Chapter 165: Farming: Saving the Substitute Bridegroom 08

He withdrew his tracking spirit energy, casually tore off two bamboo leaves, and flicked them from his fingertips.

In an instant, the bamboo leaves shot straight into the hearts of the Ye clan mother and son, and both collapsed with eyes wide open.

And all of this, even Ye Yun in the room did not notice.

To prove it was a revenge killing, Jin Chen also stabbed the Ye clan once, writing a sentence on the door.

"Debt must be repaid with life."

Jin Chen came and went without a trace, unseen by anyone.

——

Yelin woke up again, it was already noon, having been unconscious for a full two hours.

He sat up, half-leaning against the headboard, his eyes filled with genuine doubt.

"The bamboo loft… how could I be in the bamboo loft."

He pressed his temples, recalling what had happened today.

He went shopping in town with his husband, then prepared to go eat noodles at a stall, and then… he met his mother and younger brother.

Yelin remembered—he should have been arguing with his mother, so how did he suddenly end up in the bamboo loft?

"Awake, hungry?" Jin Chen walked into the room.

"A little."

Yelin rubbed his stomach; although he didn't remember, he was sure he hadn't eaten that bowl of noodles, otherwise he wouldn't be this hungry.

He urgently wanted to know what had happened, lifting his gaze to Jin Chen: "How did I suddenly wake up at home?"

"You were shoved by the Ye clan, hit your head, and passed out."

Jin Chen sat on the bedside, drew his husband close, his tone full of pity.

"It's my fault—I failed to protect you."

Yelin reached up to feel the back of his head, and indeed a bump had risen; he understood, then after hearing Jin Chen's next words, he shook his head.

"It's not your fault; they went too far……"

Afraid Jin Chen would blame himself, he lifted his head and said earnestly, "You've already been very good to me."

Such impartial doting—even when his father was alive, he had never experienced it.

{Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 25! }

Being looked at with such somewhat dependent eyes, Jin Chen couldn't help but feel a flutter; he lowered his head and kissed his husband's cheek, his voice low and gentle.

"I've warmed up some rice for you; come down and eat a bit."

"Okay." Yelin slightly lowered his lashes, his eyelashes trembling, not resisting Jin Chen's gesture, merely feeling a bit shy.

Jin Chen placed the items he'd bought in town all around the bamboo loft, which now actually looked a bit like a home.

While eating, he glanced around the room, and Yelin finally felt a genuine sense of "home."

This was also the first time he had felt this way.

Even though he had grown up in the Ye family, upon careful recollection it now felt utterly alien, his memory filled only with endless scolding and belittlement.

When he arrived at the Jin family's village, Yelin again feared those rumors would bring him harm, spending each day anxious and frightened, and he certainly did not regard that place as a home.

Yelin ate this meal to his full satisfaction.

Jin Chen also didn't let him wash the dishes; he got up himself, took the bowls to the kitchen, drew some water, and cleaned them.

This left Yelin at a loss.

He followed closely behind Jin Chen, saw him roll up his sleeves to wash the dishes, and finally couldn't help but say, "Husband, let me wash."

Yelin had never heard of a man who would wash dishes; these kitchen chores were always done by the maidservants; Jin Chen being able to cook every day already amazed him, and now he wouldn't even let him do kitchen work.

Yelin truly felt somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

"Go out and play; this water is cold on the hands, and in winter it will make your joints ache."

Jin Chen gently advised him, "If you're bored, let Fortune keep you company on a walk, but don't go too far—these mountains… Linlin?"

Hearing Jin Chen's endless chatter, Yelin suddenly felt a surge of tears, flung himself into his embrace, and clung tightly.

Jin Chen spilled the water, quickly reached out his hand, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"What's wrong?"

"Husband…"

Yelin merely trembled as he softly called out, already moved beyond words—could such a wonderful life truly be his to have?

"I'm here, I'm here." Jin Chen shook dry his hands, also returned the embrace, his alluring voice full of magnetism, "Linlin, why did you suddenly cry?"

"It's just… I'm just so moved……"

Yelin smelled the warm sandalwood on Jin Chen's body, somewhat unable to articulate his emotions; he tiptoed, lowered his thick eyelashes, and rested his chin on Jin Chen's shoulder.

Jin Chen couldn't help but feel somewhat moved as well.

He lowered his gaze, locking eyes with his husband, the depths filled with utmost tenderness and indulgence: "These are what I ought to do; from now on, Linlin, you'd better get used to it—there's no reason for a husband to do chores; you just need to be happy and joyful."

Gently rubbing his cheek against Jin Chen's neck, Yelin gave a small nod, his voice tinged with moisture, "But they're all like that; my mother has said since I was young that a shu'er isn't liked by others and ought to serve her husband well."

"No matter how others act, that's their business; we just need to live our own lives well."

The man curled his lips in a pleased arc, lightly kissed his husband's lips, "Linlin, you're so good—you were born to enjoy blessings."

{Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 35! }

Yelin endured his shyness and tried to respond to Jin Chen, but could only kiss him clumsily, which instead made Jin Chen's heart flutter.

He suddenly lifted Yelin's chin lightly, deepening the kiss.

After a long while, the kiss ended.

Yelin leaned against Jin Chen's chest, panting; his cheeks were flushed crimson, his almond eyes glistening with moisture, and the vermilion mole between his brows grew even redder, tugging at the heartstrings.

Seeing Jin Chen's warm, smiling gaze, he suddenly felt shy, burying himself once more in Jin Chen's embrace, refusing to lift his head no matter what.

Jin Chen's voice was mellow like wine, his tone seemingly turning into an invisible hook, teasing Yelin, "Yelin, why won't you lift your head to look at me? Maybe you're shy; hurry and let your husband see."

He rubbed the soft flesh at Yelin's chin, applying slight pressure, and they locked eyes again; Jin Chen's gaze held a smile, "Indeed, your face is almost as red as the mountain flowers."

"...... Not at all."

Yelin gave him an annoyed glance, straightened her body; the back-mountain flowers he had seen this morning were blooming in a vivid, fiery red, and the red on her own face couldn't compare.

"My husband is always joking."

He walked out of the kitchen, leaving a somewhat flustered, fleeing back view, which made Jin Chen laugh out loud.

Outside the bamboo pavilion, Yelin sat on a wooden stump, cupping her still-warm cheeks with both hands, gazing blankly into the distance.

"Roar......"

0731 was bored, so it came over and lay at Yelin's feet, its fluffy head rubbing against his knee.

While the Host was washing dishes, Little Pitiful One, come snuggle with me!

"Fortune, you really act like a big dog."

Yelin is no longer afraid of it; she reached out and stroked 0731's smooth fur, which felt wonderful.

"Whimper......"

"Not at all! I'm now a mighty, imposing wolf!"

As if to prove it, 0731 suddenly stood up and let out a loud howl toward the forest outside the bamboo pavilion.

"Awoo——"

Yelin was startled by his surprisingly human action, then immediately laughed out loud.

"No need to rush to prove it; I can tell you're a wolf."