My Wife is the Vicious Supporting Character from an Era Novel - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

An Excessive Kiss

As Ji Baiqing cuddles with Wen Miao, she thinks about the future troubles Wen Miao will face in her family and decides she must help her find a proper job. She knows the perfect opportunity will arise soon, and she must get Wen Miao to take it. In the original book, the schools in Cloud Water, Little Stone Village, and Big Mountain Village will merge due to low enrollment. Cloud Water Village’s school is the biggest and most well-equipped, so it will become the main location. This will require hiring a new teacher, a position that, in the original story, goes to the protagonist, Shen Niannian. Ji Baiqing doesn’t see why Wen Miao can’t get the job instead. She wants Wen Miao to claim it for herself. She is also curious about what will happen to the story now that she has changed it. She wants to break the plot constraints placed on Wen Miao.

Ji Baiqing runs her fingers through Wen Miao’s hair, soothing her. “I just think you must be bored staying at home all day. You were so patient teaching Xiaomi how to write. If you were a teacher, you could help more children learn.” She then adds, “Plus, a lot of people will want this job. Don’t you think Shen Niannian wants it, too? Teaching is much easier than farm work.” She sighs dramatically. “It looks like only the city youths will get this job.”

Wen Miao, as expected, takes the bait. “No, I’ve changed my mind. I want to be a teacher.” Ji Baiqing smiles to herself, thinking how easy it was to trick her.

She and Wen Miao go to the village head to get more information. Since the incident with Lotus, Li Xiangdong’s opinion of Wen Miao has improved. He tells them that the schools are merging and a new teacher will be hired, but there are a lot of people who want the job. Ji Baiqing suggests a written exam to make it fair. Li Xiangdong thinks it’s a good idea and says he’ll discuss it with the other village heads.

As they are leaving, they run into Pan Hongxia. She awkwardly greets Wen Miao, but Wen Miao walks past her without a glance. Ji Baiqing hurries them along, not wanting to have anything to do with the city youths. When they are a safe distance away, Ji Baiqing takes Wen Miao’s hand and asks if she thinks she can pass the exam. Wen Miao scoffs playfully, “Who are you looking down on? I was always first in my class.” Ji Baiqing grins. “To celebrate my amazing Wen Miao, let’s go fishing!”

Wen Miao’s eyes light up, and Ji Baiqing can’t help but want to kiss her. They go to the river, and Ji Baiqing shows Wen Miao how to spear fish with a sharpened bamboo stick. Wen Miao is amazed by her skill, and Ji Baiqing’s vanity is satisfied. She catches two fish in no time.

“Now it’s your turn,” Ji Baiqing says, and she guides Wen Miao to a shallow area. Ji Baiqing stands behind her, holding her hand and the bamboo spear, her lips close to Wen Miao’s ear. Wen Miao shivers as Ji Baiqing tells her how to aim. Wen Miao is able to catch a fish, and she raises it in triumph.

Walking back to the shore, Wen Miao slips on a rock and falls into the water. Ji Baiqing dives in to help her. Wen Miao is flustered and clings to her like seaweed, and Ji Baiqing accidentally takes in a mouthful of water. She holds Wen Miao’s head and gives her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. They look into each other’s eyes, and Ji Baiqing can see Wen Miao is still scared. She holds her and swims to the shore, where they both gasp for air. Wen Miao’s face is flushed, and she’s soaking wet, but Ji Baiqing seems perfectly fine, her strong jawline sharp and her expression calm.

Wen Miao feels like she’s drowning again, and her heart is racing. “Ji Baiqing,” she says, her voice hoarse, and she starts to cough. Ji Baiqing asks if she’s okay. Wen Miao shakes her head, her eyes teary. She wraps her arms around Ji Baiqing’s neck and kisses her, hard, biting her lip until she tastes bl00d.

When she finally pulls away, Ji Baiqing is dazed and embarrassed. “Ji Baiqing, I love you,” Wen Miao says, “the kind of love where I want you to be my wife. Do you want to be with me?”

Ji Baiqing’s mind goes blank. Wen Miao loves her? Is this a joke? “That… Wen Miao, are you sure you’ve got the right person? I… I haven’t thought about being with anyone like that, and what we’re doing is wrong.” She says that in this era, two women being together is a crime. She tells Wen Miao that they need to go back before the fish die.

Wen Miao feels her heart drop. She stays in the water, saying her legs are too weak to move. Ji Baiqing, feeling guilty, gets back in the water, scoops her up, and carries her out. She tells Wen Miao that she is only doing it because she is worried she won’t be able to get home. Wen Miao can tell that Ji Baiqing is avoiding her.

At home, Ji Baiqing rushes to the well, leaving Wen Miao alone. Wen Miao is disappointed, but she changes her clothes and goes out to the yard. She sees Ji Baiqing by the well and says, “A Qing, I’m changed. You should go change, too.” Ji Baiqing scurries past her and locks herself in the room. Wen Miao’s heart sinks. Why is Ji Baiqing avoiding her? She thought they were close. She wonders if Ji Baiqing will ever love her back. She decides that if Ji Baiqing won’t come to her, she will go to Ji Baiqing. She feels that Ji Baiqing can’t be completely against the idea since she has hugged and kissed her.

Ji Baiqing stays in her room, struggling with what to do. She doesn’t want to lose Wen Miao as a friend, but she isn’t ready to be in a relationship with her. She finally comes up with a plan and goes to the kitchen to cook dinner. She sees Wen Miao preparing to cut the fish and rushes to grab the knife, telling her it’s dangerous. Wen Miao points to the ingredients on the counter, and Ji Baiqing feels embarrassed. They work in silence. Ji Baiqing feels empty without their usual banter.

When He Xiangyue gets home, she is surprised to see the fish on the table. Wen Miao tells her that she and Ji Baiqing caught them. He Xiangyue notices that Ji Baiqing is quiet and distant. She asks Wen Miao if she will take a fish to their neighbors. Ji Baiqing mutters for Wen Miao to wait until the sun goes down, but Wen Miao just smiles and leaves.