"Ah! Could it be her?"
The scholar had called her Xu Da Niu.
"Are you talking about that Xu Da Niu who wanted to marry you and have your children?"
Xiao Shan: "......"
"She was distraught and wanted to jump into the river. I pulled her out."
"You pulled her, and that's how you got hurt?" Xiao Shan's face darkened. "With your physique, why would you show off? She should have drowned. With her build, it's a miracle you didn't get dragged into the river with her!"
She had almost been pulled into the river, thankfully the scholar was there.
Seeing that Xue Niang, uncharacteristically, did not retort but lowered her head to let him scold her, Xiao Shan did not feel happy. Instead, his face grew even uglier.
"Did you... did she really drag you into the river?"
She had changed her clothes that day, and she had been thrown around so much. Now, she dared not answer and lowered her head guiltily. Had he guessed correctly?
He was furious, this troublesome woman!
"No more going near the river from now on!"
A few words should be enough, but he was still going on about it. His loud voice made her ears buzz. Xue Niang pouted, "Should I just watch someone die? You're too cold-blooded."
"I'm cold-blooded?" Xiao Shan's voice grew louder. "Yes, I'm cold-blooded. I've killed at least eight thousand people, if not ten thousand. Human lives are no different from ants in my eyes. What does their life or death have to do with me? My heart is made of stone, hard—"
Xiao Shan's voice caught in his throat. He looked at his large hand being held by a pair of soft, tender, small white hands. In an instant, he felt a coolness there, like a clear spring that scattered the fire in his chest.
Xue Niang had taken his hand?
"You shouldn't say that. This is different from what happens on the battlefield. When I fell into the hands of bad people, I hoped every day someone would save me from my predicament. Now that you've saved me, I'm grateful. That's why I didn't think much at the time. Seeing someone fall into the water and struggle, I wanted to help. I didn't expect my own body to be so useless. I won't be so reckless next time."
Xiao Shan had been worried out of concern, not angry with her. He was just filled with lingering fear. Now, hearing her heartfelt words, all his anger vanished. His heart softened like cotton candy.
He was both happy and sweet.
He turned his hand, clasped Xue Niang's small hand, and enveloped it completely in his large one.
"I know, you're just too kind. From now on, if you encounter such a situation, you can call for help. Don't put yourself in danger. Only go to help others when you're sure you can do it, okay?"
"Mhm."
Xue Niang lowered her head and responded. She withdrew her hand. His hand was too hot. In just this short while, his grip had made her hand sweat.
And his body was like a large stove, capable of melting anyone who got close.
The clear spring in his hand disappeared, and Xiao Shan felt a sense of loss, his body feeling even hotter.
He needed to take a cold shower.
The sound of a carriage approached from outside. Xiao Shan and Xue Niang looked out together.
"Brother Xiao!"
It was Feng Yousheng, the shopkeeper of Fulai Restaurant.
Xiao Shan was a little surprised. Had the restaurant received a big order for game meat? But he hadn't hunted today.
Feng Yousheng, being familiar with Xiao Shan, had already opened the fence gate himself and was beckoning to someone behind him.
"Brother Nan, this is Brother Xiao."
The person behind him was about thirty years old, with slightly dark skin. His attire suggested he was a traveling merchant.
As they entered together, Feng Yousheng noticed a woman standing in the courtyard.
She stood there, pretty and elegant. Even her simple hairpin and plain dress couldn't hide her inherent grace. However, her face seemed...
Both men were experienced and not ignorant country folk. After a silent thought of pity, Feng Yousheng asked curiously, "Brother Xiao, this lady..."
"Is my wife."
Xue Niang glanced at Xiao Shan, her eyes flickering.
"Ah? Brother, you're married? Why didn't you notify your old brother? Oh, this is truly..." Feng Yousheng started to search his pockets.
He had visited once two months ago, and Xiao Shan had been alone then. He hadn't expected him to get married so quickly. He had thought that with Xiao Shan's personality, it would be difficult to find a wife! He had just barged in so casually.
Xiao Shan quickly stopped him, "Brother Yousheng, no need. From now on, bring my wife to your restaurant for meals, and you can take care of us."
"That's for sure, for sure." Feng Yousheng had dealt with Xiao Shan enough to know his temperament, so he stopped. With others, he might need to be more formal, but with Xiao Shan, it wasn't necessary.
Brother Xiao hated all this pretense the most. Directness was better.
"There's a big opera tomorrow at the market. Brother Xiao, you can take your sister-in-law to have some fun, and then come to the restaurant for a meal. It's my treat, haha, congratulations on your wedding."
Xiao Shan looked at Xue Niang. She was recovered now, and she must be bored staying at home all day. It would be good for her to go out for a bit.
"Do you want to go?"
Xue Niang's eyes lit up. "Yes, I do."
Xiao Shan curved his lips. "Alright, we'll go tomorrow."
Feng Yousheng clicked his tongue. This Brother Xiao was truly different after getting married. His face wasn't as cold as before, and his voice had become softer, as if he was afraid of scaring his little wife.
However, besides her face, this sister-in-law was truly impeccable. Her voice was as sweet as the larks he raised.
At first glance, she seemed mismatched with the robust Brother Xiao. But then again, a delicate wife and a strong man, they seemed perfectly suited.
The man in his thirties beside them also looked at Xue Niang a few more times. When Xiao Shan noticed, he shot the man a cold glance.
"Ah, Brother Xiao, let me introduce you. This is Brother Nan Pei, who comes to collect furs. You've been in Lin'an County for a short time and haven't met him. Brother Nan comes to Lin'an County twice a year and has an excellent reputation."
Nan Pei smiled at Xiao Shan and cupped his hands. "Brother Xiao, Manager Feng told me you are the most outstanding hunter in Lin'an County. That's why I asked him to introduce us. Do you have any unsold furs?"
Xiao Shan saw that he looked honest and spoke politely. He pointed to the storage room. "Let's go take a look together."
Feng Yousheng and Nan Pei's faces lit up with joy. As they were about to follow, they were stopped by two coughs.
It was Xiao Shan's footsteps that were halted. The two of them had no choice but to stop as well.
Xue Niang coughed twice, looking at Xiao Shan without speaking.
Was this man foolish? His bed was in the room. What would people think? Wouldn't they think he was a laughingstock?
Xiao Shan was confused at first, but then he understood and couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Xue Niang could think of this; she must be thinking of him.
"I'd better go inside and move them out!" he said to the two behind him.
Feng Yousheng and Nan Pei couldn't help but look at Xue Niang.
Good heavens! Brother Xiao was henpecked!
He hadn't expected this sister-in-law, as delicate as a willow branch, to control such a tall, broad-shouldered man so obediently.
Could she possess extraordinary skills?
Xue Niang's expression was calm. She gracefully sat on the small stool, ignoring their gazes. Dressed in a simple hairpin and plain clothes, even the blemishes on her face couldn't diminish her noble aura.
Xiao Shan carried out a stack of furs. Only then did the two quickly withdraw their astonished gazes.
"Brother Xiao is indeed the most outstanding hunter!"
Nan Pei's eyes gleamed as he looked at the intact furs. It was so rare. His archery skills were superb! Not a single blemish. Could it be that all his arrows hit the eyes?