Transmigrated as the Husband of a Vicious Villainess - Chapter 18

The distance between the food station and the supply and marketing cooperative wasn’t too far. After riding for a while, Ji Baiqing completely mastered the skill and soon arrived at the food station.

Pushing the shiny bicycle inside, she felt a twinge of heartache watching the tires roll through the dirty water on the ground. However, once she saw the slabs of pork laid out on the butcher’s counter, her eyes immediately lit up.

The two began to queue, discussing what they should buy. As they talked, Ji Baiqing noticed the meat on the counter dwindling. Finally, she gave up on the plan. “Let’s just see what’s left when we get there.”

They should have bought the meat before eating breakfast, but neither of them had remembered; they had browsed the entire cooperative before it crossed their minds.

By the time it was their turn, only a few large bones, a pig’s head, and some offal remained on the cutting board. The price for the pig’s head and offal was a few cents cheaper than pork, both at ninety cents per catty, while the bones were eleven cents. Ji Baiqing asked for a set of pig ears, half of the offal, and all of the bones.

The butcher was a stout woman with a high, protruding belly; she looked to be in the late stages of pregnancy. Ji Baiqing spoke up and asked, “Comrade, how many months along are you?”

The butcher gave a hearty laugh. “Six months, but it’s twins!”

Perhaps seeing that she and Wen Miao were two beautiful and kind-looking women, and seeing a trace of worry on Ji Baiqing’s face, she added a bit more: “I want to go home to nurse the pregnancy, but unfortunately, those above haven’t found a suitable person to take over my job.”

Hearing this, Ji Baiqing’s heart stirred. she asked further, “Then Comrade, is the salary low? Otherwise, why would it be so hard to find someone?”

The butcher nimbly weighed and portioned the meat. “You can definitely make money in this trade, but not many people have the skill to slaughter a pig!”

“Here, take this. This is twelve yuan worth, and twelve catties of meat coupons!”

Wen Miao handed her the money and tugged at Ji Baiqing’s sleeve, signaling her to leave.

They bought a basket of eggs as well. By the time they reached the entrance of the food station, Wen Miao saw that Ji Baiqing was still deep in thought. She asked, “What’s wrong? You’re not actually thinking about slaughtering pigs, are you?”

She asked it casually. Although she knew Ji Baiqing was strong, it seemed too bloody for a woman to slaughter pigs; usually, it took several men working together.

Unexpectedly, Ji Baiqing seemed to gain a new burst of energy. She looked up and said decisively, “I want that job!”

“Hey…” Before Wen Miao could say anything, Ji Baiqing turned around and ran back toward the meat counter. Wen Miao had no choice but to push the bike and follow behind her.

Ji Baiqing ran to the counter, but the meat was already sold out. She checked her watch; it was only ten o’clock. The butcher was wiping her knife and cleaning up the mess on the table. Ji Baiqing naturally helped her wipe down the cutting board and asked, “Comrade, who should I talk to if I want this job?”

The butcher didn’t think much of it. “If you have a relative who wants to come, you can go see the Director of the Food Station.” She pointed in a direction. “The Director is usually in that office over there.”

Ji Baiqing thanked her, “Thank you, Comrade!”

On the way to the exit, she met up with Wen Miao and took over the bike. Wen Miao walked beside her and asked in a low voice, “Are you really going to slaughter pigs?”

Ji Baiqing could guess her concern and began listing the benefits on her fingers. “Yeah, isn’t this job great? I can earn money, and maybe I can even eat meat every day without coupons.” She looked at Wen Miao’s cheeks, her voice dropping. “I feel like you’ve gotten thinner.”

Ji Baiqing had wanted to fatten Wen Miao up, but instead, the girl was getting thinner by her side, her chin becoming quite pointed. This wouldn’t do! Furthermore, the daily meals were all vegetarian; she could tell Wen Miao was craving meat, but she was too well-behaved to say it out loud.

Although she had meat coupons, they would eventually run out. She couldn’t just live off her savings. Moreover, she wanted to use her own abilities to improve the family’s life so He Xiangyue and the others could live better.

Wen Miao subconsciously touched her face and argued, “Not really, it’s fine.” But under Ji Baiqing’s pitying gaze, her voice grew smaller. Finally, she said, “Well, it’s a good thing I bought the bicycle; it’ll be convenient for you to come to town then.”

Ji Baiqing smiled at Wen Miao. “That’s right, Wen Miao is my lucky star.”

Wen Miao wasn’t used to such scenes and asked a rather mood-killing question: “Do you even know how to slaughter a pig? What if they don’t want you?”

Ji Baiqing: “Actually… I have some experience. Do you believe me?”

Seeing the woman’s questioning look, Ji Baiqing made a joke. “Last year when my father was sick, I went to slaughter a pig for him and ended up being kicked by the pig.”

Wen Miao froze. “Then you definitely shouldn’t go.”

Ji Baiqing stifled a laugh. “I’m teasing you, silly.”

“I really did take my father’s place last year, but I was the one doing all the work. That pig was fierce, but I’m strong—one swift strike and the pig was gone.”

Wen Miao realized she had been fooled again and pinched her. “You’re so annoying.” Her tone was sweet, almost like she was acting spoiled.

Ji Baiqing’s heart felt soft. She pushed the bike to the side of the road. “Get on, let’s go get our things.”

Before picking up their items from the cooperative, they went to the post office. After giving their names, the staff first handed Wen Miao a large package—a tightly tied cloth bag that felt quite heavy.

Wen Miao sent off the letters she and Ji Baiqing had written. Additionally, He Xiangyue and the others had put together a bag full of mountain goods—red dates, dried mushrooms, and dried bamboo shoots—to be sent to Beijing as well.

By the time everything was sorted, it was nearly twelve o’clock, so they simply went to the State-Owned Restaurant for lunch. Today’s special braised pork was delicious, with a perfect balance of fat and lean. Ji Baiqing rented a lunch box to pack some for He Xiangyue and the others to taste.

They had bought so much that the bicycle couldn’t carry it all. In the end, Ji Baiqing hired someone in town for twenty cents to follow them and help deliver the goods.

Today was a rest day for Yunshui Village. Under the large banyan tree at the village entrance, old men and women were sitting and sunning themselves, along with some aunts and uncles. When they saw Ji Baiqing and Youth Wen returning on a bicycle, they were momentarily stunned.

“My goodness, is that girl Qing-er buying a bicycle?”

“It must be Youth Wen who bought it. Isn’t Qing-er close with her?”

“Goodness, if I’d known, I would have had my daughter stick to that youth too!” A man with a scruffy beard puffed on his leaf tobacco, his tone full of regret.

“Aunts, uncles, elders, hello!” Ji Baiqing greeted them and sped off under their watchful eyes. An ox cart followed leisurely behind them, leaving only a pile of manure on the ground.

Hearing the commotion outside, He Xiangyue came out of the main hall. Her eyes widened when she saw the things placed in the yard. She slapped Ji Baiqing, “You spendthrift girl, why did you buy so many things!”

Then she noticed that even her daughter’s clothes were brand new. Ji Baiqing knew she would be misunderstood, but she didn’t explain much, only saying, “It’s rare to go out, so I bought everything we need.”

He Xiangyue crouched down to look through the items; indeed, most were necessities. However, looking at the clothes, fabric, bicycle, and the large piece of meat, she asked suspiciously, “Where did you get so many coupons?”

Wen Miao, standing to the side, felt somewhat guilty for some reason and explained, “Auntie, actually, I bought these. I have both the money and the coupons.”

He Xiangyue looked at the beautiful girl, wanting to say something but hesitating. Finally, she advised, “Miao Miao, money doesn’t last if you don’t use it wisely; you have to save a bit.”

Wen Miao nodded like a chick pecking at grain. Seeing the woman being humbled by her mother, Ji Baiqing found it amusing. This person had completely different faces for her and her mother.

After giving the delivery person twenty cents, Ji Baiqing let them go. Only then did He Xiangyue notice the big black machine. Her eyes widened. “A bicycle!”

Ji Baiqing spoke before her mother could. “Mom, I have good news for you.”

He Xiangyue: “What?”

“The food station in town is hiring a pig slaughterer. I can do it. After Wen Miao found out, she specifically took me to buy a bicycle so it would be convenient to go back and forth.”

Hearing this, He Xiangyue couldn’t stop smiling. “Really? Then you work hard for me!” She looked at Wen Miao, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Miao Miao, you really are a good child. How much was this bicycle? Auntie will pay you back!”

Wen Miao glanced at Ji Baiqing. “Auntie, no need. I’ll be using the bike when I go to town later anyway.”

Ji Baiqing chimed in, “Yeah, Mom. Although we spent a lot, we’re also saving money. If I take the ox cart, it’s two cents a trip. Over a year or two, that adds up to more. A bicycle is different; it can last ten or twenty years. One bike can be passed down through generations—the person might go, but the bike stays!”

After her nonsense, she patted the back seat. “Mom, get on. I’ll take you for a spin around the village so everyone knows the Ji family has a car.”

After saying this, she glanced at Wen Miao. Seeing she didn’t mind, Ji Baiqing immediately felt justified. She and Wen Miao were best friends; what was Wen Miao’s was hers!

He Xiangyue was indeed moved by those words. She pretended to be reserved for a moment before finally getting on the back seat. She really wanted to spite those gossips in the village who said she was useless for only giving birth to a daughter!

Watching the mother and daughter ride out on the bike, Wen Miao gathered the things she bought and put them in her room, while the rest were moved into the main hall. After returning to her room, she looked at the tightly wrapped large package, wondering what was inside. But she wanted to wait for Ji Baiqing to come back so they could unwrap it together.

Without realizing it, the first person she thought of was always Ji Baiqing. She patted her cheeks to cool them down.

Suddenly, she heard a sound in the yard. Thinking it was Ji Baiqing and her mother returning, Wen Miao stepped out of the room, only to see a somewhat unfamiliar girl.

Li Wenwen entered the yard and felt it was strange to see Wen Miao there. Who is this? I’ve never seen her before, and she’s so beautiful.

Wen Miao asked the same question: “Who are you?”

Li Wenwen smiled and introduced herself, “Hello, I’m Li Wenwen, the village chief’s daughter. I’ve been attending high school in town recently and just went on break today.”

“I’m Baiqing’s best friend. Is she not home?”

Best friend…

Wen Miao chewed on the word in her mind, her heart aching inexplicably. The words Ji Baiqing said this morning were still ringing in her ears. She said she would only be friends with her.

Then who was this person in front of her? In a place Wen Miao didn’t know about, Ji Baiqing had other best friends.

Seeing that the great beauty didn’t speak, Li Wenwen was a bit confused. Just as she was about to repeat herself, the beauty suddenly darted into Ji Baiqing’s room.

With a bang, the door was slammed shut.

Li Wenwen was bewildered. What’s going on?

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