Becoming the Cannon Fodder Wife of Crazy and Powerful Official - Chapter 39

This was the first time Xin Yueying had looked at Shen Qingqi so closely.

His eyes seemed to hold stars, sparkling brightly, and a rather rakish smile lingered at the corners of his thin lips. He half-lowered his eyelids, his thick lashes striking her as stunning.

He tilted his head slightly, carrying a natural air of mischief.

As she gazed at him, she suddenly realized something and frowned, asking him, “And then? Are you going to say next that I’m short, so no matter how pretty I am, it’s useless?”

She had already figured out Shen Qingqi’s way of talking, so she didn’t get her hopes up too soon.

But Shen Qingqi shook his head, even retracting his smile.

He studied Xin Yueying carefully, his gaze intense, “What’s wrong with being petite and delicate? Light and ethereal like a little fairy. She’s jealous of you, that’s why she laughs at your height.”

Xin Yueying shrunk her neck back, embarrassed, and rubbed her little feet together. She lowered her head, her face flushed, and said, “It’s alright, actually I’ve even gained some weight recently.”

Shen Qingqi smiled lightly, like a wisp of cloud. His long fingers lightly pinched together and flicked Xin Yueying’s cheek, “I can tell. You’ve gained at least five jin.”

After saying this, he even laughed out loud, turned around with an air of nonchalance, and went back to reading his book.

“…”

Xin Yueying fell asleep that night cursing Shen Qingqi in her heart.

She didn’t wake up until noon the next day, and not naturally either. She was woken by Lame Ma’s booming voice.

Finally having vented the pent-up frustration that had accumulated in his heart for so long, Lame Ma stood in the yard in high spirits, his voice full of vigour as he spoke.

His medicine chest slung over his shoulder, he cheerfully shouted to Huo Qi, “Three people came to see me this morning! That’s why I was delayed. Then another one came later, but I saw his problem wasn’t serious, so I told him to go home and wait! From now on, I’ll prioritize coming here first for medical visits!”

Huo Qi was laying bricks and turned back to give Lame Ma an awkward smile, thinking to himself, “Is this old man crazy? Why is he shouting so loud? I’m not deaf.”

Lame Ma walked behind Xie Asheng and asked him with a laugh, “Oh! This brother is awake! Last time I saw you, you were still unconscious! Haha! Recovering very well! Youth is wonderful! So full of vitality!”

Xie Asheng looked at Huo Qi, puzzled.

Lame Ma went up to Shen Qingqi and asked him cheerfully, “Where’s your wife?”

Shen Qingqi didn’t even bother to look at him. “Sleeping.”

Unfazed by everyone’s exasperated looks, Lame Ma went straight to the window, slammed it open with a “bang,” and boomed in a loud voice, “Lazy girl! The sun is burning your backside! Get! Out! Of! Bed!”

Xin Yueying was jolted awake and stared dumbly at Lame Ma outside the window.

It seemed there really wasn’t a single sane person around here.

Xin Yueying, half-dead, closed the window, changed her clothes, washed up, and then heard the sound of a wheelchair outside the curtain. Shen Qingqi lifted the curtain and came in, bringing her breakfast to the small table.

With her hair sticking up like a bird’s nest, she finished breakfast and sat down at the dressing table. Shen Qingqi, as usual, began to comb her hair.

Lame Ma lifted the curtain and entered, “Well, well! Your husband actually does your hair for you himself! What good fortune you have!”

Shen Qingqi, who was gathering Xin Yueying’s hair, paused abruptly and shot a cold glance at Lame Ma’s reflection in the mirror.

Lame Ma, completely oblivious to Shen Qingqi’s dagger-like look, put his medicine chest on the kang and sat down, chattering happily to himself, “Ah, you young couples are so loving. Dressing each other’s hair, painting eyebrows… Ah! Youth is wonderful!”

Xin Yueying and Shen Qingqi simultaneously looked coldly at Lame Ma’s reflection in the mirror.

Seeing the empty bowl on the table, Lame Ma stood up and collected it, “I’ll wash the bowls for you! Call me when you’re done!”

He went out cheerfully.

Xin Yueying looked awkwardly at Shen Qingqi in the mirror, “He’s always been this crazy. You’ll get used to it.”

Shen Qingqi didn’t say anything and continued focusing on combing Xin Yueying’s hair.

Before long, he finished putting up Xin Yueying’s hair, and she went out, “Lame Ma, come here for the consultation.”

“Coming!” Lame Ma put the little piglet down on the ground and went back into the room.

Xin Yueying went to the kitchen and saw that most of the vegetables and meat were nearly finished. She decided that after escorting Lame Ma down the mountain later, she would go to the market to buy some more meat and vegetables.

She went into the room, opened the cabinet to get her purse, and noticed that Shen Qingqi hadn’t worn any of the new clothes she had bought for him.

She turned to look at Shen Qingqi, who was half-lying on the kang, and asked, “Why haven’t you worn the clothes I bought you? Don’t you like them?”

“Who would I be wearing them for?” He frowned impatiently. “Stop wasting money on useless things in the future.”

Lame Ma was bent over applying herbal medicine to Shen Qingqi. He turned his head and grinned at Xin Yueying, “What he means is, he wants you to buy more for yourself.”

Xin Yueying instinctively looked at Shen Qingqi.

She saw a flicker of awkwardness cross his face. He looked coldly at Lame Ma and said, “You are really very noisy.”

Lame Ma chuckled heartily, then turned back to Xin Yueying, “See? I was right, wasn’t I? Men, after all, understand men best.”

Xin Yueying also thought Lame Ma talked too much. Feeling a bit shy, she lifted the curtain and went out.

After a while, the sound of packing the medicine chest came from inside. Lame Ma instructed, “Don’t remove this medicine, and keep it dry. I’ll come to change the dressing tomorrow. You must remember: avoid cold, avoid knocks or bumps. Be very careful with it.”

Shen Qingqi showed no reaction.

Xin Yueying lifted the curtain and came in to respond, “Alright. Anything else? Any dietary restrictions? Can he eat beef or mutton?”

“Best to avoid ‘triggering’ foods, and eat less spicy stuff. You must be extra careful while the medicine is applied.” Lame Ma walked to the washstand to clean his hands.

“Okay.” Xin Yueying noted it down carefully. “I’ll see you down the mountain in a bit. I need to go to the market anyway.”

Lame Ma looked at Xin Yueying, “Coincidentally, it’s the 15th today. I heard there’s a festival at the Sunü Temple, should be quite lively. You could go take a look, burn some incense or something…”

“You are not allowed to go.” Shen Qingqi, sitting on the edge of the kang, fixed his gaze on Xin Yueying.

“Why? Can’t I go have some fun?” Xin Yueying looked at him with a smile. “I’ll be back quickly, it won’t delay making lunch.”

“No!” His face suddenly darkened.

“Why?” Xin Yueying tilted her head, looking at him puzzled.

“No reason.” He stared intently at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Lame Ma sensed the tense atmosphere in the room and wisely slipped out.

Lame Ma had already left, but Shen Qingqi still showed no intention of explaining himself to her.

Xin Yueying, “Why exactly can’t I go? Are you worried I’ll meet someone there? Or is there some other reason? You have to give me a reason.”

Shen Qingqi’s gaze was heavy, even carrying a chill, “I forbid you to go. That is the reason.”

He had shown no consideration for her face in front of others earlier, and now, even with Lame Ma gone, he still wouldn’t utter a word of explanation.

Xin Yueying frowned, “I’m going anyway!” She turned on her heel and walked out of the room.

Shen Qingqi instinctively tried to stand up and grab her wrist. Only when he lost his balance did he remember that he was already a cripple. He fell heavily to the ground. Hearing the noise, Xin Yueying spun around, horrified. She rushed over and tried to help him up.

“What happened? Are you hurt? Did you hit anything?”

But Shen Qingqi gripped her hand tightly, as if she might disappear the next moment. His hands were icy cold, even trembling:

“You are not allowed to go!”

His voice was hoarse and unsteady. His sharp chin was bruised red from the impact. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions, and his hand clutched Xin Yueying’s desperately.