Chapter 163: Farming: Saving the Substitute Husband 06

A fellow villager who knew Jin Chen came to town to do odd jobs, upon seeing him hurriedly asked, "Hey, Chenzi! I heard you're not stupid anymore! True or false?"

True.

Jin Chen recalled from the original body's memory that this person was the village head's son, Feng Dazhuang, who was honest and hardworking and had helped a lot when the original body was foolish.

He switched his smile, "Thanks for your concern, Brother Dazhuang."

Hey! That's great! My dad was still happy yesterday, saying you have Jin Ershu's skill; as long as you're not stupid, you'll surely do well!

Feng Dazhuang wiped the sweat from his face, then looked at Yelin and chuckled twice, "You're so blessed! You married such a handsome husband!"

Alright, then I'll get back to work!

He said a few words hurriedly, was called away by his companion, and swiftly picked up the sack and left.

Jin Chen suddenly let out a low chuckle twice, glanced at Yelin, and said, "I think Brother Dazhuang is right—marrying you is truly a blessing."

Huh…

0731 echoed.

Yelin blushed, secretly pinched his arm, and whispered, "Who says such things out in the street?"

I won't say it, I won't say it.

Jin Chen hissed to stop the teasing, then said, "Today we mainly came to pick up some things we need for the house."

He took his husband's hand and walked slowly toward the shop.

When the shopkeepers saw 0731's appearance, none dared to haggle with Jin Chen; fortunately Jin Chen was also straightforward, so the transaction went quickly.

Not long after, he was carrying rice, oil, and noodles; though still somewhat heavy, Yelin wanted to help share the load but was refused.

Jin Chen lifted the goods, strung them on a pole, and with a clank placed them on 0731's back.

Fortune can carry it.

Ow…

0731 was suddenly weighed down by a heavy load, nearly collapsing in the street, its beast eyes disbelieving.

【Host! Wolves aren't used like this! You can buy a horse or donkey cart!】

【You paying?】

Jin Chen glanced at it.

Penniless, 0731 slowly strained to support itself, letting its head droop.

【You'd better think of a way to make money fast!】 It urged Jin Chen.

Prices in town were ordinary; ten catties of refined rice cost only a few dozen wen, and with oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and other condiments, the total came to half a tael of silver.

But for ordinary folk who rely solely on their fields for a living, it's not something easily obtained.

Yelin also clicked his tongue inwardly.

Now that he's part of this little household, he ought to advise his husband, but the words rose to his lips and he swallowed them back.

Would he… resent me for meddling too much?

Jin Chen noticed a cloth shop by the street, glanced at his husband's clothing, and decisively brought him inside.

"Sir, what kind of fabric would you like to buy?"

The assistant sized up their attire, saw they looked like ordinary farmers, and instinctively showed them the cheapest few fabrics in the shop.

It wasn't a matter of looking down on them; many farmers pass through town, but most tend to buy the cheaper option, and over time it became a habit.

Jin Chen felt the fabrics the assistant mentioned; they were still a bit rough, unsuitable for his husband's skin.

He lifted his eyes, "Do you have any softer, more comfortable fabric?"

"Yes, over here."

The assistant stared for a moment, then hurriedly recommended the better ones.

Yelin followed behind Jin Chen, saw he was choosing plain, elegant fabrics, and couldn't help but wonder, "Do you like this kind, husband?"

Huh?

Jin Chen turned to look at him, chuckled, and said, "I'm picking these for you, of course they should be nice."

He picked three bolts of cloth, handed them to the assistant, and said, "Is your tailor in? Let's have them measured and made today."

The assistant hesitated a moment, worried Jin Chen might not understand and later regret it, still advised, "This is new fabric from Suzhou, 500 wen per bolt; three bolts here come to one and a half taels of silver."

Half a tael of silver per bolt!

Yelin's eyes widened, about to protest, but Jin Chen's expression remained calm, "Hmm, take it."

"Hey, sir, just wait a moment, I'll call the tailor over!"

The assistant darted into the back room.

"Husband, it's too expensive."

Yelin grabbed Jin Chen's sleeve, brows furrowed, "We still need money for the house, and I can't wear such fine clothes."

"Nonsense, I earned the money to support you; besides, we can't always live on the mountain, and when we move down we'll still need to replace things."

Jin Chen gently pinched Yelin's pert nose, "You deserve to wear fine clothes and be well cared for."

Being gazed upon so tenderly and soothed with soft words, Yelin's eyes instantly reddened, he choked up slightly, leaned lightly into Jin Chen's embrace, and his heart fluttered deep inside.

He couldn't help but recall that during past New Years, his older sister and younger brother had new clothes, splendid indeed, while he had none, wearing only his sister's castoffs; sometimes when his father wanted to buy him clothes, his mother would flare up, and he'd inevitably get a scolding or beating.

Marrying Jin Chen, I had thought my fate was bad, but never expected it to be such a blessing.

【Detected emotional fluctuation of the antagonist toward the host, triggering Heartbeat Value, Heartbeat Value +20!】

The 0731 squatting outside the shop suddenly perked up its candy‑chewing head and peered inside.

The old tailor soon came out, "Come in and let me take your measurements."

Only then did Jin Chen release Yelin, "Go ahead."

Yelin nodded and went into the back room.

When taking measurements, the old master glanced at Yelin with some surprise and casually said, "You're a bit too thin; you still need to eat something good to nourish yourself."

Okay, thank you.

After finishing the measurements, Yelin nodded and thanked the old master, then left.

The assistant immediately said, "It can be cut and sewn in half an hour, but if you want finished clothing, you'll have to wait three days."

No problem, first bring out a few sets of wearable finished clothing.

Sure!

The assistant then brought out several suitably sized sets for the two to choose from; Jin Chen still picked the nice and fitting ones, also bought two pairs of cloth shoes, and in the end actually spent three taels of silver.

The two walked out of the shop, Yelin still feeling a bit startled; he had never imagined he would spend so much money, and he carefully and cautiously asked Jin Chen.

Husband, how much silver do you still have?

Let me think… about ten taels of silver.

Jin Chen teased, "Don't worry, husband, we won't run out of money."

While strolling like this, it soon reached si hour; they hadn't eaten much for breakfast, and both were a bit hungry.

Jin Chen glanced at a nearby snack stall, then also looked at the noodle stall.

Yelin, do you want some snacks, or shall we go eat a bowl of noodles?

Yelin first froze for two seconds at that form of address, then, after reacting, replied with reddened ears, "Let's eat noodles; noodles are filling."

But as he said that, Jin Chen did not miss the husband's glance toward the snack stall.

Alright, then let's eat noodles.

Jin Chen took Yelin's hand and walked into the noodle stall, found a clean spot for him to sit, and said, "Two bowls of noodles, extra meatballs!"

Stall owner: "Hey! Sure, it'll be up shortly!"

Jin Chen also had 0731 keep watch, then told Yelin, "I'll come over in a moment."

Yelin didn't ask further, obediently nodding.

But not long after Jin Chen left, a strange, grating sound reached Yelin's ears.

Yelin! How are you here!