My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 14

I only found out recently myself, Ji Xiaoyu replied, shaking her head. Then, remembering something, she added, When are you going to the market to sell vegetables, Xiao Ge? I’ll make sure the cart is free then.

A-Xu and I are going to town tomorrow morning, so there’s no need to clear out the cart, Fu Zhixiao said, sitting stiffly upright. She hadn’t had much experience chatting casually with people her age and felt a bit awkward.

The crops at home have been harvested. Does Auntie still have any seeds left? Ji Xiaoyu asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

Yes, she does, Fu Zhixiao nodded.

Then I’ll come by tomorrow to get some cold-resistant seeds from Auntie. I want to plant them for the winter, Ji Xiaoyu replied with a smile.

Xiao… Xiao Ge, Fu Jianxu called out hesitantly from the kitchen. After listening for a moment, she finally walked out. As the female lead of this farming novel, Fu Zhixiao had undoubtedly demonstrated real talent by building a thriving business with the female supporting character early on.

Moreover, as the protagonist of a farming novel, she would naturally understand the land intimately. If anyone knew what Fu Jianxu needed, it would be her.

You wander around the mountains a lot, Fu Jianxu said, gesturing with her fingers. Have you ever seen red fruits about this long, with green stems, that are even spicier than dogwood berries? Chili peppers were essential for someone like her who couldn’t live without spice! As she spoke, her words tumbled out faster and faster. They also have white flowers.

Red berries… Fu Zhixiao frowned, thinking hard. After a moment, she shook her head. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that. Noticing Fu Jianxu’s urgency, she secretly made a mental note to tell her if she ever encountered such berries in the mountains.

Suddenly, something occurred to her. Lowering her voice, she added, But there’s a kind of small, round green fruit, about the size of a mung bean. If you bite into it, it numbs half your tongue.

Sichuan peppercorns? Or maybe prickly ash?

Fu Jianxu’s eyes lit up. Where did you find them?

Right near Old Pine Slope. But… Fu Zhixiao glanced at the overcast sky. They’re probably frozen and withered by now.

Fu Jianxu’s smile faltered.

I brought a bunch home last time. If you want some, I can bring you some tomorrow, Fu Zhixiao offered. She knew the strong aroma of these fruits could mask human scent in the mountains, so she had gathered and dried a good supply earlier.

The female lead truly lives up to her title!

Fu Jianxu’s smile returned instantly. Yes! I’ll take as many as you have!

With Sichuan peppercorns, the dishes would be even more flavorful!

It felt like a century had passed before the dishes were finally served.

But Fu Jianxu’s cooking didn’t disappoint Fu Zhixiao’s century-long wait.

So, so delicious…

With a mouthful of potato, Fu Zhixiao’s pupils dilated slightly. She took another bite. The potato had been stewed until it was soft and tender, its dense flesh saturated with the rich broth. It melted in her mouth, requiring hardly any chewing.

The clothesline was mostly filled with Fu Jianxu’s garments. Ji Xiaoyu only had two outfits, and lately, she hadn’t even been wearing proper undergarments.

Fu Jianxu’s nose stung with guilt, and she mentally berated herself.

Since arriving in this strange world, this little girl has been the one taking care of me. How can I not even buy her warm clothes? What kind of person am I?

For the third time, she opened her money pouch, her hands trembling as she counted out another hundred cash and added it to the pile. Then, she strode out of the house and snatched the axe from Ji Xiaoyu’s hands.

It’s cold outside. Go inside and rest, she said, pausing before adding, Wear my thick clothes first. Don’t catch a cold.

The next day, the wind was even harsher.

As Fu Jianxu returned from work, she spotted Ji Xiaoyu huddled on the cart, waiting for her in thin clothes, her nose red from the cold. She hurried over and grabbed the girl’s icy hands.

Why aren’t you wearing the warm clothes I gave you? Fu Jianxu frowned, instinctively rubbing Ji Xiaoyu’s hands to transfer her own warmth. The girl’s hands were alarmingly cold.

Sister Jianxu’s clothes are too big and make it hard to work, Ji Xiaoyu sniffled, her voice muffled. Startled by the sudden warmth, she instinctively tried to pull away, but the warmth was too tempting, and she ultimately didn’t withdraw her hands.

Let’s go to the cloth shop! Fu Jianxu released Ji Xiaoyu’s hand, pushed the cart forward, and headed toward town.

Ji Xiaoyu frowned. There was still a mountain of chores waiting at home. Why was this woman suddenly thinking about buying clothes? Did she have to spend her earnings so eagerly? She hurried after her, hoping they’d finish quickly so she could get back to work.

Along the way, Fu Jianxu exclaimed excitedly, I counted it all! We’ve made so much money—enough for winter clothes! She had never seen an ancient cloth shop before, and her heart fluttered with anticipation mixed with worry about whether they’d have enough.

This autumn felt unusually cold, and the past two weeks of relentless work had drained Ji Xiaoyu’s energy. Hearing Fu Jianxu’s words, she merely tugged at the corners of her lips and offered a perfunctory compliment Sister Jianxu is so capable! You’ve saved up so much in just half a month.

This casual praise instantly flushed Fu Jianxu’s face crimson. She stammered, Y-you’re capable too, Xiaoyu!

Watching Fu Jianxu’s burning red ears, Ji Xiaoyu couldn’t help but find the scene amusing. This woman was now completely different from before—not only was she pitifully thin-skinned, but she had also inexplicably gained extraordinary culinary skills.

Had the dream’s deity stripped away all the woman’s flaws, leaving only her virtues?

Regardless, this current state was infinitely better than before. She should be content…

As they entered the town and rounded the final bend, the bustling scene of East Street burst into view, filled with the clamor of vendors hawking their wares.

Fu Jianxu immediately pulled Ji Xiaoyu into a ready-made clothing shop. The shop was lined with garments of every color, and bolts of fabric were neatly stacked on a table at the front. So ancient ready-made clothing shops weren’t so different from modern clothing stores after all.

Ji Xiaoyu’s eyes sparkled as she scanned the shop. Lowering her voice, she asked, Take a look. Which one do you think looks good?

Which one looks good?

Ji Xiaoyu was stunned. Fu Jianxu was actually asking for her opinion on clothes? She glanced around the shop, nervously tugging at the hem of her robe before pointing to a peach-pink ruqun. This color is so vibrant. It would really suit Sister Jianxu’s complexion.

The shop owner, a shrewd middle-aged woman, greeted them warmly the moment they entered. Her eyes swept over the pair, and she immediately understood. She plucked the peach-pink ruqun from the rack. Oh, this young lady has excellent taste! Peach-pink is the perfect color for a young lady with fair skin!

It’s for you. Pick whatever you like, Fu Jianxu whispered in Ji Xiaoyu’s ear, sensing her confusion. Her warm breath brushed against Ji Xiaoyu’s earlobe, causing the girl to instinctively lean away.

Buying clothes for her? What a joke! Ji Xiaoyu lowered her head.

Unaware of Ji Xiaoyu’s reaction, Fu Jianxu thought for a moment and then pressed all the money she had brought with her into Ji Xiaoyu’s hand. The weather’s getting colder. Buy yourself some winter clothes.

Ji Xiaoyu’s pupils constricted sharply. She… she’s really going to buy them for me?

The coins dug painfully into her palm. Feeling the heavy weight in her hand, she realized this woman had given her all the money they’d earned these past few days!

She looked up in disbelief, but Fu Jianxu’s gaze was sincere, with not a hint of jest.

Has the sun risen in the west?

Ji Xiaoyu had never owned a new piece of clothing in her life. From childhood, she had worn only her mother’s old clothes, mended and altered to fit.

Her fingertips gently caressed the rough fabric, her fingertips reddened by the coarse cloth. Her gaze cautiously drifted between the winter garments, but she never dared to actually pick one up.

She secretly measured the length of a coat with her hand, then quickly withdrew it as if someone had caught her longing.

Sister Jianxu, I-I can just wear my old clothes… she stammered, instinctively rejecting the offer, her head bowed and her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Absolutely not!

Please bring down that cotton-padded coat, Fu Jianxu said to the shopkeeper, pointing to an indigo cotton-padded coat.

Aiyo, young lady, you can’t go wrong with this for winter! The cotton is freshly fluffed and thick. Look at these cuffs, look at this collar—the stitching is so tight! The shopkeeper took the coat down and laid it out before them.

Fu Jianxu picked up the indigo coat and held it against Ji Xiaoyu. It might be a bit long…

Sister Jianxu, this is a cotton-padded coat! It’s too much of a waste for me… Ji Xiaoyu’s body stiffened.

For poor families like theirs, having even reed clothing to wear in winter was considered a luxury.

Fu Jianxu frowned. The original owner of this body had several cotton-padded coats in her wardrobe. Giving them to a scumbag like her would be the real waste!

If you wear it often, it won’t be a waste, she said. Her gaze swept across the shop. The cheapest winter clothes cost five hundred cash and were either a dull indigo or brown, the fabric coarse and the inner padding of unknown material.

Sister Jianxu, could you buy me a reed coat? Ji Xiaoyu asked tentatively, studying the woman’s expression to see if she was joking.

Hearing this, the shopkeeper pulled down another reed coat from the rack. Fu Jianxu reached out to pinch it, her brow immediately furrowing. The coat was stuffed with reed floss, making it stiff and prickly. Though she had never worn such clothing herself, as a modern, patriotic youth, she had at least heard the story of Filial Piety in Reed Clothing.

Reed coats were undoubtedly less warm than cotton-padded coats.

Let’s just get the cotton-padded one, okay? she murmured. If we’re going to buy something, let’s get something good.

Ji Xiaoyu blinked in surprise, but before she could reply, Fu Jianxu quickly added, I-I have over four hundred cash here. Adding what you earned, it should be enough…

Fu Jianxu’s ears flushed crimson. She felt a pang of embarrassment—having to use the girl’s own money to buy her clothes! How pathetic!

Ji Xiaoyu gazed at her, a sudden tightness gripping her throat.

The young lady is right! the shopkeeper chimed in. It’s not even winter yet, so cotton-padded coats are still cheap. Once winter hits, you won’t find such affordable and practical coats anywhere! He urged, Come feel the cotton—you’ll see how good it is!

Ji Xiaoyu placed her hand on the cotton-padded coat. It was thick and warm, a sensation she had never experienced before. In past winters, she hadn’t even owned a single piece of the poorest quality reed clothing, forced to huddle under her quilt and endure the bitter cold.

Could she actually own a cotton-padded coat now?

Try it on, little lady! I’ll adjust it if it doesn’t fit, the shopkeeper urged.

Go ahead and try it, Fu Jianxu added.

After a long silence, Ji Xiaoyu finally nodded, took the coat, and followed the shopkeeper to the fitting room—a space partitioned off with a piece of cloth at the back of the shop.

Moments later, she emerged. Ji Xiaoyu was petite, and even though the ready-made coat was already on the smaller side, the sleeves still hung past her wrists, and the pant legs were far too long.

Little lady, you have such a lovely complexion! Even this plain coat looks stunning on you, the shopkeeper said, stepping forward to adjust the sleeves. Ji Xiaoyu’s face flushed crimson under their scrutiny.

Fu Jianxu also found the coat charming. If the girl gained a little weight, she’d look even better. How much is this coat?

Just eight hundred cash! the shopkeeper replied.

Eight hundred wen… Fu Jianxu’s face paled, and her voice went hoarse. Not enough money…

Seeing the woman’s silence, Ji Xiaoyu’s heart sank. So she still doesn’t want to buy it for me after all… She had thought Fu Jianxu might have changed. Ha, so she still enjoys teasing me, just like before?

This time, she’s changed her tactics—teasing me in front of others?