Chapter 57: I bullied her?

A trace of shyness surfaced on Su Li’s face.

“I will follow Mother’s arrangements.”

After speaking, she glanced at Liu Qiu, her eyes shimmering with lively charm.

“Wife, what do you think?”

“What do I think? Not much. Can you explain why you want to marry Sister Qiu?”

“In this world, no woman would willingly marry another woman.”

Those words did not come from Liu Qiu, but from Liu Huang, who stood behind her.

Su Li’s eyes instantly brimmed with tears.

She did not look at Liu Huang, but fixed her gaze on Liu Qiu instead, brows knitting together as fear surfaced on her face.

“I… I have always liked women. I have no parents either. If a woman is willing to marry me, I… I am willing.”

As if frightened, she hunched slightly, utterly at a loss.

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together and turned to face Liu Huang.

“The fact that she was willing to follow Mother and Father here after meeting them for the first time shows she truly wants to marry me. Please don’t say such things.”

She absolutely could not let Liu Huang scare her away.

Liu Huang’s lips curled upward in a smile that did not reach her eyes.

“Sister Qiu is quite protective. Could it be love at first sight?”

Su Li stepped forward and moved behind Liu Qiu, gently tugging at her sleeve.

“Wife, I’m scared. Does my sister-in-law dislike me?”

Su Li had only just arrived and was already timid. After being reprimanded by Third Girl, of course she would be afraid.

Without Liu Qiu needing to say anything, Fang Lian spoke up first.

“Third Girl, how can you speak to your sister-in-law like that?”

“You know this world is not tolerant of same-s*x unions. Of course your sister-in-law would be willing when such a match is offered.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Liu Tie Niu added, “A young girl willing to follow two old farmers like us here likely has no attachments left. I didn’t expect you, Third Girl, to look down on women being with women.”

Hearing her parents’ words, Liu Qiu nodded repeatedly.

“Exactly, exactly.”

Liu Huang nearly laughed from anger.

This woman was truly capable. In such a short time, Mother, Father, and even the sickly one were all defending her.

A woman with such enchanting beauty and fair skin, surviving in a place that devours people whole, what good person could she be?

Liu Huang’s gaze turned icy, sharp as frozen blades, though her smile grew brighter.

“Oh my, listen to you two. I’m only worried about Sister Qiu.”

“Sister Qiu has never interacted much with others. Marriage is a serious matter. It should be considered carefully.”

After speaking, Liu Huang turned and left, heading straight to Liu Feng’s room.

The moment she turned her back, her smile vanished completely.

Releasing the nails embedded in her palm, Liu Huang exhaled.

Hadn’t Liu Feng said she had already sent someone to handle it?

Could she have lied?

Now that this woman had come into their home and won over their parents and the sickly one, the marriage might truly take place tomorrow.

Watching Liu Huang’s hurried retreating figure, Liu Qiu turned back.

Seeing the tears lingering in Su Li’s eyes, she nervously pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it over.

“M-Miss Su, here. Wipe your tears. Don’t be upset.”

“I’m also very willing to marry you.”

As soon as she said those words, her ears turned red.

Su Li accepted the soft cloth and gently wiped her eyes before smiling through tears.

“As long as you don’t dislike me, Wife.”

Fang Lian and Liu Tie Niu exchanged smiles.

“Qiu girl, quickly take Su Li inside for some cool water. Your father and I will start cooking.”

When both parties were satisfied, mutual affection was the best outcome.

Inside the room, Liu Huang braced both hands against the table, her expression dark.

“Sister, Mother and Father brought back a woman. The sickly one’s marriage partner.”

Liu Feng paused briefly in her writing before continuing, the soft brush strokes forming sharp and bold characters.

“Since she has come, she has come. Huang’er, you are being too impatient.”

Liu Huang pinched the bridge of her nose irritably.

“I said I would handle it. You said you had already sent someone.”

“They probably found the wrong person.”

She believed Liu Feng had sent someone, but she did not trust the person sent.

In the southeast direction, within fifteen li, there was surely more than one orphaned woman.

“Marriage means that woman will see the sickly one’s entire body.”

“Sister, do you want that?”

Liu Feng stopped writing, set down her brush gently, and looked at Liu Huang in silence before speaking calmly.

“Huang’er, be patient.”

“Marriage does not necessarily mean physical intimacy.”

“Someone raised in the countryside would not understand such matters. Even you do not know how women should be with women.”

Her unhurried tone was like a gentle breeze dispersing Liu Huang’s agitation.

That was true.

What could two women even do?

Besides, with the sickly one’s temperament, she likely would not allow anyone to see her private parts.

Liu Huang clenched her fists.

“Sister, why did you bite the sickly one?”

Liu Feng smiled.

“I was teasing her. It was interesting.”

---

The Liu couple had always cared deeply for their three children. Though the house was not large, each person had their own independent space.

Left alone with a girl she had just met, Liu Qiu did not know what to say.

After pouring Su Li some cool water, Liu Qiu sat down slowly and racked her brain for a question.

“Miss Su, how old are you?”

Su Li took a small sip of water, her rosy lips becoming moist.

She lifted her head, smiling shyly.

“Wife, you may call me Xiao Li.”

“I just turned nineteen at the beginning of this month. I am of marriageable age.”

Xiao Li.

It sounded just like Little Fox.

Liu Qiu nodded and softly called, “Xiao Li.”

She was a few years younger than her current age, so the nickname felt natural rather than embarrassing.

Looking at Su Li’s youthful and lovely face, Liu Qiu realized she had little to offer her.

Although Su Li’s clothes appeared pretty, the hem, sleeves, and waist were patched.

The small cloth bundle she had carried earlier was also worn and shabby.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Qiu stood up to fetch her a nicer outfit.

But as soon as she rose, dizziness struck and discomfort welled in her chest.

She turned abruptly and began coughing.

Small spurts of blood spilled from her mouth, splattering onto the floor like blooming crimson flowers.

Su Li hurried to her side, gently patting her back as worry overflowed from her eyes.

“Wife, why are you coughing blood? Does it hurt terribly?”

Liu Qiu shook her head and exhaled slowly.

“It doesn’t hurt. As long as I didn’t frighten you.”

Her face was pale, yet her blood-stained lips were vividly red.

Su Li’s gaze lingered on those lips.

She swallowed subtly.

What a waste.

So much blood.

Su Li slowly reached out and gently wiped the soft lips, her voice trembling with tears.

“Wife, how could someone cough blood for no reason? It must hurt somewhere.”

She withdrew her hand and helped Liu Qiu sit on the bed.

“Wife, rest. I’ll go find Mother and Father.”

Liu Qiu had wondered why she used her fingers to wipe the blood, but hearing the trembling tone, she assumed Su Li had been frightened.

As Su Li tried to leave, Liu Qiu grabbed her wrist.

The grip was weak, yet Su Li stopped immediately.

Liu Qiu smiled faintly.

“Xiao Li, don’t tell Mother and Father. They’ll worry.”

“This is an old problem. I’ll be fine after sleeping a while.”

Su Li lowered her long lashes, her gaze falling on the slender wrist holding her.

She nodded gently.

“Alright. I won’t say anything.”

“I’ll stay here with you. Wife, hurry and rest.”

Liu Qiu shifted inward, leaving half the bed empty.

“If you’re tired, Xiao Li, come up and rest with me.”

She gave a soft hum and closed her eyes.

She was becoming sleepier and sleepier lately.

After Liu Qiu fell asleep, Su Li lifted her head and looked at the dried blood on her fingertips.

She narrowed her eyes, placed her finger in her mouth, and slowly licked it clean.

Every drop counted.

A fox spirit had more than one way to restore her cultivation.

Besides drinking blood essence, she could eat human hearts or absorb yang energy.

All living humans possessed yang energy, though the method of absorbing it was somewhat disgusting.

It required entangling bodies with a human.

Her elder sister favored that method, but she found it revolting.

Humans were dirty and smelly.

Su Li removed her shoes and climbed onto the bed beside Liu Qiu, staring at her delicate profile and inhaling the faint medicinal scent.

She reached out and turned Liu Qiu’s head toward her.

This was the most beautiful human she had ever seen.

Of course, she still believed her true form was the most beautiful.

Snow-white fur, slender and powerful limbs, and sharp fangs.

Su Li poked Liu Qiu’s cheek and smiled wickedly.

“I could try it with you.”

Clean, beautiful, and fragrant.

She watched Liu Qiu until she stirred awake.

Dusk had fallen, tinting the world in golden hues.

Liu Qiu woke abruptly, her heart pounding violently.

A dizzying disorientation swept over her.

Without warning, tears slipped down her cheeks.

“Wife! Why are you crying?”

Su Li’s worried voice sounded beside her.

Liu Qiu touched her face and looked at Su Li.

“Xiao Li, how long did I sleep?”

Su Li pulled out the handkerchief Liu Qiu had given her and wiped her tears.

“Not even the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Did you have a nightmare?”

Liu Qiu gazed into Su Li’s clear eyes, filled entirely with concern.

She had indeed dreamed of a pair of crimson eyes floating in endless darkness.

But facing someone so pure and gentle, she shook her head with a smile.

“Maybe I opened my eyes too quickly, and they felt sore. That’s why I teared up.”

“Let’s get up. Mother will call us for dinner soon.”

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Li girl, come out to eat.”

Su Li responded and frowned slightly.

“Wife, won’t you come out with me?”

“I’m a little afraid of my sister-in-law.”

The words of refusal caught in Liu Qiu’s throat.

With Liu Huang’s attitude, she truly might bully Su Li.

Su Li was the youngest and had grown up alone.

Timidity was only natural.

Liu Qiu nodded.

“I’ll go with you.”

“You don’t have to call me Wife. You can call me Sister.”

Su Li shook her head while getting off the bed.

“Wife is Wife. How can you be Sister?”

“Besides, we are marrying tomorrow. I… I like calling you Wife.”

Liu Qiu said nothing further.

Fang Lian waited at the door.

When it opened, Su Li stood there obediently.

“Mother.”

Behind her stood Liu Qiu, who also called out, “Mother.”

Fang Lian looked surprised.

“Qiu girl, you want to eat with us?”

Usually meals were brought to her room.

Now that she had a wife, she actually wanted to come out herself.

Liu Qiu smiled faintly.

“Yes.”

Fang Lian laughed.

“Wonderful. We can finally have a proper family meal.”

“Come, let’s discuss what to prepare for tomorrow.”

After adopting Liu Qiu, relatives had cut off contact out of fear of gossip and moved away.

As for the villagers, she had no desire to invite them.

If not for rushing the marriage, she would have arranged something better for Su Li and Qiu girl.

Feeling guilty, Fang Lian’s gaze toward Su Li softened.

“Li girl, if you want anything, tell Mother. We are family now.”

Su Li smiled shyly.

“Thank you, Mother.”

Dinner passed without incident.

Liu Huang and Liu Feng wore their usual expressions, especially Liu Feng, who simply greeted Su Li with a polite smile.

Liu Qiu quietly observed everyone and let out a sigh of relief.

As long as Liu Huang did not bully Su Li, it would be fine.

But she relaxed too soon.

When it was time to bathe, Liu Huang lost her temper.

Her gaze darkened as she stared at Su Li holding clothes.

“What are you doing?”

Fear surfaced on Su Li’s face.

Her rosy cheeks paled slightly as she shrank behind Liu Qiu.

“I… I just wanted to help Wife bathe.”

She hooked her little finger around Liu Qiu’s.

Through that small contact, Liu Qiu could feel her trembling.

Yet Liu Huang pressed on.

“Liu Qiu, look at her. You’ve known her less than a day, and she’s already eager to bathe you. What good intentions could she possibly have?”

“And you still want to marry someone like this? Do you have any sense at all?”

Su Li sniffled softly.

“Wife, I’m not a bad person. I just… I just want a home.”

“Being alone… being alone is so hard.”

Liu Huang sneered.

“Why are you crying? It’s annoying. Do bad people ever admit they’re bad?”

Su Li wiped her nose.

“Wife, I’m scared of her. She’s so fierce.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Her crying was not loud, but pitiful enough.

Liu Qiu could not help speaking up.

“Liu Huang, leave. Xiao Li will be my wife after tomorrow.”

“She’ll also be your sister-in-law. I know I wronged you before and you resent me, but that has nothing to do with Xiao Li.”

“Stop bullying her.”

Liu Huang froze for a moment before laughing.

“I’m bullying her?”

“Just saying a few words counts as bullying?”

Her smile slowly faded.

“Liu Qiu, have you lost your mind?”

She had barely done anything, yet Liu Qiu was accusing her like this.

Liu Qiu cared more about a woman she had just met than about her own sister.

Liu Qiu was left speechless.

Scolding someone without reason certainly counted as bullying.

She had not expected Liu Huang to think otherwise.

At that moment, Su Li stepped out from behind her.

Though her slender body was still trembling and her voice shook, she did not retreat.

“You… you’re not allowed to speak badly about my Wife!”