui’s waist instead. “I don’t want it.”
Her refusal was firm.
Song Yugui frowned, rubbing the back of her head. “Why not?”
Who refuses free money? If someone gave me money, I’d be grinning ear to ear.
Shen Xizhi burrowed deeper into her embrace, her voice soft and sweet. “I don’t need to carry money. You’re the head of the household—it should stay with you.”
Song Yugui: So feudal!
“That’s not how it works in our family. It’s just the two of us—if I give you money, you take it.”
“No. You earned it—I won’t spend it.”
No matter what Song Yugui said, Shen Xizhi refused, clinging to her and acting spoiled.
If not for having read the novel and knowing the villain was straight—and if not for knowing sexual orientation was innate—Song Yugui might have gotten the wrong idea.
She absentmindedly patted the soft buttocks nestled in her lap and coaxed, “What I earn is yours. What’s the difference between my money and yours? If you don’t spend it, what’s the point of me earning money?”
She didn’t work hard just for herself—she also wanted her pitiful villain to live well.
My villain is stunningly beautiful, with skin like snow and features like a painting. A beauty like her should be pampered with loads of silver—how could she live a hard life?
At least, Song Yugui couldn’t bear it.
The more time they spent together, the more reluctant she became.
“Hmph, I just won’t take it. I don’t want your money. Besides, it’s too much. I only want the pocket money you give me.”
Shen Xizhi refused to take all the household money. What if Song Yugui needed it for something urgent? Like last time, when she had to return from town to borrow ten wen from her. Making two trips in one day was exhausting.
Since she handled both household and outside matters, she should keep more money on hand.
Seeing her stubbornness, Song Yugui had no choice but to lead her back inside. She grabbed a handful of coins and handed them to Shen Xizhi.
“Then take these for now. Tomorrow, I’ll go pay the stall fee. I forgot to pay today—they’re probably annoyed. I’ll have to give a bit extra.”
“Ah! You didn’t pay the stall fee? But earlier, we…”
A cold wind blew outside, rustling the dead leaves and making the room feel eerily quiet.
Song Yugui scratched her head awkwardly. She hadn’t told Shen Xizhi earlier that the daily stall fee was fifty wen, not wanting to worry her about finances. But now, she could explain.
She spread her hands. “What we paid before was just for one day. If we want to keep the stall, we have to keep paying.”
Shen Xizhi: “…”
“Fifty wen is the daily stall fee???”
Her voice rose in disbelief, her big eyes round with shock.
Song Yugui rubbed the back of her head helplessly. “No choice. They said meat stalls cost that much.”
Shen Xizhi: “…”
Hearing the price made her heart bleed.
Fifty wen a day meant 1,500 wen a month. The money they’d earned today wasn’t even enough to cover the stall fee.
Immediately, Shen Xizhi put the coins back. “I don’t want it. Use it all for the stall fee. It’s better to pay upfront, or…”
Her delicate brows furrowed with worry as she whispered, “What if someone else wants to sell meat and pays before you?”
Song Yugui thought for a moment and realized Shen Xizhi was right—it made perfect sense. If that happened, she’d be furious.
“Okay, I’ll hold onto it for now. Once things stabilize in a few days, I’ll give you pocket money, alright?”
She affectionately nuzzled Shen Xizhi’s cheek.
Shen Xizhi naturally agreed, nodding quickly. “I don’t even need pocket money. As long as you keep treating me the way you do now, that’s enough.”
The sudden change in Song Yugui had caught everyone off guard. Shen Xizhi was terrified she’d revert to her old self one day.
That couldn’t happen. She liked things the way they were now.
“I’ll only treat you better than I do now.”
Song Yugui looked at her, her tone deadly serious.
Shen Xizhi was instantly delighted, her eyes curving into crescents—so much so that she wished she could get even closer.
But she was too shy.
The little girl’s face was too thin-skinned to take the initiative.
She didn’t dare pierce the veil, didn’t dare kiss her, didn’t dare openly claim her.
At most, she’d call her “wife” a few times to remind everyone of their relationship.
There was no meat for dinner—they’d finished it all over the past few days. But eating meat every day wasn’t healthy anyway. Having some vegetables for balance wasn’t bad.
They made egg pancakes and stir-fried bok choy with lard. The aroma was already wafting out.
Shen Xizhi was a great cook—even simple dishes turned delicious in her hands.
While cooking, they heard a familiar loud voice from next door. “Dad, Xizhi’s food smells so good! Can I go eat with them?”
Song Yugui immediately stiffened. What? She wants to come over for dinner too?
She quickly brainstormed ways to reject the female lead. Fortunately, Chi Xiangyue’s father said something, and they only heard her disappointed agreement. It seemed she wouldn’t be joining them—good.
Song Yugui relaxed back into her seat.
Shen Xizhi had also been startled. After stir-frying the vegetables, she waited nervously, only calming down when no one showed up.
The two shared a moment of mutual relief, then burst into laughter.
It wasn’t that they disliked the female lead—they just wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.
The two dishes were served, and Song Yugui sat down to eat. The bok choy was crisp and sweet—delicious.
So good.
“How about we skip braised pork tomorrow and have shepherd’s purse dumplings instead?”
Song Yugui suggested.
Shen Xizhi would never say no to such things.
She nodded softly. “Okay, whatever you want.”
Whatever you want to eat, I’ll make it for you.
That was the unspoken meaning.
After dinner, they heated water for a bath. Song Yugui picked out the clothes they’d bought earlier.
“Why don’t you try this on? Let me see—it’ll look great on you.”
Shen Xizhi’s mood soured at the mention of clothes.
She pouted and pushed Song Yugui. “We haven’t even saved enough money, and you’re already spending. And you bought white—it’ll get dirty so easily! The floors are dirt here—I don’t even dare wear it.”
It’d probably get stained the moment she put it on.
“Just wear it on the bed for me. Once we’ve saved enough this year, I’ll renovate the house and pave the floors with bricks. Then it won’t get dirty as easily.”
Shen Xizhi’s dark eyes brightened with excitement. “Really? Let’s fix the roof too—it leaks sometimes.”
“We’ll renovate the whole place.”
Song Yugui was thinking of tearing it down and rebuilding, expanding the pigpen too. It’d cost a lot, but they’d work hard for it.
“Great!”
The prospect of renovating the house thrilled her.
Spending money on fixing the house is much better than buying nice clothes. At least the house is practical!
Shen Xizhi thought to herself.
Though she was unhappy about the snow-white dress, it’d be a waste not to wear it now that they’d bought it. Since Song Yugui wanted to see it, she obliged.
The long white dress draped elegantly, a silk belt cinching her slender waist. The V-neck revealed a glimpse of her fair collarbone, her black hair cascading down her back. Her lips were naturally rosy, and though her hair wasn’t styled, she still looked breathtakingly beautiful.
Song Yugui was mesmerized. My wife really is a fairy descended to earth.
The white suited her perfectly. And she didn’t even want it? Once I’m rich, I’ll buy her not just one, but a whole chest of them!
They soon finished bathing and went to bed. The next morning, they rose early again.
Song Yugui rubbed her temples, this time leaning heavily on her wife, nearly flattening her soft chest.
“Xizhi, are you coming to town with me again today?”
So tired… I wish I could sleep a little longer.
But Shen Xizhi, surprisingly, wasn’t sleepy at all. She opened her eyes quietly and said, “I’m coming. Sister Yugui, don’t sleep—get up! You haven’t even paid the full stall fee yet!”
Song Yugui: “…”
The weight of life is crushing my slender spine.
She sighed. “Fine, fine. I’m getting up.”
Unable to argue, she dragged herself out of bed. The house wasn’t much warmer, and a gust of wind made her shiver.
“Sister Yugui, put on the clothes from yesterday—they’re warm.”
She’d touched them earlier—they were thick. At least that purchase had been worth it. The rest? Not so much.
Shen Xizhi had already forgotten how happy she’d been eating pastries earlier, now thinking solemnly.
Next time, I’ll buy Sister Yugui two more outfits.
“Okay, okay.”
Once dressed, they hurried out. Since sales had been good yesterday, Song Yugui had slaughtered another pig. She’d already paid a 3,000-wen deposit. This pig wasn’t as fat as the last—only 200 jin—but still hefty.
Shen Xizhi helped push the cart as they headed to town.
By the time they arrived, the sky had just begun to lighten. Sunlight broke through the dark clouds, warm and gentle.
“Watch the stall. I’ll go pay the fee.”
Shen Xizhi was nervous about manning the stall alone, but after watching Song Yugui sell meat the day before, she’d picked up a few tricks.
Clenching her fists, her delicate face serious, she nodded solemnly.
Song Yugui couldn’t help but laugh. So cute! My wife is adorable!