[Translator/Editor: otwentyfirst]
[Host: justreads.net]
[September 5th, 2018]
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She remembered how in her previous life she would often ridicule his cheap mouth. Back then she only saw him as a conniving schemer who somehow managed to steal the jade from her, forcing his way into the position of her main husband. However after everything that had happened, after everything she’d learned, the current her was finally willing to recognize his sincerity.
What she didn’t understand was why. She really was just an idle loafer who took advantage of her position as a rich Young Miss to party and have a good time. Was it possible that Xie Chuchen liked her just because?
She stared at him and asked, “Have we met before?” It was a question she had been wondering about since her rebirth.
“Yes! Of course!” He slammed his cup down and hiccuped. He resentfully put both his hands on his hips and looked at Xiao Wan with a ferocious glare. “We’ve met several times. Three years ago you… you…”
Xiao Wan grimaced and immediately felt guilty. Three years ago she was quite a licentious player taking advantage of any pretty young thing she came across. Had she taken advantage of Xie Chuchen? Was this a karmic debt?
She shook her head. No… that couldn’t be. If it was three years ago then his reputation as a headstrong and unruly Young Master of the Xie House was well known. She wouldn’t have touched him with a ten foot pole.
“Did I make some kind of deal with you three years ago? Did I give you that jade pendant? Or did I save you and demand you give your heart to me?” Xiao Wan had used all kinds of tricks when pursuing her interests. Sometimes she even hired hooligans to create trouble just so she could swoop in and “save” the beauty.
At the mention of the jade pendant Xie Chuchen knitted his brows in distress and bit his lips before saying in a low voice, “I picked it up…” After saying that one sentence his body became soft and he collapsed against Xiao Wan.
“It’s hot…” he gasped while looking at Xiao Wan with his dewey eyes. For some reason he found her clothing really interesting and began picking at the fabric. His throat felt dry and parched and he was a little uncomfortable.
Seeing this Xiao Wan didn’t push him away but let him lean into her. Soon Xie Chuchen became even more demanding and wrapped his arms around her slim waist before yelling out, “Ah! Dear wife. I’m so happy! I finally got to marry you. It’s like a dream. A dream!”
He took an arm away from her waist and reached up to her face, cautiously touching the dream in front of him. He thought it was a dream, but it felt so real that he wasn’t sure. After touching her some more he became a little confused. Wow this dream sure feels solid! It’s even hot to the touch! Xie Chuchen licked his dry lips and softly spoke the words in his heart. “Dear wife… hug me?”
He thought about the scene earlier by the gate and the way Xiao Wan held Ji Shumo in her arms. The thought left a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach and he suddenly didn’t feel so great. He imagined Xiao Wan holding him in the same way. This husband also wants to be hugged like that! He looked up at Xiao Wan with a happy expectant look on his face.
Xiao Wan decided not to nitpick and tease Xie Chuchen about his behavior. Although she nursed a lot of grievances in her heart since her rebirth she she couldn’t help but be touched by his honesty.
However she didn’t want to give him false hope and she certainly didn’t want to bring him misfortune. She knew it was better to nip his feelings in the bud and hurt him now instead of prolonging the inevitable and hurting him later. Despite knowing this she ended up giving into his request and wrapping him up in a hug anyway. Turns out I’m weak to this kind of earnest imploring look. The bad mood she was in slowly dissipated and feelings of tenderness towards Xie Chuchen began to take its place.
Xie Chuchen gazed at Xiao Wan’s face, entranced by her lips. The wine left a dewiness to them and the rosy color made them look incredibly soft. In a trance he slowly inched forward towards them. His breath blew gently across her face.
Xiao Wan watched as his face gradually got closer, her heart beating a bit faster than before.
Who knew this drunk would use his hands to hold the sides of her face and bite her lip! Dissatisfied he muttered, “Blech too bitter. No good!”
Xiao Wan froze. Xie Chuchen didn’t pay her any mind and leaned into her even more. He sucked in a deep breath and nuzzled his head against her chest. Soon his breathing deepened into an even rhythm as he fell asleep.
Xiao Wan was at a loss as to what to do with the warm and softly snoring unconscious person in her embrace. It was the first time her determination wavered since she’d been reborn. She felt a moment of helplessness and unexpectedly had the urge to get closer to him. How could a player like her be overwhelmed like this? How could she possibly be swayed by such an inexperienced greenhorn like him? Clenching her teeth she decided on her next course of action. Although cruel, it would be for the best.
The morning summer light spilled through the lattice windows and filled the room with a golden haze, catching the dust as it floated in the air. Ji Shumo slowly opened his eyes. He quickly discovered he was in bed with Xiao Wan, that the two were completely tangled up in each other’s embrace under the blankets. They were skin to skin, their bodies warm from the contact. Her hands were pressed against his chest. It looked as though he’d taken the initiative to pull her close to him as his arms were wrapped tightly around her waist.
His face burned uncontrollably at the realization. What happened last night?! He couldn’t remember a thing. He only had a cup of the wedding wine before falling asleep. That must have been what happened. He rubbed his forehead feeling really upset over the whole thing. Did she take advantage of me last night? He glared at her angrily. Just as these thoughts flitted through his mind Xiao Wan opened her eyes and looked directly at him. Unnerved he shifted his gaze away from her.
Xiao Wan laid perfectly still beside him. She whispered, “Good morning Shumo,” in a voice so tired and worn out it was barely audible.
Ji Shumo felt a chill go down his spine at her words and tone. His entire body got goosebumps and his face took on a constipated look. He tried to wipe it away and replace it with a suitable loving expression. Their intimate position left him unsure of what to do. He took his arms back and scooted back a little bit in order to put some distance between them.
Contrary to what he expected, Xiao Wan didn’t express alarm at his movement. On her face was a gentle indulgent smile. That smile made him nervous and he kept scooting back until his back was pressed against the wall. Once he could no longer retreat, Xiao Wan moved forward to kiss him lightly on the forehead.
The old her would grab him and smother him with kisses every morning, pampering and spoiling him everyday. Xiao Wan saw no reason to deviate from the actions of her old self, only this time her motivations for doing so were different. She asked, “What would you like to have for breakfast? Tell me and I’ll have someone prepare it.”
Ji Shumo turned his head and glanced at her, a hint of disgust just discernible in his gaze. “I’ll share whatever dear wife wants to eat.”
She had to admire him for his ability to disguise his loathing and disgust for so long. Indeed to have that kind of patience was truly something. Then again the old her had really been blind to not recognize his contradictions for what they were really were. Instead she had attributed his rejections of her to his shyness. The heartache she felt for Ji Shumo was replaced by anger and indignation once she remembered his trickery.
You’re no longer my reason for being Shumo. Instead I’m going to live for myself. I’ll protect the Xiao House and make sure you and that rotten bitch pay for your actions.
Although Xiao Wan was resentful, when she saw the look in his eyes she nevertheless maintained a gentle tone when she asked about breakfast.
After eating she gave him a warm kiss and together the two walked to the main hall to greet her mother.
Xiao Yurong wasn’t the only one waiting there. Sitting beside her were two others: Liu Shi and Wang Shi. The former was the father of the fifteen year old Xiao Qingru while the latter was the father of the three year old baby Xiao Xiao. Both children had birthdays coming up soon.
After Xiao Wan’s father,[notes] Wen Mo, passed away Xiao Yurong opted to leave the position of main husband empty refusing to shift either of the two men into the spot. As a result, Chen taigong managed the Xiao House’s external affairs with Xiao Yurong while Liu Shi managed the House’s internal affairs. This had been the set up for years, however Xiao Wan’s marriage meant a change in that structure would be inevitable.
It was only proper that authority and responsibility for the Xiao House would gradually shift over to her. The prospect of losing that power made Liu Shui gnash his teeth bitterly. It seemed his dreams of being Xiao Wan’s main husband and ruling the Xiao House was drifting farther and farther away.
Faced with such a good looking and talented son in law made Xiao Yurong incredibly happy. After sipping her tea she pulled out a thick red envelope and placed it in his hand. She earnestly spoke the words, “Xiao Wan is very stubborn and mischievous. I’ll have to rely on you to look after her in the future.”
Ji Shumo meekly nodded his head keeping it down to hide the cold in his eyes. “Yes mother.”
That Xiao Yurong would never attach as much importance to Qingru’s wedding, that such an idiotic Xiao Wan could marry such a fine and virtuous man, that Xiao Yurong could look at Ji Shumo with such a pleasant face, it was too much for Liu Shi. Feeling disgusted he thought to cause some trouble for Xiao Wan. It would be hard to trip up or nitpick on the impeccable Ji Shumo. On the other hand the ill-reputed Xie Chuchen would be an easy target. Feigning a casual voice he said, “Xiao Wan how come your other husband isn’t with you to pay his respects?”[notes] There was so much hoopla that day. I hope everything is alright.”
Last night while eavesdropping on Xiao Yurong and Chen taigong he found out that Xie Chuchen, as crazy as it seemed, had the jade pendant in his possession. Didn’t this mean that Xie Chuchen was promised the main husband position sometime in the past?
Xiao Wan recalled that the one who betrayed them and brought the Xiao House to ruin was an assistant of Liu Shi’s. In a bad mood she spoke. “Liu ce jun[notes] Young Master Xie is not my official husband. He injured his ankle yesterday and because of this was unable to move around easily. It was simply more convenient for him to rest here.”
Xiao Wan was stewing inside. How dare a minor concubine try to step over her head! Who she married was not of his business. She deliberately emphasized the “ce jun” to put Liu Shi in his place.
Liu Shi rubbed his nose somewhat discouraged at her reply. Resentfully he looked to Xiao Yurong.
Xiao Yurong knitted her brows and stood up before saying, “Yesterday father informed me that the jade pendant is in his possession again. Wan-er, the pendant. Why was the one with the pendant not Shumo but Xie Chuchen? Moreover why was the one in Xie Chuchen’s possession the real one.”
Xie Chuchen was so hungover he didn’t wake up until late afternoon. When he came to his senses he sat bolt upright in a panic. He was supposed to greet the head of house in the morning! Realizing this he immediately got out of bed and glanced around the room looking for Zhao-er to help him get ready. Upon finding the man he shot him an accusing glare. Why did you not wake me up! Why did you let me oversleep!? It was shameful he was late for his first meeting with his in-laws. Yesterday’s impression was already bad enough, to compound it with today’s tardiness… just how cold would everyone's gazes be?
Xie Chuchen grinned when he remembered his triumphs from the night before: the crossing of the fire pan and the sharing of the wedding wine. His smile quickly collapsed however upon realizing his failure at negotiations. Last night he had tried to get Xiao Wan drunk but ended up being the drunk one instead! He was so disappointed in himself. How could he have missed such a wonderful opportunity?!
Tapping himself on the chest in annoyance he realized his clothes were different from the night before. Although he was afraid Zhao-er would make fun of him, he asked anyway. “Zhao-er last night, were you the one that brought me back?” What he really wanted to ask was whether or not he and Xiao Wan visited the bridal chamber last night, but out of embarrassment he could only ask in a circumspect manner.
Zhao-er thought about the Young Master’s brazen behavior last night and paused in helping him comb his hair. He muttered a bit to himself before actually answering the question. “It was Ms. Xiao who brought the Young Master back last night.” Zhao-er sighed as if to express his discontent before continuing. “Young Master refused to let go of Ms. Xiao’s waist. On top of that Young Master kept yelling “dear wife” over and over again nonstop demanding she stay.”
Wife? Dear Wife?!
Embarrassment clouded Xie Chuchen’s clear and beautiful eyes. Apparently he had spoken those things he didn’t have the courage to say to her. To address her as “dear wife” was a secret he treasured in his heart. That he shouted it out in his drunken stupor was mortifying enough to burn his face crimson red.
“That’s not all. In the end Young Master even vomited all over Ms. Xiao.”