Transmigrated as the Husband of a Vicious Villainess - Chapter 20

Wen Miao had heard the commotion the moment Ji Baiqing entered the room. She was a light sleeper and woke easily, but she chose to stay still just to see what Ji Baiqing intended to do.

The intimate gesture of checking her temperature with the back of a hand had startled her nonetheless. Her heart raced uncontrollably as she thought: Facing that Wenwen, Ji Baiqing is probably just as considerate.

Perhaps even more so. After all, her relationship with Li Wenwen seemed much better than with herself.

She shouldn’t care about this; Ji Baiqing wasn’t anyone special to her. They were just ordinary friends.

Hearing Ji Baiqing’s voice, Wen Miao stopped pretending to sleep and opened her eyes. As their gazes met, Ji Baiqing was the first to look away, avoiding those amber eyes that were as clear as crystal.

She blurted out a hurried “Hurry up and get ready” before fleeing the room as if escaping.

During the day, He Xiangyue hadn’t noticed anything, but by dinner time, observing the strange atmosphere between Ji Baiqing and Wen Miao, she finally sensed something was wrong.

Were these two having a fight?

After dinner, Wen Miao took the initiative to clear the table. He Xiangyue didn’t have time to stop her, so she pulled Ji Baiqing aside and asked in a low voice:

“Did you and Youth Wen have a falling out?”

Ji Baiqing looked at her mother’s worried expression and felt a bit helpless. Not wanting her to get involved in the drama with Wen Miao, she shook her head.

“Mom, no. You’re overthinking things.”

Usually, these two were so clingy during meals that Ji Baiqing wouldn’t stop putting food in Wen Miao’s bowl, terrified the girl might starve. Today, they had eaten in total silence. He Xiangyue would have to be a fool to believe Ji Baiqing’s perfunctory denial.

However, seeing that her daughter didn’t want to talk about it, He Xiangyue didn’t push. She patted Ji Baiqing on the shoulder. This girl had inherited her father’s height and was now a full head taller than her mother. The little daughter who used to follow her around shouting “Mom” had truly grown up.

“I know you two must have your own reasons, but even though Wen Miao is a few years older than you, she lost her mother so young and is all alone in our village. If we don’t look out for her, it’s just not right. Be good, okay? Don’t be stubborn. Think of how hurt Miao Miao must feel inside.”

Ji Baiqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She never expected that if they fought, He Xiangyue would take Wen Miao’s side. Still, hearing this made her happy for Wen Miao, it meant there were more people in this world willing to care for her.

“Mom, don’t worry. With you here, how would I dare bully her? We’re just having a little tiff. It’ll be fine in a few days.”

After washing up, Ji Baiqing and Wen Miao lay in bed together. In the quiet room, Ji Baiqing stared at Wen Miao’s back, wondering: Will we really be okay in a few days?

She hadn’t actually felt confident when she said that; it was mostly to comfort her mother. She had to wake up early tomorrow for the food station, yet she was tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Ji Baiqing didn’t want to let problems fester overnight, but Wen Miao was being completely uncooperative. Turning over once more to face away from Wen Miao, Ji Baiqing whispered:

“Um, Wen Miao, are you asleep?”

“What is actually wrong? Can you just tell me, please?”

Her words received no response, but she could feel the shift in the breathing of the person behind her. Ji Baiqing squeezed her eyes shut, resolving not to reach out again.

Bad woman!

After Ji Baiqing finally fell asleep, Wen Miao turned over to look at her back. She gently grasped a small lock of the other girl’s hair and slowly closed her eyes.

The next morning, Ji Baiqing woke early. As she moved her body slightly, she felt a tug on her scalp. Looking closer, she realized that at some point during the night, they had ended up huddled together again. Wen Miao was clutching her hair, no wonder she dreamt she was being tied up.

She gently pried Wen Miao’s fingers open to release her hair, looking at the woman’s innocent, pure sleeping face with a touch of annoyance.

If only you were this well-behaved when you were awake!

She randomly grabbed an old set of clothes from the wardrobe, changed, and tidied up. He Xiangyue, knowing she was leaving early, had also gotten up to make breakfast. They hadn’t finished last night’s food; the raw pig ears and offal had been hung in the well to keep cool. After reheating those and boiling some sweet potatoes, breakfast was ready.

Checking the time, Ji Baiqing hopped on the bicycle and hurried toward town. Riding a bike required some strength, but strength was the one thing she had plenty of. Plus, it was much faster than the ox cart.

The food station hadn’t opened yet; they were still doing prep work. Ji Baiqing bought a steamed bun for the old man at the gate and was eventually let in. She walked to the Director’s office the butcher had pointed out yesterday and knocked. A dignified, low female voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

The door pushed open easily. Ji Baiqing walked in and saw a thin, middle-aged woman with glasses sitting at the desk. She immediately flashed a smile and introduced herself.

“Director, hello. I’m Ji Baiqing from Yunshui Village. I heard from the butcher yesterday that the food station is hiring. I’d like to try out.”

The Director stood up and gave her a polite handshake. “Hello, Comrade Ji. I am Xia Hanmei.” She sized Ji Baiqing up, thin, tall, clean, and sharp. For a moment, she doubted her own ears. “We aren’t hiring sales clerks right now. Did you mishear, Comrade Ji?”

Ji Baiqing shook her head. “I want to try out for the slaughtering job.”

Director Xia burst into laughter, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes becoming prominent. “I underestimated you. Since you want to try, it just so happens we have a pig to slaughter shortly.”

It was a stroke of luck for Ji Baiqing. Usually, they only sold pork two or three days a week. They had just sold some yesterday, but the pig farm had delivered another one today.

“Follow me.”

The Director was quite easy to talk to, Ji Baiqing thought as she followed her to the warehouse. Entering the small storehouse, she was met with the distinct smell of livestock and blood. Director Xia pointed to a pig on a cart that looked to be about two or three hundred catties. “This is the one for today.”

Ji Baiqing looked at the ropes and knives lying around and began forming a plan in her head. Right then, a hearty voice came from the door. “Director Xia, I’m here!”

Ji Baiqing turned and saw the butcher from yesterday. The woman was surprised to see her and immediately understood why she had been asking questions. She patted Ji Baiqing on the shoulder, her pregnant belly protruding. “Yo, Comrade! I didn’t realize you were the one after this spot.”

Ji Baiqing smiled. “Women hold up half the sky, right?”

The butcher nodded. “True. My name is Wang Baozhu. You can just call me Sister Baozhu.”

She then asked a man who was as thin as a bamboo pole and holding a basin, “周刚 (Zhou Gang), is the water hot yet?”

Zhou Gang nodded and set out a specially made bench. It was wide, thick, and looked incredibly sturdy.

“Follow me,” Sister Baozhu said to Ji Baiqing. “Let’s see what you’re capable of.”

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