The Scholar’s Unconventional Little Wife - Chapter 13

The day the policy essay results were posted was a rare, perfectly sunny day.

Lin Ruo’an stood on the outskirts of the crowd, still maintaining her usual unassertive and uncompetitive posture.

Zhou Wenyuan, however, had squeezed himself to the very front. His back was straight as a board, his chin tilted slightly upward as if he could already see his own name perched at the top of the list.

The Assistant Instructor pasted the fresh red paper onto the wall.

The crowd erupted:

“Top rank! Lin Ruo’an again!”

“Good heavens, it’s her again!”

“This Lin Ruo’an… she’s truly remarkable! To win the top spot twice in a row!”

“Zhou Wenyuan… Hiss, sixth place?”

Lin Ruo’an’s gaze swept over the sea of bobbing heads, landing precisely on the very top of the red paper. There, the three characters “Lin Ruo’an” were written in a neat, upright hand, the ink full and saturated, its strength piercing through the paper. Not far below her name, the characters “Zhou Wenyuan” huddled in the sixth position, looking decidedly dim.

A surge of scorching heat rushed from the depths of her heart straight to the top of her head. I did it! Old Man Chen hadn’t just understood her policy essay, with its carefully hidden barbs and subtle jabs, he had approved of it! YES! Old Man Chen has an eye for talent! All that hair I lost was worth it!

She tried her best to suppress the curve of her lips, but the brightness in her eyes betrayed her. Her classmates swarmed around her to offer congratulations, their tones even more fervent than before.

From across the crowd, Zhou Wenyuan stared fixedly at Lin Ruo’an, the muscles in his cheek twitching slightly. He had never imagined that the essay he had so meticulously prepared would lose to what he dismissed as “the conjectures of a wretched scholar.”

Without a word, Zhou Wenyuan spun around, shoved through the crowd, and stumbled away.

Lin Ruo’an withdrew her gaze, a new layer of wariness settling in her heart. A petty man like Zhou Wenyuan, who never forgot a grudge, would never let this defeat go. The manager’s threats were just the beginning. She had no idea what other underhanded schemes he might devise next.

After class, she intentionally took a longer route home. She stopped at a bookstore to pick up the latest collection of essays and then visited a general store to buy half a pound of high-quality rock sugar. Only after completing these errands did the gloom Zhou Wenyuan had cast over her heart begin to lift.

By the time she returned to the eatery, evening had already fallen. The setting sun bathed the small storefront in a warm, golden glow. Wisps of cooking smoke rose into the air, mingling with the savory aroma of food, creating the most comforting scent in the world.

Lin Ruo’an stood at the entrance for a moment, watching quietly. Through the half-open door, she saw Xu Fenggu’s busy silhouette at the stove and Zhao Siniang carrying dishes to the front hall. And Xu Wangyou… she was crouching by the hearth, staring intently at the fire. The dancing flames flickered across her face, casting a healthy red glow on her usually pale cheeks.

As Lin Ruo’an watched her, the restless corner of her heart suddenly grew still, turning soft and comforted.

She pushed open the door and went inside.

“You’re back?” Xu Fenggu didn’t even turn around, her spatula flipping food in the pan. “There’s herbal tea on the table.”

“Mhm,” Lin Ruo’an replied, setting down her book box and other belongings.

The moment Xu Wangyou saw her, her eyes lit up. She stood up, dusted her hands, and walked over, naturally taking the books and the wrapped candy from Lin Ruo’an. “Did you buy more books?”

“I brought you some candy.” Lin Ruo’an pointed to the package, her ears turning inexplicably warm. “Don’t you like sweet drinks?”

Xu Wangyou looked down at the rock sugar wrapped in brown paper, a clean, bright smile spreading across her face.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice light and cheerful. She took the candy and carefully placed it on the highest shelf of the cupboard, even adjusting its position to make sure it wouldn’t be knocked over.

Watching her childish gesture, Lin Ruo’an felt a soft spot in her heart being gently tickled, as if by a feather, leaving it feeling both itchy and warm.

At dinner, Lin Ruo’an briefly mentioned that her policy essay had taken the top rank again. Xu Fenggu gave a simple “Mhm” and placed a piece of food in her bowl. “Eat up. Mother knew you could do it.”

Zhao Siniang grinned foolishly. “The Little Shopkeeper is amazing!”

Xu Wangyou said nothing, but her eating slowed down. She kept glancing up at Lin Ruo’an, her eyes sparkling with undisguised admiration and joy.

After the meal, Xu Fenggu pulled Lin Ruo’an aside and whispered, “I’ve looked into the Zhou family. After the manager returned, Zhou Wenyuan flew into a rage and smashed several things. His father even scolded him for it.”

“But Zhou Wenyuan is a petty man, his heart is smaller than a needle’s point. His father’s scolding will only make him more resentful. You must be careful these next few days. Come straight home after school, don’t linger outside, and don’t go anywhere alone.”

Lin Ruo’an nodded. “I understand.”

“And,” Xu Fenggu’s gaze swept over Xu Wangyou, who was scrubbing a pot by the stove, “that girl… pay extra attention to her. She’s simple-minded, but sometimes the simpler someone is, the easier they are to manipulate. If Zhou Wenyuan really gets desperate, he might try to target her.”

Lin Ruo’an’s heart tightened. Right, instead of attacking me directly, targeting a ‘child bride of unknown origin and strange behavior’ might be a more effective way to strike the Lin family.

“I’ll keep an eye on her.”

That night, after washing up, Lin Ruo’an returned to her room. The oil lamp was already lit, its dim yellow glow filling the small space. Xu Wangyou had already spread her bedding on the floor. Ever since that morning, when she realized she’d pushed Lin Ruo’an to the edge of the bed, she’d insisted on sleeping on the floor, refusing to get back on the bed no matter what Lin Ruo’an said.

Watching her expertly arrange the bedding, Lin Ruo’an felt a pang of unease. This girl is so stubborn sometimes. She sat on the edge of the bed and sighed deliberately. “The floor is really cold. What if you catch a chill? Zhao Siniang will have to brew medicine for you.”

Xu Wangyou paused, then looked up, her expression puzzled. “I won’t catch a chill. I’m healthy.” It was the truth. Her recovery rate was astonishing, and she rarely fell ill.

“Well… the floor is hard. Your back will ache.” Lin Ruo’an tried another reason.

Xu Wangyou thought for a moment before replying earnestly, “I think… I’ve slept on harder places before.” Her gaze drifted, as if she were trying to recall something, but she quickly shook her head. “I can’t remember. But this is already very good.”

The more she spoke, the more Lin Ruo’an felt that sweet, aching sensation intensify in her chest. Finally, she walked over to the bedroll, crouched down, and looked Xu Wangyou in the eye. “Wangyou, I mean… you can sleep on the bed. I don’t mind.”

Xu Wangyou met her gaze, holding it for a long moment before finally speaking. Her question instantly turned Lin Ruo’an to stone.

“Ruo’an, do you… like me? Is that why you want to sleep with me?”

Boom!

Lin Ruo’an felt a rush of heat surge to her head, her cheeks and ears burning hot enough to fry an egg. Her mouth hung open, but she couldn’t utter a single word. Her mind buzzed, the words “like” and “sleep together” flashing across her vision like a broken record.

Like?! Sleep together?! Th-th-th-this… Does this girl even know what she’s saying?!

Is that what I meant?! Ah?! Well… maybe… possibly… perhaps… just a little bit… but absolutely not THAT kind of “sleeping together”!

Help! Madam Xu! What kind of brutally honest, straight-shooting athlete did you pick up off the street?!

Xu Wangyou looked at Lin Ruo’an, confused by her stunned, frozen expression. After a moment’s thought, she tried to explain, “What I mean is, people who like each other can sleep together to look after one another. Did you let me sleep on the bed because you like me?”

Her question was so sincere and straightforward, devoid of any flirtatious undertones, that the flurry of scandalous thoughts in Lin Ruo’an’s mind vanished instantly.

So… that’s the kind of “like” and “sleeping together” she meant. Lin Ruo’an covered her burning face and let out a long, silent breath. You scared me to death… No, wait, what was I even hoping for?!

She steadied herself, trying to make her voice sound normal. “Yes… I do like you. But…” She attempted to steer the conversation back to safer ground. “The floor really isn’t a good idea. How about this, you sleep on the inside, and I’ll sleep on the outside? Is that okay?” She pointed to the bed.

Xu Wangyou glanced at the bedding on the floor, then back at the bed. Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”

And so, they shared the bed once more. This time, Xu Wangyou wasn’t as stiff as a board. She turned naturally, facing the wall and leaving Lin Ruo’an plenty of room, her breathing steady and calm.

Lin Ruo’an blew out the lamp and lay down in the darkness. The faint, crisp scent of Xu Wangyou lingered in the air, and the sound of her even breaths filled her ears.

My heart… it’s racing again.

Lin Ruo’an tentatively reached out, her fingertips brushing a stray lock of hair that had fallen onto the pillow. It was soft and slightly cool to the touch.

Xu Wangyou stirred.

Lin Ruo’an instantly held her breath, her fingers freezing in place.

But Xu Wangyou merely shifted unconsciously, nuzzling the pillow with a soft sigh. She didn’t wake.

Lin Ruo’an’s fingers gently curled around the strand of hair.

Outside the window, the moon shone brightly in a sparse sky.

Inside, their breaths intertwined, and a single lock of hair bound them together.

Perhaps the feelings they held were still unclear, even to themselves.

But some connections had already taken root, nourished by countless small moments and clumsy acts of care, quietly waiting to bloom.

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