Chapter 160: Farming: Saving the Substitute Husband 03

He didn't speak either, just looked at Song Shi with a half-smile, his eyes mocking.

Only after a few seconds did Song Shi notice the wolf following behind Jin Chen.

"Oh dear—oh dear! What sin! How could you, you idiot, bring this beast to my home!"

Song Shi was both angry and afraid, she dared not move, stiffening her body as she locked eyes with the wolf's beastly gaze, showing no mercy.

"This wolf is not bad; I'll keep it from now on. If you don't like it, you can leave my home."

Having said that, Jin Chen had no intention of further arguing with Song Shi and walked straight into the room.

"Roar!"

0731 got playful, deliberately putting on a fierce appearance as it chased Song Shi, determined to scare her so she would never dare provoke the Host and the Little Pitiful One again!

——

A farmer's house isn't particular about layout, with no distinction between inner and outer rooms; just a few thatched huts surround the courtyard, easily visible.

Jin Chen returned to his own room according to his memory.

He pushed the door open and collided with a pair of eyes full of surprise and tension.

Yelin was genuinely startled.

Having heard the commotion outside and the wolf's howl, he thought some bandits had come; even the fierce and sharp-tongued Song Shi couldn't stop them, and the recent grievances made him secretly think that if bandits really came, it might be better to wipe them out in one go.

Just as he came to his senses, who knew the door would suddenly be pushed open.

"It's me, don't be afraid."

Seeing that his wife had been frightened by him, Jin Chen spoke to comfort her and, in passing, closed the door.

Only then did Yelin find a sense of familiarity in Jin Chen's handsome brows and eyes—the husband she had seen on their wedding day, her nominal……husband.

He instantly became even more nervous.

Panicking, he rose to his feet, almost dropping what he held, hurriedly bent over and hid under the blanket, his heart pounding like a drum.

"You…… I…"

Yelin avoided Jin Chen's gaze, not knowing what to say.

"Sorry, I've wronged you these past days."

Jin Chen stepped forward a few paces, first apologized, then hurriedly explained himself to clear his name.

"On the day of our wedding, when I went up the mountain, it wasn't because I wanted to avoid you, nor was I dissatisfied; I was simply foolish back then, utterly unaware of what a marriage entailed, and I believed Song Shi's deceit."

Yelin naturally knew her husband was foolish; otherwise her sister Ye Yun wouldn't have been unwilling to marry… but what does 'foolish back then' mean?

As if realizing something, the surprise in Yelin's eyes grew deeper; she suddenly met Jin Chen's clear gaze, and her heart fully understood.

"You've recovered?"

"Yes, I accidentally fell on the mountain and just like that, I recovered."

Jin Chen scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Feeling that something was off, Yelin nodded half-believing, half-doubting; although it seemed absurd, it was also reasonable.

Not to mention Jin Chen's absurd experiences; over these few days, as he recalled the past, he also felt himself absurd to the point of actually allowing himself to be bullied like this.

But aside from that, Yelin couldn't say anything else.

"Just now, when I returned, I only learned that you've suffered these past days; if you're willing, would you like to come live with me on the mountain?"

Jin Chen tried to take Yelin's hand, probing with his question.

"You're my husband, so I naturally listen to you." Yelin lowered her brows, responding obediently, though in her mind she was thinking of something else.

"Roar——"

0731 had scared Song Shi enough, then sensed the Little Pitiful One's presence and burst through the door.

【Detected the villain of this world's plot, current Blackening Value at 80; mission requirement: reduce Blackening Value to zero, change the villain's tragic ending.】

Blackening Value 80!

This announcement startled both Jin Chen and 0731.

Logically, the plot has just begun; how could the Blackening Value already be 80! Could it be another rebirth?!

Yelin, unaware of their thoughts, was suddenly startled by a wolf bursting in; the intimidating effect was far greater than before, and he instinctively hid behind Jin Chen, his arms trembling.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid; it's my pet, very affectionate toward its master."

Jin Chen happily embraced his wife, though he was enjoying it, he still needed to comfort her.

"……Why are you raising a wolf?"

Yelin's voice was like a mosquito's buzz; hearing that Jin Chen raised it eased his mind a little, but the fear of the fierce beast was not so easily dispelled.

"Help me catch prey."

Jin Chen made a gesture toward 0731, "Fortune, sit down."

0731:???

【What are you calling me?!】

【It's so mighty and imposing! How can you call it Fortune!】

【Sounds nice.】 Jin Chen replied to it, then called out again.

"Fortune!"

"Roar……"

0731 unwillingly squatted down, sticking out its tongue to act cute.

"Look, it won't hurt you."

Jin Chen gently stroked Yelin's back, dispelling his fear.

After the tension eased, Yelin only then realized their posture, blushing as she stood properly from his embrace, "I understand."

He is extremely handsome, with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, his features exquisite; in Fengshu Cun and even the town, he is considered top-tier handsome, even his sister Ye Yun cannot compare, and precisely for this reason, the village women believe Yelin is indiscreet.

Everyone has jealousy, but these people have already distorted their hearts.

Today the sun is about to set; I'm afraid we won't make it, so tomorrow I'll first take you to town to get some supplies before we go live on the mountain.

Jin Chen recalled the furnishings of the bamboo house on the mountain, but he couldn't bear to let his wife live in such a crude place, so he made the decision right away.

I'll listen to you.

Yelin saw that Jin Chen didn't mind the substitute marriage, and she relaxed a great deal; household matters were always decided by the husband, so she just needed to obey.

They chatted a bit more, until a noisy sound came from outside.

It's inside! That wolf was brought by Jin Chen—it's very fierce!

Madam Song's voice was sharp and shrill, making people feel it was noisy and piercing; then came several footsteps.

A wolf getting into the village is a big deal! Hurry! Come with me to kill that beast!

Several deep voices immediately echoed in agreement.

It must be Madam Song going to get reinforcements.

The 0731, who had been quietly shipping couples up close, was disturbed, very dissatisfied, and quickly rose up, revealing fierce pupils.

【Don't act impulsively.】

Jin Chen glanced at it.

The two walked out of the room and saw several people rushing into the courtyard.

What are you doing? Ransacking the house?

Jin Chen embraced Yelin, looking puzzled at the several neighbors holding hoes and iron spades.

Idiot, where's that wolf?

After Jin Chen became addled, the villagers had long been calling him an idiot, so they immediately asked.

What do you have against my wolf? Why are you in such a hurry to kill it?

Jin Chen grew more doubtful, his gaze turning to Madam Song.

Could it be that Aunt said something?

What can I say! This beast rushed into my house and wouldn't let me drive it out! Madam Song spat, the fright still lingering, she trembled at the sight of 0731, but with so many people around she felt emboldened.

The land my father bought and the house he built—how did it become yours?

Jin Chen's tone suddenly turned cold: 'Aunt, you're taking advantage of my father's early death and my former foolishness to grab all the benefits!'