My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 13

Today’s workload was even heavier than yesterday’s. After noticing that the radishes and leafy greens in their garden had matured, Ji Xiaoyu asked if they could add the vegetables to the soup base and sell them together.

Fu Jianxu chuckled inwardly. This is just like modern mala tang, except instead of boiling everything, they’re boiling fish slices and vegetables.

What a clever girl! She can even apply what she’s learned to new situations.

She immediately went to the garden with Ji Xiaoyu. Not wanting to overextend themselves on the first day, they harvested the leafy greens that wouldn’t keep well, stopping when they estimated they had enough for twenty or thirty servings.

The vegetables, soaked in the rich broth, were sold for one copper coin per half-bowl portion and proved surprisingly popular. Ji Xiaoyu collected the money, calling out, Bring your own vegetables to boil! One copper coin for two servings!

This announcement made the following day even busier.

Few people brought their own vegetables, and those who did wouldn’t pay for them to be cooked.

However, many day laborers living near the docks preferred to spend an extra penny for some variety. After all, even the biggest fish lover would tire of eating it every day.

Tomorrow we’ll sell radishes, Fu Jianxu said, counting the day’s earnings. Her smile grew more genuine with each coin. Having money in hand brought her peace of mind.

They alternated between selling leafy greens one day and radishes the next. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they parked their cart and headed straight to the vegetable patch. After pulling the radishes, they piled them in a corner. Fu Jianxu grabbed a bucket to fetch water and wash off the muddy roots.

Meanwhile, Ji Xiaoyu took advantage of the remaining daylight to sit in the courtyard, mending and altering a piece of clothing. As Fu Jianxu passed by, she noticed the garment on the girl’s lap looked familiar.

Of course it was familiar—it was the clothes Fu Jianxu had changed out of yesterday!

Sister Jianxu, the shoulder seam on this shirt is torn. I’m mending it for you, Ji Xiaoyu said, pausing her work when she noticed Fu Jianxu’s gaze.

Carrying sacks of rice was particularly hard on clothing, especially the shoulders and cuffs. Fu Jianxu hadn’t noticed when the tear appeared. She reached back to touch the spot near her right shoulder.

Ouch—

The skin felt raw and tender from the friction.

The silver coins she clutched in her hand grew thicker each day, enough to keep her from starving. Her heart felt a little more at ease, but she knew this couldn’t last forever. She pondered as she carried the water buckets back and forth.

Not only was the work grueling, but after the autumn harvest, the docks would no longer need temporary laborers, leaving them without any income.

I need to find another way…

She excelled at making desserts, but sugar was prohibitively expensive in this era. Would they even sell? Maybe not.

The spicy hotpot business could continue, but she wasn’t sure if this world had the necessary spices…

Splash! Fu Jianxu poured the water into the water vat, set down the buckets, and her mind still racing, she unconsciously rubbed the scar on her index finger, only to feel smooth skin.

She snapped back to reality—this wasn’t her body anymore.

Sigh. Her face clouded with worry. I wonder how my modern self is doing? It’s been days since I transmigrated. Has the automatic feeder run out of food? Is Chunchun, my cat, starving?

If I’m here, could that abusive woman who used to live in this body have transmigrated into my body and taken over my apartment?

Fu Jianxu’s face paled. No!

Sister Jianxu, why don’t you change out of that outfit? I’ll reinforce it while there’s still daylight, Ji Xiaoyu said softly, noticing the woman’s darkening expression as she returned with the water.

What’s wrong with her? She made money, so why isn’t she happy?

Could she have discovered the money I’ve been secretly hiding?

Her expression shifted slightly, and the hand threading the needle slowed. She glanced up at Fu Jianxu, who was changing clothes in the room, set down her sewing, and hurried to the woodshed. She reached into a crack in the wall and pulled out a cloth pouch.

No, I need to hide this money somewhere safer.

Fu Jianxu emerged from the room, changed into her old clothes, and looked around the empty courtyard. ……

Huh? Where did everyone go?

Ji Xiaoyu, having hidden the money, came out and saw Fu Jianxu standing in the courtyard, looking somewhat bewildered. Feeling uncharacteristically guilty, she said, Sister Jianxu, I just… went to the restroom. Give me the clothes.

The bright winter sun rose, illuminating the southern corner of my house.

We had enjoyed several consecutive days of rare good weather.

Last autumn, we had planted vegetables in the small patch of land by our door, but they sold out within days. Fu Jianxu pondered where to source more produce next, but with no knowledge of market prices or suppliers, she remained clueless after hours of deliberation. Finally, she turned to Ji Xiaoyu for help. After a moment’s thought, Xiaoyu grabbed her wicker basket and knocked on Aunt Chunhao’s door next door.

You want to buy vegetables? Aunt Chunhao called out.

Sister Jianxu and I are doing some processing work at the harbor and thought we could sell some cooked vegetables on the side, Ji Xiaoyu replied with a shy smile.

Oh my, A-Xu has really turned over a new leaf! Aunt Chunhao beamed, welcoming her into the courtyard. Some villagers told me A-Xu was carrying rice sacks in town, but I couldn’t believe it!

Sister Jianxu has been working there for about half a week now, Xiaoyu explained.

Aunt Chunhao squinted, sizing up Ji Xiaoyu. The girl’s cheeks finally had some color, no longer as sallow as before.

Her smile crinkled the corners of her eyes as she pulled Ji Xiaoyu into the field, pointing to the lush, vibrant green vegetables. I’ve planted these right by the house. See if it’s enough. If not, I’ll take you to the back field to pick more.

Ji Xiaoyu knew coming to Fu Chunhao was the right move. Everyone in the village knew Aunt Chunhao was the most diligent person around.

In January, while others huddled by the fire, she was out planting scallions in the snow, leaning on her crutch. By February, when other families’ chives were just sprouting, she had already bundled her first harvest and was heading to market. Even in winter, she rotated crops of snow cabbage and winter spinach, single-handedly raising Fu Zhixiao from a baby to a young boy despite her lame leg.

Even the radish and cabbage seeds Ji Xiaoyu had planted this year had come from Aunt Chunhao.

Ten pounds a day, at market price. Does that work? Ji Xiaoyu asked, a smile playing on her lips.

Of course it did!

Fu Chunhao swiftly pulled the vegetables, filling Ji Xiaoyu’s carrying basket in no time.

Enough! Enough! Ji Xiaoyu called out, seeing Aunt Chunhao was about to keep picking.

If you need more tomorrow, just ask, Auntie, Fu Chunhao said, straightening up and rinsing her hands with a ladle of water. Auntie may not have much, but she’ll never run out of vegetables!

Ji Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly and pressed the thirty copper coins Fu Jianxu had prepared into Fu Chunhao’s hand.

Oh, you don’t need to give me so much! Fu Chunhao exclaimed, feeling the weight of the coins. She immediately counted out half to return to the honest girl.

Aunt Chunhao’s vegetables are so good, how could they not be worth this much? Ji Xiaoyu dodged her hand. Besides, Xiao Ge will carry them to town and sell them for even more!

That’s not how it works, Fu Chunhao said, torn between amusement and exasperation. She knew Xiaoyu was just being kind. Even if they sold the vegetables in town, the effort of carrying them and the losses from spoilage would make it less profitable than selling them directly to Ji Xiaoyu.

Why not? Besides, Aunt Chunhao lent us her cart without charging a penny!

No more! If you give me any more, Auntie won’t lend you the cart again!

Knowing Aunt Chunhao was just trying to help, Ji Xiaoyu nodded with a smile and agreed.

I want to buy a chicken to eat, Fu Jianxu declared solemnly as she set down her basket in the courtyard.

Chickens aren’t cheap, Sister Jianxu, Ji Xiaoyu replied. But Fu Jianxu’s words had already stirred her appetite. Years ago, when their family slaughtered a chicken, she had secretly dipped a finger into the rendered fat and tasted it—a memory that still lingered in her mind.

Even if it’s expensive, I’m eating it! Fu Jianxu thought. I need a change of pace. I’m the kind of person who won’t skimp on my meals, no matter what. After eating fish for over ten days straight, she felt like she was turning into one herself!

She had been planning this all along. While buying seasonings in town earlier, she had specifically purchased maltose and dried mushrooms. She intended to make braised chicken with half the bird and use the other half to make nourishing chicken soup for Ji Xiaoyu.

Seeing Fu Jianxu’s determination, Ji Xiaoyu caught a chicken from the yard. These chickens had been raised by Mother Fu before she passed away, originally meant for the New Year feast. But eating one now wouldn’t hurt.

Thump! Thump—

Fu Jianxu hummed a little tune as she chopped the chicken bones. After rinsing them thoroughly, she dry-fried the chicken skin-down to render the fat. The moment ginger and garlic hit the pan, their fragrant aroma burst forth. She stir-fried the chicken pieces until lightly browned, then added maltose, caramelizing it to a rich amber hue.

Too bad I don’t have doubanjiang fermented broad bean paste, chili peppers, or potatoes… she sighed inwardly.

Fu Jianxu sighed. Once she saved up enough money, she could try making her own batch of fermented soybean paste. That way, Ji Xiaoyu could add it to her meals when Fu Jianxu wasn’t home.

A faint plop suddenly stood out in the quiet air. She turned to see—oh, a rare visitor! It was the female lead, Fu Zhixiao.

I brought you some freshly picked vegetables from the garden, Fu Zhixiao said, swallowing hard as she extended a bundle of spinach and potatoes.

Mother of God! The aroma of meat in the air was making her mouth water.

Fu Jianxu glanced at the potatoes. Potatoes! This era already has potatoes!

Her eyes lit up as she eagerly accepted the vegetables.

Thank you, Xiao Ge! Dinner’s almost ready. Why don’t you stay and eat with us? Ji Xiaoyu, who was tending the fire, rolled her eyes subtly. This woman’s such a ditz—she just takes people’s things without even inviting them in!

Y-yes, I made plenty! Please stay and eat with us, Fu Jianxu added weakly, finally pausing her peeling.

…Alright, Fu Zhixiao replied. She knew this was just polite formality—she should politely decline and go home. But the irresistible aroma had rooted her to the spot, making her legs feel like they were nailed to the ground.

Fu Jianxu ……

Don’t take the polite invitation seriously, Sister. Besides, the meal isn’t ready yet…

Fu Jianxu remained silent, silently peeling potatoes, quickly chopping them into chunks, tossing them into the pot, and adding half a ladle of water. After a moment’s thought, she rolled out a few more dough balls and stuck them to the pot’s sides, then covered it to simmer slowly.

The meal would take another half-hour, but there wasn’t much to do. The braised chicken simmered on the stove, and the chicken soup simmered in an earthenware pot, requiring only occasional checks.

The three of them stared at each other awkwardly, the kitchen air thick with an awkward tension.

Xiao Ge, why don’t you sit outside for a bit? Ji Xiaoyu finally broke the silence, dragging a stool into the courtyard. Let Sister Jianxu work in peace.

Okay, Fu Zhixiao followed her outside, still incredulous as she inhaled the fragrant aroma. When did she… become such a good cook?

Ji Xiaoyu’s eyes flickered with surprise. Xiao Ge is that woman’s neighbor—how could he not know she’s a skilled cook?