My Wife is the Vicious Supporting Character from an Era Novel - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Bite Her

Before the sun sets, Ji Baiqing and Wen Miao go up the mountain to cut thin bamboo poles for a grape trellis. They carry a bundle of bamboo back home, and as the temperature cools, they begin to plant. Ji Baiqing knows how to plant vegetables, but Wen Miao is the one who knows how to plant flowers. She buries chicken manure in the soil for fertilizer, and Wen Miao plants the roses and other flower seeds, watering them thoroughly. They also plant the grape cuttings, hoping they will sprout soon.

Before He Xiangyue gets home, Ji Baiqing feels a little guilty about the empty egg basket. She quickly throws some leaves into the chicken coop and mutters, “Hens, hens, lay eggs quickly.” Wen Miao laughs, suggesting they get eggs from another family. Ji Baiqing shakes her head, saying her mother can tell the difference because their eggs are bigger.

After dinner, He Xiangyue finds the empty basket and yells for Ji Baiqing, but Ji Baiqing has already taken Wen Miao out for a stroll. The village is quiet at night. Ji Baiqing complains about the loud cicadas and says she’ll fry some for Wen Miao, but Wen Miao refuses, disgusted by the thought of eating insects.

Remembering that they still need to give Manman and Xiaomi their reward, Wen Miao and Ji Baiqing get some treats from home and go to their houses. They first go to Manman’s house, where the family is sitting outside. Wen Miao gives everyone candy, and they all smile warmly.

They then walk to Lotus’s house, where they hear a child sobbing. They find Xiaomi huddled in a corner. Wen Miao kneels down and asks what’s wrong. Xiaomi sees who it is and cries even harder, “Mommy! Mommy!” Ji Baiqing tells Wen Miao to stay with the girl and goes to the front door. She hears a man’s muffled groans from inside and a man’s low curse. She kicks the door, and the man inside stops. She kicks it a few more times until it breaks open.

Ji Baiqing shines her flashlight into the room. A shirtless man is in the light, and Lotus is tied up, bruised and crying. Ji Baiqing recognizes the man, Wu Yanqing, and a cold anger fills her eyes. “Wu Yanqing, I think you have a death wish,” she says.

Wu Yanqing, a city youth, stutters in fear. Ji Baiqing kicks him in the stomach, sending him flying across the room. She then unties Lotus and asks her if she wants to fight back. Lotus is hesitant, saying Wu Yanqing is a friend of Lu Yan, but Wu Yanqing interrupts, threatening Lotus and saying his “brother” will come after her. Ji Baiqing grabs his collar and slaps him, ignoring his pleas for mercy. She asks Lotus one last time if she wants to fight back. Lotus, seeing Wu Yanqing so powerless, agrees. She grabs his hair and slaps him hard. The more she hits him, the more confident she becomes. Wu Yanqing eventually passes out.

Wen Miao and Xiaomi are at the door. Xiaomi, seeing her mother’s actions, bravely kicks the unconscious man herself. Ji Baiqing realizes he’s faking it and drags him to the village head’s house like a dog. The villagers, who are still awake, are surprised to see one of the city youths being treated this way. Wu Yanqing curses at a woman, and Ji Baiqing slaps him again, saying, “I taught him a lesson for you, ma’am. He’s not a good person.”

At the village head’s house, Lotus tells her story. Wu Yanqing came to her home to have a dress made, then demanded the red fabric that Wen Miao gave her. When she refused, he beat her and tried to take advantage of her. Wu Yanqing protests, but Ji Baiqing shoves a rag in his mouth. The village head, who has a good relationship with Lotus, believes her. He brings the other youths over. Wen Miao asks Shen Niannian if she asked Wu Yanqing to get the fabric, and she denies it. Lu Yan also denies he was involved. The village head, seeing that no one wants to protect Wu Yanqing, decides to report him to the commune. Wu Yanqing, hearing this, collapses, knowing his life is over.

Ji Baiqing takes Wen Miao’s hand, holding on tight. Wen Miao winces in pain but says nothing. Ji Baiqing eventually loosens her grip. They take Lotus home. Lotus shows Ji Baiqing that she didn’t give away the red fabric. Ji Baiqing tells her that she needs to be stronger to protect herself and her daughter. She also offers to get her father to fix the door she broke. Wen Miao tells Lotus that it’s the least Ji Baiqing can do.

As they are leaving, Wen Miao gives Xiaomi two pieces of candy and asks her to go with Manman again tomorrow. Xiaomi smiles, a sweet dimple appearing on her cheek. “Thank you, fairy sister!” she says, and Wen Miao’s heart softens.

Back home, Wen Miao hugs Ji Baiqing, burying her face in Ji Baiqing’s chest. Ji Baiqing tells her that she is amazing and that she helped a younger version of herself. Wen Miao looks up, her eyes red, and asks, “Really?” Ji Baiqing tells her she’s kind and that more people will like her. Wen Miao shakes her head and says, “No, it’s enough if you like me.”

The next morning, Xiaomi and Manman come to the house together. Xiaomi is less timid than before. Wen Miao gives them their pig feed and sends them on their way. She and Ji Baiqing eat breakfast, and Ji Baiqing notices Wen Miao is looking for a comic book. Ji Baiqing sheepishly admits she was reading it. She tells Wen Miao that in the future, it will be a classic, but right now it’s a banned book.

Later that day, Ji Baiqing goes to work by herself, leaving Wen Miao asleep. She gets her work done quickly and heads back to the village, but she can’t find Wen Miao anywhere. She goes to Lotus’s house, where she finds Wen Miao sitting at a table, teaching Xiaomi how to write. Wen Miao is still a little mad at Ji Baiqing for leaving her behind. Ji Baiqing apologizes and asks how she is doing. Lotus tells her that her dress is ready. Ji Baiqing thanks her, and Lotus says she has been taking Ji Baiqing’s advice to be more assertive. She adds that she’s saved up enough to send Xiaomi to school next year so she can learn to read and not be easily taken advantage of.

Ji Baiqing notices Wen Miao is still a little upset. She goes to her and listens to Wen Miao gently teach Xiaomi how to write. She thinks that Wen Miao would make a good teacher. When they get home, Wen Miao is still pouting. Ji Baiqing kisses her on the lips. Wen Miao gets angry and bites her cheek, saying, “You’re so annoying! I was so bored all alone at home.”

Ji Baiqing, feeling the sting, says, “Well, maybe I should ask the village head if you can be a teacher at the school. Then you wouldn’t be so bored.”

Wen Miao just bites her again.