It is my honor.
Xiao Shan avoided the crowd and carried Xue Niang down the mountain to go home.
"My period is over, I need to bathe."
"Okay, I'll go boil water. Lie down and rest for a while."
Xiao Shan patted her head, but his mind was on the giant wolf. According to Xue Niang, it was something she saw in a dream. The wolf could speak human language and asked Xue Niang to help it cultivate.
Wolves naturally couldn't speak human language. It must have been a hallucination on Xue Niang's part. He guessed that the wolf was attracted by the scent on Xue Niang, including the messy pile of corpses nearby.
However, thanks to the giant wolf, it not only protected her but also kept her warm, preventing her from catching a cold.
It was the wolf lying on the ground like a human, hugging her, that made him furious. He hoped he wouldn't encounter it again.
Xue Niang looked up at Xiao Shan. He didn't seem to be thinking much and hadn't grasped her meaning at all.
This fool.
That night, when Xue Niang snuggled into Xiao Shan's bed and hugged his neck with her eyes closed, Xiao Shan only thought she was still frightened. He patted her back, still making no other moves.
This made Xue Niang feel both touched and a little disappointed.
In reality, she was still scared, but she didn't want to continue like this. She wanted to be a real couple with him, with no one in between.
The women in the village had already begun to pay attention to Xiao Shan. She had heard from Sister Xiu Lan that they said he was considerate, made money, and was a man of integrity and strength to be admired.
Chen Dong's wife, Xu Da Niu, and who knew who else in the future, she wouldn't allow anyone else to get close to him.
Early in the morning, Xiao Shan, who always woke up early, heard movement in the kitchen when he returned with water. He thought it was Xue Niang and was about to scold her for not resting more. However, when he went in, he saw Xu Da Niu busy there.
"What are you doing here?"
Xiao Shan naturally had no pleasant expression for the uninvited guest, his voice chillingly cold.
Xu Da Niu was still afraid of the enraged Xiao Shan, but thinking of how good he was to women, she mustered her courage.
"Brother Xiao, I guessed you might be tired from your continuous journeys these past few days, so I came to help you. Xue Niang hasn't been found yet, has she? You go ahead and look for her. I'll take care of things at home, you can rest assured."
It could only be said that Xu Da Niu was too confident about Ghost Forest. She was still working in the fields until dusk yesterday and didn't know Xue Niang had already returned.
Who do you think you are!
Xiao Shan already knew the reason Xue Niang had strayed into the forest. He hadn't decided how to deal with this ill-intentioned person, and now she had the audacity to come to his home.
Looking at that dark face was truly disgusting, just like her father Xu Da Fu. They both had honest faces but wicked hearts.
How could such a harmful creature be allowed to linger under Xue Niang's nose? Since she wanted to get married, he would find her a good husband.
Xiao Shan's house had plenty of ingredients. Xu Da Niu, in order to show off, made many dishes. Her stomach growled with hunger, and she thought she would get to eat something, but unexpectedly, as soon as she finished cleaning, Xiao Shan asked her to leave.
Xu Da Niu swallowed and reluctantly pulled her eyes away from the table full of food.
"Then, I'll be going, Brother Xiao. I'll come and cook for you again tomorrow."
She could only come in the morning under the guise of going up the mountain; she had no time at noon or in the evening.
Xiao Shan didn't speak, just snorted from his nose.
After driving Xu Da Niu away, Xiao Shan went to the room to check on Xue Niang. With the sound of the door opening, Xue Niang, wrapped in the quilt, stirred and stretched out her arms.
"Lazy cat, get up and eat."
"Mmm, what did you make? It smells so good." Her voice was still lazy and nasal, as if she hadn't woken up yet.
Xiao Shan smiled and pinched her nose, "Your nose is quite sharp."
Xue Niang sat up and quickly shed her nightgown, leaving only a pink camisole that barely held her treasures. She seemed to be half-asleep and didn't know what she was doing.
If it were usual, she would have already chased Xiao Shan out.
Xiao Shan's eyes widened, and he tried his best not to make a sound. Her smooth, fair skin was as dazzling as snow under the sun, making him feel a little parched.
Xue Niang was quiet for a moment, then sobered up a bit. She turned her head, her bright eyes seeming to hold a flowing light. "Quick, get me some clothes! What are you standing there blankly for?"
"Ah? Oh, oh, oh." Xiao Shan dazedly went to the wardrobe to get clothes.
Xue Niang glanced at him lightly, and Xiao Shan consciously averted his gaze, but his heart was burning fiercely.
He wondered if Xue Niang was too trusting of him. Had he been too much of a gentleman these days?
"Did Linglong say I have difficulty with offspring?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Take care of your health, and there won't be any problems." Xiao Shan scoffed, then frowned. Why was Xue Niang suddenly asking this?
Had someone in the illusion spoken out of turn again?
Xue Niang didn't ask any further. She put on her clothes and went to eat with Xiao Shan. Seeing the table full of food, Xue Niang was puzzled. It was just the two of them, so why was so much food prepared? Moreover, this time it was done with particular care, unlike something Xiao Shan, a rough fellow, could do.
Xue Niang picked up a flower roll, took a bite, and it was very fragrant, with scallions added.
"This wasn't made by you."
"Mmm, Xu Da Niu made it." Xiao Shan served the porridge and said casually.
Xue Niang's face changed. She threw down the flower roll in her hand and looked at Xiao Shan with disappointment.
"I won't eat it! You eat it yourself!"
She had clearly told him that Xu Da Niu had deliberately led her to Ghost Forest. That woman had a purpose from the moment she approached her. No wonder she had never really liked her. She had an honest face but did harmful things.
She had even saved her life before, but she repaid kindness with enmity, no different from a poisonous snake!
How could Xiao Shan allow such a person into his home and even let her cook? Wasn't he afraid of being poisoned to death by her!
"I watched her make it, there's nothing wrong with it. Don't worry, if she wants to be a servant, let her be."
"You were even in the same room with her? Disgusting! You eat it yourself!"
Xue Niang glared at Xiao Shan resentfully and ran out of the kitchen.
Xiao Shan didn't expect Xue Niang to react so strongly. In his opinion, Xu Da Niu's cooking skills were quite good. After she served Xue Niang good food and drinks for a few days, he would deal with her. She wanted to marry him, wouldn't it be more devastating to go from hope to despair?
But Xue Niang was unhappy.
Then it wouldn't do. If he was also disliked by Xue Niang, it would be a loss.
"Why are you running? I'll cook for you."
Xiao Shan chased after her and saw her sitting alone under the willow tree, facing Qingyun Mountain, lost in thought.
Xiao Shan's heart skipped a beat. For a moment, he felt as if Xue Niang was a little distant from him.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Xiao Shan, have you ever thought about returning to the battlefield?"
"No." Xiao Shan answered a bit too quickly, as if he himself had thought about it many times. "I have already dedicated my passion, my life, and my blood to this country. Now, I just want to live for myself."