Chapter 13: The Poor Little One’s Inferiority Complex
Cheng Songer, thinking of the trap she had set yesterday, got up early to check if the wild boar had fallen into it.
But when she lifted the door curtain, someone had risen even earlier than her.
Cheng Songer was a light sleeper; even slight noises could wake her up. It was like this in her college dormitory too. She always had to wait until all her roommates were asleep before she could fall asleep. The next day, if a roommate got up early to study, she would be woken up too. Her sleep quality had always been poor.
But since traveling to this world and living with Cheng Qingzhi, Cheng Songer found that her sleep had improved a lot. She usually slept until she naturally woke up.
Even though Cheng Qingzhi got up much earlier than her and had to prepare breakfast, he seemed to be afraid of disturbing her, not making even the slightest noise.
She put on her clothes and walked out of the room. Cheng Qingzhi was carrying a basin of freshly boiled hot water towards her.
Seeing that she was already up, he smiled at her, his eyes particularly bright and lively in the mist: “Songer, you’re up.”
“Mm.” Cheng Songer nodded, her gaze uncontrollably drawn to him.
“I’ve made some porridge, come and eat,” he said.
Cheng Songer nodded, her eyes avoiding his a bit shyly.
Today, Cheng Qingzhi seemed to have suddenly become more beautiful than yesterday.
Before, Cheng Qingzhi was like a beautiful but withered and rotten flower. His eyes were beautiful, but because there was no vibrant life, they didn’t stand out.
But today, the lively smile in his eyes was like injecting a soul into a withered flower. The morning breeze brushed through his hair tips, and he was like a delicate flower fully blooming in the spring wind, unconsciously exuding a hint of allure that even he hadn’t noticed.
Cheng Songer had seen many handsome men in modern times, and various bewitching beauties in ancient costumes, but she found them too effeminate, with too much makeup.
But Cheng Qingzhi’s charm didn’t need rouge or powder to highlight. His beauty and allure were natural, not needing thick foundation, lipstick, or eye liner.
His charm was hidden in his elegant and pleasant features, only revealed in the moment his eyes moved, yet creating a strong visual impact and producing a dazzling beauty.
No wonder the men in the village always said he was a fox spirit…
Cheng Qingzhi ladled a bowl of thin porridge for her and added a dish of pickles.
Seeing the hunting tools at her feet, he asked, “Are you going into the mountains again today?”
“Mm,” Cheng Songer answered after taking a sip of porridge.
“Not going to the neighboring Liu village?”
“They’ve mostly finished the work in their fields, they don’t need extra hands anymore,” Cheng Songer said.
“You… why are you still wearing old clothes?” Just now, Cheng Songer’s attention had been completely drawn by Cheng Qingzhi’s beauty. Now that she had calmed down, she realized he was still wearing his old thin clothes.
“I washed yesterday’s clothes, so…”
“It’s my fault, it’s my fault,” Cheng Songer patted her forehead. “I only thought about buying you a thick, warm piece of clothing, but forgot about changes of clothes.”
She quickly finished her porridge, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, got up and pulled Cheng Qingzhi into the room.
“These are the winter clothes I just bought, I haven’t worn them yet, you wear them first,” Cheng Songer took out the brown winter jacket she had bought along with the moon-white winter clothes from the wardrobe.
Although it was a woman’s style, in winter when everyone was bundled up tightly, you couldn’t really tell the difference.
“I won’t wear it,” Cheng Qingzhi backed away with his hands behind his back, refusing to accept. “If I wear your winter clothes, you won’t have anything to wear.”
Cheng Songer laughed, “Don’t worry about me. I originally had more clothes, unlike you who only has these two pieces, and they’re all thin clothes. Don’t worry, I won’t get cold. Be good.”
Cheng Songer smiled and beckoned to him who kept backing away.
Cheng Qingzhi, who had already retreated to the door, hesitated for two seconds after seeing her beckoning to him, then came over.
Cheng Songer suddenly smiled, feeling he was like an obedient little dog.
She wrapped the clothes around him: “It’s a bit ugly… but it’ll do.”
The color of this clothes was dull and not good-looking at all, but Cheng Qingzhi managed to pull it off with his solid good looks.
Indeed, good-looking people look good in anything.
Ugly… Cheng Qingzhi’s face instantly turned a shade paler. Cheng Songer’s casual remark was like a blade slicing through his heart.
He hadn’t realized at all that the ‘ugly’ Cheng Songer referred to was the clothes.
His heart suddenly tightened, and he subconsciously thought she was talking about him.
From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever called him ugly. There were always more people cursing him as a fox spirit.
But after all, he was just an ordinary person, not a real demon.
He had heard in those ghost stories and plays that once demons cultivate into human form, they are all devastatingly beautiful, captivating souls. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to bewitch those well-read ladies and emperors with thousands of concubines in the stories, becoming nation-toppling demon concubines.
… In short, it wasn’t something his mortal body could compare to.
Cheng Qingzhi’s breathing quickened, his fingers unconsciously tugging at the sleeves of the winter jacket.
She was also a demon. If she didn’t need this body before her, and transformed into human form herself, what kind of breathtaking beauty would she be?
Would there also be stunningly beautiful male spirits by her side?
Cheng Qingzhi dared not think further. The more he thought, the more inadequate he felt.
“Tomorrow I’ll take you to the county town, will you go?” Cheng Songer lowered her head, adjusting his collar.
Cheng Qingzhi looked up at her: “Take me to the county town?”
“Mm, to buy you a few more changes of clothes, and if there’s anything else we need for the house, we can buy it too.”
She heard the hint of fear in Cheng Qingzhi’s voice when he mentioned ‘county town’. After all, it had only been half a month since he was almost sold to the Yihong House. She added, “If you don’t want to go, it’s fine. Just tell me what you want to buy, and I’ll bring it back for you.”
Last time, Cheng Songer took him to the county town to sell him, but now…
It was as if a cloud had settled on Cheng Qingzhi’s heart, softening it.
He held back the sourness slowly crawling up his nose bridge and said, “I’m willing to go.”
Cheng Songer smiled slightly: “Good, then I’m off to hunt.”
She picked up the bow and arrow hanging on the wall, preparing to leave.
“Songer.” Cheng Qingzhi suddenly called out to her, his fingers hooking onto the hem of her clothes as if afraid she would leave the next second.
“What is it?” Cheng Songer turned to look at him.
“I… it’s cold in the mountains, I made you a fur collar.” He took out the fur collar he had sewn through the night from his bosom.
“What’s this?” Cheng Songer was a bit surprised.
“I made it from the rabbit fur you brought back last night,” he said in a low voice.
She took the fur collar, stroking the soft texture of the rabbit fur, and sincerely praised: “Brother, you’re so clever. How did I not think of this?”
Many wealthy young masters would use things like mink and rabbit fur to make hats and neck warmers. Her hunting could not only help solve the family’s meat problem, but she could also sell it in the county town. There must be many rich people in the county town with a high demand, and there must be merchants specializing in animal fur.
“… I’m glad you like it.” Cheng Qingzhi’s face reddened.
“The fur is so soft, and the stitching is good too.” Cheng Songer examined the fur collar, looking at it from all angles, and finally wrapped it around Cheng Qingzhi’s neck.
Cheng Qingzhi was a bit stunned by her sudden action. The soft flesh of his neck wrapped in the fur collar heated up, then turned completely red: “Songer, you…”
“I’ll be running around chasing prey in the mountains, and I’ll be sweating all over in no time. This would be more of a burden. You should wear it instead,” Cheng Songer said gently.
“But—”
“It looks good on you.” She chuckled softly.
“……”
An indescribable emotion welled up in Cheng Qingzhi’s eyes. He pursed his lips and said nothing more.
—
After Cheng Songer left, Cheng Qingzhi stood alone in the courtyard.
In the past, he had to be busy non-stop from the moment he opened his eyes. Now, for the first time, he felt he had nothing to do.
But he didn’t feel at ease because of this idleness. Instead, he became unusually nervous, his fingers anxiously interlocking.
Having nothing to do meant that his existence had no value, and having no value meant he would be abandoned. This was a concept ingrained in Cheng Qingzhi’s bones.
His father was like that, and so was the Cheng Songer who had always abused him.
Would she be the same?
Cheng Qingzhi dared not think further. The more he thought, the stronger the unprecedented anxiety and agitation he felt.
“Qingzhi,” Xu Shu called him from next door, pulling his emotions back. “What are you doing standing in the courtyard?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Cheng Qingzhi looked at the white radish and knife in Xu Shu’s arms: “Uncle Xu, what are you doing?”
Xu Shu smiled: “Making some dried radish. It keeps longer, and we can still take it out to stew with meat during the New Year.”
Cheng Qingzhi’s eyes moved. Why hadn’t he thought of that?
Songer had bought so many radishes back, they would spoil if not processed soon. But he had never seen his father Xu Lan do this before.
He glanced into Xu Shu’s room. Lin Yuxiu was helping Xu Shu and looked at him with unfriendly eyes.
But Cheng Qingzhi hesitated for a moment, then still asked Xu Shu: “Uncle Xu, can you teach me?”
“Dad, don’t go!” Lin Yuxiu blocked Xu Shu, glaring at him fiercely.
“Child, you help me prepare the salt first. Dad will be back soon.” Xu Shu coaxed Lin Yuxiu, then came to Cheng Qingzhi’s courtyard.
Fortunately, Cheng Qingzhi learned quickly and soon understood the steps.
Xu Shu was talkative and couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He asked Cheng Qingzhi this and that, and Cheng Qingzhi answered each question.
“Where’s little sister Songer? Where did she go?” he asked.
“She went to the mountains to hunt.”
“Was it her who brought back the rabbit yesterday? That’s amazing! The rabbit meat you stewed last night was so fragrant, it made me drool!” Xu Shu said with a smile.
Cheng Qingzhi had always been the object of ridicule or pitying sympathy, never envied by others. Faced with such a straightforward Xu Shu, he didn’t know how to respond for a moment and could only smile shyly.
Only a few days of good life, what’s there to show off? Lin Yuxiu rolled his eyes.
_____
In This Life I Love You Again (Modern Female-dominant)
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced