Chapter 14: The "Irritable" Wife Loves to Dote on People (14)

There were plenty of people who entered the mountains and never came out; if something were to happen to Su Qiruo...

Lu Dasheng stole a glance at Yun Zimù, who was jogging by her side with reddened eyes and an anxious expression, and couldn't help but let out a sigh.

If such a delicate little husband were to become a widower, his future days would be difficult.

"Sister Lu, I'm troubling you all."

Perhaps because they were walking too hurriedly, Yun Zimù's voice sounded somewhat breathless.

Lu Dasheng inconspicuously slowed her pace, and Lu Ziping, who had been following behind them, slowed down as well.

"What kind of words are those, Brother-in-law? Sister Qiruo's business is our business. It's the right thing that you came to find us instead of heading into the mountains alone."

Although Lu Ziping couldn't quite stand this little vixen who couldn't carry a heavy load or lift a finger and possessed nothing but good looks, he still had to consider him more—after all, who told Sister Qiruo to like him!

"Brother-in-law, you don't need to worry too much. Sister Qiruo has a strong life. When she was little, she was gored by a wild boar and was unconscious for three days and three nights, yet she didn't die. Isn't she living perfectly fine now?"

Just as Lu Qimei finished speaking, Yun Zimù stumbled. Lu Dasheng turned back to glare at Lu Qimei unpleasantly, causing Lu Qimei to hurriedly shut her mouth in fright.

She wasn't wrong, though!

Wasn't she just trying to comfort Yun Zimù?

The further they walked, the more frightened Yun Zimù became. Even with the four of them carrying torches, they were stumbling along the path; if his wife went out alone and something unexpected happened, he wouldn't even be able to find anyone to help.

Thinking this, Yun Zimù's pace quickened again, scaring Lu Ziping behind him into repeatedly shouting for him to slow down.

"Brother-in-law, don't be anxious. The night is dark and the paths are steep. If you trip or bump yourself, Sister Qiruo might end up worrying herself sick!"

Hearing Lu Ziping's loud voice calling out to Yun Zimù, Su Qiruo's face lit up with joy.

"Zimù, is that you?"

Yun Zimù froze in his tracks and hurriedly pricked up his ears.

"Sister Lu, I... I think I heard Wife's voice."

Lu Dasheng waved her hand at the two behind her, and all four fell silent.

"Zimù, it's me. It's Su Qiruo."

Su Qiruo's voice came from ahead again, and joy appeared on all four faces.

Yun Zimù could no longer care about anything else and replied loudly, "Wife, you're back!"

Sensing the fear and grievance in his voice, Su Qiruo hurriedly broke into a jog.

She knew it; since she hadn't returned by this late hour, Yun Zimù must have been scared.

That child was too timid.

"Stay right there, don't move. Wait for me to come to you."

Su Qiruo shouted toward the figure ahead as she ran.

The night wind felt very refreshing against her skin. Yun Zimù stood there blankly, waiting for that dark shadow under the moonlight to rush toward him.

"It's so late, why did you run out?"

Su Qiruo felt a surge of emotion and wanted to go over and hug Yun Zimù, but she restrained herself.

It wasn't because she was embarrassed in front of so many people, but because she was carrying too many things in her hands and on her person.

"Wife..."

Yun Zimù only called out "Wife" once, offering no explanation.

Seeing that Su Qiruo was safe and sound, Lu Dasheng and the others felt their hearts settle.

"Why are you always thinking of brooding by yourself? In the future, if you go into the mountains, bring us along!"

Lu Dasheng stepped forward and patted Su Qiruo on the shoulder. Though her words were blunt, Su Qiruo understood her meaning.

"Thank you, sisters, for coming out. I have things to do tomorrow, so the day after, I'll be the host and invite everyone to my house for a meal. There will be meat—freshly caught wild chicken, plenty for everyone."

As she spoke, Su Qiruo even brandished her hand.

Beside her, Yun Zimù's body suddenly stiffened, a trace of fear flickering in his eyes.

Though the night was dark, Su Qiruo still sensed his thoughts and hurriedly added, "But let's agree on this beforehand: no one is allowed to drink. I can't stand the smell of alcohol right now; it makes me nauseous just smelling it."

"We all understand..."

Before the others could speak, Lu Qimei raised an eyebrow and spoke up.

Su Qiruo didn't bother to argue. She freed one hand to take Yun Zimù's, and only after feeling him relax did she slowly walk forward.

Yun Zimù stole a glance at the woman leading him forward; the fear in his eyes dissipated, replaced by a loose, drifting sense of happiness.

Since Su Qiruo was fine, the others went their separate ways home, leaving only Yun Zimù and her two.

Yun Zimù stared blankly at the hand she was holding. He was quite surprised that he didn't feel even the slightest impulse to shake her off.

In the past, let alone holding hands, even if Su Qiruo had merely brushed against the corner of his clothes, he would have felt repulsed for a long time.

Now, even though she was covered in the smell of sweat, he didn't find it unpleasant at all. What on earth was happening?

"Zimù, let me tie up this rabbit and chicken first. Go help me boil some hot water; I want to take a bath in a bit."

Su Qiruo released Yun Zimù's hand and spoke softly to him.

"Okay."

Yun Zimù nodded obediently and turned to head toward the kitchen.

The dinner he had prepared was still in the pot; since Su Qiruo hadn't returned, he hadn't eaten.

Su Qiruo trimmed the wings of the wild chicken and tied the rabbit's legs. Only then, by the light of the oil lamp, did she lay out the herbs she had gathered, her movements extremely gentle.

Looking at that old ginseng and the two lingzhi mushrooms, Su Qiruo couldn't help but chuckle softly.

With this pile of things, her capital to start from scratch was more than enough.

After eating, Su Qiruo prepared to bathe. Yun Zimù brought out a set of new clothes from somewhere and handed them to her.

"Did Zimù make this for me?"

Su Qiruo wasn't surprised at all by Yun Zimù's dexterity, but she felt a sense of joy—her little husband had actually thought of making her a new set of clothes.

"Mhm. Try them on first to see if they fit. If anything is wrong, I'll make adjustments."

Being stared at by Su Qiruo, Yun Zimù's ear tips turned red, and he hurriedly lowered his eyes, whispering softly.

"Thank you, Zimù."

Su Qiruo nodded with a smile and carried the hot water toward the back of the house.

After washing up and changing into the new clothes Yun Zimù had handmade, the already handsome Su Qiruo actually took on the air of a young lady from an official family.

Yun Zimù stared blankly for a moment before abruptly turning his head away, though his bright red ear tips betrayed his current inner thoughts.

Su Qiruo sat by the edge of the kang while wiping her hair. The dim light of the oil lamp wasn't very clear, but it was enough for her to see Yun Zimù's expression.

"Zimù, I want to go to Qingyu City tomorrow. I'm afraid I won't be back by evening. Is it alright if you stay home alone?"

As soon as Su Qiruo finished speaking, Yun Zimù's small face tightened.

"Why does Wife need to go to such a far place?"

Yun Zimù was clearly nervous when he asked this, his hands tightly clutching his sleeves, not daring to let go.

But he still wanted to ask—why exactly did she want to go to Qingyu City? Was there something she needed to buy that couldn't be found in Meihua Town?

Or was it... that she thought he was useless and wanted to sell him...

If he were sold to Qingyu City, would he fetch more silver?

(End of Chapter)