The morning sun peeked through the gaps in the thatched roof, spilling golden light across the uneven floorboards. Bai Jing stirred awake beneath his thick blanket, eyes heavy but mind already turning toward the day's tasks. His body was still fragile, and the dull ache in his abdomen reminded him that there was another life growing inside him.
Scruffy, the white furball beast, was curled beside his pillow, tail flicking lazily. Its round eyes blinked open the moment Bai Jing shifted. With a soft meow, it climbed onto his chest, kneading with tiny paws.
Human, when are you going to make breakfast? The sun is already up.
"You're awake earlier than me," Bai Jing whispered, scratching the beast's ears. "I guess you'll follow me again today, hm?"
The little beast let out a proud cry, as if confirming its majesty had decided to grace him with company.
Bai Jing smiled faintly before rising. He swept the floor, folded his blanket, and washed his face with the last bit of stored water. Today he needed to fetch more from the river and perhaps gather herbs in the forest.
Ye Cheng was gone again, and he didn't get the chance to see him. Bai Jing wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or uneasy about his husband's absence.
Just as he stepped out into the yard with the empty buckets, a pair of villagers walked past the small bamboo gate. Their voices carried on the crisp morning air.
"…That's the Bai family's Ger, isn't it? The one who got sent away with the Ye family's bastard son?"
"Hah, I heard he already started selling mushrooms in town. Acting like some great herbal master. Who knows if those mushrooms are even safe?"
"Although they're acting like big shots, I heard they are not loved by their family."
"Of course, how else would they have come to this remote village?"
Their laughter fills the air. Bai Jing was stunned and froze at the threshold, his hand tightening around the bucket's handle. Gossip… So soon? He hadn't been here for more than a few days, yet already tongues wagged.
He had no idea who spared the rumors and even if he did, there's nothing he could do about it.
The four villagers noticed him standing there and faltered slightly, but instead of greeting him, they whispered louder.
"Look at him, so delicate. Does he really think he can survive village life? At most, he'll waste away after giving birth."
"Better hope he doesn't bring misfortune here."
"Even though he'd been here for a few days, he hasn't come out to any gathering to get to know us."
"What do you expect? He's from the city, they look down on common villagers like us."
They moved on, leaving Bai Jing staring at their retreating figures, heart twisting with unease. Those four that just passed by are also gers, Bai Jing never thought about engaging with them. But… he's not sure whether that's a good decision.
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By the time he reached the river with Scruffy trotting behind, Lan Zhu was already there, filling two buckets. He waved cheerfully: "Morning! You came later than me today."
Bai Jing forced a smile: "Good morning. I… had some things on my mind."
Lan Zhu tilted his head, sensing something off, but he didn't pry. Instead, he offered to help: "I'll carry one bucket for you. With your condition, it's better not to overwork yourself."
"No, I can manage." Bai Jing insisted, though he secretly appreciated the offer. He bent to fill his bucket, letting the cool water wash over his hands. The rushing river always calmed him.
As they walked back together, Lan Zhu chatted lightly about the mushrooms he sold yesterday. "The Daode Restaurant was very satisfied! They want more in two days. Shopkeeper Li even said if I bring steady supplies, he'll pay better next time."
"That's good." Bai Jing said with a small smile. "But… be careful. Too much attention isn't always good."
Lan Zhu blinked: "Did something happen?"
Bai Jing hesitated, then sighed. "No, nothing. We just can't afford attracting attention."
Lan Zhu's cheerful face hardened, although Bai Jing didn't say it, he could already guess it's about the village gers. After all, he heard them talking about it.
"Don't worry about the village gers. They've always looked down on me too, calling me useless because I farm instead of marrying rich. They don't know anything! They only know how to dress up and gossip all day long."
His fiery defense warmed Bai Jing's heart. "Thank you, Lan Zhu."
"I'll come to you later to hand over the money. I didn't bring it with me."
"There's no rush, it's still early."
They walked the rest of the way in silence, though both could feel unseen eyes on them. When they reached the gate, a group of boys who had been chatting nearby fell quiet, eyes darting toward Bai Jing. Their lips curved in mocking smirks before they dispersed.
Bai Jing exhaled slowly, carrying the water inside. Scruffy leapt onto the windowsill, tail twitching irritably at the villagers' attitude.
It doesn't know whether Bai Jing's low mood would affect the food he cooks. Otherwise, it won't let those villagers get away with it!
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That afternoon, Bai Jing went to the forest again. He gathered a basket of mushrooms, careful to separate the poisonous from the edible. Bai Jing couldn't wait to buy the herb identifier book that he saw in the system store. With it, gathering would be much easier.
Scruffy padded at his heels, occasionally batting at fallen leaves. But halfway through, a rustle in the bushes made Bai Jing freeze. He gripped his basket tighter.
From the shadows, a thin-faced villager stepped out, arms crossed. It was Wu Zhen, a man known for gambling and stirring trouble. Behind him trailed two younger men. Bai Jing happened to see him getting scolded by the village chief once, which is why he remembered him.
"Well, well. If it isn't the Ye family's Ger. What are you doing in the forest without your husband around?" Wu Zhen's smile was oily: "I hear you've been selling mushrooms in town. Making money, huh?"
Bai Jing's stomach tightened: "Just a little. Enough to live on."
"Then hand some over," Wu Zhen sneered. "We're all villagers here, shouldn't you share your luck? Otherwise, don't blame us if accidents happen in the forest."
The two men behind him chuckled darkly.
Bai Jing's heart raced, but he straightened his back. "These were picked with my effort. If you want mushrooms, go find them yourself."
Wu Zhen's smile vanished, replaced by a scowl: "Don't think your husband Ye Cheng will protect you. That bastard is no better than us. He won't lift a finger if we teach you a lesson."
Bai Jing's hand trembled around the basket, he doesn't know where those villagers get their courage from, they are really bold. But before fear could overwhelm him, a blur of white leapt forward.
Meow!
Scruffy's fur bristled as it hissed, eyes gleaming with a sharp light far beyond an ordinary animal. The unknown pressure made the two younger men stumble back instinctively.
"What the hell is that?" one gasped.
Wu Zhen narrowed his eyes, suddenly less confident: "Tch. Keep your mutt under control, Ger. This isn't over." He spat on the ground and retreated with his lackeys.
Only after they disappeared did Bai Jing exhale shakily. He crouched, stroking Scruffy's fur. "You… you are very powerful."
The little beast puffed up proudly, as if declaring, Of course. Who dares threaten this majesty's human?
Bai Jing's lips curved into a faint smile despite the lingering fear: "Looks like I really can't survive without you, Scruffy."
He stood up and pick up the basket of mushrooms: "Come on, let's go have breakfast."
Scruffy followed him excitedly.
Bai Jing realized the village was more dangerous than he expected. But he won't allow anyone to take advantage of him!