I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 43
After spending three thousand wen as a deposit, Song Yugui paid another one thousand four hundred and fifty wen for a month’s rent on the stall, leaving only four hundred and sixty copper coins in her pocket.
It wasn’t exactly a small amount, but she still owed the pig farm two thousand six hundred wen.
When would she ever be able to buy a whole pig outright? Always being in debt was frustrating.
Song Yugui sighed deeply at her own poverty. Shen Xizhi stood obediently beside her, her posture straight, her dark, beautiful eyes scanning the passersby eagerly. Every time someone approached to buy meat, her eyes would light up with a bright, joyful glow.
Today was already the third day of their pork stall business. Sales were relatively stable and even better than the first day—two hundred jin of pork had sold out by noon, leaving only a piece of meat she had deliberately set aside, seventy percent lean and thirty percent fatty, to make wontons.
Not only did the townsfolk buy from her, but even the familiar staff from Shiyue Lou, the restaurant where she used to work, came by to purchase dozens of jin of meat while out on errands. She gave them a discounted price of thirty-three wen per jin.
In the end, the stall earned over six thousand four hundred wen. Holding the heavy bag of coins, Song Yugui immediately wanted to buy clothes for her wife again.
But Shen Xizhi, who had only learned about their financial situation the day before and knew they still owed money, refused to indulge her. Seeing her persistence, Shen Xizhi turned and walked away in a huff, her little face puffed up with anger.
Song Yugui couldn’t just let her go back alone—what if something happened on the way? She had no choice but to follow. “Alright, alright, if you don’t want clothes, how about we eat lunch in town? That’s fine, right? It’ll save you the trouble of cooking when we get back. Besides, I’m starving—you wouldn’t make me go home hungry, would you?”
Shen Xizhi finally stopped walking. Her long lashes fluttered as she hesitated, then reluctantly gave in. She lifted her gaze, her rosy lips pouting with dissatisfaction. “You’re the breadwinner of the family—how could I let you go hungry? Fine, what do you want to eat?”
If it’s too expensive, I’ll still veto it!
“Let’s just find a random shop and have some beef noodles.”
“Okay.” That was acceptable.
Song Yugui was frugal with herself but more generous with her wife. As soon as they entered the shop, Shen Xizhi told the waiter, “One bowl of beef noodles and one bowl of plain noodles.”
Song Yugui: “…”
Don’t suffer just because of me!
She was exasperated and quickly called the waiter back. “No plain noodles—make it a bowl of shredded chicken noodles instead.”
Shen Xizhi tugged at her sleeve, her delicate brows furrowing in displeasure. “I don’t want shredded chicken noodles—plain noodles are fine!”
What was so great about shredded chicken noodles? The ones she made at home were even better, and they didn’t cost anything! A bowl of plain noodles would fill her up just fine.
“Yesterday, you said I was the head of the household—are you taking that back today?”
Since she was the head of the household, naturally, what she said went.
Shen Xizhi choked, her lips pressing together tightly. She shot Song Yugui a glare, half-annoyed, half-fond, knowing she wouldn’t listen anyway, and reluctantly gave in—though she secretly scolded her in her heart for being so wasteful.
The waiter left to place their order. Song Yugui had wanted to add a side dish, but after just defying her wife, she held back, afraid of earning another glare. Now wasn’t the time to splurge.
Noodles were prepared faster than full dishes, and soon, two steaming bowls arrived. One was topped with thin slices of beef, its broth fragrant from simmered beef bones. The other was piled with finely shredded chicken, the soup a clear golden yellow, looking utterly enticing.
Song Yugui pulled her bowl closer, picked up half the beef slices with her chopsticks, and plopped them into Shen Xizhi’s bowl.
Shen Xizhi froze. “Mine already has meat—it’s enough! You eat yours, don’t give me yours!”
She made to return the beef, but Song Yugui grabbed her bowl and moved to the farthest seat. “Just eat it. Look how thin you are—it’s like hugging a bag of bones at night.”
That was just an excuse.
Who knew their own body better than themselves? She had actually gained quite a bit of weight recently, yet Song Yugui still insisted she was too skinny.
“How could I possibly eat this much? You’re really…”
Always so good to her—who treated others better than themselves? Idiot.
Shen Xizhi couldn’t win against her. Every time she tried to return the meat, Song Yugui would act angry, so she had no choice but to lower her head and eat quietly, taking small, reluctant bites.
Only then did Song Yugui feel satisfied and start eating her own noodles.
A bowl of beef noodles cost fifteen wen, and the shredded chicken noodles fourteen—not too expensive, and the taste wasn’t bad either.
She ate quite comfortably, but Shen Xizhi clearly didn’t feel the same. From the moment they entered the shop until they left, her little face remained scrunched up in displeasure. Once outside, she whispered, “My elder brother once told me that a bowl of meat noodles only costs ten wen. This is so expensive.”
“Elder brother? You have an elder brother? You’ve never mentioned him before—what’s he like?”
Shen Xizhi shot her an annoyed glare. “You didn’t even ask about my family before marrying me?”
She didn’t even know how many people were in her family—how careless!
Ah—ah?
Song Yugui had forgotten about that. She had only wanted to distract Shen Xizhi from worrying about money, but she hadn’t expected her casual topic change to backfire and stir up dissatisfaction.
Under her wife’s accusatory gaze, she awkwardly wiped the sweat from her brow. “Ahem, well… I never saw your family visit, so I kinda forgot.”
Excuses.
Shen Xizhi pressed her lips together, silent for a long moment before murmuring unhappily, “A married daughter is like spilled water—of course they wouldn’t come to see me.”
Back then, her wife had a terrible temper, notorious for harassing women and known throughout the village as a good-for-nothing—and dirt poor, to boot. Her family had avoided her like the plague—why would they ever visit?
Song Yugui’s brows knitted tightly. She had long known that Shen Xizhi’s family wasn’t great, but hearing it now still made her heart ache for her.
If she hadn’t come, wouldn’t Shen Xizhi have suffered from start to finish in this life?
Didn’t that mean she had come here for Shen Xizhi?
Song Yugui suddenly felt amused. She reached down and squeezed her wife’s slender fingers, comforting her. “Don’t be sad—you still have me.”
Your family treats you poorly, but I’ll treat you well. They don’t visit you, but I’ll be with you every day.
But Shen Xizhi didn’t seem cheered by her words. The cold wind howled, and her heart felt just as chilled. My wife… she’s such a blockhead!
What use was a blockhead?
Angry, she yanked her hand back, her cheeks puffing up as she ignored Song Yugui entirely.
Song Yugui scratched her head in confusion. Huh? Why is she even angrier now? The more I try to comfort her, the madder she gets—what’s going on?
Truly, a wife’s heart was as fathomless as the ocean.
Halfway home, Shen Xizhi silently stopped in front of a grain shop.
“Are we out of rice at home?”
“Hmph. Didn’t you say you wanted wontons? Let’s buy some flour.”
“Oh, right. Okay.”
Her wife’s temper was as quick to fade as it was to flare. Now, she didn’t seem as upset as before.
She obediently went in and bought a bag of flour for thirty-five wen.
After coming out, Shen Xizhi added, “Let’s also buy some needles and thread.”
Song Yugui didn’t ask what the needles and thread were for—if her wife wanted them, she’d buy them. They purchased a good amount, and along the way, Song Yugui’s eyes landed on a light blue jade hairpin displayed at the entrance of a neighboring shop.
The jade wasn’t particularly high quality—its color was a mix of blue and green with some impurities—but she still found it strangely appealing.
Shen Xizhi, noticing her slowing steps, followed her gaze. With just one glance, she decisively grabbed Song Yugui’s hand.
“Let’s go home. I’m tired—I need a nap!”
Song Yugui: “…”
“Alright, alright, no need to rush. Be careful not to bump into anyone.”
So energetic—doesn’t seem tired at all.
Shen Xizhi had also spotted the hairpin at first glance. But it was jade—in her eyes, jade hairpins were luxurious items that cost a fortune.
Their family wasn’t truly profitable yet—they couldn’t even afford to buy a whole pig outright. She just wanted to save money for emergencies.
After traveling to and from town every day, both of them had grown much healthier and no longer felt exhausted. In less than half an hour, they were home, panting but energetic.
Then they spotted the woman in brocade robes lurking outside their yard, bending over and acting suspiciously.
The female lead was dressed particularly heroically today in a fitted, narrow-sleeved outfit. She kept waving her hands around near their gate for some unknown reason.
Shen Xizhi felt a pang of fear at the sight of her and instinctively pressed into her wife’s arms, complaining softly, “Why is she here again? I’m so sleepy…”
She wanted to nap, but if Miss Chi was here, there was an eighty percent chance she’d drag them off to do work.
Song Yugui naturally embraced the petite figure clinging to her and comforted her. “I’ll talk to her. What are you scared of, little coward?”
She had begun to notice that Shen Xizhi was somewhat afraid of Miss Chi.
But why? Back when Shen Xizhi and Miss Chi were mortal enemies, she hadn’t been afraid at all—she’d even dared to mock her!
Now that their relationship had improved, why was she suddenly scared?
Shen Xizhi knew she was timid—even now, she only dared to get upset with her wife, who treated her the best. Guiltily biting her lip, she lowered her head and stayed silent.
Fine, timid is timid. I’ll protect her anyway.
Song Yugui reached up and ruffled her neatly tied hair before pulling her behind her and calling out, “Miss Chi, what are you doing?”
Chi Xiangyue turned at the sound, her face lighting up with joy. “You’re back! I saw a chicken stealing your vegetable leaves, so I was trying to shoo it away.”
The cabbage patch had been covered for warmth during winter, but as Song Yugui approached, she saw that the covering had been pulled aside.
“Thank you, Miss Chi.”
Chi Xiangyue waved her off. “It’s nothing. I should be thanking you for letting me help you with work! The other day, I wanted to help someone else in the village, but they said I was clumsy and refused! Can you believe it? In my entire life, no one’s ever called me clumsy before!”
Song Yugui paused, keenly aware of the differences between this life and the novel, and frowned and asked, “Who stopped you from working?”
Chi Xiangyue, still irritated, huffed, “I don’t remember his name—something with ‘Song,’ I think!”
Song Yugui: “…”
That’s as helpful as not saying anything at all. Everyone in Song Village is named Song—there aren’t many outsiders.
She cut straight to the point. “Was it Song Xingchuan?”
Chi Xiangyue had been racking her brain earlier, but the moment Song Yugui said the name, it clicked. “Yes, yes! That’s the one! At first, I even thought his name matched mine quite well—who knew he’d be so stingy?”
Not letting you help means he’s stingy? That’s a new one.
The fog in her mind suddenly cleared. No wonder the female lead doesn’t want to interact with the male lead anymore and keeps pestering us instead—it’s because he insulted her and refused her help! Meanwhile, we don’t chase her away, so she sticks around.
Who knew Chi Xiangyue was such a workaholic? When reading the novel, she’d assumed she only helped the male lead because she didn’t want him to overwork himself—turns out she just genuinely loved labor!
Seeing Song Yugui silent, Chi Xiangyue pressed indignantly, “Tell me, isn’t he just the pettiest?”
After a pause, Song Yugui nodded in agreement. “Yeah… yeah, he’s pretty petty.”
If the female lead stays distant from the male lead, it’s only good for us.
At the very least, it’ll save us some trouble.
Chi Xiangyue puffed up like an angry blowfish. “See? I told you he was bad! Not like you and Xizhi—or Xinyu. Xinyu’s way better than him too.”
Though she’d been in the village for a few days, she’d been so absorbed in work that she only knew a handful of people.
“You flatter me, Miss Chi.”
Shen Xizhi, still hiding behind her wife, grew anxious as their conversation dragged on. Her slender fingers nervously poked Song Yugui’s wrist.
Realizing her wife was growing impatient, Song Yugui quickly wrapped things up. “Miss Chi, why don’t you go on ahead? Xizhi and I should head inside.”
Chi Xiangyue looked puzzled. “Aren’t you going to cut pigweed?”
She had just discovered the joy of harvesting pigweed and was still buzzing with excitement, waiting for them to return so they could go together.
Song Yugui shook her head. “We were busy later than usual today—we need a nap.”
Chi Xiangyue’s face fell. “Ah, but won’t your pigs starve?”
They ate so much yesterday—they’ll be fine.
Before she could respond, Chi Xiangyue came up with her own solution. “How about this—give me your tools, and I’ll cut the weeds myself! I’m strong—I’ll do enough for all of you!”
Far from seeming reluctant, she looked positively eager.
Song Yugui hesitated—but not for long. She turned and fetched two baskets and a sickle from the house. She would’ve taken three, but even she had some shame.
“Thank you, Miss Chi.”
Handing them over, her smile grew a little more sincere.
Chi Xiangyue, ever straightforward, waved her off. “No need for thanks! We’re neighbors, aren’t we? You and Xizhi rest up—I’ll go find Xinyu to help.”
“Alright, take care, Miss Chi.”
Song Yugui felt a twinge of guilt, as if she’d tricked an innocent girl into doing chores. But if she wanted to do it, wouldn’t stopping her be rude?
Once Chi Xiangyue was gone, Shen Xizhi finally peeked out from behind Song Yugui, her long black hair cascading down her back, making her look exceptionally well-behaved. Resting her delicate chin on her wife’s shoulder, she grumbled, “Miss Chi talks way too much.”
Earlier, when Song Yugui went inside to fetch the baskets, Chi Xiangyue had eagerly tried to strike up a conversation with her, scaring her into putting on a cold face.
She couldn’t handle such an enthusiastic woman—if she wasn’t careful, she’d end up agreeing to anything!
“Yeah, Miss Chi might be chatty, but she’s not a bad person. If you’re ever bored, you can try hanging out with her a little.”
If the female lead isn’t involved with the male lead, then it’s fine to interact with her.
Many of the troublesome plotlines in the novel stemmed from the male and female leads getting together. If they didn’t, those conflicts would disappear.
Shen Xizhi, however, was not pleased by this suggestion. Her expression turned sullen. “No way. I’m with you every day—how could I ever be bored? Unless… you’re planning to leave me home alone again?”
As she spoke, the girl lifted her clear, slightly chilly eyes and fixed Song Yugui with a penetrating stare. “Wife, is that what you’re thinking?”
Song Yugui shuddered, inexplicably intimidated. Instinctively, she turned and wrapped her arms around her wife’s slender waist, declaring firmly, “As long as you don’t want me to, I’d never leave you home alone!”
Only then did Shen Xizhi’s expression soften slightly. Pressing her lips together, she revealed a faint, sweet smile, her fair ears tinged pink with shyness. “I knew you’d dote on me.”
She nuzzled into Song Yugui’s embrace, rubbing against her affectionately.
Song Yugui naturally accepted the soft, clingy figure in her arms. For a moment, she felt like Shen Xizhi’s wording was a little odd, but she brushed it off without much thought.
Patting her wife’s waist, she lifted her chin proudly. “You’re my wife—you’re the only family I have left. Who else would I spoil but you?”
Shen Xizhi’s lashes fluttered at her words. Shyly, she squirmed in her arms, hugging her even tighter.
Just then, Aunt Li stepped outside and immediately covered her eyes with a scandalized gasp. “Aiyo! Can’t you save the sweet talk for inside? Must you do this out in the open? At my age, I shouldn’t have to witness you young folks being all lovey-dovey!”
Caught in the act, Shen Xizhi stiffened, her face burning crimson—not from shyness this time, but sheer embarrassment. Even her slender, snow-white neck turned red.
She buried her face in Song Yugui’s chest like a frightened quail, only to realize that this was also being witnessed by an elder. Mortified, she quickly pulled away, her entire body flushed, her lips parting and closing wordlessly as her eyes darted around in panic.
Song Yugui, with far thicker skin, remained calm. “Aunt Li, have you eaten yet? We’ll head inside now.”
After exchanging a few polite words, she noticed her wife standing frozen, her face still bright red, and tugged her along into the house.
If they stayed any longer, her wife might actually die of embarrassment.
Shen Xizhi was thoroughly flustered. Even after entering the house, she couldn’t calm down, her face burning with waves of heat. It wasn’t until Song Yugui closed the doors and windows for their nap and casually patted her butt on the way past that she snapped out of her daze and shot her an indignant glare.
Song Yugui laughed. “What’s done is done—why keep blushing? Come take a nap already. When we wake up, we can make wontons.”
Shen Xizhi’s long, thick lashes trembled. She hesitated, then sidled closer—only to freeze again. Understanding, Song Yugui took her hand and led her to bed, letting her change clothes on her own.
Shen Xizhi quickly stripped down to nothing, her snow-white body adorned with delicate pink buds now fully exposed.
At first, she had been shy about undressing, but now, she felt no such hesitation.
Instead, she swayed her slender waist provocatively in front of Song Yugui.
Her drops swayed restlessly.
Yet Song Yugui acted completely blind, paying her no attention whatsoever.
She was furious.
Too annoyed to continue her “seduction,” she flopped onto the bed, presenting her beautiful shoulder blades to her wife.
Song Yugui didn’t even notice she was upset. She undressed calmly, folded her clothes neatly, and lay down, only to be met with a cold shoulder.
It took her a moment to realize what was happening.
She scooted closer, exasperated. “Why are you mad this time?”
She prided herself on taking excellent care of the villainess, but these occasional mood swings left her utterly baffled.
Could she actually be depressed?
No way—I’ve raised her so well. How could she suddenly be depressed?
Was the trauma from the original host that deep?
Shen Xizhi ignored her, glaring at the wall as if it had personally offended her.
But as she glared, she noticed something odd—a strand of inky black hair dangling above her.
Frowning, she looked up—only to find Song Yugui peering down at her with concern.
The sight startled her so much her delicate frame trembled, but once she recovered, she was livid. “What are you doing?!”
Song Yugui blinked innocently. “Checking if you were crying. Good—you’re not. Otherwise, I’d have to comfort you all over again.”
Shen Xizhi: “…”
She shoved the hovering woman away, yanking the covers up to her chin in a huff.
Song Yugui took one look at the scene and thought, Welp, now I do have to comfort her.
Shen Xizhi was never easy to appease. The moment her eyes welled up with aggrieved tears, anyone would feel their heart melt with pity.
Song Yugui, ever the fool, leaned in again to peek at her—only to confirm that her eyes were indeed glistening with unshed tears.
Her heart sank.
She was fine outside!
Did she get so embarrassed she started crying?
As absurd as it sounded, Song Yugui hurried to console her. “Aunt Li’s lived a long life—she’s seen everything. Even if she saw us earlier, she wouldn’t care.”
She nervously reached out to pat Shen Xizhi’s smooth, round shoulder but quickly withdrew, afraid of overstepping. Little did she know, this only made her wife feel worse.
Shen Xizhi sniffled, her nose red. My wife is impossible to seduce. She’s the most oblivious person in the world!!!
Waaah—
Still upset, she kept her back turned. No matter how Song Yugui tried to coax her, she remained unmoved, leaving Song Yugui increasingly uneasy. She’s this angry?
When the comforting words suddenly stopped, Shen Xizhi’s sorrow paused mid-flow. Why did she stop? Is comforting me too much trouble?!
Jerk!
So when Song Yugui scooted closer, pressing against her, Shen Xizhi instinctively stuck out her perky little butt—shoving her away.
The move startled a laugh out of Song Yugui, who couldn’t help but chuckle. Shen Xizhi, incensed, punched the mattress.
How dare she laugh while I’m upset?!
After a moment, the girl declared coldly, “We’re having wild vegetable soup for dinner.”
Song Yugui blinked. “Didn’t you say we were having wontons?”
“Hah. Wontons are for people with brains. For a blockhead like you, I can’t be bothered!”
Song Yugui’s eyes widened in shock. Wait—explain! What did I miss that cost me my wontons?!