The morning began as most did in their little household. Shen Li rose before dawn, the crisp air still holding onto the night's chill as he strapped on his bow and quiver. Xu Ming, half asleep, blinked after him when the door creaked open. Shen Li glanced back once, a faint smile tugging at his lips before he vanished into the forest.
Xu Ming rolled back onto the warm bedding, but his mind was already spinning with plans. Yesterday, he had sold the first batch of soap in the market and earned a decent sum. More than he expected. The villagers, though suspicious at first, couldn't help but be won over by the fragrant bars that made their rough hands softer after washing.
Now he was determined to make more.
By midmorning, he had prepared lunch—steamed buns, a pot of millet porridge, and some pickled vegetables. After setting it aside, he turned his focus to soap-making. The courtyard filled with the scent of boiling herbs, oil, and the sharp bite of lye. He stirred carefully, sweat beading his brow as the mixture thickened in the wooden tub.
Just as he was pouring the mixture into the molds, a sharp, shrill voice cut through the courtyard gate.
"Zi Yu! Zi Yu! Are you at home?!"
Xu Ming's hand stilled on the ladle. His lips curled into a scoff. He would recognize that voice anywhere—his so-called mother, Madam Wang.
The wooden gate banged open without invitation. Madam Wang, dressed in her best faded silk jacket, bustled in as if she owned the place. Trailing behind her was Fenghua, his stepsister, who carried herself like a delicate lotus. She clutched her handkerchief and lowered her lashes as if she were some pitiful young lady from a wealthy family rather than the daughter of a greedy household.
"Oh, Zi Yu," Madam Wang exclaimed, her voice dripping with false pity. "We heard you've been earning money now. We came to see you, worried that you weren't remembering your family."
Xu Ming arched an eyebrow, utterly unamused. His voice was calm but edged with ice."I owe you nothing. My mother died years ago. You are not her. And as for family… what kind of family treats me as nothing but a burden until I become useful?"
Madam Wang stiffened but quickly plastered on a smile. "Ay, what nonsense! I raised you all these years, fed you, clothed you. Now that you're making a little money, shouldn't you repay me? At least give something back for your younger siblings."
Before Xu Ming could reply, Fenghua stepped forward. She smoothed her hair delicately behind her ear, her face arranged into a sorrowful pout."Zi Yu ge, how could you be so cruel? You're earning silver, yet you won't help us? Didn't mother care for you all these years? Don't you remember those nights when she stayed awake just to—"
Xu Ming let out a laugh, sharp and cold. "Stayed awake to scold me? Or to take food from my bowl for you? Spare me your act, Fenghua. You married into another family. Shouldn't you be relying on your husband now instead of sniffing around here for money?"
The sound of murmurs reached his ears. Xu Ming's gaze flicked toward the street beyond the courtyard—several villagers had gathered, drawn by Madam Wang's loud voice. They whispered to one another, pointing at him and shaking their heads.
Madam Wang noticed too, and her voice rose, tears trembling in her eyes as she clutched her chest."Ungrateful child! I should never have raised you! Look at how heartless you are, refusing to care for your own mother and sister! Is this what a filial son looks like?"
The murmurs grew louder. Xu Ming clenched his fists, prepared to strike back with words sharper than any knife, when—
"Who is disturbing my wife?"
The voice was low, cold, and carried effortlessly across the courtyard.
Every head turned.
At the gate stood Shen Li, broad-shouldered, his tall frame casting a long shadow across the ground. His hunting bow rested casually in one hand, and over his shoulder hung a massive deer, its antlers gleaming in the sunlight. At his side dangled two fat rabbits, blood still fresh on their fur.
The murmurs turned into gasps.
Xu Ming's heart gave a sharp, unexpected flutter.
Shen Li stepped into the courtyard, his eyes like frozen steel as they swept over Madam Wang and Fenghua. "What are you doing here?"
For a moment, Madam Wang faltered. Then, quick as ever, her face shifted into a bright, ingratiating smile."Ah, son-in-law! You've returned. Such a big catch today, ay, your skills are unmatched!"
Fenghua, emboldened, stepped forward with a delicate sway of her hips. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and lowered her lashes coyly."Brother Li… we didn't mean to intrude. We only came because Zi Yu ge refused to give us our allowance. Surely you wouldn't want to see us starve? I knew you would understand." Her voice dripped with honey, her eyes filled with feigned innocence.
Xu Ming nearly choked. Allowance? When had he ever agreed to such a thing?
But before he could snap back, Shen Li's gaze turned to Fenghua. It was a gaze so sharp that she flinched, the smile faltering on her lips.
"Allowance?" Shen Li's voice was like ice. "I owe you nothing. Zi Yu owes you nothing. Leave."
Madam Wang's eyes darted to the deer slung across his shoulders. Greed shone in her gaze as her voice turned wheedling."Ah, son-in-law, such fine prey. Surely you could spare a bit of meat for your family-in-law? Zi Yu grew up with us, after all—"
"Family?" Shen Li cut her off. He dropped the deer with a heavy thud onto the courtyard ground, the sound echoing like a warning drum. The rabbits followed, blood smearing the dust. Shen Li straightened, towering over them."My wife has no family but me. Take your schemes elsewhere. Leave now before I lose my patience."
The villagers watching from outside gasped, covering their mouths as the truth settled among them.
Madam Wang's face burned red, but she forced a laugh. "You… you misunderstand. We were only—"
Shen Li's eyes narrowed."Out."
The finality of the word was like a slammed door.
Fenghua's face twisted with humiliation and envy. Her eyes lingered on the deer, on Shen Li's strong frame, and then flicked to Xu Ming, who stood by the soap molds, lips curved in a faint, mocking smile. Bitterness coiled in her chest like a snake. If only she had married him instead… but now it was too late.
The villagers began whispering again, this time pointing at Madam Wang and Fenghua. Their fingers were not aimed at Xu Ming anymore.
Madam Wang, realizing the tide had turned, grabbed Fenghua's arm and yanked her toward the gate. "Let's go," she hissed, though her eyes still lingered greedily on the venison.
Fenghua cast one last, unwilling look at Shen Li before storming off.
Xu Ming watched them retreat, his lips curling into a cold sneer. He stepped forward and pushed the wooden gate shut with a firm slam, cutting off the stares of the villagers outside. Dusting his hands, he turned back to the courtyard.
His eyes met Shen Li's. For a long moment, they simply looked at one another. Xu Ming's chest felt strangely warm, his lips tugging into a smile despite himself."…Thank you," he murmured, voice softer than he intended. "For standing up for me."
Shen Li's expression softened, though his tone remained steady."It's my duty. You are my wife."
Xu Ming's face heated instantly. He ducked his head, pretending to busy himself with the soap mixture again. The tips of his ears burned crimson.
Shen Li watched him for a moment, the corners of his lips twitching upward. Then he bent to gather the deer and rabbits once more."I'll take these to the market to sell. Do you need anything?"
Xu Ming, still flustered, kept his gaze on the bubbling mixture. "Buy some meat. Something fresh. And… maybe a little wine, if you can."
Shen Li chuckled low in his throat, a sound that made Xu Ming's heart trip."Alright."
As the hunter left with his catch, Xu Ming allowed himself a small, secret smile. For the first time since his transmigration, he felt not just safe—but cherished.
And though he would never admit it out loud, hearing Shen Li call him my wife stirred something deep inside him he could not ignore.