The Comments Section Said She Was My Wife - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

◎ She proactively held the hand that Xia Shi had left free ◎

In the end, Chu Tang and Xia Shi went into the mountain together.

Perhaps she didn’t want to break the original plan, or perhaps she didn’t want Xia Shi to discover her embarrassment, but Chu Tang had proposed it herself after pushing Xia Shi away. Xia Shi hadn’t pressed the issue. She just stared at her steadily for a moment before laughing and agreeing.

This was Chu Tang’s first time in the mountains. From her behavior over the past few days, Xia Shi could tell that she likely came from a prestigious background before falling on hard times, so she didn’t intend to take her too far.

As it happened, while hunting deer a few days ago, Xia Shi had discovered some persimmon trees that were now ripe. The golden fruit looked delightful, and it was the perfect day to take Chu Tang to pick them.

Of course, the mountain paths that Xia Shi was accustomed to were still difficult for Chu Tang. It wasn’t just the overgrown weeds and uneven ground; what was truly terrifying were the bugs that would suddenly pop out, startling her.

Chu Tang was, after all, someone accustomed to being pampered. Although she would endure the fear, Xia Shi eventually noticed.

This time, however, it wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t just a bug that slithered out of the grass, but a snake. Chu Tang couldn’t help but scream the moment she saw it, but fortunately, Xia Shi’s reflexes were quick; she grabbed the snake by the head and threw it away instantly.

It was actually a small, non-venomous snake. Under other circumstances, Xia Shi might have kept it for snake soup, but seeing how terrified Chu Tang was, she threw it away without hesitation, not forgetting to hold and comfort the frightened woman: “It’s alright, it’s alright. It wasn’t poisonous, and I’ve thrown it away. You’re safe.”

Chu Tang had just been kissed on the ear by Xia Shi not long ago, an act that felt a bit too intimate. She had been privately debating whether to keep her distance for a few days, but she hadn’t even lasted an hour before being pulled back into those arms.

It wasn’t just that Xia Shi held her; Chu Tang, startled, found herself clutching Xia Shi’s lapels, unable to let go.

Xia Shi soon realized this, feeling both helpless and apologetic. She was used to being alone in the mountains and accustomed to its dangers. She hadn’t intended to take Chu Tang hunting, just fruit picking, so she had been less vigilant. As a result, her wife had been scared by a snake, it was her own lack of preparation.

After holding her for a while longer, Xia Shi noticed Chu Tang’s stiff body finally beginning to relax. She felt a twinge of reluctance to let go. She pretended not to notice and held her for a bit longer, only releasing her when the soft body in her arms began to tense up again.

“Wait here for a moment, I’ll be right back.” Xia Shi let go, glanced around, and dashed off.

She was true to her word, she didn’t even leave Chu Tang’s line of sight. She went to a large tree by the path, chopped off two branches, and trimmed them with her hunting knife, returning quickly with two sturdy, three-foot-long sticks. She handed one to Chu Tang: “Take this. Follow behind me. If you’re afraid of snakes, just tap the grass as we go.”

Chu Tang took the stick, immediately understanding: “To alert the snakes?”

Xia Shi nodded, taking the lead to clear the path. She tapped the grass casually with her own stick as she walked, looking back to say: “Actually, there are formulas for insect repellent at home. If we make sachets, snakes and bugs will stay away. But I’ve been on this mountain so long, I’m used to them and haven’t prepared any in years. It was my oversight to bring you this time. My apologies; it won’t happen again.”

Hearing her sincere explanation and apology, Chu Tang’s heart softened. She remembered that Xia Shi had “bought” her to be a wife—an implicit condition—but she hadn’t felt much resistance, not just because she was saved in her moment of desperation. Xia Shi respected her, cared for her, and never forced her. In a relationship where their status was unequal, every act of kindness felt precious.

Just like now, she didn’t need to explain or apologize, yet Xia Shi did so earnestly.

Chu Tang followed behind Xia Shi, looking at her not-so-broad shoulders, and suddenly felt a sense of security and reliance. She pursed her lips, not saying a word, but silently stepped forward and proactively held the hand Xia Shi had left free.

This was the first time. Previously, it had always been Xia Shi initiating.

Xia Shi turned back, surprised. She only saw Chu Tang’s porcelain-white profile; the woman refused to make eye contact. She really is like a cat, Xia Shi thought. Even when showing affection, she has to pretend it’s nothing.

It was…rather cute.

The two walked along, each lost in their own thoughts. Fortunately, the persimmon trees Xia Shi had picked out weren’t far, and the rest of the journey was smooth.

Upon arrival, Chu Tang realized the trees were much taller than she had imagined. The golden persimmons were hanging high—at least three stories high. There was no way to reach them from the ground; one had to climb. With trees this tall, climbing was hard enough, but falling would be catastrophic.

Chu Tang was ready to retreat, but while she was still looking up, Xia Shi had already begun to climb. She moved with the speed of a monkey. Before Chu Tang could even blink, Xia Shi was already halfway up.

Chu Tang swallowed her words, fearing she would distract Xia Shi by speaking.

It wasn’t until Xia Shi reached a sturdy branch, sat down, and waved at Chu Tang that Chu Tang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Xia Shi still busy waving, she called out: “Stop waving at me. Be careful, don’t fall. If they’re hard to pick, don’t force it.”

Xia Shi promised “Don’t worry,” and turned her attention back to the fruit.

The trees were prolific, bearing hundreds of pounds of fruit. However, because persimmons were bright and sweet, they often attracted birds. Xia Shi saw that at least half had already been pecked. Based on her experience, the ones pecked by birds were usually the sweetest. It was a pity, but since they were wild trees, there was no one to blame but nature, so she picked the remaining ones.

She selected two perfectly ripe ones that the birds had ignored, and after calling out, she tossed them down. Chu Tang only caught one; the other shattered at her feet, filling the air with the scent of sweet persimmon.

Xia Shi didn’t care about the broken one. She picked another one while sitting in the tree, peeled it, and smiled down at Chu Tang: “These are very sweet. Try it. If you like them, I’ll pick more to take back.”

Chu Tang held the persimmon without eating it, but smelling the sweet fragrance, she knew Xia Shi was right. However, rather than picking more, she wanted Xia Shi to come down quickly—the height made her nervous. “Picking a few is enough. If we take too many, we’ll just waste them.”

Despite Chu Tang’s instructions, in no time at all, Xia Shi’s basket was more than half full. She didn’t intend to stop there, as there were other trees nearby.

After picking, Xia Shi scrambled down the tree as nimbly as she had gone up, carrying the twenty pounds of fruit with ease.

She showed Chu Tang her harvest, saying: “The birds got to most on this tree, but there are others nearby. I’ll go find some good ones to fill the basket—we can make dried persimmon cakes to eat slowly over winter.”

She was about to empty the basket and climb again when Chu Tang grabbed her wrist. Only then did Chu Tang reveal a look of lingering fear, her tone unusually firm: “Enough. These are enough. Don’t climb any more trees.”

Xia Shi paused, finally realizing Chu Tang was worried about her. She wanted to say her climbing skills were top-notch and falling was impossible, but seeing Chu Tang’s genuine concern—a concern born of care—she swallowed the words. Why contradict her?

Her mood suddenly brightened. Xia Shi put the basket back on her shoulders and took Chu Tang’s hand: “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”