Chapter 161: Farming: Saving the Substitute Husband 04

Jin Chen's words landed with impact, shocking several neighbors, let alone Madame Song who was struck dumb.

"You… you! You're not stupid anymore!"

Madame Song stammered for a while, her face turning somewhat pale.

"You look surprised—what shady deed have you done?"

Jin Chen's smile was sarcastic, his gaze sharp, as if he could see straight into Madame Song's darkest corners, causing her unexplained panic.

"Uncles, you may disperse now—this wolf is one I raise for hunting; it won't easily hurt people."

He withdrew his gaze and smiled, explaining to the villagers who had come to help.

Most hunters keep hunting dogs, and the villagers knew this—Jin Chen's father had once kept a fierce wolf-dog that guarded him closely, dying the day after its master.

Although this wolf is a bit fierce, since it's raised, the danger isn't that great.

The villagers looked at each other, then put away their tools. An honest-looking middle-aged man laughed: "That works! It's good you're not stupid—now you've married a wife, so live well from now on!"

He had received Jin Chen's father's kindness years ago, always remembered it, and thus often looked after Jin Chen.

"Hey, thanks, Uncle Chen—I'll do it."

After everyone left, Madame Song also roughly steadied her mind.

She had been shrewd for decades; although she panicked momentarily, how could she bear to give up the house she'd held for so long?

"Hurry, hurry, come inside—I'll have a good talk about your new husband!"

Madame Song rolled her eyeball and simply changed the subject.

"Your husband—"

"Enough, I know what you want to say."

Jin Chen waved his hand impatiently: "How did this rumor start? You know better than anyone."

"You can lie to others, but don't lie to yourself."

He shielded Yelin, his words sharp, leaving Madame Song filled with panic.

"That idiot wasn't living on the mountain just a few days ago—how could he know about this!"

Madame Song eyed Yelin suspiciously—could it be that this lowly wretch tattled first?

"You can keep the house; I don't need more—ten taels of silver will do."

Jin Chen spoke lightly.

Jinbei and Jin Lao San, who had just returned from outside, heard this clearly.

As they walked the small path earlier, they heard neighbors say Jin Chen wasn't stupid, rushed back in surprise, heard this, and without further thought stormed in angrily.

"Jin Chen! You shameless wretch! What right do you have to demand so much money from us!"

Jinbei, wearing a robe he considered elegant, pointed angrily at Jin Chen.

Today he went to town to buy many brushes and paper—scholar's supplies are expensive—costing a whole tael of silver from the household, and they had originally hoped Jin Chen would provide the money!

"Isn't it enough reason that you've seized my father's house?" Jin Chen's aura rose. "If you don't pay, I'll go to the authorities."

Reporting to the authorities is a huge deal for these farming folk.

Jin Lao San trembled all over, and under Madame Song's glare he hurriedly played the emotion card—he too was a wretch, and now walked shakily over to Jin Chen.

"Chenzi, it's all about family—what's there to seize or not seize? I'm your uncle, and I moved in to better care for you."

"Your so-called care—is it to stage a tree‑collision accident for the house, or to spread slander about my husband everywhere?"

Jin Chen showed no courtesy, gesturing for 0731 to block them.

"If you can't come up with the money or settle those words, don't even think about entering."

Roar!!

0731 blocked the doorway, body lowered, beast pupils narrowed, ready to attack.

{Detected Villain Blackening Value -5, total 75! }

It had intended to bite a few times to drive them off, but suddenly caught Jinbei's scent.

0731 widened its beast eyes in shock and hurriedly told Jin Chen.

{Host! Jinbei also carries the scent of the Curse-Extinguishing Flower! Though not as strong as that person's in the previous world, it's still obvious! }

Inside the house, Jin Chen's motion to soothe Yelin paused slightly.

Since that's the case, Jinbei can't be killed easily—we never fully investigated it in the previous world, so this time we must uncover the cause.

It might also be related to the wife's excessively high Blackening Value this time.

{Let them in. }

Madame Song had been frightened out of her wits, hiding behind Jinbei and Jin Lao San the whole time; seeing the beast step aside, she was actually the first to rush into the room.

Seeing her, Jin Chen spoke lightly.

"For the sake of family, I'll give you ten days to gather the silver; otherwise I'll report to the authorities."

Jinbei also rushed in, invisible black mist faintly gathering around him, his gaze gloomy: "You dare to sue your uncle and cousin! The Clan Elder will certainly not allow this—it's utterly against human ethics!"

I don't care whether he allows it.

Jin Chen glanced at the black mist around him, about to continue investigating, when he saw Yelin suddenly furrow her brow and clutch her chest, clearly distressed.

What's wrong?

He supported her, his tone instantly turning to worry.

"My chest hurts…" Yelin whispered; ever since these past two days, whenever she's with Jinbei her chest aches—it's really strange.

He lifted his eyes, looking puzzled at Jinbei, not understanding why.

I don't want to… stay here.

Yelin clutched Jin Chen's arm pleadingly, unable to bear this gripping pain, eager to escape.

Alright, I'll take you away—no fear.

Jin Chen picked up the person and glanced at the three people still arguing.

Don't even think about pulling any tricks.

0731 immediately followed and left.

A black mist flashed in Jinbei's pupils, then returned to normal.

He listened to his parents cursing and felt puzzled for a moment.

When did this brat Jin Chen leave?!

——

Jin Chen carried Yelin to the maple tree by the river in the village, and only then did his complexion improve considerably, the pain in his chest gradually fading.

What's going on? Do you have a heart condition?

He had 0731 lie down to serve as a support, then Jin Chen set Yelin down and gently stroked his husband's cheek with heartache.

No heart condition, and I don't know why either.

Yelin furrowed his brows, unsure whether Jin Chen would believe what he said.

It only started hurting these past two days; I originally thought I'd fallen ill, but I felt fine once I left the room, and only later did I gradually realize it was because of Jinbei.

Clutching his clothes with his fingertips, Yelin lifted his gaze to meet Jin Chen's, earnestly trying to clear himself of any relation: "Those village rumors are all false; seeing Jinbei makes my chest hurt, so it's utterly impossible for me to——"

He couldn't get the rest of the words out; instead, he forced himself into a state of flushed ears and extreme shame and indignation.

Good, I know, it's all fake.

After hearing that, Jin Chen had no doubt at all; instead, he became more certain of his speculation.

That power and the Curse-Extinguishing Flower appeared solely for the lover's soul fragments.

The person behind him is preventing his recovery.

A flash of blood-red crossed his eyes; Jin Chen temporarily suppressed his killing intent and patiently coaxed.

We can only go back up the mountain to stay tonight, though the conditions might be rather crude.

Yelin recalled the days spent at the Ye Family, and actually curled his lips into a smile: "I can manage anything, as long as there's a place to stay."

He gazed at Jin Chen's handsome, cold eyes and suddenly felt something.

From now on, perhaps we'll see sweetness after bitterness.