TIPS – Chapter 19

The small hill where they cut pig grass was on the other side of the village, surrounded by expansive tea fields. To Song Jingwei, it was the perfect place to sit and watch the sunset. But for the farmers, such scenery was too commonplace. Their days were spent in endless toil, leaving little time to appreciate the beauty around them.

“You go do your work. I’ll just sit here.” Finding a grassy spot under a tree, Song Jingwei sat down and said to Shen Junxi.

Seeing that he was comfortably seated with nothing amiss, Shen Junxi gestured, “I’ll be cutting grass not far from here. If you need anything, call me.”

Unfortunately, the expression was too complicated for Song Jingwei to understand. He nodded perfunctorily and said, “Go ahead. Just call me when we’re leaving.” He planned to take a walk around the area later.

“Mm.” Shen Junxi glanced at him a few more times before reluctantly walking away.

In truth, he really wanted to stay with Song Jingwei, but the pigs at home needed fresh grass to eat. If he didn’t cut it today, there would be none left.

Using twice his usual speed, Shen Junxi quickly filled his basket with pig grass and headed back. As he passed by a patch of wildflowers swaying in the wind, he suddenly stopped.

By now, dusk had arrived, and the clouds in the sky were tinged with soft golden hues. Song Jingwei stood beneath the tree, gazing into the distance as the wind carried the sound of a gentle stream flowing at the foot of the hill. The breeze tousled his long hair and robes.

“Mm! Mm!” Shen Junxi called out as he climbed back up the hill. On his back was a full basket of pig grass, and in his hand—what was that?

“For me?” Song Jingwei stared wordlessly at the flower crown the mute young man was handing him. Do I really look like the type to wear a flower crown?

“Mm.” Shen Junxi pursed his lips, his smile tinged with shyness and apprehension. Would he like it?

The answer was no. Song Jingwei looked away in distaste and said, “Throw it away. Don’t give me things like this again.”

Seeing the young man’s expression fall, he realized that some things needed to be made clear. Until now, they had always been in the Shen household, and there had never been an appropriate opportunity. But now, it was time to have that conversation.

As Shen Junxi lowered his head in silence, Song Jingwei said, “There’s something I’ve been meaning to make clear to you.”

Even his voice carried a cold hardness. Shen Junxi couldn’t help but look up at the wife he had only recently married. His face was still the same slightly indifferent one, but something was different. The current Song Jingwei left him feeling at a complete loss.

“You should be very clear about why we got married, right? Neither you nor I wanted what happened back then. I only married you as a temporary measure—I won’t be staying in your home forever.” Song Jingwei spoke, unsurprised to see the young man’s expression turn sorrowful. Perhaps, for Shen Junxi, marrying a wife was no easy feat. So, he added, “This wasn’t your fault either—you were a victim in all of this. That’s why, before I leave, I’ll help improve your family’s situation.”

Even after hearing this, the young man continued to stare at him intensely, making Song Jingwei feel uncomfortable. So, he reassured, “Of course, before I leave, I’ll also help you find a wife. Although it seems difficult to marry a woman around here, I believe that with enough money, it can be done.”

Shen Junxi shook his head desperately—he didn’t want to marry another wife. He already had one. He reached out to tug at Song Jingwei’s sleeve, anxiously making muffled sounds, “Mm mm…” Don’t say such unsettling things. Don’t leave.

“This decision is best for both you and me. What is there to be dissatisfied with?” Song Jingwei frowned, pulling his sleeve away. “Would you rather marry a wife who understands and cares for you or spend your life with someone who doesn’t love you? If it’s about money, I already told you—I’ll leave you plenty of it, along with farmland.” The agricultural business he was developing would all be left to the Shen family.

“Mm mm!” Shen Junxi’s face tensed, his expression filled with grief as he shook his head. He dropped the sickle and the flower crown, reaching out to grab Song Jingwei’s hand.

“Don’t touch me.” Song Jingwei stepped back a few paces, irritated by Shen Junxi’s excessive reaction. He had made things very clear—was this man incapable of weighing the pros and cons?

“……” Shen Junxi’s face turned pale. He stood frozen, his hands falling weakly to his sides. Song Jingwei’s repeated words—I don’t like you. Don’t touch me.—left him overwhelmed and heartbroken.

But… wasn’t Song Jingwei his wife?

“What I said just now is the truth. Whether you accept it or not, this is how I feel, and this is what I’ll do. I can’t truly be your… partner. You should find someone who actually likes you.”

To be fair, Song Jingwei had a decent impression of Shen Junxi—at least he wasn’t a bad person. But that didn’t change anything. He had never considered spending his life in a remote mountain village with another man.

With that, Song Jingwei turned and left. On the way back, he walked quickly, making the journey alone.

Shen Junxi trailed far behind. He could have easily caught up, but he didn’t. And so, the two of them returned to the Shen household—one ahead, one behind.

Yang Shi saw only her daughter-in-law entering the house and warmly asked, “Back already? Where’s Xi’er?”

Song Jingwei still respected Yang Shi, so he nodded and said, “He’s behind me.” Then, he washed his hands in the courtyard and went inside.

A short while later, as expected, Yang Shi saw her son return. Puzzled, she asked, “Xi’er, why didn’t you walk back with your wife?”

Shen Junxi made a few gestures, but Yang was completely lost—his signs were too erratic to understand. She wanted to ask more, but he had already headed to the pigsty to feed the pigs.

Before dinner, Song Jingwei stayed in his room and didn’t see Shen Junxi come in. It was Yang Shi, not Shen Junxi, who called him to eat this time.

He thought to himself, I said such harsh words earlier—has the young man finally given up? He won’t keep treating me like a real wife, right?

When he arrived at the dining area and sat in his usual spot, he noticed that the young man who usually watched him closely was now silent and still—like a mushroom, showing no reaction at all.

This is how it should be.

It wasn’t just Song Jingwei who noticed the difference. As Yang Shi and Shen Dongming ate, they also sensed the tension between their son and daughter-in-law. The couple was confused but didn’t dare to ask directly. Instead, they kept sneaking glances, but after a few looks, they still couldn’t figure out what was going on.

After dinner, the usual routine was for the two of them to leave the table together. But today, they each went their separate ways… This was serious.

While washing the dishes, Yang Shi pulled Shen Dongming into the kitchen and whispered, “What’s going on? Weren’t they fine this afternoon?” She remembered how happy her son had been when he left with his wife.

“How should I know? They must’ve had a fight,” Shen Dongming said, but he didn’t seem worried—he actually looked pleased. “It’s good they’re arguing. I’d be more worried if they didn’t. Couples need to bicker a little—that’s how love grows.”

“Nonsense. We’ve never argued.” But after thinking about it, Yang Shi had to admit that being overly polite in a marriage didn’t necessarily mean a strong relationship. Having a temper and expressing it—that was what made a real couple.

“Don’t worry, they’ll be fine after a night’s sleep.” Shen Dongming grinned.

“…I hope so,” Yang Shi said with a bit of concern.

Since they had argued that afternoon, it seemed like the two of them were now in a cold war. As a result, Song Jingwei had to fetch his own water for bathing.

It was only when he had to do everything himself that he realized how convenient it was to have someone else help. The hassle of carrying water back and forth was something he never had to deal with before—he had always taken it for granted.

From a distance, Shen Junxi watched as that person kept a stiff expression while struggling with the water bucket. He wanted to go over and help, but he was afraid of being rejected. Holding onto his hesitation, he remained motionless.

It wasn’t until Song Jingwei slammed the wooden door of the washroom shut that Shen Junxi finally withdrew his gaze and silently returned to his room.

There was no one to fetch water for him today, nor would anyone help him wash his clothes. After bathing, Song Jingwei carried out a wooden basin himself and went to fetch water to do laundry. This was the first time—his first time doing it since arriving in ancient times. He carefully planned everything out—where to start, which method would be the most efficient.

Rip—

Song Jingwei froze. In his hands was an undergarment he had accidentally torn apart.

“Pfft…”

Looking up, he saw a young man standing by the window, eyes wide with panic before hurriedly shutting it.

Shen Junxi only realized how foolish he had been after closing the window. He could have just stepped back inside—it would’ve been faster than closing the window. But why had he become so foolish? Back in school, he had been the top student in his class, and the teacher had always praised him for excelling in everything.

His eyes dimmed, and the small bit of amusement he had just felt disappeared completely. No matter how adorable his wife seemed in his eyes… wasn’t he just a temporary measure? He let out a bitter laugh, feeling as if all the strength had left his body.

Song Jingwei was momentarily stunned by his ruined clothes but didn’t dwell on it. Clothes were consumables anyway—whether they were worn once or twice made no difference to him. So, he calmly tossed them aside and continued washing the next piece.

It took him about half an hour to finish the basin of laundry.

When Shen Dongming came outside to cool off and smoke his pipe, he was surprised to see his daughter-in-law doing the washing. He said, “Daughter-in-law, why are you doing the laundry? Where’s Xi’er?”

After a brief silence, Song Jingwei lowered his head and continued scrubbing. “It’s just a few clothes. I can do it myself.” If he couldn’t wash them well in one day, surely he could in ten. The real problem was that ancient textiles were just terrible—it wasn’t his fault for being clumsy.

“Haha, you should leave that to Xi’er. He enjoys doing it.” Shen Dongming knocked his pipe against the doorpost, grinning as he reached down to tease the little black dog. “Hei Zi, did you eat your fill tonight?”

“Woof woof!” The little black dog, full of energy, barked loudly in response.

Song Jingwei automatically ignored the man and his dog, finished hanging the clothes on the bamboo pole, and went to bed.

But sleeping was another awkward issue—inside the room, he ran into Shen Junxi face-to-face. The two instinctively stepped aside to make way for each other, and Song Jingwei said, “You go first.”

Shen Junxi gave him a long, quiet look before picking up his clothes and walking out.