Early in the morning, before the roosters had even crowed a few times, Aunt Fat from next door had already started hollering like a rusty gong.
“Hey, did you see that last night? That cripple from the Lu family and his new wife sneaked back from outside, all secretive, smelling funny! I bet… they went to that little grove to do something shady…”
Lu Si sat in the main hall in his wheelchair, having not slept a wink all night.
His hearing was exceptionally sharp; even through the courtyard wall, the vile gossip buzzed into his ears like flies.
Last night, after returning from the cattle shed, his toes had felt a faint tingle, giving him a brief rush of joy.
But as soon as he calmed down, the weight of reality pressed down on him again.
What they did at the shed couldn’t be mentioned; speaking up would put Old Chen in danger.
Yet if he stayed silent, Su Ci’s reputation would drown in a flood of slander.
She was a virtuous young woman. Even married, if people whispered about her “sneaking into the grove at night,” how could she hold her head high in the compound?
Lu Si stared at his numb legs, the shadow in his eyes heavier than the morning fog outside.
It was his fault she was being dragged into this.
“Creak—”
The kitchen door opened.
Su Ci walked in carrying a steaming large aluminum basin, her face glowing with health, completely unaffected by the rumors.
“Up already? Perfect, now I don’t have to wake you.”
She placed the basin on the table with a thud, making Lu Si’s eyelids twitch.
The rich aroma, a mix of toasted and wheat scents, immediately filled the main hall, forcibly pushing away the gloom clinging to Lu Si like a cloud.
“What’s this?” Lu Si frowned at the red-and-white lumps in the basin.
“Sweet potato dumpling soup,” Su Ci replied, scooping into two large bowls while explaining.
“Last night’s ‘battle’ took a lot out of you, so we need to replenish. I added two farm eggs, some diced cured meat we bought last time, and finally sprinkled a little scallion on top. Try it.”
Lu Si looked at the bowl in front of him.
The thick, golden broth swirled around the reddish dumplings with ribbons of egg, the cured meat bits like tiny rubies, steam rising in waves.
His stomach twitched uncontrollably—but he didn’t reach for it.
“Su Ci.” Lu Si lifted his head, his handsome but pale face filled with seriousness and resolve. “We need to talk.”
Su Ci had just put a piping hot dumpling in her mouth, muffling her reply: “Talk about what? About which year these sweet potato dumplings are from?”
“About avoiding scandal.”
Lu Si’s fingers clenched the wheelchair handles, knuckles white, his voice hard as stone: “You heard what people said outside. I’m a cripple; I don’t care. But you still have to live your life. From today on, don’t enter my room, especially at night. If anyone asks, just say… say I wanted some wild game and forced you to carry me up the mountain to hunt rabbits.”
He had thought it through all night. If separate rooms couldn’t stop the gossip, then he’d make the story extreme.
He’d take all the blame himself, painting Su Ci as a poor wife oppressed by a cruel husband, thus clearing her name.
Su Ci stopped chewing.
She put down her bowl, squinting at Lu Si from head to toe as if examining a rare specimen.
“Lu Si, is there mush in your brain or what?”
Lu Si froze, then flared in anger: “I’m doing this for your good!”
“For my good?” Su Ci scoffed, pulled out a chair, and plopped down like the lord of the manor.
“We’re legally married. Even if we sleep separately, it’s only natural for me to enter your room to care for you. Sneaking into a grove? Even if we were somersaulting down the main street, that’s between husband and wife. What’s it got to do with that fat old gossip?”
She stirred her bowl lazily, tone carefree: “And don’t tell me not to enter your room. You didn’t kick me out that night, did you? That night, I don’t know who it was, but you shivered in pain until I held you to sleep. And now, sunny day, you want to deny it?”
Lu Si was speechless, his face red and throbbing with embarrassment. “You… shameless! That night was special circumstances!”
“Special circumstances are still circumstances,” Su Ci said, rolling her eyes. She scooped a heaping spoon of dumplings and held it to his lips. “Open wide.”
Lu Si clenched his jaw, refusing, determined to maintain her honor.
“Not eating, huh?”
Su Ci withdrew the spoon, ate a bite herself, then nodded thoughtfully. “Fine, if you won’t eat, I’ll tell Aunt Fat outside the truth: last night wasn’t hunting rabbits. You were scared of the dark, held my hand so I couldn’t leave, and in the grove, you hugged me, begging me not to leave.”
“Cough! Cough! Cough!”
Lu Si choked on his own saliva, coughing violently, his pale face instantly turning the color of pork liver.
“What nonsense!” he glared at Su Ci, disbelief written all over his face.
This woman… she dared to say anything!
“Now, will you eat or not?” Su Ci smiled at him.
“I have a big mouth. If I go hungry, I might reveal even more explosive details. Like how that night, someone got princess-carried…”
Lu Si snatched the spoon from her, burying his head to eat voraciously.
The speed was like paying a hush fee.
As long as he filled his mouth, she wouldn’t spill any more shameful words.
Su Ci watched him devour the food, a victorious smile tugging at her lips.
So cute… still not beatable.
“Slow down, there’s more in the pot,” she said, resting her chin on her hand. Watching him eat, she found this awkward, stubborn man oddly endearing.
Even though he was protecting her, he had to show a grumpy face.
Could this be the legendary tsundere?
After a bowl of steaming dumplings, a thin layer of sweat covered Lu Si. Last night’s bone-deep chill seemed to have lifted somewhat.
He put down the bowl, awkwardly wiping his mouth, about to say something to salvage face.
Su Ci beat him to it: “By the way, Old Lu, the miracle doctor said your legs need more than just acupuncture to heal quickly. The herbs—looked at the list…”
She pulled out a crumpled scrap of paper, waving it in front of him, her expression shifting from teasing “good wife” to sharp-eyed housekeeper.
“Ginseng, tiger bone, deer antler… this old man treats us like royalty!”
Su Ci winced as she clicked her tongue. “Your allowance won’t even cover his snacks.”
Lu Si’s expression darkened.
He knew how expensive those herbs were.
“Then… forget it,” he muttered, a deep sense of helplessness in his voice. “It’s just… a try anyway.”
“That won’t do!” Su Ci slammed the table. “Once we start, there’s no quitting halfway. The miracle doctor said your legs have a chance. This is hope. Giving up now—is that your idea of reneging?”
“Reneging?” Lu Si was confused.
“Yes!” Su Ci pointed at his legs with authority. “I’ve invested in braised pork for you, massages, even acted as your human heater in the rain. If you don’t get better, how will you repay me for my effort? This is pre-investment. Dare to renege, and I’ll sell you to the scrap station by the pound!”
Lu Si stared at her fierce yet money-minded expression. Somehow, a weight in his chest felt strangely relieved.
He never realized being “schemed” by someone could feel so grounding.
“So, what do you suggest we do?” Lu Si asked.