My Wife is the Vicious Supporting Character from an Era Novel - Chapter 39

Chapter 39

I’ll Make You Very Comfortable

After more than a week of non-stop work, the entire village finally managed to get all the rice into the granary just before the rain. The next day, a heavy rain fell on Xi Ning Town, hitting the roofs and windows. The whole village suddenly became quiet, and everyone stayed home to rest.

At the Ji family’s house, He Xiangyue and Ji Wei were exhausted and sleeping in their room. Wen Miao and Ji Baiqing were worried that the grapes and flowers in the courtyard would be ruined by the rain. They put on rain capes and hats and went out to build a wooden frame to cover the plants with straw.

When they returned, Ji Baiqing saw that Wen Miao was soaked. Although she was also wet, her body was much stronger than Wen Miao’s. There was no hot water yet, so she hurried Wen Miao to change into dry clothes and then went to the kitchen to make ginger and brown sugar water. After watching Wen Miao hold her nose and drink it, she felt a little relieved.

However, Wen Miao was fine, but Ji Baiqing started sneezing that afternoon. She didn’t pay attention at first, but by evening, her face was flushed, and her nose was stuffy. Wen Miao didn’t get sick, but she did. Ji Baiqing lay on the bed with the quilt pulled up to her eyes. “This was an accident,” she said in a muffled voice.

Wen Miao glared at her. “I told you to drink a bowl of ginger tea, but you said you were healthy. Look at you now.”

Ji Baiqing pulled the quilt up to her eyes, covering most of her face. She felt guilty and a little embarrassed. “I didn’t think this would happen,” she said. “I’m sick now, so please don’t scold me, wife.”

“When did I scold you?” Wen Miao said. She leaned down and touched her forehead to Ji Baiqing’s. Ji Baiqing’s temperature was a little higher than hers. The usually lively person looked a little listless, and Wen Miao felt her heart ache.

She went to the clinic to buy medicine. After Ji Baiqing ate dinner, she took the medicine and fell into a deep sleep. While she was asleep, Wen Miao used a wet towel to cool her forehead and wiped her armpits and neck with alcohol. Her temperature finally dropped.

It was a rainy and cold day, so Wen Miao didn’t sweat. She didn’t feel like taking a shower, so she just slipped under the covers.

In the middle of the night, Ji Baiqing felt a little warm. She moved closer to Wen Miao and hugged her soft body. Wen Miao’s body temperature was a little lower than hers, and it felt very comfortable. After holding her for a while, Ji Baiqing opened her eyes and yawned. The rain outside had lessened, and the sound of it hitting the roof tiles was like white noise. Ji Baiqing couldn’t fall back asleep. She snuggled against Wen Miao’s chest and felt a little wronged.

Wen Miao wasn’t in a deep sleep, as she was worried about Ji Baiqing’s fever returning. When she felt the head on her chest, she patted it and opened her sleepy eyes. “A Qing, what’s wrong?” she asked.

She reached out and touched Ji Baiqing’s forehead. It was still a little warm, but the temperature wasn’t rising. Ji Baiqing enjoyed the cool touch of her hand and snuggled closer. Wen Miao woke up a little more and pulled the quilt up for her. “What’s wrong?” she asked patiently again.

In the dark room, Ji Baiqing moved even closer to Wen Miao. A sick person can be fragile, and she had a nightmare last night. She hugged Wen Miao affectionately and suddenly said, “I want to kiss you.”

Wen Miao was taken aback. Then she smiled in the dark and moved her fingers down Ji Baiqing’s forehead until they rested on her lips. Ji Baiqing opened her mouth and licked Wen Miao’s fingers. The rough touch of her tongue sent a shiver through Wen Miao’s body. She tried to pull her hand away, but Ji Baiqing bit her finger playfully, trapping her.

The simple act of licking made Wen Miao overly sensitive. She began to tremble. “A Qing, stop playing… I’ll let you kiss me, okay?” she said pleadingly. Wen Miao regretted her provocative action. She felt like a kitten pinned down by a big cat, stiff and unable to move.

Ji Baiqing bit her finger and mumbled, “No, I’m sick. I’ll infect you.”

“No… you won’t,” Wen Miao’s voice trembled. Her eyes welled up with tears. She bit her lip and said, “Kiss me, A Qing, please? I’ll make you very comfortable.”

“I want to kiss A Qing,” she said sweetly. Ji Baiqing hesitated for a second, and then Wen Miao quickly pulled her hand away and covered their heads with the quilt. The small space was filled with Wen Miao’s sweet scent. Before Ji Baiqing could react, Wen Miao’s lips were on hers. Wen Miao kissed her and licked the roof of her mouth. Ji Baiqing, who was weak from being sick, didn’t have the strength to resist. Wen Miao kissed her even more deeply. After a while, they pulled apart, and a thin strand of saliva stretched between their lips. They were both breathing heavily.

Ji Baiqing buried her head in Wen Miao’s chest and fell back asleep. It had to be said that she was in good health. When she woke up the next morning, she was completely fine. It was Wen Miao who looked a little listless, probably because she had been infected by Ji Baiqing. She didn’t even want to go to town with her. Ji Baiqing told her to rest at home and rode her bike to work.

It was drizzling outside, and the light rain didn’t bother her. When she was slaughtering the pig, she thought of her previous suspicions. This time, while Zhou Gang was bleeding the pig and scraping its hair, she deliberately went outside and watched him through the doorway.

She was shocked to see that her suspicions were true. After scraping the hair off the pig’s chest, Zhou Gang cut off a piece of meat, about four or five pounds. He looked around furtively, wrapped the meat in oil paper, and put it in his bag. Ji Baiqing frowned and went straight to the office to find Xia Hanmei. After she explained what she saw, she waited for Xia Hanmei’s decision.

Xia Hanmei frowned. “Little Ji, are you sure you didn’t see wrong? This is a big deal.”

Ji Baiqing nodded. “Director, I noticed the weight was off last time. This time I saw Zhou Gang stealing the meat. I’m not making this up. You can come with me and see.”

Xia Hanmei followed her to the warehouse. When they entered, Zhou Gang said nervously, “Director Xia, what are you doing here?” “Little Ji, I’ve already scraped the hair off. I’ve cut it open for you. You can just start butchering it.”

Ji Baiqing looked at the pig. The meat was cut neatly, and there were no signs that a piece had been taken. Xia Hanmei didn’t ask him directly if he stole the meat. Instead, she asked if he was having any difficulties and told him he could talk to her if he was. Zhou Gang was uneasy. “No, Director,” he said.

Xia Hanmei asked directly, “Did you steal the meat? If you don’t have any difficulties, why would you steal from the state?” Zhou Gang’s face turned white. “No, Director, who told you that? I didn’t!”

Xia Hanmei looked at him. “I just saw you from the doorway. Are you still going to lie to me?”

Zhou Gang clenched his teeth. He couldn’t come up with a good excuse and finally lowered his head. “Director, I… I was just a little misguided.”

Xia Hanmei “hmph” and asked, “Where did you put the meat? How many times have you done this?”

Zhou Gang hesitated. “It’s… it’s the first time, Director. Please forgive me.” He took the meat out of his bag and started crying. “I’ve always been an honest worker, Director. You know that.”

Xia Hanmei took the large piece of meat and her face turned cold. “You’re still lying, Zhou Gang!” she said. Her voice was full of authority. Zhou Gang was so nervous. He changed his story. “Director, it’s only been three times. I’ll give you the money. Please forgive me.”

Xia Hanmei cut him off. “Zhou Gang, I told you before not to touch state property. A little bit of meat for a bonus is one thing, and I’d turn a blind eye. But look at you!” She pointed at the meat. “You dare to steal this much meat?! How can I not hold you accountable?” She made a decision right away. “Okay, get your pay for this month and leave. I’ll find someone else to do your job.”

Zhou Gang knew that nothing he said would change Xia Hanmei’s mind, so he collapsed on the ground. Xia Hanmei looked at Ji Baiqing. “Okay, go back to work.” Ji Baiqing had a good show and went back to work. She couldn’t believe that the honest and hardworking Zhou Gang would steal meat and lose such a good job. But everyone has their own fate, and he had to bear the consequences of his choices. She shook her head and went to sell the meat.

Zhou Gang was left alone in the warehouse, regretting his actions. After a while, he realized something was wrong. Xia Hanmei never came to the warehouse. Why would she come today? And with that woman, Ji Baiqing! It had to be Ji Baiqing’s doing!

While Ji Baiqing was selling meat, someone else appeared in the warehouse. Shen Niannian couldn’t find Zhou Gang at their meeting spot, so she came to the warehouse to look for him. When she saw him on the ground, a look of disgust flashed in her eyes. It was a bloody mess, but she wanted the meat. She forced a smile. “Brother Gangzi, why weren’t you at the food station?”

Zhou Gang looked up, his eyes bloodshot. Shen Niannian was startled by his resentful gaze and took a step back. She forced herself to stay calm. “Brother Gangzi, what’s wrong?”

Zhou Gang started crying. “Comrade Shen, I’m sorry. I can’t sell you any more meat,” he said. “I was caught, and I’ll probably lose my job.”

Shen Niannian frowned. “What happened?”

Zhou Gang’s face was a mess of snot and tears. “It must have been Ji Baiqing who told the director. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been caught!”

Shen Niannian clenched her teeth. Ji Baiqing again! Why does she and Wen Miao always get in my way? She was so angry that her nails dug into her palm, drawing bl00d. She gritted her teeth. Since they won’t leave me alone, I won’t be polite either. She thought about how to ruin the two women, but she still smiled and comforted Zhou Gang. “It’s okay, Brother Gangzi. I don’t blame you. It’s Ji Baiqing’s fault for making things this way.” She added as if to herself, “I wish Ji Baiqing wasn’t a butcher.”

“Yes!” Zhou Gang said fiercely. “I wish I hadn’t let the director hire her in the first place!”

Shen Niannian’s eyes lit up. “Would the director listen to you?”

Zhou Gang’s anger dissipated. “No, I… I was just saying…” If the director listened to him, she wouldn’t have fired him. Useless, Shen Niannian thought. She had no time for a useless man who only talked big. She said a few more words and left.

Lu Yan was waiting for her. They had been working together for a while. Shen Niannian cooked and sold food, and Lu Yan dealt with the black market. As they walked down the alley, Shen Niannian shook her head. “Zhou Gang was caught stealing meat. He can’t get us any more meat.”

They had made a lot of money from selling meat buns and spicy sauce. They wanted to continue. Lu Yan frowned. “Is Ji Baiqing behind this?” he asked. Shen Niannian nodded. “That bumpkin always causes trouble.”

Shen Niannian looked at him dependently. “Brother Lu Yan, what should we do now? Should we sell something else?”

Lu Yan was annoyed. “I’ll write a letter home and ask for more meat coupons,” he said. After a moment, he added, “We can’t sell anything else. Director Zhang’s wife is pregnant, and she loves your spicy sauce. If we give her a few bottles, things will be easier for us.”

Shen Niannian looked at him with admiration. “Brother Lu Yan, I’ll do whatever you say,” she said sweetly. Lu Yan’s eyes softened. He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to suffer with me.”

As they rode the ox cart back, they passed a pigpen. Lu Yan looked at the grunting pigs and then at Shen Niannian. They both knew what the other was thinking.

…

Ji Baiqing finished selling the meat and bought some pastries and candy. She also bought medicine from the town clinic. When she got home, she went to check on Wen Miao. The woman was still in bed, her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t feel hot. Ji Baiqing patted her face. “Miao Miao?” she called a few times. Wen Miao finally opened her eyes and glared at Ji Baiqing. She looked like a sick cat, with no power.

Ji Baiqing kissed her cheek. “Did you eat? Get up.”

Wen Miao sat up and then fell into Ji Baiqing’s arms. “I’m tired. I don’t want to get up,” she said in a soft, nasal voice. Ji Baiqing chuckled. She played with Wen Miao’s long hair. “Okay, get up and eat lunch. You’ll feel better.”

“Mom made you brown sugar eggs. Hurry and eat some.”

Wen Miao rubbed her face against Ji Baiqing’s stomach. She could feel her firm muscles, and her face became even redder. She looked up at Ji Baiqing with her beautiful, bright eyes. “A Qing, I can’t get up. I have no strength.”

Ji Baiqing couldn’t say no to her. She picked her up like a child, holding her with one hand and looking for clothes for her with the other. Wen Miao was shy and hid under the quilt to change. After she was ready, she went out to eat.

It was still raining, so the village head decided to give everyone another day off. He Xiangyue put the food on the table. When she saw Wen Miao, she asked, “Miao Miao, are you feeling better? I made you brown sugar eggs. Come and eat.” She was a little confused. “Last night it was Baiqing who was sick, and today she’s fine, but you’re not.”

Wen Miao and Ji Baiqing looked at each other and then looked away guiltily. Ji Baiqing drank her brown sugar water and thought, I can’t tell Mom that I got Wen Miao sick by kissing her. She was afraid He Xiangyue would hit her with her shoe. The brown sugar eggs were warm. Wen Miao started sweating after drinking it, and her face looked a little better. After she ate, Ji Baiqing gave her the medicine, and she felt better.

In the afternoon, He Xiangyue and some other villagers were going to the mountains to pick mushrooms. Wen Miao, who was bored, looked at Ji Baiqing with a look of anticipation. Ji Baiqing was about to say yes, but then she thought about the rain. It was easy to get wet on the mountain. Wen Miao was already sick. If she got wet again, she would get worse. She shook her head. “No. You have to stay home today.”

He Xiangyue was gone, and Ji Wei was not home. Wen Miao felt safe. She kissed Ji Baiqing’s cheek. “A Qing, I want to go to the mountain.”

“I want to pick mushrooms.”

Her voice was sweet. Anyone else would have given in, but Ji Baiqing didn’t move. “No.” Wen Miao was a little unhappy. Then she thought of something and whispered in Ji Baiqing’s ear. Ji Baiqing’s ears turned red. She stammered, “No… no.” Wen Miao had won.

Wen Miao held her hand. “A Qing, I’ll wear a hat. I’ll be fine.”

“A Qing is the best~”

Wen Miao’s pleas finally wore down Ji Baiqing. She gave in. “Okay, you can go. But you have to wear the rain cape and hat. Don’t take them off.” Wen Miao agreed. She put on her rain cape and straw hat. But she was a little annoyed when she saw how lightly Ji Baiqing was dressed. “Why aren’t you wearing a rain cape?”

Ji Baiqing looked at her. “You know how strong I am. Just be a good girl.” Wen Miao pouted. Ji Baiqing had also gotten sick from the rain yesterday. She didn’t say anything and followed Ji Baiqing out with a basket on her back.

Ji Baiqing was taking a different path than usual. Wen Miao asked, “Did we take the wrong way?” Ji Baiqing shook her head. “No, there are a lot of people today. I’m taking you to a less crowded place.” Wen Miao liked quiet places, so she nodded. They saw many villagers heading to the mountain to pick mushrooms. Ji Baiqing felt a sense of urgency. We have to hurry, or they’ll take all the mushrooms. But she knew Wen Miao couldn’t walk fast, so she held her hand and walked slowly.