Shen Yun, the instigator, held her down firmly, his face rapt with adoration, as if savoring a fine wine that had remained sealed for years.
The wine’s aroma was long-lasting and its aftertaste potent, leaving one dizzy and enchanted.
He was so immersed that he paid no mind to Su Xiaoqi’s inner rejection.
The experience was foreign, yet it captivated him.
Sensing the woman’s struggle, he reluctantly lessened his strength, his voice soft and coaxing, “Be good, Xiaoqi…”
“No…” Su Xiaoqi was half-entranced, half-aware.
Her mind was a chaotic swirl, like stirred-up paste.
Suddenly, someone’s hand lightly traced, and just as another point was about to be breached, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
Then came a series of knocks on the door.
Both of them were startled awake.
Su Xiaoqi instinctively struggled, but Shen Yun’s strong arms held her tightly.
“Big cousin, Xiaoqi sister, hurry and get up! Something’s happened at the fish pond, there’s a bad guy, a bad guy…”
Su Xiaoqi pushed Shen Yun forcefully. “Hurry and get up! Someone must be stealing fish.”
Shen Yun’s handsome brows furrowed slightly, and he reluctantly rose.
He also pulled down her half-lifted dress for Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi lowered her head and cursed inwardly, "Pervert, he actually went that far."
She glared at Shen Yun and hastily put on her outer garment.
The knocking grew more urgent.
Zhao Xiaozhu’s voice from outside was also filled with panic.
This agitation made Su Xiaoqi’s hands start to falter.
She fumbled with her sash for a long time before she could tie it.
Shen Yun, who had gotten up later, was already dressed.
Seeing her like this, he reached his long arm around her from behind, his hands meeting hers at her lower abdomen, and deftly tied a knot.
Then, he rested his chin on her shoulder and whispered softly, “I’m here, they won’t get away.”
The door opened, and Zhao Xiaozhu was beside herself with worry.
Seeing the two of them standing together at the doorway, she seemed to realize something, her face flushing red as she stammered,
“Zhao, Big Brother Zhao said that someone, someone is stealing fish.”
Su Xiaoqi nodded, gripping Zhao Xiaozhu’s trembling shoulders and patting them gently. “I know, I’ll go take a look right away.”
She quickly went out, and upon reaching the doorway, she saw a dark figure squatting on the steps.
She had come out in a hurry and hadn’t brought a lamp, almost stepping on him.
Fortunately, Shen Yun was rational and quickly produced a torch, illuminating the doorway.
Zhao Ye, seeing Su Xiaoqi, hurried forward and gestured frantically.
Su Xiaoqi comforted him, saying she already knew and they would go catch the fish thief now.
The four of them walked towards the fish pond.
On the bank illuminated by the torch, they found the culprit’s tools: a fishing net.
According to Zhao Ye’s gestures, when he discovered the person, they had already scooped up the fish.
However, the thrown stones had scared them, causing them to drop the net.
But judging by the situation, they had definitely stolen fish, though it was unclear how many.
Shen Yun, holding the torch, surveyed the area.
“Your stones should have hit him.”
Zhao Ye rubbed the back of his head, looking remorseful, and gestured incessantly, apologizing.
Su Xiaoqi saw how flustered he was, his thin, dark face flushed.
She quickly grabbed his fingers. “Don’t panic, don’t panic, it’s just a few fish, it’s fine.”
She had taken responsibility for these two fish ponds primarily to provide cover for the fish pond in her space.
She hadn’t harbored any grand expectations for it, so she genuinely felt it was no big deal.
However, her attitude only made Zhao Ye feel worse.
He thought of how much she trusted him, how good she was to him.
She provided him with a well-paying livelihood and treated him like family, covering his food, lodging, and even clothes.
He hadn’t dared to wear any of the clothes she gave him, keeping them carefully preserved.
Shen Yun frowned as he watched Su Xiaoqi reach for Zhao Ye.
He subtly stepped forward, separating them, and led her to the bloodstains he had just discovered, analyzing,
“Since he’s injured and took the fish, it shouldn’t be difficult to find him if we search now.”
Zhao Village wasn't large, only fifty households.
Those with the courage and inclination to do something like this were few.
After all, the "Great Liang Statutes" imposed severe penalties for theft.
Not everyone could afford the consequences of being convicted.
Su Xiaoqi was unfazed. “Never mind, there are thousands of fish in this pond, let them steal a few if they want.
It’s not worth disturbing everyone’s sleep over a few fish.
Alas, there’s so much to do tomorrow, let’s go to sleep.”
Her shop was set to open in the next couple of days, and the foundation for her house was about to be laid. She felt that sleep was more important.
Zhao Ye became anxious, wanting to say something, but Su Xiaoqi interrupted him. “It’s okay, it’s not your fault.
The incident has already happened, so let it be.”
She called Shen Yun and Zhao Xiaozhu, who had followed them at some point, to head home.
Zhao Xiaozhu hesitated for a moment, nodded at Zhao Ye, and followed.
Shen Yun handed the torch to the women but stayed behind for another fifteen minutes.
He spoke with Zhao Ye about something, though what it was, was unclear.
Su Xiaoqi was too preoccupied to dwell on it and yawned her way back home.
Seeing the light on in Mrs. Zhao’s room, she realized everyone had been woken up.
To prevent them from worrying, she went in and offered a brief explanation.
She emphasized that everyone was fine and that only a few fish had been lost.
It was considered a small price to pay to avert disaster!
Seeing her casual attitude, the others were reassured.
They each returned to their sleep.
Su Xiaoqi got back into the still-warm bed, and the fish-stealing incident was immediately forgotten.
What lingered in her mind was what had happened between her and Shen Yun.
She glanced at her clothes, her face heating up as she covered it.
So close, so very close.
Fortunately, fortunately.
Su Xiaoqi slept soundly until dawn broke.
The person beside her had already left, their side of the bed cold.
Shen Yun needed to reach the county school before the start of the Chen hour.
Generally, on odd-numbered days, fish weren’t delivered. When Su Xiaoqi wasn’t around, he and Zhao Liushun walked there.
Therefore, they had to depart before dawn.
Su Xiaoqi stared blankly for a moment, recalling last night’s events, and instinctively touched her clothes.
Fortunately, everything was in order.
However, there were several hickey marks on her neck, extending down to her collarbone.
They were undoubtedly left by Shen Yun during their passionate embrace last night.
Su Xiaoqi gritted her teeth. “Damn Shen Yun, leaving his marks on me.”
After her anger subsided, Su Xiaoqi remembered the matter of her space leveling up.
She hurried inside to take a look around.
She was surprised to find that level eleven space brought great surprises.
The farmland had expanded to six mu. Besides rice and wheat, there were now millet and cotton.
Furthermore, the yield had also increased.
The fish pond was six fen, and the variety of fish had grown.
Livestock options had unlocked chickens and ducks.
Of course, the mist within had dispersed significantly.
Besides the visible farmland and fish ponds, a corner of a mountain could be seen in the distance.
Su Xiaoqi’s anticipation for what other surprises her space would bring grew with each passing moment.
May second, the day Su Xiaoqi had arranged with Zhao Dayou for the 'supermarket' to open.
After Su Xiaoqi had Zhao Laoshi drive the mule cart to deliver Shen Yun and Zhao Liushun to the county school, she delivered the one hundred and fifty fish from both families.
She then hurried back in the mule cart, arriving at the 'supermarket' on Linshui Lane at the Chen hour.
Zhao Dayou had already been craning his neck, waiting at the shop entrance.