My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 3

Ji Xiaoyu crouched on the ground, drenched in sweat, her gaunt hands clutching her stomach. Large, silent tears dripped onto the soil, leaving shallow pockmarks.

This pain was even more unbearable than the beatings from her father and Fu Jianxu. Her stomach had hurt before, but this time it was excruciatingly severe.

She wondered if she had contracted some incurable disease, leaving her only a few days to live.

This thought made her tears flow even more fiercely.

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her gaze was vacant, as if even the pain could no longer stir her emotions. Dying of illness would be better than living. Life held no meaning beyond pain and hunger. She didn’t dare take her own life, so dying of illness seemed preferable.

Fu Jianxu glanced at Ji Xiaoyu’s condition and then at the meager remains of coarse rice and wild vegetables on the table. She immediately understood that Ji Xiaoyu’s stomach cramps were due to overeating after prolonged starvation. As a food blogger, Fu Jianxu had seen her foodie friends suffer from bloating countless times and had developed a knack for handling such situations.

She quickly carried Ji Xiaoyu to the bed and propped her up with pillows behind her back.

W-wife… Wife-Master… Ji Xiaoyu gasped, startled by the sudden lift.

Why is she putting me on the bed? Doesn’t she forbid me from being on the bed? Is she going to use this as an excuse to beat me? Ji Xiaoyu tried to struggle to her feet, desperate to deny Fu Jianxu the opportunity to lash out. But the pain was too intense, and she couldn’t move.

Seeing Fu Jianxu plop down on the edge of the bed, Ji Xiaoyu’s sense of grievance intensified, her tears falling in an unbroken stream. I’m practically dying from illness, and she’s still tormenting me?

She closed her eyes briefly and croaked, I-I’m sorry, Wife-Master. I-I ate too much, but I think I’m dying. Please have mercy on me and don’t hit me anymore, okay?

Fu Jianxu was startled by the girl’s desperate sobs. When she finally understood what Ji Xiaoyu was saying, she couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. She actually thinks she’s dying?

But seeing Ji Xiaoyu, drenched in sweat from the pain, still apologizing, Fu Jianxu felt a pang of heartache.

Damn you, original owner! You shameless bastard! Abusing a child! Gaslighting this poor girl!

You just ate too much, Fu Jianxu explained, gently pulling Ji Xiaoyu’s hand away from her stomach. She placed her hand four inches above her navel and began massaging in a clockwise motion. Seeing the girl’s discomfort, she couldn’t help but advise, Next time, don’t eat so fast. Eat smaller portions.

Ugh— Ji Xiaoyu flinched at the touch. W-what is she doing? Why isn’t she hitting me? So, she’s still blaming me for eating too much. I’m sorry, Wife-Master. I promise I won’t eat so much next time.

Realizing the girl had misunderstood her, Fu Jianxu grew anxious, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. It’s not that I don’t want you to eat—

I know, Wife-Master, the girl said, her head bowed, choking back sobs. It’s just that my appetite is too big, and I waste too much food.

Sigh… I’m so clumsy with words. I can’t win this argument.

Fu Jianxu’s throat tickled with anxiety, and she began coughing uncontrollably. Her mind raced, and she roared with forced bravado, From now on, I’ll be the one cooking at home! You’ll eat exactly what I make, and that’s it!

I’ll feed her measured portions at regular intervals. There’s no way I can’t raise this little girl properly!

Ji Xiaoyu’s face paled even further at these words. It’s over. I ate too much this time and angered her. Now she won’t even let me near the kitchen. Before, I could at least sneak a few bites while cooking to fill my stomach, but now even that’s a pipe dream…

Seeing the girl’s complexion worsen despite her efforts, Fu Jianxu’s expression turned grave. She gently covered Ji Xiaoyu’s stomach with the blanket, then darted to the kitchen and swiftly returned with a warm, damp cloth. She yanked open the girl’s shirt and pressed the cloth against her stomach.

Fu Jianxu rushed out again, returning with a ceramic bowl. She held it to Ji Xiaoyu’s lips. Still feeling unwell? Drink some ginger water.

Ji Xiaoyu’s face flushed crimson at Fu Jianxu’s brazen actions—H-how could she suddenly lift my clothes like that?! Before her anger could fully ignite, she found herself staring into the woman’s eyes, brimming with concern.

Concern? Could this woman actually care about others? Perhaps, like she did for the wealthy young lady in town. But this time, that concern was directed at her.

Ji Xiaoyu had lost her mother at a young age, and her deadbeat father had only ever drunk and beat her. In her memories, there were pitifully few people who had ever looked at her with such warmth. Perhaps craving this fleeting moment of tenderness, she hesitated only briefly before parting her lips slightly and swallowing the water Fu Jianxu offered.

The temperature was perfect, and her eyes reddened again.

Seeing the girl drink the ginger water, Fu Jianxu breathed a sigh of relief, only to notice tears welling up in her eyes once more.

Great heavens! Why is she crying again?!

Desperate, Fu Jianxu threw caution to the wind and blurted out a barrage of questions Where does it still hurt? What kind of pain is it? Bloating or cramping? Do you feel like throwing up? Oh dear, you shouldn’t eat so much brown rice at once!

I don’t hurt anymore, Ji Xiaoyu stammered, startled by the sudden barrage of questions. She shook her head vigorously. It was true—the pain had subsided considerably after Fu Jianxu massaged her stomach. She struggled to sit up, eager to get back to work now that she felt better. The chickens hadn’t been fed, and the newly sprouted vegetables in the garden needed weeding.

But before she could rise, Fu Jianxu pressed her back down. What are you doing?! You need to rest properly.

Wife-Master, I ate a lot for lunch. I’ll have plenty of energy to work this afternoon, Ji Xiaoyu protested, her eyes timidly meeting Fu Jianxu’s, confused by her insistence.

Fu Jianxu gazed into the girl’s tear-washed eyes. Her entire reflection filled those dark, glistening pupils. Though still clearly intimidated, her lashes fluttered nervously as she bravely met Fu Jianxu’s gaze. A feather-light tickle brushed across Fu Jianxu’s heart, sending a prickly sensation through her body.

It was as if she were only now truly noticing the appearance of this little bean sprout.

The girl’s eyes were particularly striking, with upturned corners that gave them a fox-like allure—a modern beauty standard. Her nose was delicately upturned, and her lips were slightly thin. Fu Jianxu suddenly realized, A ‘villainous supporting character’ would naturally be beautiful. But the girl’s current emaciated state, unhealthy pallor, and timid, withdrawn demeanor had obscured her true features.

Wife-Master? Ji Xiaoyu asked anxiously when the woman didn’t respond for a long moment.

Fu Jianxu’s fingers curled slightly. She suddenly snapped out of her daze, realizing what she had been thinking. Her face flushed even deeper. What are you thinking, Fu Jianxu?! This girl is still sick! She mentally berated herself, cleared her throat, and asked casually, What chores need doing?

We haven’t fetched water or fed the chickens yet, the girl replied honestly. And we need to weed the vegetable garden.

Fu Jianxu nodded, tucking the girl back under the covers. She forced what she hoped was a gentle smile. You stay in bed and rest this afternoon. No getting up.

Ji Xiaoyu’s pupils dilated. She averted her gaze and nodded slightly. The woman’s strained smile and abnormally flushed face made her fear she might be suffering from some kind of madness. How could she refuse? She just wanted the woman to leave quickly, before her illness took a turn for the worse right in front of her.

Seeing the girl’s obedient nod, Fu Jianxu couldn’t resist patting her head before grabbing a water bucket and heading out.

As her footsteps faded, Ji Xiaoyu finally relaxed. She touched the thick cotton quilt covering her stomach, marveling at the softness and warmth she had never experienced before.

Just when she thought the woman was gone, Fu Jianxu returned. Ji Xiaoyu quickly lowered her hand in a panic.

Ahem, where… where did you usually fetch water from? Fu Jianxu asked, rushing out of the courtyard with a water bucket. She had barely taken a few steps before realizing she had no idea where to get water, and she sheepishly retreated with her tail between her legs.

I-I fetched water from the spring uphill at the edge of the village. It’s very clean, Ji Xiaoyu stammered, assuming the woman thought she was too weak to fetch water from the spring and had lazily tried to get it from the nearby stream. She blurted out the explanation, fearing she was about to be scolded.

To her surprise, the woman showed no reaction and simply turned and left. Ji Xiaoyu stared in bewilderment. Could this woman really be out of her mind today?

Uphill! Uphill! Fu Jianxu had finally obtained useful information. Energized, she grabbed the water bucket and strode out the door. Fortunately, the village layout was simple a wide road ran straight from the courtyard entrance, lined with rows of neat houses on either side. Such orderly houses and straight roads—this place must be in the north, Fu Jianxu mused.

The path leading to Aunt Fu’s house sloped uphill. Fu Jianxu hurried past her door, afraid of being called in again and straining her toes. After walking for about ten minutes, she saw no sign of a river, but instead a vast field of golden wheat rippling in the breeze. Several farmers were bent over, swinging their sickles, and the air was filled with the distinctive fragrance of ripening grain.

Did the original owner’s family farm?

Just as she was pondering this, a young woman’s voice suddenly rang out beside her.

Isn’t that A’Xu? Oh, look who’s deigning to fetch water herself today? A young woman in plain cloth, also carrying a water bucket, teased Fu Jianxu. Before she could finish, the slightly shorter woman beside her tugged at her sleeve. Hey, why are you provoking her? Be careful she might take a liking to you!

The plain-clothed woman glared at her. She wouldn’t dare!

Her words were defiant, but her body betrayed her. As soon as she spoke, she quickly took a few steps away from Fu Jianxu, a hint of unease in her movements.

Someone had spoken to her, and Fu Jianxu’s face flushed, her scalp tingling with tension. Hearing the classic straight girl remark about someone taking a liking to her, she secretly glanced up to glare at the speaker. To her dismay, she was caught in the act and received another glare in return.

Fu Jianxu ……

But the two women were clearly heading to fetch water, and despite Fu Jianxu’s internal grumbling, there was only one path. Since she didn’t know the way, she had no choice but to silently trail behind them.

What’s the name of that new restaurant in town? Full Moon Pavilion? Full Moon something Pavilion?

You mean Full Moon Pavilion, opened by Eldest Miss Xie? Why are you asking? We can’t afford to eat there.

I’m not planning to eat there! My dad said they’re hiring cooks. Sister Yun, your cooking is so good—you could work as a chef there!

Don’t be silly. I’m a woman. Why would they hire me?

Other places might not, but this one is run by Miss Xie herself. I heard she’s specifically hiring women!

The two women seemed to be close friends, chatting and laughing as they walked. Fu Jianxu trailed behind, catching snippets of their conversation Full Moon Pavilion, Eldest Miss Xie, hiring cooks.

Eldest Miss Xie? This piqued her interest. Were they talking about Xie Yinwan, the female supporting character from her favorite ship? Had she already triggered a key character so soon? She wondered how far the plot had progressed—had the female lead and supporting character met yet?

But none of that mattered right now. The important thing was hiring cooks! She could practically see a job waving at her! With this thought, she grinned foolishly and quickened her pace, eager to gather more useful information.

Hey, why are you following us?! The shorter woman noticed the movement behind them. Seeing Fu Jianxu’s smirking face, she nervously shielded the woman in plain clothes behind her. An’an doesn’t like you! Stop bothering her!

An’an this, An’an that… What nonsense! I’m a married woman! Why would I be bothering another woman?