My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 17

Why are you back so late? Fu Zhixiao’s voice was lower than usual, his already stern face now as dark as the bottom of a pot. It was impossible to tell how long he had been waiting there.

Ji Xiaoyu hurried forward to open the gate and welcome him in. Sister Jianxu took me to town after work, so we got delayed.

You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? I just hunted a rabbit today. Eat it while it’s fresh. Fu Zhixiao handed her the dressed rabbit from his left hand.

Ji Xiaoyu lit the oil lamp and took the rabbit, noticing he was still clutching another dressed rabbit in his right hand. Understanding dawned on her. She murmured, Why don’t you give this one to Sister Jianxu too? That way you won’t have to make another trip.

Fu Jianxu, who had just parked the cart and was sitting on a stool rubbing her sore ankles, nodded immediately. Good idea! We can stew them together. Her eyes lit up at the thought of the fragrant rabbit stew.

Fu Zhixiao’s expression softened slightly as he handed over both rabbits.

The clothesline was mostly covered with Fu Jianxu’s clothes. 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 slapped herself mentally.

Since I arrived in this strange world, this little girl has been taking care of me. How can I be so stingy that I won’t 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 hurried out of the room 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 handcart, waiting for her in thin clothes, her nose red from the cold. She strode 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 terrifyingly cold hands to transfer some of her own warmth.

Sister Jianxu’s clothes are too big and make it hard to work, Ji Xiaoyu mumbled, sniffling. 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 pile of chores waiting at home. Why was this woman suddenly thinking about buying clothes? Did she just want to squander her earnings the moment she made some money? She reluctantly followed, hoping the woman would hurry up and finish her shopping so she could get back to work.

On the way, Fu Jianxu excitedly said, I counted it all—we’ve earned so much! It should be enough to buy winter clothes. Fu Jianxu had never seen an ancient cloth shop before, and she was both excited and worried about whether they had enough money.

This autumn seemed particularly cold, and the past two weeks of hard work had drained Ji Xiaoyu’s energy. Hearing Fu Jianxu’s words, she merely tugged at the corner of her mouth and said perfunctorily, Sister Jianxu is so capable! You’ve saved up so much in just half a month.

This casual compliment made Fu Jianxu’s face flush crimson. She stammered, Y-you’re capable too, Xiaoyu!

Watching Fu Jianxu’s bright red ears, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly found the situation amusing. The 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, the present 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’ calls.

Fu Jianxu led Ji Xiaoyu straight into a ready-made clothing shop. The shop was filled with colorful garments hanging from racks, while neatly stacked fabrics lined the tables in front. It seemed ancient clothing shops weren’t so different from modern boutiques after all.

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

Which one looks good?

Ji Xiaoyu was taken aback. Fu Jianxu was actually asking for her opinion on clothes? She glanced around the shop, nervously tugging at the hem of her robe, and pointed to a peach-pink ruqun. This color is so vibrant and would really complement 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, instantly understanding their intentions. 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, noticing her confusion. The warm breath brushed against Ji Xiaoyu’s earlobe, causing her to instinctively lean away.

Buying clothes for her? What a joke. She 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. It’s getting cold. Buy yourself some winter clothes.

Ji Xiaoyu’s pupils dilated 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 probably given her all the money they’d earned these past few days!

She looked up in disbelief, but Fu Jianxu’s eyes were sincere, showing no hint of jest.

Has the sun risen in the west?

Ji Xiaoyu had never owned a new piece of clothing. From childhood, she had worn her mother’s old clothes, patching and altering them to make do.

Her fingertips gently traced the rough fabric, the coarse material leaving her fingertips slightly reddened. Her gaze drifted cautiously between the winter garments, but she didn’t dare pick up any of them.

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

Sister Jianxu, I… I can just wear my old clothes… she mumbled, instinctively trying to refuse, her head bowed and her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz.

Absolutely not!

Please take 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 down the coat and laid it out before them.

Fu Jianxu picked up the indigo cotton-padded 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, even having reed clothing for winter was considered a luxury.

Fu Jianxu frowned. The original owner’s wardrobe had several cotton-padded coats—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. She scanned the shop. The cheapest winter clothes cost five hundred cash and were either drab indigo or brown, made of coarse fabric with unknown padding inside.

Sister Jianxu, could you buy me a reed coat? Ji Xiaoyu asked tentatively, studying the woman’s expression to gauge her sincerity.

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

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

How about we get that cotton-padded one instead? she suggested softly. If we’re buying, let’s get something decent.

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’ve 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 a coat! How undignified!

Ji Xiaoyu gazed at her, her throat suddenly tightening.

The young lady’s 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, practical coats anywhere! He urged, 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, young lady! If it doesn’t fit, I’ll alter it for you! 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.

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

Young 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 admiring gazes.

Fu Jianxu also thought it looked beautiful. The girl would look even better with a little more meat on her bones. 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. She didn’t have enough money…

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

This time, she’s using a new trick—humiliating me in front of others?