Chapter 40: As a Wife, As a Husband

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Liu Jin looks at the task ahead of him with intense concentration. The liquid’s dark depths reveal nothing to him. Regardless, he must press on.

His hand moves with lightning quickness. Metal flashes.

Not a single drop is spilled.

“How is it?”

Xiao Shuang’s blue eyes look at him, waiting for his judgment. He must not lie to her. That, he knows for sure. Liu Jin takes a moment to savor the hot soup. He bites down on the meat and noodles before swallowing them. His eyes close as he lets the taste work its way through his body.

“Well?”

“It is… good.”

Xiao Shuang’s eyes shine. “Truly?”

Liu Jin nods as he takes another spoonful of soup. Then another and another. “Delicious.”

Absolutely delicious.

An excited sound leaves Xiao Shuang’s mouth. She is almost jumping in place.

It is an unbelievable sight. When talking about status, talent, and wealth, it goes without saying that Xiao Shuang is above everyone in Eastern Port City. Her level of cultivation naturally surpasses Liu Jin’s by a wide margin. In fact, although Xiao Shuang makes sure to keep her Qi low most of the time, Liu Jin is certain Xiao Shuang is considerably stronger than her brother.

That is why it baffles Liu Jin that something as simple as making soup makes her so happy.

It has already been over two weeks since they married. Since then, Meng Yue has not been seen even once. The woman left as mysteriously as she came. Even so, her visit definitely made an impact, not just on the Xiao Sect but all over Eastern Port City.

People still whisper about her. The servants walk on edge ever since. Apparently, they have to be prepared to hold a grand feast at a moment’s notice. No one knows whether Meng Yue will decide on another unexpected visit or not. It is best to err on the side of caution. At least, that is the attitude the influential people of Eastern Port City have decided to take.

Well, that is what Xiao Nan tells him. Liu Jin would not know for sure. Since the day he married, Liu Jin has not left the Xiao Sect.

For him and Xiao Shuang to live together is only fitting. They are, after all, married. However, for Liu Jin to take Xiao Shuang to his home is unthinkable. Similarly, there is no point in Xiao Shuang staying in the main house. That is why Xiao Zheng had a small house built inside the inner section of the Xiao Sect’s compound.

It should go without saying that the house is only small in comparison to the things around it. By Liu Jin’s estimate, it is larger than his father’s clinic, much better crafted too. All of his and Xiao Shuang’s belongings fit in the house with ease. They even found a nice corner for the Tree of Never Ending Vigor.

Only Xiao Nan and Xiao Zheng visit with any degree of frequency. His father has only visited twice, busy with work as he is.

All things considered, it has been a peaceful experience.

Xiao Shuang, much to Liu Jin’s surprise, has embraced this new life. While she mentioned wanting to cook for him when they first met, Liu Jin had not realized how serious she was about it.

Xiao Shuang, Liu Jin has learned, takes a lot of things seriously, often saying, “A wife must do this” and “a wife must do that.” To Liu Jin, it seems like she delights in playing the role of a wife, though cooking has been the activity she has devoted most of her efforts to. Xiao Shuang practices for at least one hour each day, often two or more. While she practices, she never lets Liu Jin inside the kitchen.

Before today, Xiao Shuang never even allowed him to taste her creations, choosing instead to have the servants bring food for them.

“I am glad husband enjoys the soup his wife prepared for him.”

The smile on Xiao Shuang’s face tells him she truly means it. For such a small thing gives her so much joy… Liu Jin can’t understand it.

“This wife will do her best to cook all the meals from this day on.”

“You do not have to—”

“No!” Xiao Shuang surprises him by interrupting. She moves closer, her nose almost touching his. Blue eyes stare right into his red orbs. “I must definitely do this, husband!”

Liu Jin tilts his head to the side, confused. “Is it really so important to you, my lady?”

“Of course, it is!” Xiao Shuang looks down. “I… cannot manage our finances because we have no finances. Likewise, there are no businesses that I can oversee. I’ll likely never have children to look after. By the time we are old enough to worry about such things, we won’t be together anymore. That’s why… for the remaining time we have together, I want to be able to do the things a wife does.”

The things a wife does.

It seems so simple at first, but to Xiao Shuang, it is probably a chance she’ll never again have. This brief moment, this temporary lull, for her, it is nothing but the calm before the storm. Meng Yue will eventually come for her.

Who knows if Xiao Shuang will ever see her family again after that?

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Even if she sees them again, there is no telling when that will be.

It could be that he and Xiao Shuang won’t meet again for one hundred years. For someone like Xiao Zheng and Meng Yue, one hundred years is nothing worth mentioning. It is nothing more than the blink of an eye.

Yes, for them, it is probably like that.

However, Liu Jin and Xiao Shuang are just children.

“I see,” Liu Jin closes his eyes. “I apologize. I had misjudged how important this is for you, my lady. In that case, I will gladly eat your cooking until our last day together.”

“Thank you, husband.”

“Also…”

“Yes?”

“If my lady wishes to act as a wife, then it is only proper for me to act as a husband, right?”

~~~

“Amazing!”

The sight around them is nothing spectacular. It is nothing more than a street in the commercial district of Eastern Port City. There are food stands here and there. Two people haggle over a small statue, their arms moving wildly as each attempt to get the better price.