Chapter 33
But unexpectedly, Luo Ge was not easy to deal with, especially with that plain and simple demeanor that made Zhu Auntie look annoyed.
"I still need to wash the vegetables, so I won't chat too much with Auntie. I've heard that those long-lived elders are always in a cheerful mood and don't like to meddle in other people's business. It's not good for Auntie to be so nosy about what others eat even when it has nothing to do with her."
The little brat's words, which she had heard a lot from Qian Momo before, didn't faze her at all.
Moreover, Zhu Auntie had said something quite true. Although she was not part of the Gu family, she was considered an elder in this village due to her age. Provoking Luo Ge further would do no good.
Luo Ge didn't want to waste any more time on such a meaningless matter, so she left those words and walked away directly, ignoring whatever insults Zhu Auntie hurled at her.
But this exchange also made it clear to those present that Luo Ge was not someone to be bullied.
Although her tone was soft and she appeared to be good-tempered, every word she said struck a nerve.
Compared to those who flared up easily, this soft and gentle approach was far more difficult to deal with.
Luo Ge's indifference only infuriated Zhu Auntie more, and she spewed out all sorts of foul language, as if trying to provoke Luo Ge into an argument. Even the other women nearby could hardly bear to listen anymore.
"Zhu Auntie, you should say less," one of the aunties couldn't help but remark.
"Mind your own business! I'm an old lady, and I'll say what I want! I'm an elder, and disrespecting elders will get you drowned in saliva and stars!"
"That little brat actually dared to compare me to a dog! I'll curse her to death!"
Zhu Auntie was like a machine gun, her face flushed red as she rattled on, while Luo Ge merely treated it like a dog barking and didn't bother to respond.
Let her vent her frustration.
"What did you say?" Gu Jinchen happened to come over to check on his wife while fetching water, overhearing Zhu Auntie's outburst.
Upon hearing his icy tone, Zhu Auntie's back stiffened, and she immediately fell silent, grabbing her basin and leaving.
She could only dare to talk about Luo Ge, but not Gu Jinchen, or else she would certainly be reprimanded by the men in her family.
This was also the reason why she hadn't dared to cause trouble for the Gu family all this time.
"I didn't say anything!" she muttered.
"Is everything alright?" Seeing Zhu Auntie's retreating figure, Gu Jinchen approached his little wife, his eyes filled with concern.
He knew he shouldn't have left her alone, or else she would be bullied.
He would have to talk to Uncle Zhu later and find out why his little wife had incurred Zhu Auntie's dislike.
"Hmm?" Luo Ge looked puzzled, but smiled when she saw his concern.
"I'm fine. I didn't take her words to heart. She's not important, so why would I care?"
She spoke lightly, but Gu Jinchen felt distressed and sighed quietly.
"Let me help you wash." The village aunties were so gossipy, so it was better to finish quickly and let his wife return home.
"No need, I'll be done soon." With so many people around, if he squatted by the river to help her wash like the other women, it would surely attract gossip.
At this time, men generally held a higher status, while women held a lower status.
Chores like washing clothes and cooking were typically done by women. If people saw a man helping with these tasks, he would be looked down upon and become the subject of idle talk.
Luo Ge didn't mind what others said, but she couldn't let him lose face as a man.
They could cooperate as husband and wife at home, but in public, it was better not to undermine his status as a man.
Besides, there wasn't much left to do, so there was no need for his help.
"You go take care of your tasks. I'll be done soon and head back. Don't worry, I'm not easy to bully, you know that." Seeing that he wasn't going to leave, she added.
By now, he had already rolled up his sleeves, about to lend a hand, but he froze upon hearing her words and looked at his little wife.
"..." It was clear that the previous over-the-shoulder throw was still fresh in his mind.
"Go on, there's not much left. You go handle your own tasks first."
Seeing her repeatedly ask him to leave, he finally understood her consideration.
He sighed lightly and stepped back. "Then I'll wait here for you until you're done before we leave."
"...Okay."
It didn't take long for her to finish, and he helped her carry the items back.
Since he was only helping to carry things, Luo Ge didn't say anything further.
"Wait for me at home for a while. I'll come back after watering the fields. If you need anything, just call me, and I'll be able to hear you from not too far away."
After sending Luo Ge home, he didn't forget to remind her.
Luo Ge nodded. "Okay, got it. You go take care of your tasks."
"Mm."
After Gu Jinchen left, Luo Ge first put some water in the large wok for cooking and lit the fire.
Then, she rinsed the large intestine with clean water, and also cleaned the bones and other ingredients needed.
After washing, she put the bones and added the ingredients and water into a small pot to simmer and make the broth.
By then, the water in the large wok had boiled, so she directly put the sliced large intestine into it, along with wine, green onions, ginger, and other seasonings from her spatial pouch.
She planned to first boil the water to remove the gamey smell, then scoop it out and stir-fry it.
During the break, she chopped some chili peppers, green onions, and pickled vegetables that Sister-in-law Wang had given her a few days ago.
Gu Jinchen had returned to the courtyard at some point, staring in shock at the scene in the kitchen, watching items appear and disappear from his wife's hands as if by magic.
He was so stunned that he couldn't utter a word.
The courtyard gate was open, and the sounds of the firewood and boiling water in the kitchen had covered up some noise, so Luo Ge hadn't noticed that he had returned.
It wasn't until she had chopped a couple of times that she sensed something was amiss and turned her head sharply, only to see Gu Jinchen's stunned expression. It was as if she had been struck by lightning.
A thought echoed in her mind, "He just saw that!"
"I, I..." She hurriedly put down what was in her hands, opening and closing her mouth, not knowing how to explain.
A profound sense of panic and anxiety welled up within her.
Seeing her state of distress, Gu Jinchen also came to his senses, clenched his fist, and put down what was in his hands in the corner of the courtyard.
As usual, he returned to the kitchen to tend to the fire, never saying a word from start to finish.
"You saw that just now?" Although Luo Ge was extremely uneasy, she hesitated for a moment before speaking.
It was now or never.
Upon hearing her question, Gu Jinchen visibly froze for an instant, raised his head to look at her, and gave a low response, "Yes."
Luo Ge held her breath, quickly explaining, "...I'm not a monster."
This was the key point. Yes! She didn't want to be burned at the stake, let alone drowned. She didn't want to die, aah!
Hearing this, Gu Jinchen was taken aback, but then felt relieved and nodded solemnly.
"I believe you." Perhaps sensing her fear and unease, he spoke earnestly.
He only wanted to protect her, not make her afraid.
"No matter what, you are my wife. Even if you truly were a monster, I would still accept you."
At this moment, he could confirm that the person before him was the one he had identified from the very beginning, and not some monster that had possessed her halfway through.
As long as it was her, he would accept her.
Upon hearing his words, Luo Ge froze, blinking her eyes a couple of times, clearly showing that his response was completely unexpected.
She had thought...
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