Xue Niang came out of the room. Xiao Shan was cleaning the large black fish. The ground was covered with internal organs and scales, which was a bit disgusting.
She moved a stool and sat nearby, watching curiously.
"Sit further away. The smell is strong, don't let it splash on you."
Xue Niang was truly strange. What young lady would be interested in this, or not be afraid? She watched with wide eyes. She also vied to learn cooking and laundry, and was curious about everything.
Xue Niang moved back two steps and continued to watch him clean the fish.
The sound of a wooden clapper came from the village.
Xue Niang's feet tapped rhythmically with the sound. She didn't realize it herself, but Xiao Shan, with his sharp eyes, had already taken it all in.
That night, when she sleepwalked, her feet moved too fast, and the light was dim, so he couldn't see clearly.
This time, under the bright sun, he still found it difficult to see. She hadn't moved her position, but her feet had indeed moved.
It wasn't like dancing, nor like martial arts. What kind of ultimate skill was she practicing?
Xiao Shan couldn't figure it out.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Xiao Shan frowning and his hands still for a long time, Xue Niang couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, I just heard the tofu seller. It's perfect for braised fish with tofu. Wait, I'll go buy a piece."
Xue Niang was confused, tilting her head in bewilderment.
"Ah!" Xiao Shan realized and explained, "That clapper sound just now was the tofu seller."
Xue Niang showed a look of novelty again.
Xiao Shan guessed again, "Could it be that Xue Niang is a young lady from a prominent family, living in a privileged area where commoners are not allowed?"
"It seems she must be the daughter of an official? And not a minor one."
"If there's a chance, I should inquire."
Xiao Shan quickly bought the tofu and finished cleaning the fish. Just as he was about to go into the kitchen to cook, uninvited guests arrived.
It was the village chief, accompanied by a villager in his forties or fifties.
"Xiao Shan, this is Xu Dafu from our village. Do you remember him? You saved his daughter a while back."
The village chief was very polite to Xiao Shan. After several interactions, he found that besides being more robust than others, Xiao Shan was straightforward and efficient. Although he had no land, his hunting skills were excellent. He hunted tigers one day and bears the next, and his life was better than that of other villagers. Looking at that large black fish, it must be worth a lot of money.
Xu Dafu on the side smiled awkwardly and nodded at Xiao Shan.
Xiao Shan shook his head. When did this happen? He didn't remember saving anyone.
The village chief had to explain again, "It was during spring plowing. You subdued a mad ox and saved his eldest daughter."
Oh, that incident. Xiao Shan naturally remembered. The next day, his wife had brought some rice and flour to thank him.
Xiao Shan extended his hand, inviting the village chief and Xu Dafu into the courtyard.
Xue Niang was still by the vat, searching for any un-scraped fish scales, without even lifting her head.
Xiao Shan brought out stools for the village chief and Xu Dafu to sit down, then asked, "Is there something I can help you with?"
Xu Dafu saw that Xiao Shan was not as fearsome as rumored. Although he appeared cold, his demeanor was polite and measured, making him bolder.
He was not eloquent, so he turned his gaze to the village chief.
The village chief glanced at the figure squatting by the vat, thought for a moment, and then said, "It's like this, Da Niu is also of marriageable age. You are her savior, and according to the rules of our Bozi Village, a life-saving debt is repaid with oneself. I think this is a perfect—"
"Match..."
The village chief looked up in astonishment. Xiao Shan had already stood up. His tall body cast a shadow, exuding an imposing aura, like a mountain pressing down.
Xu Dafu couldn't bear it and stood up immediately.
"Village chief, can't you see my wife is right here?"
Wife, wife?
"That's not someone he bought, is she considered a proper wife?"
Xiao Shan's tone was very cold. If he didn't think the village chief was decent, and despite not being very capable, always put the villagers first, he would have kicked him out long ago.
What nonsense was he talking!
"What if Xue Niang misunderstands?"
Xue Niang naturally heard, threw down the ladle in her hand, and went into the house with a cold face.
Xiao Shan grew even colder, his dark eyes fixed on the village chief and Xu Dafu.
"This, this, Dafu, look, Brother Xiao already has a wife. It's been so long, let's just forget it!"
Xu Dafu was a bit confused. That person he bought was just a servant girl, how could she be considered a proper wife?
His eldest daughter was acting as if she had a serious illness, wanting to die or live these past few days. He also heard that Xiao Shan was wealthy, which made him consider this. He didn't ask for much in betrothal gifts, just 8 taels of silver. He had heard that the bear Xiao Shan hunted alone sold for dozens of taels.
"How about, my Da Niu can be a secondary wife."
"This should be acceptable, right? Enjoying the blessings of both wives, what man wouldn't want that?"
"Besides, that woman just now was so thin, she looked like she'd have trouble bearing children, far worse than Da Niu."
"Scram!"
What?
Xu Dafu and the village chief were stunned. The man who had been polite moments ago had instantly changed, his tiger-like eyes wide, his face as dark as ink, and his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
These fists could kill a tiger!
Xu Dafu broke out in a cold sweat, his mind in a daze. It was the village chief who realized something was wrong, quickly pulling him away, apologizing to Xiao Shan, and dragging him out the door.
"Your family is really something. What were you doing earlier? Your wife is already dead. Why are you bringing this up now? He already has a wife!"
Whether bought or married, he acknowledged her as his wife. Coming here today was just asking for trouble.
The village chief was very annoyed. Why did he come without inquiring properly?
Xu Dafu was unconvinced and couldn't understand, "What kind of wife is that? Bought for half a tael of silver, what kind of decent person could she be? My Da Niu is a girl from a respectable family. He doesn't have land or property, and finding him is doing him a favor. He's an outsider, why is he putting on airs!"
The village chief's heart grew even angrier, "I think you're quite capable of talking. Why didn't you say that in front of him just now? If you have the guts, go back and say it again, and see if you're more capable or if the tiger is, and if you can withstand one of his punches!"
Xu Dafu shrunk his neck, cowed.
Xiao Shan, with a stern face, started braising the fish, then went into the room to see Xue Niang.
"Are you angry?"
Xue Niang sat on the edge of the bed, filing her nails. She lazily raised her eyes and said faintly, "No."
Xiao Shan sat down, "I don't know anything about a life-saving debt. I'd forgotten about it long ago. Who knew that family was so unreliable, coming to my door months later."
"Mm, you're amazing."
Xiao Shan: "..."
"Really not angry?"
Xue Niang carefully trimmed her nails, saying casually, "What does it have to do with me."
Xiao Shan's breathing became heavier. He stared at her for a moment, then stood up and said in a low voice, "Alright, the fish is almost ready. Come eat after it's done."