The first crow of the rooster woke Yun Cheng.
Lying beside him was a stranger. The bedboard beneath him was hard and cold, the quilt rough against his skin, and the ginger soup he’d drunk before bed still burned his throat, leaving a sharp sting that hadn’t faded.
The body’s original owner hadn’t bathed in days. His long hair, as was common in ancient times, only made it worse. Yun Cheng felt as if insects were crawling all over his skin. But he didn’t dare move.
Ye Cunshan was awake too. Perhaps judging from Yun Cheng’s tense breathing, without even looking at him, he said:
“You’re awake? Get up.”
His voice was still husky from sleep, carrying a magnetic roughness that was faintly stirring.
Yun Cheng let out a slow breath. “…Okay.”
It was already November, the slack season for farming. That didn’t matter much for the two of them.
Yun Cheng had just sold off the fields under his name, and when Ye Cunshan split from his family, he’d only taken this small house at the foot of the mountain. The only thing they could cultivate now was the little vegetable plot in the backyard.
Well… Ye Cunshan was the one who cultivated it.
If Yun Cheng wanted to be counted as family, today he needed to go get registered in the clan genealogy.
This body was malnourished, with night blindness. In the dim morning light, Yun Cheng could barely see. He tilted his head to glance at Ye Cunshan dressing, and hurried to sit up, not daring to dawdle.
He had gone to bed fully clothed last night. He’d come in such a rush, with nothing to bring. Crawling out from under the quilt, he shivered a little at the cold.
Ye Cunshan tossed him an outer coat without a word and went out the door.
Yun Cheng tugged the garment closer, hesitated, then stripped off the tattered, many-patched clothes he was wearing and changed into the coat Ye Cunshan had given him.
It was padded with cotton and warm against his skin. Ye Cunshan was taller and sturdier, so the coat hung loosely on Yun Cheng, even covering his hips.
It had rained the night before, and the ground was damp and muddy.
Climbing out of bed, Yun Cheng carefully folded the quilt, then neatly stacked his old clothes at the foot of the bed before stepping out slowly.
Following the sound of chopping vegetables and the smell of food, he nervously clutched the hem of his coat and made his way to the kitchen.
In the pot, porridge was bubbling. Ye Cunshan, preferring convenience, had tossed in pickled vegetables for flavor, and was sticking a few flatbreads to the side of the pot to bake.
After finishing, he dusted off his hands, added a piece of firewood to the stove, then scooped some hot water into a wooden basin and beckoned Yun Cheng to wash his face.
Yun Cheng’s ears immediately turned red with embarrassment.
Last night, he had wanted to boil water for a bath. Ye Cunshan had told him to go ahead.
Yun Cheng had spent nearly half an hour fumbling with the stove, and when Ye Cunshan finally came to check, he was still struggling to light the fire.
By the dim glow of the kerosene lamp, Yun Cheng had caught the slight curl of a smile at Ye Cunshan’s lips.
Clearly, he’d never seen someone so utterly useless at household chores before.
Ye Cunshan was one of the rare educated men in Jinghe Village. Compared to the farmers, he was more particular. He even kept toothpaste at home. This time, he didn’t hoard it; he let Yun Cheng use some as well.
While Yun Cheng slowly washed and brushed, Ye Cunshan said beside him:
“You’ve seen the situation at home, and I explained it yesterday. I can barely make ends meet myself. If you’re here to repay kindness, you shouldn’t be here stealing my food and my quilt.”
“Tell me what you can do later, and I’ll take you to town to have a look.”
At that, Yun Cheng grew alert, instantly more awake. He quickly finished washing and softly protested:
“I didn’t steal your quilt.”
Then he said firmly: “I gave myself as your wife. How is that repaying kindness with ingratitude?”
After a pause, his voice dropped. “…I can earn money too.”
He sneaked a look at Ye Cunshan’s expression, only to find him leaning against the doorframe, arms folded, a look of “let’s hear you brag” written all over his face.
Yun Cheng’s guilty conscience made him grit his teeth and bluff shamelessly: “Yesterday you said I could choose.”
Ye Cunshan didn’t even flinch. “Don’t you understand politeness? That wasn’t really a choice! I was telling you to go to town.”
But Yun Cheng refused to yield, digging his heels in. “I’m going with you to the clan registry.”
Ye Cunshan’s face darkened.
Straightening his back, Yun Cheng tried to hide his trembling hands and declared, “I’ll stay with you.”
Throwing down the words like a challenge, he picked up the basin of water and walked out. After emptying it outside, he couldn’t help secretly rejoicing: luckily, at least I can carry water.
Inside, Ye Cunshan called him to eat, and the matter was set aside for now.
On the table was a bamboo basket with coarse flatbreads, and each of them had a bowl of pickled-vegetable porridge.
The porridge was made from coarse grains, not thoroughly hulled bits of bran floated on the surface. It was thicker than what he’d drunk the night before, each spoonful containing several grains.
Yun Cheng still wasn’t used to it, but forced himself to swallow without changing expression.
He picked a smaller flatbread, judged his appetite, and tore half of it off to put back in the basket.
Some complicated feeling stirred in him. After eating a few bites, he muttered, “I don’t eat much anyway…”
Ye Cunshan couldn’t help but laugh. Setting down his chopsticks, he tore Yun Cheng’s half flatbread into little pieces and dropped them into Yun Cheng’s porridge bowl.
The motion was neither refined nor delicate his big hand pressed Yun Cheng’s down, ignoring his instinctive struggle, and stirred the porridge with a spoon before letting go.
“Eat.”
Yun Cheng’s face burned scarlet. This time, he didn’t argue back, and somehow found a hint of sweetness in the otherwise bland porridge.
He had only transmigrated yesterday.
In his original world, his family had been well-off, but due to his frail health, he’d always studied and socialized online. Later, he also wrote novels, streamed, and made handicrafts.
Forget farm work he’d never even cooked a meal in his life.
His asthma had placed severe restrictions on him, and in the end, Yun Cheng had died during an attack.
He thought of his older brother, already working in the company and capable on his own, and his younger sister, clever, hardworking, and a top student. The doctors had long warned his condition wasn’t good, and his parents had been prepared for the worst.
In the end, Yun Cheng had left this world with some peace of mind.
But fate played a cruel joke. Yun Cheng only closed his eyes and opened them again, and suddenly there was a new set of memories in his mind he had crossed into a different era, the Great Qian dynasty.
The original owner of this body shared his name, but their circumstances were vastly different.
He was only sixteen. His mother had died in childbirth, and his father, injured in a hunting accident during the farm slack season, had passed away that very day due to lack of treatment.
Becoming an orphan would have been bearable life a little harder, but still livable.
Unfortunately, he was a ge’er: not as strong as a man, of lower status than a woman, and with strikingly beautiful looks that drew all the wrong kind of attention.
Even while his father was alive, hooligans often harassed him. After the family split and relations with relatives had broken down for more than a decade, those same relatives came forward when he was barely thirteen or fourteen to arrange marriage proposals. They never cared about the other party’s character, age, or looks only about the money.
That wasn’t matchmaking; it was selling a child.
Yun’s father was mute, unable to speak, so he could only chase away the matchmakers each time with gestures and determination. But it left them both with an even worse reputation in the village.
Still, poverty forced Yun’s father to climb the mountain with an axe and bow to hunt and cut firewood whenever the fields were idle.
It was Ye Cunshan who discovered him after the accident in the mountains and carried him back down.
The original owner had no money. He went to his uncle’s house, kowtowed until his forehead bled, and cried himself hoarse begging for help, but couldn’t get even a single coin.
His aunt instead used the opportunity to force him into signing away his body selling himself as a concubine to a wealthy merchant in exchange for money.
Since it was Ye Cunshan who had carried his father back, he later heard about this and, out of pity, gave the original owner some silver to hire a doctor and buy medicine.
But because too much time had been wasted begging others, by the time he brought the doctor home, his father had already passed.
Even so, his uncle’s family had no conscience and kept pressing marriage deals, demanding he sell himself in order to bury his father.
The original owner refused. Instead, he sold off the family fields, held the funeral, and planned to repay Ye Cunshan.
On the road, he was again entangled by hooligans, who told him they would come looking for him at night.
That was when Yun Cheng transmigrated.
In the original owner’s memories, hooligans had once broken into his home. If not for his father being alive then, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Yun Cheng dared not gamble on luck. Before night fell, he made his way to Ye Cunshan’s house.
But instead of following the original owner’s plan to repay the debt, he bluntly and shamelessly said:
“I’ve come to repay your kindness. I’ll give myself to you, do you want a wife or not?”
His reasoning was clear.
This wasn’t modern society. There were no laws to protect him here. In this unfamiliar world full of wolves circling their prey, his status was low and his abilities limited. Rather than wait for a miracle, it was better to act first.
Ye Cunshan had saved him and even spent money to help, at the very least, that meant his character wasn’t bad.
And indeed, things went as Yun Cheng expected.
Last night, Ye Cunshan had pretended to be fierce, even cornered him against the wall like a scoundrel, hoping to scare him away. Yun Cheng, however, held firm.
Ye Cunshan sneered and said they would sleep.
In this era, both women and ge’er valued their reputations. Sharing a bed before marriage would ruin one’s chances of marrying well.
This was meant to make Yun Cheng back off. Instead, Yun Cheng kicked off his shoes without hesitation and climbed straight into bed.
At that, Ye Cunshan’s face had gone stormy dark, but he didn’t drive him away again.
Though they shared a bed, Ye Cunshan hadn’t touched him, only reinforcing Yun Cheng’s belief.
Alone, he couldn’t survive in this ancient world. Better to cling to this hard-mouthed but soft-hearted benefactor.
So he asked, “When are we going to register in the clan genealogy?”
Ye Cunshan replied, “There’s no rush. First I’ll take you to the county.”
Yun Cheng sighed.
Ye Cunshan explained he had old classmates in the county, families well-off enough to recommend Yun Cheng for a job.
Even if not as a study servant, they could at least give him some temporary work. With diligence, he could support himself. Having backing would also mean he wouldn’t be left helpless and bullied.
But Yun Cheng didn’t want to go.
In his heart, Ye Cunshan gave him more of a sense of safety.
So he feigned ignorance and said, “Oh, right, we should buy some things. Getting married means it should look like a proper wedding.”
Ye Cunshan: “……”
The conversation died.
Yun Cheng finished every last bite of porridge with flatbread.
After the meal, he offered to wash the bowls.
Meanwhile, Ye Cunshan collected eggs, fed the chickens and pigs, and fetched an oil-paper umbrella for Yun Cheng.
They were still going to the county. Marriage had only been a joke.
In the village, mourning wasn’t enforced too strictly, but at least a hundred days had to pass before a wedding.
In special cases, a ceremony could be performed, but the couple couldn’t share a room. If anyone defied that rule in secret, it wasn’t something outsiders could control.
Yun Cheng’s situation was unusual: orphaned, vulnerable, and easy prey.
Ye Cunshan didn’t want to take advantage of him. Even if Yun Cheng came knocking on his door, he stubbornly chose to take him to the county, to see if another path could be found.
He said, “If we run into anyone later, just say you came this morning to repay the money. Understand?”
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The Realm is pleased. The translator would be even more pleased with coffee.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
Next →
ChaptersChapter 1 · I Shall Go With YouChapter 2 · You Are ResponsibleChapter 3 · Just make A DoChapter 4 · You Have To Hold MeChapter 5 · Live A Good LifeChapter 6 · Meet The ParentsChapter 7 · Lucky for My husbandChapter 8 · ThreatenChapter 9 · Turning Waste paper into NewChapter 10 · New Paper!Chapter 11 · He will look good in thisChapter 12 · Too HonestChapter 13 · Make Him HappyChapter 14 · WorshipChapter 15 · Feeling Sorry for moneyChapter 16 · I’m so reluctant to leave you.Chapter 17 · My feelings for him are no longer pure.Chapter 18 · Thinking about helping him in some wayChapter 19 · Buy one for my husbandChapter 20 · Cause troubleChapter 21 · Aftermath of the incidentChapter 22 · He led him home obediently.Chapter 23 · Why are you hugging me?Chapter 24 Part 1 · Sweet TalkingChapter 24 Part 2 · Sweet TalkingChapter 25 · You are my drean ManChapter 26 · I don’t fall for flirtingChapter 27 Part 1 · Teaching You How to Like MeChapter 27 Part 2 · Teaching You How to Like MeChapter 28 Part 1 · Picking up kid from schoolChapter 28 Part 2 · Picking up kid from schoolChapter 29 Part 1 · I Have a FriendChapter 29 Part 2 · I Have a FriendChapter 30 Part 1 · Pampering My HusbandChapter 30 Part 2 · Pampering My HusbandChapter 31 Part 1 · Don’t compare yourself with othersChapter 31 Part 2 · Don’t compare yourself with othersChapter 32 Part 1 · Come here and kiss me yourselfChapter 32 Part 2 · Come here and kiss me yourselfChapter 33 Part 1 · Let me explainChapter 33 Part 2 · Let me explainChapter 34 Part 1 · Little SecretChapter 34 Part 2 · Little SecretChapter 35 Part 1 · Going to the New Year MarketChapter 35 Part 2 · Going to the New Year MarketChapter 36 Part 1 · Please coax his little husbandChapter 36 Part 2 · Please coax his little husbandChapter 37 Part 1 · I want you to pamper meChapter 37 Part 2 · I want you to pamper meChapter 38 Part 1 · He wants to marry into the family!Chapter 38 Part 2 · He wants to marry into the family!Chapter 39 Part 1 · This is a separate priceChapter 39 Part 2 · This is a separate priceChapter 40 Part 1 · Husband, children, and a warm bedChapter 40 Part 2 · Husband, children, and a warm bedChapter 41 Part 1 · Biting SpringChapter 41 Part 2 · Biting SpringChapter 42 Part 1 · Isn’t managing you the important thing?Chapter 42 Part 2 · Isn’t managing you the important thing?Chapter 43 · Shameless!Chapter 44 Part 1 · Head of the HouseholdChapter 44 Part 2 · Head of the HouseholdChapter 45 · DatingChapter 45 Part 2 · DatingChapter 46 · You Were the One Who Got HookedChapter 47 · I Like Being Looked AfterChapter 48 · A Weighty AffectionChapter 49 · Go On, Say It AgainChapter 50 · There’s plenty of time in the futureChapter 51 · Karma and RetributionChapter 52 · Playing the “Villain”Chapter 53 · I’ll Be Very Gentle!Chapter 54 · Rural RomanceChapter 55 · Don’t CryChapter 56 · Unable to Afford TuitionChapter 57 · Coax MeChapter 58 · Do You Want Me to Keep You Company?Chapter 59 · You’re Not Good EnoughChapter 60 · WoofChapter 61 Part 1 · Are the Words “I Love You” Too Hot for Your Mouth?Chapter 61 Part 2 · Are the Words “I Love You” Too Hot for Your Mouth?Chapter 62 · My skin gets itchy if I don’t take care of it for a day.Chapter 63 · ClingyChapter 64 · Night TalkChapter 65 · Top Scholar TransmigrationChapter 66 · Imperial examinationsChapter 67 · Exams Over!Chapter 68 · You’re making fun of me as soon as you get back?Chapter 69 · Shameless!Chapter 70 · Truly unbelievableChapter 71 · One taelChapter 72 · Did you draw one for my brother?Chapter 73 · Bad LuckChapter 74 · Look like youChapter 75 · You’re so clingyChapter 76 · Careful your elder brother doesn’t beat you upChapter 77 · If you’re going to hit me, then just hit meChapter 78 · Cheng GegeChapter 79 · Thank you, DidiChapter 80 · Poor scholars from humble backgrounds usually have strong prideChapter 81 · Twenty two?Chapter 82 · Have you started preparing a new book yet?Chapter 83 · We’re PoorChapter 84 · I Still can’t believeChapter 85 Part 1 · But What happened in the end?Chapter 85 Part 2 · But What happened in the End?Chapter 86 · I’m a little kidChapter 87 · The person in this painting is my younger brotherChapter 88 · Yun Xiaocheng Even Has This SkillChapter 89 Part 1 · Preparations Before DepartureChapter 89 Part 2 · Preparations Before DepartureChapter 90 Part 1 · On the Road, a Transitional ChapterChapter 90 Part 2 · On the Road, a Transitional ChapterChapter 91 Part 1 · NarrativeChapter 91 Part 2 · NarrativeChapter 92 · Narrative, transitional chapterChapter 93 · Make you happyChapter 94 Part 1 · Burial and AdmonitionChapter 94 Part 2 · Burial and AdmonitionChapter 95 · Song Jin said she was very good to Cheng HuilanChapter 96 · She has a good older brother.Chapter 97 · Simplicity is the bestChapter 98 · HomecomingChapter 99 Part 1 · Going homeChapter 99 Part 2 · Going HomeChapter 100 Part 1 · AugustChapter 100 Part 2 · AugustChapter 101 Part 1 · How come you’re pregnant but still have such a slim waist?Chapter 101 Part 2 · How come you’re pregnant but still have such a slim waist?Chapter 102 · This is the love you have for me.Chapter 103 Part 1 · SeptemberChapter 103 Part 2 · SeptemberChapter 103 Part 3 · SeptemberChapter 104 Part 1 · Ye Xiaoshan, you’re so shamelessChapter 104 Part 2 · Ye Xiaoshan, you’re so shamelessChapter 105 · Ye Xiaoshan, what are you doing?Chapter 106 Part 1 · Daily lifeChapter 106 Part 2 · Daily lifeChapter 107 · The novel has many plotsChapter 108 Part 1 · Daily life + novel plotChapter 108 Part 2 · Daily life + novel plotChapter 109 · Monthly Exams and Daily RoutineChapter 110 · Mainly exams