The morning air in the mountain village was crisp, smelling faintly of pine needles and damp earth. A thin layer of white mist clung to the roofs of the small thatch-roofed houses, blurring the edges of the forest that loomed behind them.
Xu Ming blew into his cupped hands, his breath forming a pale plume in the dawn chill. His slender fingers were slightly red, but his heart beat with an energetic rhythm that had been entirely absent from this body just a few weeks ago. Looking down at the large woven baskets sitting on the wooden porch, a wave of quiet satisfaction washed over him.
Inside the baskets lay the fruits of his relentless labor: beautifully washed radishes, bundles of crisp wild greens, and several jars of his newly perfected pickled vegetables, their surfaces carefully sealed with clean oilcloth and tightly bound hemp string.
"The dew is heavy today. Wear the thicker outer robe."
A deep, gravelly voice cut through the quiet morning. Xu Ming turned around to see Shen Li stepping out from the dim interior of the house. The tall hunter looked as imposing as ever, his broad shoulders easily carrying a heavy hunting bow and a quiver of fletched arrows. Yet, despite his rugged appearance and the permanent, stoic frown on his face, his movements were deliberate and surprisingly quiet.
Shen Li walked over, holding out a faded but clean patch-work robe.
Xu Ming blinked, a warm feeling blossoming in his chest. In his past life as a modern corporate employee, no one had ever paid attention to whether he wore enough layers or caught a cold. Here, in this harsh ancient era, this supposedly "cold and indifferent" husband of his was proving to be remarkably attentive.
"Thank you, A-Li," Xu Ming said, offering a bright, genuine smile as he took the robe and slipped it over his shoulders.
Shen Li's eyes flickered slightly at the casual nickname, his gaze lingering on the vibrant curvature of Xu Ming's lips before he abruptly looked away, his ears turning a subtle shade of crimson. He walked over to the baskets, effortlessly lifting the two heaviest ones with a single hand as if they weighed nothing at all.
"Let's go. The cart from the village will leave for the town gate soon," Shen Li muttered, already heading down the narrow, rocky path leading away from their isolated mountain cottage.
Xu Ming quickly hoisted the remaining, lighter basket onto his back and hurried after him. "If we sell out early today, I'll buy some fresh pork belly from the market. I want to try making braised pork tonight."
Shen Li didn't look back, but his pace slowed just enough so that Xu Ming's shorter legs could easily keep up. "Mmh," he replied softly.
The journey to the county town took nearly an hour by the village ox-cart. Along the way, several village gossips stared at them, whispering behind their chipped fans. They all knew Xu Ming as the weak, miserable ger who had been practically sold off by his greedy stepmother, Madam Wang. They expected to see a battered, weeping youth. Instead, Xu Ming sat straight, his skin glowing with health, chatting amiably with the village elder while the terrifying hunter sat protectively right beside him like an unyielding shadow.
When they finally arrived at the bustling town gate, the sights and sounds of ancient commerce hit Xu Ming at once. Street vendors were already shouting their wares, steam rose from roadside noodle stalls, and carriages rattled over the stone pavers.
Because they didn't own a permanent shopfront, Xu Ming had to pay two copper coins to the town guards to secure a small, temporary spot in the designated open-air market market space.
He found a small corner near a busy tea house, spread out a clean linen cloth, and neatly arranged his produce. He placed the jars of pickled vegetables right at the front, having meticulously wiped down the earthenware to make them look as appealing as possible.
Shen Li stood firmly behind him, arms crossed over his chest. While his presence was deeply reassuring to Xu Ming, it had an unfortunate side effect: his fierce, towering figure and the sharp hunting knife at his hip were actively terrifying the passing townspeople. Potential customers would glance at the beautiful, fresh radishes, look up at Shen Li's stony expression, and quickly scurry away.
Xu Ming chuckled softly, realizing the issue. He turned around and gently tapped Shen Li's arm. "A-Li, you look like you're guarding a prisoner, not helping a businessman."
Shen Li looked down, a rare flash of confusion in his dark eyes. "I am keeping watch."
"I know, and I appreciate it," Xu Ming said, his voice dropping to a gentle, teasing murmur. "But your expression is scaring away our lunch money. Why don't you head over to the blacksmith's shop down the street? Didn't you say you needed to get your hunting arrows re-tipped? I can handle the stall for an hour."
Shen Li frowned, clearly reluctant to leave Xu Ming unprotected in a crowded town. He surveyed the immediate surroundings, his sharp eyes evaluating every passerby.
"Go on," Xu Ming urged, gently pushing the tall man's lower back. "I'll be right here. If anyone tries anything, I'll shout so loud the whole street will hear me."
After a long pause, Shen Li finally nodded. "Do not leave this spot. I will return quickly." He reached into his pouch, slipped five copper coins into Xu Ming's hand for safety, and then turned to walk down the street, his long strides quickly swallowing the distance.
Once Shen Li was out of sight, the atmosphere around the small stall immediately lightened. Xu Ming took a deep breath, channeled his inner modern marketing strategist, and cleared his throat.
"Fresh mountain greens! Crisp winter radishes, pulled from the earth just this morning!" Xu Ming called out, his voice clear, melodic, and entirely devoid of the timid shaking typical of village gers. "Taste the sweetness of the mountain air! Come and take a look!"
His unique, cheerful pitch immediately drew the attention of a middle-aged woman carrying a woven shopping basket. She paused, looking at the vibrant green leaves and the pristine white radishes.
"Little brother, your vegetables do look exceptionally clean," the woman noted, stepping closer. "How much for a bunch of the wild greens?"
"Only two coppers a bunch, elder sister," Xu Ming replied smoothly, naturally upgrading her title from 'auntie' to 'sister'—a timeless customer service trick. "If you buy two bunches, I'll throw in a handful of wild scallions for free. They are perfect for stir-frying with eggs or making a savory broth."
The woman beamed, clearly pleased by the flattery and the small bonus. "You certainly have a sweet tongue. Alright, give me two bunches of the greens and two of your largest radishes."
"Right away!" Xu Ming handled the transaction with practiced efficiency, wrapping the vegetables carefully in clean straw string. As he handed them over, he pointed to the earthenware jars. "Sister, if you like savory flavors, I also have homemade pickled radishes and sour cabbage. I grew and seasoned them myself using a special family method. They are incredibly crisp and open up the appetite perfectly with a bowl of warm rice."
To prove his point, Xu Ming unsealed a small sample jar he had brought along. The sharp, mouth-watering aroma of garlic, chili, and perfectly fermented vinegar instantly drifted into the morning air.
The woman sniffed the air, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, that smells wonderfully fragrant! My mother-in-law has been feeling unwell and has had no appetite lately. How much for a small jar?"
"Ten coppers a jar, and the jar is yours to keep," Xu Ming said.
"Give me one," she decided instantly, counting out the coppers into his hand.
With the first sale breaking the ice, a small crowd began to gather around Xu Ming's stall. His polite demeanor, clean presentation, and the irresistible scent of his pickled samples drew in town housekeepers, restaurant runners, and ordinary citizens alike. Within forty minutes, his pile of fresh vegetables had completely vanished, and half of his pickled jars were gone.
Xu Ming smiled as he wiped his brow, counting the heavy weight of copper coins accumulating in his pouch. He felt a profound sense of relief; his knowledge of modern preservation and basic marketing was entirely viable in this world. He wasn't going to starve.
"Well, well, look who we have here. I thought I smelled something foul in the market today."
A sharp, mocking voice shattered Xu Ming's joyful mood.
Xu Ming raised his head. Walking toward his stall were two people he hoped he would never have to see again: his stepbrother, Liu Da, and his stepmother, Madam Wang.
Madam Wang wore a bright blue tunic that was a bit too tight for her plump frame, her hair heavily oiled and pinned with a cheap silver-plated hairpin. Her eyes, small and greedy, were fixed entirely on the heavy pouch of coins sitting on Xu Ming's wooden stool. Liu Da slouched beside her, looking every bit the lazy, arrogant village bully that he was.
"Xu Ming, you ungrateful little beast!" Madam Wang hissed, stepping right up to the edge of his linen cloth, her voice loud enough to attract the curious stares of nearby shoppers. "You marry off and suddenly you think you're a big city merchant? Where did you get the money to buy these jars? Did you steal them from your father's house before you left?"
Xu Ming's expression cooled instantly. The residual fear from the original soul flared up for a split second, but Xu Ming quickly crushed it down with his own modern resolve. He stood up straight, crossing his arms, looking at them with utter detachment.
"Madam Wang, please watch your tongue," Xu Ming said, his voice calm but icy cold. "The entire village knows that when you forced me to marry into the Shen family, you didn't give me a single copper coin or a spare blanket as a dowry. Everything here was grown with my own hands in the mountain courtyard. How could I steal from a house that had nothing but scrapings for me?"
"You—!" Madam Wang's face flushed an ugly purple. She hadn't expected this traditionally timid, easily bullied boy to talk back so sharply in public.
Liu Da stepped forward, slamming his fist down onto the small wooden stool where Xu Ming's empty baskets sat. "Shut your mouth, you freak! How dare you speak to my mother like that? Since you're making so much money here, you owe it to the family that raised you! Give us that coin pouch right now, or I'll smash your pathetic little stall to pieces!"
Several onlookers murmured in disapproval, but no one dared to step in against a thuggish young man like Liu Da.
Xu Ming didn't flinch. He reached down, calmly picked up his coin pouch, and securely tied it to his waistband. "This money belongs to the Shen household. If you touch a single thread of my clothing, I will call the town patrol immediately. Let's see if the county magistrate thinks your 'family debt' justifies daylight robbery."
"You little brat, I'll teach you a lesson!" Liu Da raised his thick hand, his face twisted in anger, preparing to strike Xu Ming across the face.
Xu Ming braced himself to dodge, his eyes scanning the ground for a heavy jar to use as defense.
But before Liu Da's hand could descend, a massive, calloused hand shot out from the crowd, clamping onto Liu Da's wrist like a vise made of solid iron.
Crack.
The sound of bones shifting under immense pressure echoed faintly. Liu Da instantly let out a high-pitched, agonizing shriek, his knees buckling as he was forced down to the cobblestones.
"Who do you think you are touching?"
The voice was low, dark, and laced with a terrifying, murderous intent that made the temperature in the immediate area seem to drop by ten degrees.
Shen Li stood there like a god of wrath, his large frame casting a massive, dark shadow completely over Madam Wang and Liu Da. His dark eyes were fixed on Liu Da's trembling wrist, his grip tightening just a fraction more until the bully began to weep openly from the pain.
"S-Shen Li!" Madam Wang gasped, stumbling backward in absolute terror, her previous arrogance vanishing instantly. She knew very well that this hunter lived alone in the mountains, killed ferocious bears with his bare hands, and cared nothing for village pleasantries. "Release my son! We... we are just talking to our Ming-er!"
"He is no longer a part of your house," Shen Li said, his voice flat and unyielding. He gave a dismissive flick of his wrist, throwing Liu Da to the ground like a piece of worthless trash. "He is my husband. If I see either of you within ten paces of him again, I will not be this gentle."
Liu Da clutched his swollen, bruised wrist, scrambling backward on his hands and knees like a terrified dog, his face pale with sweat. Madam Wang hurriedly helped him up, screaming in fright as Shen Li took a single step forward. Without daring to utter another word of threat, the two turned and fled into the crowded market street, disappearing into the throng of people as fast as their legs could carry them.
The surrounding crowd quickly dispersed, terrified of being caught in the fierce hunter's gaze.
The market corner fell silent. Xu Ming looked at the broad back of the man standing in front of him, a profound sense of security wrapping around his heart. He stepped forward and gently placed his hand over Shen Li's still-clenched fist.
"A-Li," Xu Ming murmured softly. "Thank you. You came back just in time."
The murderous aura surrounding Shen Li dissolved instantly at the touch of Xu Ming's soft hand. He turned around, his eyes sweeping over Xu Ming with intense scrutiny, checking for any signs of injury or distress. Finding none, the tension in his rigid shoulders finally eased.
"Are you frightened?" Shen Li asked, his voice returning to its usual quiet, gravelly tone.
Xu Ming let out a soft, genuine laugh, shaking his head as he began to pack up his remaining jars. "With you here? Not at all. In fact, look at this—we sold almost everything! We made over eighty coppers today."
Shen Li looked down at the neatly packed basket, a subtle, proud look softening his sharp features. "Mmh. You did well."
"Come on," Xu Ming said, his eyes sparkling with excitement as he hoisted his light basket. "The butcher's shop is right down the road. Let's get that pork belly. Tonight, I'm going to make the best meal you've ever tasted."
Shen Li quietly picked up the heavier basket, falling into step right beside him, his shoulder brushing against Xu Ming's with a comfortable, enduring warmth. "Alright," he replied, a tiny, almost imperceptible smile finally touching the corners of his lips as they walked together into the afternoon sun.
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