My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 40

You’ve worked so hard, Sister Jianxu, Ji Xiaoyu said, appearing beside her as if from nowhere. Her fingertips gently massaged the joints of Fu Jianxu’s wrist. The young girl’s palm was soft and warm, her touch perfectly easing the ache from her labor. Does your hand still hurt?

Remembering the lewd thoughts that had flooded her mind earlier, Fu Jianxu’s cheeks flushed crimson. Her gaze darted away, avoiding eye contact with the girl. She shook her head hastily, but Ji Xiaoyu seized the opportunity to take her hand. The smaller hand wrapped tightly around Fu Jianxu’s fingertips, warmth radiating steadily from their joined skin.

Ji Xiaoyu gazed at Fu Jianxu’s flushed face, suppressing a smile. She tightened her grip and murmured softly, Sister Jianxu, let’s go home.

Feeling the girl’s touch, Fu Jianxu’s fingers curled awkwardly, the tips of her ears deepening their blush.

What’s happening?! She—she’s holding my hand again!

She instinctively tried to pull away, but when her eyes met Ji Xiaoyu’s watery gaze, her movements froze. She awkwardly turned her head away.

Fine, whatever. It’s cold… If she wants to hold my hand, let her.

By the time they returned home, dusk had already fallen. Fu Jianxu immediately bolted into the kitchen, as if a ghost were chasing her.

Despite the freezing winter weather, their intertwined hands had been sweating from the heat. She wiped her palms on her clothes, then, remembering she needed to knead dough, scooped up a ladle of water to wash her hands. The icy water made her shiver, and she suddenly missed the warmth of the girl’s hand.

She shook the water droplets from her hands, as if she could shake off her tangled thoughts along with them.

Flour sifted into the ceramic bowl, and she kneaded the dough with more force than usual. As the dough changed shape beneath her palms, its soft texture inexplicably reminded her of Ji Xiaoyu’s face, which felt just as tender.

Fu Jianxu grew even more irritated and slammed the dough violently into the bowl.

She turned to light the stove. By now, Fu Jianxu was adept at starting fires. Soon, the firewood crackled in the stove, its flames warming her cheeks. She rubbed her flushed cheeks, her mind still replaying the scene of their intertwined hands on the way home.

Fu Jianxu, stop daydreaming! Focus on cooking!

She took a deep breath and returned to the washbasin.

Sister.

The sudden voice behind her startled her, causing her hand to tremble. Ji Xiaoyu had silently moved to stand beside the stove, so close that Fu Jianxu could feel her warm breath brushing against her ear. She could even detect the faint scent of soapberry on Xiaoyu, still carrying the chill of the outside air.

The… the dough is almost ready, Fu Jianxu stammered, taking a half-step sideways, her earlobes burning fiercely. Ji Xiaoyu, however, rolled up her sleeves and leaned closer, her arm brushing against Fu Jianxu’s sleeve.

Let me help you knead it, Sister, the girl said, her fingers already reaching toward the basin.

N-no need, go rest, Fu Jianxu quickly refused.

Ji Xiaoyu lowered her lashes. But… am I bothering you, Sister?

No! No! Fu Jianxu blurted out. After a moment of silence, she pointed to the cabbage Fu Chunhao had just delivered in the corner. Then… why don’t you chop the cabbage?

Ji Xiaoyu turned away with a cheerful Okay, concealing the cunning glint in her eyes.

Next door, the Fu Chunhao family was having dinner later than usual. The radish and bone soup simmering on the stove still steamed, its white mist rising into the cold winter night.

Xiaoxiao, have another piece of cured meat, Fu Chunhao said, placing another glistening slice into his daughter’s bowl, almost creating a small mountain on top of her rice. He gazed at Fu Zhixiao’s gaunt cheeks, his eyes brimming with concern. You’ve lost weight these past few busy days at the shop.

Fu Zhixiao hastily raised her hand to block her father’s chopsticks. Dad, I’m really full.

This year, we can finally celebrate the New Year in peace, Fu Chunhao said, placing the rejected meat into his own bowl, his face softening. My Xiaoxiao is so capable. She’s made the shop so successful. Everyone in the neighborhood praises her!

Fu Zhixiao’s chopsticks paused. She heard her father add softly, We should be able to afford the single tax next year too.

Mm, she murmured, swallowing hard.

Fu Chunhao suddenly reached out and touched the cloth ribbon tying his daughter’s hair. I’m the one who’s failed you, Xiaoxiao… If your father and brother hadn’t had that accident, and if my leg hadn’t… He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Mother, Fu Zhixiao said, looking up and grasping his mother’s rough hand. Things are fine as they are. I’m not going back to the mountains. The shop is doing well. Why are you saying this?

Fu Chunhao gazed deeply at Fu Zhixiao. But your future… The words caught in his throat, dissolving into a long sigh.

Silence settled over the dining table. Fu Zhixiao didn’t know what to say to comfort his mother. He unconsciously poked at the rice grains in his bowl with his chopsticks until his mother suddenly slammed her hand on the table.

That’s it! Fu Chunhao’s eyes lit up. Look at A Xu and Xiaoyu—they’ve been living like honey and oil lately. Why don’t I… find you a wife too? It’s better than being alone…

Mother! Fu Zhixiao’s ears flushed crimson, the heat rising to his neck. W-what are you saying?!

The lovebirds Fu Chunhao had mentioned were indeed busy with their own honeymoon activities.

Days of relentless work at the shop had left them no time for laundry, and a wooden basin overflowed with accumulated clothes. After dinner, Fu Jianxu squatted in the courtyard, vigorously scrubbing the garments in lukewarm bathwater. Splashes soaked a large patch of her coarse cloth robe, but she didn’t notice.

Ji Xiaoyu, having finished washing the dishes, sat opposite her on a small stool.

Sister Jianxu, you’re completely soaked, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly leaned forward, her fingers gently pressing against Fu Jianxu’s chest. The warm fingertips, pressing through the damp fabric, sent a subtle shiver through her.

The garment in Fu Jianxu’s hand slipped back into the water with a splash. She froze, watching those pale, slender fingers lightly wipe at her chest. The water stains spread across the cloth, yet the spot where she was touched burned even hotter.

Wh-what’s happening?! The girl is just wiping off some water! Fu Jianxu, don’t let your imagination run wild!

I-it’s fine… Fu Jianxu stammered, grabbing another garment in a panic.

It’s fine, Ji Xiaoyu’s voice whispered close to her ear, but she didn’t immediately withdraw. Instead, she smoothly took the garment from Fu Jianxu’s hand. I’ll finish the rest.

Their fingers brushed briefly in the water, then quickly separated. Fu Jianxu lowered her head and scrubbed another garment furiously, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

The sound of scrubbing echoed clearly through the night.

Working quickly, the two women finished washing the basin of clothes in no time. It wasn’t until they were hanging the laundry that Fu Jianxu suddenly realized the garment she had just handed to the girl was her underwear!

She squeezed her eyes shut and hung the clothes up as quickly as possible.

Well, whatever… We’ve already seen each other naked… What’s the big deal about washing underwear? It’s nothing…

In the quiet of the night, Fu Jianxu buried herself completely under the covers, leaving only her crimson ears visible.

The next morning, Fu Jianxu opened her eyes to find herself clutching the girl’s intimate clothing in her hand, her arms wrapped around the girl’s bare body. After enduring so much embarrassment the previous day, she had become numb to shame, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water. Now, she felt surprisingly calm.

With a blank expression, she pulled the girl, who had curled up from the cold air after Fu Jianxu threw back the covers, closer into her embrace. The girl nestled drowsily against her neck.

Strands of hair brushed against Fu Jianxu’s cheek, tickling her. She smoothed the girl’s hair and sighed silently.

Fine, if she wants to sleep naked, let her sleep naked. At least she’s warm…

That’s what Fu Niohuru Jianxu thought.

Unseen in the darkness, Ji Xiaoyu buried her face against Fu Jianxu’s neck, a triumphant smile curving her lips. Over the past month, the woman’s boundaries had been retreating inch by inch.

Sister Jianxu… Ji Xiaoyu murmured inwardly, how much longer can you hold out?

Fu Jianxu couldn’t hold on any longer…

As the Lunar New Year approached, the shop grew increasingly busy. One day, after preparing 250 portions of ingredients, they sold out completely.

Fu Jianxu had become a soulless vegetable-scooping machine.

Fortunately, after these hectic days, the Lesser New Year arrived.

Tomorrow is the Lesser New Year, so we’ll close the shop, Chen Zhen said, removing his apron and letting out a long sigh.

Fu Jianxu let out a long sigh of relief. Though she came from a modern world where the Lunar New Year held little significance, her anticipation for the Little New Year was now no less fervent than that of any ancient person.

Who understands?! I haven’t had a day off in two months!

Chen Zhen, the only literate member of Fu Ji Food Shop, wrote a Closed for Holiday notice and posted it on the shop’s wooden door. As soon as the door was locked, Fu Jianxu eagerly led the little girl to East Street.

The market at the year’s end was ten times more bustling than usual. Amidst the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, Fu Jianxu held Ji Xiaoyu’s hand tightly as they navigated the throng.

Let’s buy some soybeans first, Fu Jianxu muttered. I’ll make some sauces at home during the holiday. Spotting a soybean stall, she crouched down before it.

Oh, A Xu! The auntie selling homegrown beans clearly recognized them and specially selected plump, full soybeans for them.

Fu Jianxu’s ears flushed. She hadn’t expected to run into an acquaintance while grocery shopping. She nodded awkwardly, but Ji Xiaoyu naturally stepped forward. Second Aunt Fu, come visit the shop sometime and try our spicy hotpot.

The auntie, pleased to be called Second Aunt Fu, handed them the beans with a cheerful smile.

As they stood to leave, Fu Jianxu’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the little girl beside her. Xiaoyu, you’re amazing! You know everyone!

Ji Xiaoyu smiled, explaining, That’s Second Aunt Fu from the village entrance. We got rice flour from her place not long ago.

Fu Jianxu finally understood.

They moved on to the butcher’s stall, where they bought a slab of marbled pork belly. Recognizing Fu Jianxu as the owner of Fu Ji Food Shop, a regular customer, the butcher tossed in two meticulously cleaned marrow bones as a bonus.

Xiaoyu, do you want some candy? Having finished their shopping, Fu Jianxu paused at a candy stall, unable to resist the urge to buy something sweet for the girl. Remembering how much Xiaoyu had enjoyed the candied hawthorns last time, she wanted to treat her to other sweets.

No, thank you. Candy’s too expensive, Ji Xiaoyu replied, shaking her head slightly while inhaling the sweet aroma in the air.

Fu Jianxu saw the longing in the girl’s eyes and chuckled softly, squeezing her hand. It’s not expensive. It’s worth it if you enjoy it.

She bought sesame candy and sugar melon candies, which the stall owner wrapped neatly in oiled paper, tied with red string. Fu Jianxu accepted the package and handed it to Ji Xiaoyu, who tucked the red-stringed bundle into her coat.

As dusk deepened, their arms were laden with packages of all sizes. They found themselves standing before the general store without realizing how far they’d walked.

Should we get a few more basins? Fu Jianxu asked, tilting her head. We only have one at home, and it’s really not enough. Seeing Ji Xiaoyu nod slightly, she lifted the coarse cloth door curtain and stepped inside.

The wooden basins were prominently displayed on the most visible shelf of the general store. Ji Xiaoyu ran her fingertips along the rims of a row of basins, carefully comparing their thickness. She thought of their old basin at home, used for years, and decided to choose a smaller size this time to save space.

Sister, what do you think of this one? She picked up a finely crafted cedar basin, hefted its weight, and turned around, but received no response.

Looking around, she found Fu Jianxu standing in the farthest corner of the store, staring blankly at a bathing tub.

Ji Xiaoyu walked over and asked softly, Sister, do you want to buy this?

Fu Jianxu snapped out of her reverie and shook her head. She did miss the luxurious comfort of soaking in a bathtub from her modern life, but now that she had been transported to ancient times and suddenly impoverished, such an expense was simply extravagant.

She reached out and tugged at Ji Xiaoyu’s sleeve. Let’s go. We should look at other things.

But Ji Xiaoyu remained rooted to the spot. Her fingers traced the smooth rim of the tub, and she tapped the wooden side, producing a dull thud.

The wood is excellent, and the thickness is just right. She turned to Fu Jianxu. Sister Jianxu, if you want it, let’s buy it.

Fu Jianxu pursed her lips, tempted but even more reluctant to spend the money Xiaoyu had worked so hard to earn by gathering vegetables.

Seeing the woman’s pained expression, Ji Xiaoyu smiled and added, A hot bath is the best way to warm up in winter. It’s even more economical if two people use it together.

Fu Jianxu’s face flushed crimson. Wh-who said anything about bathing together?!