I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 8

Song Yugui was too embarrassed to continue asking. She could only stiffly promise, “Nothing like this will ever happen again. You can rest assured.”

Shen Xizhi glanced at her, silently lowered her head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Her voice was calm and steady, “Wife, I’ve boiled some hot water. Shall I bring some in for you?”

Song Yugui’s mind was a mess, still reeling from the disastrous start to the day. She barely registered the words and nodded absently before plopping down on the edge of the bed.

Then, out of nowhere, someone lifted her leg. Startled, she instinctively kicked out.

“Ow—”

The woman was caught off guard by the kick, a muffled cry of pain escaping her as she clutched her chest, looking frail and helpless as she sat on the floor.

Finally, it’s happening.

After pretending for so long, Song Yugui couldn’t hold back her true nature any longer.

Her eyes were damp, her gaze lowered, too timid to look up, her entire demeanor trembling and fearful.

Song Yugui had reacted purely on reflex. Realizing what she’d done, she was horrified and scrambled off the bed to help Shen Xizhi up. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you? Let me see.”

Seeing her reach out, Shen Xizhi instinctively shrank back, her heart filled with cold bitterness. You’re just putting on an act. You haven’t changed at all. You’ve never changed.

Song Yugui’s hand froze mid-air, unable to touch her. Knowing she’d frightened Shen Xizhi only deepened her guilt.

I’m such a scumbag. The original owner bullied her, and now I’ve done the same. I really deserve to die.

“You suddenly grabbed my leg, and I just reacted without thinking. I’m really sorry.”

She looked down at Shen Xizhi, her tone sincere.

Shen Xizhi remained kneeling on the floor, her head bowed, her expression unreadable. After a long pause, she finally spoke hoarsely, “It’s nothing. No need to trouble yourself, Wife.”

Song Yugui could sense her resistance and aversion—stronger than when they’d first met. Her body was slightly stiff as she mechanically stood up. “Oh… okay.”

“Please sit, Wife.”

Her voice was soft and submissive, as if she truly didn’t mind the kick, ready to continue what she’d been doing before.

But Song Yugui was hesitant to let her touch her legs now. “What were you trying to do earlier?”

A wooden basin of steaming water sat on the floor, leading her to a terrifying guess.

The next second, Shen Xizhi confirmed it, plunging her into despair.

“I wanted to wash your feet, Wife. But I must have done something wrong to upset you.”

Her tone was flat, as if she didn’t care at all, but her eyes were red.

Clearly, she was deeply hurt.

Song Yugui’s guilt intensified.

“I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just… I’m not used to others touching my feet. You don’t have to wash them for me—I’ll do it myself. You… you should go wash up too.”

The atmosphere had grown too tense, and she couldn’t help but try to lighten it, all while cursing inwardly: Original owner, what kind of overgrown baby are you? Making someone else wash your feet? What’s wrong with you?! You’ve got the princess disease without the princess status.

This time, Shen Xizhi didn’t insist. Hearing her refusal, she nodded and left.

Song Yugui finally exhaled in relief, quickly washing her own feet before digging out the medicated oil she’d used earlier, planning to apply it to Shen Xizhi’s bruises later.

Shen Xizhi had thought that after that kick, the beatings would resume. But for some reason, Song Yugui didn’t hit her again.

Instead, she kept up the act of being kind.

If the person I’d married had been like this from the start, over time, I might have fallen for it. But she wasn’t like this at first. Now, suddenly pretending to be good—clearly, she’s trying to deceive me. It’s disgusting.

How can anyone be so vile?

After washing up, Shen Xizhi returned to find Song Yugui fetching hot water to clean herself. When she came back, she saw Shen Xizhi spreading straw on the floor again, her expression freezing.

“You… you’re sleeping on the floor?”

Shen Xizhi lowered her eyes, her voice soft and pitiful. “I must have angered you earlier. I don’t dare get too close to you again.”

What kind of petty nonsense is this? The original owner gets mad and kicks her out of bed?

What a lunatic.

Knowing she was the one at fault this time, Song Yugui’s guilt deepened. “This isn’t your fault. I was the one who kicked you. I’m the one who should apologize. Stop laying out the straw—the floor is too cold. Sleeping there for long will ruin your health. Sit on the bed first. Let me apply some medicine for you.”

Her voice was gentle.

Shen Xizhi was reluctant, afraid that the so-called “medicine” was just another way to torment her. But she had no choice but to obey.

After a long pause, she finally sat down, her posture pitiful, as if bracing for violence.

Song Yugui: “…”

“Take off your clothes. Let me see how bad the injury is. If it’s serious, we might need to call a doctor from town.”

Her concern was evident, but Shen Xizhi paid it no mind.

Talking about calling a doctor? We don’t even have money for that. Empty words are easy to say.

A faint, mocking smile almost curled her lips before she quickly suppressed it, replacing it with a look of unease.

Her thin robes slipped off, revealing the pale swell of her chest and a faint bruise, the outline of a foot just visible.

Song Yugui cursed herself inwardly. She had been detached before—others had wronged the villainess, but she hadn’t. If she just took care of Shen Xizhi’s health, gave her some money, and divorced her, they’d be even. But now, she’d become one of the people who’d hurt her.

The bruises on Shen Xizhi’s body were from the original owner. Now, there was another one—from her.

Please don’t hold a grudge.

She reached out, carefully touching the bruise.

Shen Xizhi whimpered.

Song Yugui panicked. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

Though Shen Xizhi was used to pain, she was naturally sensitive to it. The kick had hurt, and even the lightest touch now was agonizing.

Her lips pressed together, refusing to speak.

“Let me massage the bruise for you.”

Massage it?!

Shen Xizhi’s face instantly paled, her beautiful eyes glistening with unshed tears.

She timidly tugged at Song Yugui’s sleeve, her expression both delicate and pleading. “Do we have to massage it?”

Song Yugui hesitated, torn.

Then Shen Xizhi sniffled, her voice small. “Can we not? It doesn’t hurt if we don’t touch it.”

It’ll heal on its own. Why press on it so hard? It’ll only hurt more.

“But if we don’t massage it, it’ll take longer to heal.”

Song Yugui wavered, though she was starting to soften.

Shen Xizhi really didn’t want those strong hands pressing into her chest. She quickly assured her, “It won’t. The bruise is on my chest—it won’t get bumped easily. Please don’t massage it. It hurts too much.”

Since Song Yugui is pretending to be kind, maybe I can play along, pretending to believe her, just to buy myself some peace.

As long as I remember what she’s really like, it won’t hurt as much when she changes back.

Her voice grew even softer, like a pitiful kitten, almost as if she were about to cling to Song Yugui’s arm and beg.

The sudden coquettishness left Song Yugui stunned. She blinked for a long moment before reluctantly agreeing. “Alright, alright. No massage then. Let’s just sleep. Be careful tonight—don’t bump it.”

A faint smirk tugged at Shen Xizhi’s lips before she lifted her face, her expression sweet and innocent. “Mhm…”