77 "Ding! Favorability +7, current Cheng Wenyu's favorability is 73."
Shen Jianxi discovered that no matter how gentle a man was usually, he would become overbearing when it came to the subject of "green tomatoes."
Recalling how Cheng Wenyu, in his familiar gentle voice, had coaxed her to "moan" last night, his eyes, usually full of smiles, now tinged with desire, Shen Jianxi couldn't help but bury her head in the covers.
Last night, the two of them had been too extravagant, having to call for water to cleanse themselves multiple times.
Shen Jianxi felt that her cultivation was on the verge of a breakthrough, likely within these two days.
Ah...
This was the joy of dual cultivation...
"Be careful you don't suffocate yourself." A large hand gently pulled down the blanket, revealing her cheeks flushed like intoxicated rouge, and her shy eyes.
Cheng Wenyu felt his breath catch.
He closed his eyes, suppressing the desire in his heart. Her body wasn't ready yet. When he opened his eyes again, the clarity had returned to his gaze.
He rested his hand by her ear, and Cheng Wenyu slowly lowered his head, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Wife, it's time to get up. I've prepared some food."
This address made Shen Jianxi recall how he had called her by this name repeatedly last night, causing her to blush inexplicably.
She softly responded with an "Mm," her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
Cheng Wenyu's eyes curved into a smile, looking at her with deep affection.
He didn't call for servants. He handled all her affairs himself, from doing up her hair to applying her makeup... he did each task with great earnestness.
Shen Jianxi could tell his movements were a bit clumsy, but he had clearly practiced. She sat still, allowing him to attend to her.
The warm atmosphere between them was broken by a frantic scratching at the door, accompanied by sharp squeaking sounds.
Shen Jianxi then remembered that Fu Zi, who had transformed back into a little fox last night and had been baring his teeth at Cheng Wenyu, wanting to bite him, had been placed in the side room.
Shen Jianxi opened the door to see a white figure charging towards Cheng Wenyu, calling out. As it passed her feet, she bent down and scooped Fu Zi into her arms.
"You mustn't be fierce!" Her feigned sternness startled Fu Zi. He retracted his sharp teeth and whimpered, rubbing his head against her affectionately.
Shen Jianxi truly had no resistance to fluffy little animals. The moment she met those watery eyes, she couldn't muster any anger, no matter how upset she might have been.
She smiled helplessly. "You mustn't do that again, okay?"
Fu Zi nodded his little head. Seeing that she was no longer angry, he excitedly licked the back of her hand with his tongue.
Carrying Fu Zi back to the table, they had breakfast together with Cheng Wenyu. Just as they were about to go and pay their respects to Madam Cheng, Qing Zhu ran in with a panicked expression.
"Young Master, Young Master!"
Tripping halfway, he fell to the ground, then scrambled to them.
"What is it?" Cheng Wenyu helped him up, frowning. Qing Zhu's disheveled state indicated something significant had happened.
Without taking a moment to catch his breath, Qing Zhu clutched Cheng Wenyu's arm, his face filled with grief.
Shen Jianxi's heart skipped a beat. She had a feeling she knew what it was.
As expected, Qing Zhu said, "Madam, Madam, she... she's not doing well. Please go and see her quickly!"
The news struck Cheng Wenyu, leaving his mind blank. It was only when Shen Jianxi tugged at him that he came back to his senses.
Without a second thought, he strode out.
Shen Jianxi, feeling concerned, followed.
Upon arriving at Madam Cheng's courtyard, they saw Father Cheng sadly patting Cheng Wenyu's shoulder, signaling him to go inside. When he saw Shen Jianxi, he forced a smile. "You've had a rough time."
Shen Jianxi knew what he meant. The new bride's mother-in-law passing away on her first day would not bring her good repute.
She shook her head and comforted him. "Father, please don't say that. This was my willing choice."
Father Cheng, who supported their vast family, was moved to tears by her simple words. He choked out, "Good child, go inside and see your Ning Yi."
Shen Jianxi bowed and entered the room. The strong smell of medicine filled her nostrils. Madam Cheng had already spoken to Cheng Wenyu when she entered. Seeing Shen Jianxi, she weakly beckoned her over.
"Mother," she said, walking over and sitting by the bed, placing Madam Cheng's hand on her own face.
Perhaps it was her address, as a smile appeared on Madam Cheng's face. Her voice was intermittent. "Ah... Mother can't accompany you... you must be well..."
This simple sentence exhausted Madam Cheng's strength. Seeing her gasping for breath, Cheng Wenyu could no longer hold back his tears.
She labored to place their hands together. Looking at them, a look of contentment on her face, she closed her eyes.
"Mother!"
Heart-wrenching cries erupted around them. As Madam Cheng had always treated her servants kindly, many were genuinely grief-stricken.
Through the hand Cheng Wenyu had placed over hers, Shen Jianxi could clearly feel his entire body trembling.
Her heart aching, she turned and embraced him, saying nothing, simply staying with him in silence.
...
In the following days, Cheng Wenyu maintained a calm demeanor, not shedding another tear after that day.
However, Shen Jianxi knew the depth of his suffering from the figure standing in the courtyard late at night.
During these times, she would simply fetch a cloak and stand by his side, accompanying him in silence.
Cheng Wenyu's composure persisted until Madam Cheng's funeral. That night was the first time Shen Jianxi saw him so drunk. He staggered towards her, pulling her into an embrace and teasing, "Isn't this my wife? So stunningly beautiful."
But as he laughed, tears began to stream down his face, falling into Shen Jianxi's collarbone, eventually turning into a cool sensation.
"Xi Xi, I no longer have a mother. I have no mother, and I will never see her again..."
He hadn't yet shown her the grandeur of the rivers and mountains, hadn't allowed her to enjoy the blessings of family... hadn't yet...
It was only after a person was gone that one realized how many regrets there were.
He murmured this repeatedly, bringing tears to Shen Jianxi's eyes.
She hugged him back, patting his back, suppressing the ache in her heart, and said, "I will always be your family."
If I can't give you love, I can give you all my kinship.
That night, Cheng Wenyu cried like a child, clinging to Shen Jianxi and refusing to let go.
77 "Ding! Favorability +5, current Cheng Wenyu's favorability is 78."
...
After everything was finally settled, Cheng Wenyu had returned to his usual self, becoming even more gentle and considerate towards her.
Shen Jianxi visited her family once more, and then, with Fu Zi in tow, followed him to the Ming Xin Sect.
She knew this trip was unavoidable, as two other potential targets for her affections were there.
She knew that these past few days, those two had been occupied with their own matters, but once they arrived at the Ming Xin Sect, they were bound to meet eventually.
Looking at the receding cityscape of Four Directions City, Shen Jianxi sighed. Oh well, one step at a time!