Chapter 9 – I’m a Straight Man
Xia Yi started plowing the field, preparing to plant fennel and onions. This plot had just yielded potatoes, so the soil was soft, and he had the field plowed neatly by midday.
“179, fennel and onions aren”t staple crops. How am I going to eat so much? They’re not easy to sell either.”
The system replied, “Host, the tasks are set by the main system. I only issue them.”
Xia Yi felt a bit uneasy. Who knew what strange tasks the main system would issue next? These systems couldn”t be trusted; they all seemed a bit buggy.
“179, why don’t you talk to the main system and suggest that the next task involve planting rice or wheat or something?”
“That request cannot be fulfilled, Host. Every task issued by the main system is based on extensive data analysis.”
“But rest assured, each planting task involves common crops,” the system added.
Xia Yi could only nod. “Alright, as long as I don’t have to plant something like spiritual herbs or elixirs, that”s fine.”
The system remained silent.
The system”s quietness made Xia Yi a bit suspicious. “Why aren’t you talking? Are you feeling guilty?”
“No, I just lagged for a moment. Almost crashed,” the system replied, sounding a bit distant.
The weather was great today — no rain, but not too sunny either — perfect for farming. Gu Wenzhu was also working in the fields, as he had a large plot to cultivate, and he hadn”t planned on returning home for lunch.
“Early in the morning, before the sun had risen, he got up to make several batches of flatbreads. After eating a portion for breakfast, Gu Wenzhu took a few with him, leaving the rest for Xia Yi to have for lunch.
The freshly made flatbreads were fragrant and delicious, but by noon, they had become cold and hard. Xia Yi, feeling bad about Gu Wenzhu having to chew on cold flatbreads after working hard all morning, decided to make a pot of hot porridge and stir-fry some pickled vegetables with cured meat to bring to him.
“179, shall we try again?” Xia Yi eagerly rolled up his sleeves and entered the kitchen.
“Sure, after the last time, I’ve downloaded several rural home-cooking recipes, along with various tips for lighting a traditional stove. I’m fully prepared,” the system responded without missing a beat.
Half an hour later, smoke curled from the chimney, and the aroma of food began wafting from the kitchen.
By noon, Xia Yi, beaming with satisfaction, packed a bowl of pickled vegetables and cured meat along with a bowl of hot porridge into a lunchbox. Feeling it didn’t look quite complete, he added a few green onion pieces on top of the cured meat. Carrying the lunchbox, he walked along the field ridge and soon saw Gu Wenzhu working in the distance.
Gu Wenzhu saw him too, dropped his hoe, and walked over.
“Quick, try this and see if it’s good,” Xia Yi said, opening the lunchbox and handing Gu Wenzhu chopsticks, while he took Gu Wenzhu”s cold flatbread, broke it into pieces, and soaked it in the hot porridge.
“Delicious,” Gu Wenzhu replied, wolfing down the food. He reached out to wipe a smudge of soot off Xia Yi’s nose. “Xia Yi, when did you learn to cook?”
“I just picked it up after watching a few times.” Xia Yi said, keeping quiet about the fact that 179 had guided him.
Gu Wenzhu devoured the entire lunch, leaving Xia Yi feeling greatly encouraged. With newfound interest in cooking, Xia Yi returned home and buried himself in the kitchen, experimenting with different dishes.
In the evening, just as he finished the last dish, the front door opened—it was Gu Wenzhu returning home. He didn’t come inside right away, but instead stood smiling at the kitchen door, hands behind his back, watching Xia Yi silently.
Feeling a bit unnerved under Gu Wenzhu’s gaze, Xia Yi curiously looked him up and down before walking around behind him, only to be met with a pair of small, black, shiny eyes.
In the little bamboo basket Gu Wenzhu carried, nestled a fluffy little puppy. Its soft black fur, pink nose, and watery eyes stared intently at Xia Yi.
Xia Yi squealed in delight, quickly scooping up the puppy and gently tapping its nose with a finger. The puppy reached out with its tiny paws to hold his finger and licked it with its small tongue, letting out two soft, endearing whimpers.
Xia Yi’s heart melted. “Where did this come from?” he asked, excited.
“Old Zhang’s dog had a litter, and I asked him to save one for me. Now that the pups are two months old, I brought one home,” Gu Wenzhu replied, stroking the puppy, though his eyes remained on Xia Yi.
Xia Yi quickly scooped some potato rice into a bowl, mashed it, and poured some meat sauce over it before placing it in front of the puppy. The puppy sniffed it before digging in voraciously.
“Take your time, it’s all yours,” Xia Yi said, squatting to watch the puppy eat, his heart filled with joy. In his previous life, he had always wanted to raise a dog but was afraid he wouldn”t take good care of it. Now, with Gu Wenzhu around to help, he could finally fulfill his wish.
“Brother Zhu, why don’t you name the puppy?” Xia Yi suggested.
“Blackie?” Gu Wenzhu frowned, seriously pondering for a moment before suggesting the name.
“Something more powerful.”
“Big Black?” Gu Wenzhu thought hard again.
“There are several dogs in the village already called Big Black. If we call out for Big Black to come home for dinner, none of them would know which one we”re calling.”
“Black skin?” Gu Wenzhu asked, looking uncertainly at Xia Yi.
…Why does the name have to include “black”? What”s with your obsession?
In the end, Xia Yi named the puppy “Qilin” (Kirin).
“It”s just a mongrel; people in the village will laugh if you name it Qilin,” Gu Wenzhu said, glancing at the little puppy munching away. Then he reconsidered, “But who cares, if Xia Yi likes it, Qilin it is.”
“Qilin, Qilin, from now on, that”s your name, got it?” Xia Yi said, holding the puppy up. The puppy let out two soft whines in response.
After eating, Qilin wandered around the house, sniffing everything. When it reached the bottom of the cabinet, it lifted its little hind leg to pee, but Gu Wenzhu swiftly grabbed it and took it outside.
That evening, the main hall was brightly lit. Gu Wenzhu sat among a pile of bamboo strips, weaving a bamboo basket. His fingers moved nimbly, turning the bamboo into a circular frame.
Qilin happily burrowed through the pile of bamboo strips on the ground, chewing and scratching. Xia Yi sat nearby, occasionally petting the puppy while watching Gu Wenzhu weave.
At some point, Xia Yi found himself staring blankly at Gu Wenzhu’s profile.
Gu Wenzhu’s facial features were sharp and defined, with a strong, steady expression. His nose stood tall, and his sword-like brows slanted sharply towards his temples—handsome beyond measure.
Suddenly, Xia Yi felt inspired. He snuck into the kitchen, found a few pieces of black charcoal, and began sketching Gu Wenzhu’s profile on the floor. In his original world, Xia Yi had been a somewhat famous artist. With just a few strokes, the handsome image of a man in ancient attire emerged from the charcoal.
Let’s add the eyes… Brother Zhu’s eyes are deep-set, his lashes are thick… his gaze is very gentle…
I should also draw the arch of his brows… high, strong brows…
Now, his lips… Brother Zhu has thin lips… the shape is very attractive…
“Host, I’m detecting that your heart rate is increasing,” 179 suddenly said, nearly causing Xia Yi to drop the charcoal.
“It’s because I haven’t drawn in a while. My emotions are running high,” Xia Yi responded calmly.
“Host, why is your face so red?”
“I told you, I’m just excited! Why are you being so nosy? Go scan the riverside or something if you’re bored—stop interrupting me,” Xia Yi retorted, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“I don’t scan people by the river. Do you think I’m such a boring system? I’m dedicated to watching over you,” 179 said, sounding slightly emotional, causing its processor temperature to spike.”
“That’s true, it’s night now, and there’s no one by the river,” Xia Yi replied coldly, showing no mercy.
Gu Wenzhu noticed that Xia Yi had been doodling on the ground for quite some time. Normally, Xia Yi would chatter nonstop, but tonight he was unusually silent. Setting aside the bamboo basket he was weaving, Gu Wenzhu stood up and walked over to take a closer look.
Upon seeing the drawing clearly, he realized Xia Yi was using charcoal to draw.
The picture showed a tall man weaving a bamboo basket, drawn with great detail. The man’s facial features were lifelike, and even the strands of hair falling by his cheek were carefully depicted. Next to him was a pile of bamboo strips, and a small black dog rolled around playfully, its tongue sticking out—adorably vivid.
It was clearly a drawing of himself.
Gu Wenzhu’s face began to flush as his heart thudded in his chest. His fingers unconsciously curled, and his Adam’s apple bobbed nervously. “It’s really well done,” he said, his voice dry. Clearing his throat, he added, “Xia Yi, you draw really well.”
Upon hearing Gu Wenzhu’s praise, Xia Yi didn’t understand why he suddenly felt too shy to meet his eyes. He lowered his head, mumbling a quiet “Mm,” while nervously fidgeting with the charcoal in his hand.
The two remained silent for a moment before Gu Wenzhu gently took Xia Yi’s hand, pried open his clenched fingers, and set the charcoal down. Then, he grabbed a wet cloth and carefully wiped the black smudges from Xia Yi’s palm, over and over.
Neither spoke, and the atmosphere felt thick and heavy. Xia Yi could only watch as Gu Wenzhu meticulously cleaned his hand, his mind a tangled mess.
The silence was suddenly broken by two soft whines from Qilin, the small dog. It snapped Xia Yi back to reality, and he quickly pulled his hand away, muttering, “I’m going to bed,” before hastily heading toward the bedroom.
In the dark, Xia Yi lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, his mind in chaos.
“Host, you seem a little strange tonight,” 179’s voice probed.
“I was just thinking about how I didn’t draw Qilin well in the picture,” Xia Yi quickly replied.
He did feel strange. Why else would he not tell 179 that it was his own inexplicable reaction that had unsettled him?
Xia Yi, Xia Yi, you mustn’t forget—you’re in a weird world where you’re a “ger,” but that doesn’t mean you’re actually a woman.
Remember, you’re a tough man through and through.
Whatever, stop thinking about it. Time to sleep.
