Chapter 179: Farming: Saving the Substitute Bridegroom 22

Yelin's obsession faded from his eyes; he nodded obediently, though the corner of his mouth still twitched, "Will my husband think I'm overthinking…?"

This shows that Linlin cares, but from now on, if you have any problems, you should ask instead of stewing in silence.

Jin Chen spoke softly, "Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I remember."

Yelin lifted his smile again, feeling delighted.

It was my fault; I shouldn't have doubted my husband—he's clearly so good.

【Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total now 90!】

These are bank notes; they should be enough to buy a house. In a couple days, when the sun isn't so harsh, we'll go to town together to look at residences and shop spaces.

Jin Chen took out all the bank notes, handed them to Yelin, then went to rinse off, washing away the scent on his body and changing into clean clothes.

Back in the room, the first thing he did was embrace his husband and linger awhile, almost working up a sweat again.

0731 happily hugged a chicken leg in the courtyard and gnawed on it.

Having money is great! Nom nom on the chicken leg!

It let out a satisfied howl, rolled over, and kept biting.

——

A few days later, the Beginning of Autumn.

Upon waking, a gentle breeze stirred; the tree outside the bamboo building's window swayed, its branches brushing the eaves, making a swishing sound.

All trees showed autumn colors, all mountains only the setting glow.

Yelin propped open the room's window; fresh air poured in, he contentedly narrowed his eyes, feeling great.

"Autumn has arrived, husband."

"Linlin, add an extra layer today so you don't catch a chill."

Jin Chen draped the shawl over Yelin, then from behind pulled his husband into an embrace, their temples brushing as they jointly admired the autumn scenery of the mountains.

"How about we go to town today to look at houses? While the weather's good, we can decide soon and move earlier."

"I'll follow whatever you say, husband."

Yelin leaned back, relaxed; as long as his husband is near, anywhere feels like home.

"Then I'll make breakfast; we'll head to town later."

Jin Chen stroked Yelin's cheek, gave him a quick kiss, then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Yelin noticed the basket he'd forgotten to bring back last night, called out to the silver wolf playing outside the window, "Fortune, fetch the basket from the plank."

"Whoo——"

0731 responded, gave up chasing the butterfly, trotted over to the plank, grabbed the basket in its mouth, and ran back into the house.

Yelin had long since grown accustomed to its human-like understanding, praised it as clever, then left the bedroom, took the basket—inside lay a heap of fallen leaves—he washed it clean before returning it to the kitchen.

Not long after, Jin Chen had the noodles ready; each of the two people and the wolf had a bowl.

【Host, your cooking keeps getting better… burp.】

0731 let out a satisfied burp, feeling completely full.

Jin Chen kicked it, saying, "Why have you been getting so fat lately? You're like a pig."

"Whine——"

0731 shook its head in displeasure.

【Once I return to the space, I'll change back! This is all an illusion!】

Yelin also laughed, "These days we don't need to hunt; Fortune really hasn't been running much, just chasing butterflies and eating meat all day in the bamboo lodge."

After he finished the noodles, he cleared his bowl and chopsticks, then Jin Chen took them to wash.

Yelin sat at the table, watching Jin Chen's back as he washed dishes, a sense of happiness welling up.

Actually, I'm the same—since moving into the bamboo lodge with my husband, I've hardly done any chores; little things like washing dishes and airing clothes, if my husband is home, he won't let me do them no matter what.

He thought, maybe all the previous hardships were just to meet this person.

Jin Chen tidied the kitchen, came out, and saw his husband's beaming smile; he chuckled, leaned in, and gave him a kiss.

"What are you thinking about, Linlin? It's time to go."

Yelin stood, hooked his arm through Jin Chen's, "Nothing much, let's go, Fortune."

"Whoa——"

0731 trailed behind the sturdy horse, rushing toward town.

——

The market was always bustling with people coming and going.

Jin Chen tethered the horse at the small tea stall by the crossroads, gave the owner a few copper coins to keep an eye on it, and the owner readily agreed.

"Where should we go look?"

Yelin followed Jin Chen forward.

"Let's find Dazhuang brother; he told me a couple days ago that there's a real-estate agent in town he's dealt with, someone trustworthy."

Jin Chen said, taking the initiative to clasp his husband's hand, "Let's go."

The street was crowded, with many couples and male pairs out and about, yet none were as affectionate as they; Yelin's cheeks flushed slightly, but he didn't pull away.

Neither of them paid attention to the glances others threw their way.

"Chenzi! Over here!"

Feng Dazhuang had taken a half-day leave, purposely waiting outside the real-estate office; seeing Jin Chen and Yelin, he hurriedly waved them over.

"Brother Dazhuang."

Jin Chen approached, and together with Yelin called out, "Thanks for the trouble."

"Eh, nothing much, come in," Feng Dazhuang stepped over the threshold, "This landlord is a good person, kind of half a Fengshu Cun resident, you won't go wrong looking for him."

"Uncle Zhang!"

Feng Dazhuang shouted toward the inside.

"Hey, I'm coming!"

Two people walked out from the house; the one Feng Dazhuang called Uncle Zhang is an honest-looking middle-aged man, and he's also followed by a young woman who blushed and lowered her head upon seeing Feng Dazhuang.

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow at the similarly blushing Feng Dazhuang and understood.

This is helping his future father-in-law drum up business.

He joked, "Dazhuang bro, why are you blushing for no reason?"

Uncle Zhang laughed heartily, had his daughter step forward, and said, "Young folks, if you hit it off, blushing is natural!"

"Young'un, you guys want to buy a house?"

"Exactly, this is my husband; Uncle Zhang, do you have any good property recommendations?"

Seeing Feng Dazhuang and the girl step aside to talk, Jin Chen turned serious again and asked carefully.

"Yes, good properties are certainly available; houses and shops are all listed—it just depends on what you want." Uncle Zhang was straightforward.

"A two‑courtyard house is fine; I want the location quiet, plus a shop suitable for a food stall."

Jin Chen and Yelin had already agreed earlier that they didn't need a large place to live; a few servants would be enough, and they chose a courtyard so that 0731 could have a place to romp.

Jin Chen plans to hire two apprentices for the shop to do barbecue and malatang, treating it as fast food that doesn't require much effort; once the reputation spreads, he'll expand it.

"Let me see…" Uncle Zhang flipped the ledger, "There really is one—right next street over, the location is good, the area is full of scholars, just a bit pricey at 500 taels of silver."

"Price is negotiable as long as the house is good."

"All right! Come with me to take a look!"

Uncle Zhang led the way, heading east on the street.

The courtyard is indeed good—past the Main Gate is a screen wall, behind the main hall are two side rooms, separated by a small garden, and then three more rooms.

Inside the courtyard there's also a small wooden bridge; beneath it flows living water, and lotuses are planted, giving it a special charm.

Uncle Zhang introduced as they walked, and after viewing it waited for Jin Chen's answer.

Jin Chen looked at his husband, who had been quietly observing, and asked, "Linlin, are you still satisfied?"

"I really like this place."

Yelin's almond eyes glimmered; everywhere she looked was lush greenery, the house was fine, and thinking that this would be where she and her husband would spend their lives filled her with joy.

"All right, then this is it."

Seeing him pleased, Jin Chen had no further concerns.

——

Good morning, babies!

Time to choose a world again!

The options are:

1. Apocalypse: Team Captain Jin Chen & the abandoned cold‑beauty doctor

2. Infinite Flow: Newcomer Jin Chen & the ruthless beauty

As before, we'll look at which option gets more votes; the unchosen one will also be written later.

I've seen all your suggestions in the group; I'll record them and write them slowly—we still have a long road ahead together.