My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 5
Compassion overcame reason. She scooped the remaining vinegar-braised cabbage into the pancake, secretly resolving to make four pancakes next time.
Ji Xiaoyu stared at the empty plate, her heart sinking with it. No more food… She wondered if she’d ever taste such delicious pancakes again.
The next moment, a pancake landed in her bowl. Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. F-for me?
Fu Jianxu nodded, taking small sips of the cabbage soup while glancing at the girl enjoying her meal. She couldn’t help but remind her, Remember to eat slowly. Chew each bite at least twenty times.
The savory aroma of the shepherd’s purse and egg pancake paired surprisingly well with the tangy vinegar-braised cabbage. The girl ate with her eyes closed in bliss. With her taste buds satisfied, she no longer seemed as timid when Fu Jianxu spoke. Though she didn’t understand why she needed to chew so many times, Ji Xiaoyu obediently followed the instructions.
Seeing the girl stuff the last bite of pancake into her mouth, Fu Jianxu set down her bowl and began clearing the dishes.
Wife-Master, let me do it, Ji Xiaoyu said, still chewing her last bite. Seeing the usually idle Fu Jianxu proactively clearing the table, Ji Xiaoyu barely had time to be surprised before hastily stopping her. She had already been slacking off too much refusing to wash the dishes would be too much.
Stop calling me Wife-Master, Fu Jianxu said, the title burning her ears.
Then… Mother? Wife? Ji Xiaoyu swallowed her food and ventured cautiously.
J-just call me by my name! Fu Jianxu stammered, as if scalded by the word wife, her entire body flushing hot.
Though surprised, the young girl obediently agreed. Accustomed to chores, she swiftly cleared the table, leaving Fu Jianxu to awkwardly withdraw her hand. I’ll cook, and she’ll wash the dishes. That seems fair enough.
As Ji Xiaoyu stacked the dishes in the kitchen to wash, Fu Jianxu seized the opportunity to rummage through the room.
Original owner, if you left me any money, I’ll forgive you!
She first targeted the cabinets, the most obvious hiding places. Neatly folded inside were several worn cotton-padded jackets and a few coarse linen shirts. She shook them out one by one. Some were clearly her size, while others were slightly smaller, their colors muted and old-fashioned.
Are these the original owner’s mother’s clothes? Or Ji Xiaoyu’s?
She set the clothes aside and continued searching.
No money!
No! Money!!!
She even pulled out the house deed, but still couldn’t find a single copper coin.
Undeterred, she moved to the bed and searched under the reed mat, between the quilt folds, and inside the pillow, leaving no corner untouched. Finally, she unearthed six copper coins.
Six… six… six…
Fu Jianxu’s face darkened. Six copper coins? What can six copper coins even buy?! She mentally dragged out the original owner, whom she had cursed a thousand times, and whipped her corpse anew. What have you been doing all your life?! Saving only six copper coins?! Are you trying to be some ancient version of a spendthrift?!
A surge of anger shot through her, making her gasp for breath and erupt into a violent coughing fit.
Ji Xiaoyu entered quietly, carrying a basin of warm water she had prepared. She froze at the sight of Fu Jianxu coughing so hard her face was flushed crimson, her chest heaving.
Terrified, Ji Xiaoyu immediately softened her breathing, hunched her shoulders, and tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, fearing that Fu Jianxu’s discomfort would lead to her taking out her anger on her.
Once Fu Jianxu’s coughing gradually subsided, Ji Xiaoyu cautiously moved closer, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. Wife… Sister Jianxu, may I wash your feet?
Fu Jianxu, who had just managed to catch her breath, was so startled by the question that she nearly choked again.
Damn it! Original owner, you’re such a scumbag! How shameless to ask a young girl to wash your feet!
I’ll do it myself, Fu Jianxu snapped. Seeing the girl half-kneeling and reaching for her shoes and socks, she panicked, kicking her shoes half a meter away and plunging her feet into the water.
Ah! Less than a second later, she yelped and yanked her feet out. Hot! Hot! Hot!
Damn it! Is this water for scalding chickens? Who soaks their feet in water this scalding?! Fu Jianxu’s eyes rimmed with red from the heat, mirroring the rapidly reddening skin on her feet. Her skin was fair and delicate, easily bruised or marked by the slightest bump. The original owner’s skin was no different, and the scalding water had left her feet alarmingly red.
Ji Xiaoyu’s face drained of color. It’s over! I’ve burned Fu Jianxu! All the divine dreams and attempts at redemption are useless now. Everything’s ruined! She frantically rushed out, scooped up a large ladle of cold water, and clumsily poured it over Fu Jianxu’s crimson feet, desperate to salvage the situation.
A mix of shock and suspicion churned in her heart. How could amnesia change even her habits? she wondered. Didn’t she used to love scalding hot water for foot soaks, claiming it was a lifelong habit? How could she burn herself like this now?
The cold water finally eased the burning sensation on her skin. Fu Jianxu was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Ji Xiaoyu suddenly dropped to her knees again with a thud.
Wife-Master! I-I didn’t mean to… Ji Xiaoyu’s voice trembled with tears, her panic overriding even proper address. Kneeling, she frantically poured cold water over Fu Jianxu’s feet, now as red as tiger-striped chicken claws, while desperately apologizing and admitting her mistake.
Seeing the girl kneel again, Fu Jianxu swiftly pulled her up. But in her haste, she used too much force, yanking Ji Xiaoyu into her arms. Fu Jianxu’s face flushed crimson.
When Ji Xiaoyu saw Fu Jianxu’s hand reaching toward her, she braced herself for the usual slap on the arm. She squeezed her eyes shut, large tears spilling down her cheeks, and bit her lip, bracing for the pain. Instead, she found herself enveloped in a soft, faintly fragrant embrace.
Fu Jianxu froze, startled. She’s so thin, she thought, almost weightless. The front of her clothes was damp with the girl’s tears. Instinctively, she stroked Ji Xiaoyu’s heaving back as if soothing a frightened animal.
The moment she made the gesture, Fu Jianxu stiffened, realizing where her hand was. Her cheeks flushed crimson. She hastily pushed Ji Xiaoyu away, steadying her as she sat on the edge of the bed. Flustered, she stammered, I-it’s okay! It’s not your fault! I was just… reckless.
She… she really didn’t hit me.
Ji Xiaoyu sat firmly on the bed, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The lingering doubt resurfaced.
Could… that dream have been real?
She lowered her gaze.
Regardless, as long as Fu Jianxu never raised her hand to strike her again, it would be a blessing beyond measure.
Wife-Master, I-I’ll go fetch fresh water…
The girl wiped her tears with the back of her hand and made to rise. Fu Jianxu stopped her, reaching out to stroke her hair in reassurance. Don’t be afraid. And you don’t need to call me Wife-Master. I’ll just go to the kitchen and freshen up. You should wash up early too.
With that, she slipped on her shoes, took the basin from the girl’s hands, and headed to the kitchen.
After a quick wash, Fu Jianxu felt her pores relax. After a busy afternoon of sweating and being covered in the little girl’s tears, she decided to change into fresh clothes from the wardrobe.
Returning to her room, she didn’t see the girl. She must be busy with something, Fu Jianxu thought. That’s fine. I’d be embarrassed to change in front of her anyway. She quickly slipped into a new outfit, nestled into bed, and began strategizing her future survival in this strange world while waiting for Ji Xiaoyu to return.
Her top priority was clear Make money!
The Full Moon Pavilion restaurant in town, mentioned by the two women while she was fetching water earlier, seemed like a good place to start. She just needed to figure out the required skill level for chefs in this world. Confident in her culinary skills, she figured she could at least work as a waitress or take odd jobs if necessary.
Where there’s a female lead and a female antagonist, there’s bound to be opportunities!
She mentally reviewed every plot detail she could remember. The female antagonist, Xie Yinwan, came from the wealthiest family in the region, yet she was in this small town. This place must have something special about it.
The town was called Caojin Town, named for its role as a vital hub for canal transport. As the main thoroughfare for goods traveling through three prefectures, the town bustled with passing merchant caravans. Given its natural transportation advantages, Xie Yinwan’s family had also chosen to develop their business in Caojin Town.
Fu Jianxu mentally rallied herself again. No matter what happens, I’ll survive.
She found the hard earthen bed uncomfortable and tossed and turned. With no knowledge of the local situation, she had only exchanged a few words with Ji Xiaoyu. Once the girl returned to her room, Fu Jianxu planned to carefully pry information from her.
She waited and waited, tossing and turning until she felt like she’d been baked into a pancake, but the girl she longed to see never appeared.
Where is she?
Worry overwhelmed her impatience. Ancient security was far from modern standards—could something have happened? Panic rising, she scrambled out of bed, calling Ji Xiaoyu’s name as she searched the house with an oil lamp.
Before she reached the woodshed, Ji Xiaoyu emerged, her expression panicked, a robe hastily thrown over her shoulders. Sister Jianxu, d-do you need anything else?
Worried she might eat too quickly and suffer stomach pain like she had at noon, Fu Jianxu brought a bowl of soup to her lips, urging, Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and be careful not to get another stomachache.
Ji Xiaoyu’s cheeks flushed slightly as she accepted the soup from Fu Jianxu. Seeing that her Wife-Master didn’t intend to stop her from eating quickly, she obediently slowed her chewing.
Was she eating too fast? If she didn’t hurry, she wouldn’t even get leftovers.
She had already eaten her fill at noon, and now there was pancake for dinner—she had seen it, generously coated with three whole eggs. Such delicacies were usually beyond her reach.
This time, her Wife-Master had unexpectedly prepared it for her because of that strange dream. She had to seize the opportunity and devour it before her peace of mind could be threatened. Besides, she had never tasted anything so delicious—even better than the braised pork she had stolen from the kitchen during Lunar New Year. It left her craving more with every bite.
Seeing the young girl safe at home, Fu Jianxu let out a long sigh of relief. Why aren’t you asleep in your room yet?
Ji Xiaoyu lowered her gaze. What’s this woman playing at? Waking me up to ask why I’m not asleep? Her mind raced. Has she lost her memory? Does she not remember how she despises me and refuses to let me sleep in the bed, forcing me to sleep in the woodshed instead? Or is she afraid I’ll sneak out to meet someone?
Recalling the beating she’d received just days ago for exchanging a single word with Dazhuang next door, Ji Xiaoyu’s heart burned with resentment. This woman is a disgusting mirror grinder, but I’m not like her. The woman loathed her, never touched her, yet forbade her from any contact with other men, all because she was the wife her mother had arranged for her on her deathbed. Unwilling to betray her mother’s dying wish, Fu Jianxu had spent the past six months taking out her frustrations on Ji Xiaoyu.
Sister Jianxu, I was already asleep, Ji Xiaoyu replied, having grasped the situation. She turned sideways to show the woman the makeshift bedding in the woodshed, the imprint of her body clearly visible. This would prove her innocence and perhaps even earn the woman’s pity, maybe even a chance to sleep in the bed.
You sleep here? Fu Jianxu’s face darkened instantly. She had found it odd when Ji Xiaoyu came to the woodshed earlier that afternoon, wondering what purpose the pile of dry grass served. Now she realized the girl had been sleeping on it—without even a sheet, let alone a blanket. With winter approaching, Fu Jianxu estimated the nighttime temperature felt like less than ten degrees Celsius. How could anyone sleep here?
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Ji Xiaoyu’s arm and dragged her straight to the bedroom. She pushed the girl onto the bed, got up to close the door, and then went out to shut the woodshed door as well.
From today on, you’ll sleep in the bed with me, Fu Jianxu said, removing her outer robe to avoid dirtying the bed.
Ji Xiaoyu was stunned and uncertain. She… she’s taking off my clothes! Doesn’t she dislike me? Her face paled. She had wanted to sleep more comfortably, but she hadn’t prepared for a wedding night. If a woman claimed her body, she would truly have no way back…