Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 173: Mountain Bandits

Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Mountain Bandits

Nanzhi was usually calm, but she often got stuck in a rut when it came to her emotions.

She finally realized that what she cared about was the three years that the "old her" had spent with Shen Wenchen.

She feared that Shen Wenchen’s kindness towards her was only due to his guilt towards her, which led him to make up for it by treating her even better.

She didn’t want to be a stand-in for someone else.

Finally, after everyone had finished their dinner, Nanzhi pulled Shen Wenchen aside.

"Nannan, what’s wrong?"

Gazing at his wife’s troubled expression, Shen Wenchen reached up and rubbed her forehead.

"I have something to tell you." Feeling his warm touch on her forehead, Nanzhi finally found her voice.

"Go on, I’m listening."

Shen Wenchen slightly lowered his head. His peach-blossom eyes were filled with love, almost pulling Nanzhi into their depths.

"I... I have worries."

"What sort of worries?"

Fidgeting with her fingers, Nanzhi finally decided to express her feelings: "You have been there before, so I will just say it directly. I’m not from this world. My real home is there. But the soul of Lin Nanzhi here... is me. I... I can’t explain it clearly..."

As she spoke, Nanzhi felt tongue-tied. She couldn’t even articulate this simple matter.

"I understand. You are Lin Nanzhi, but you and my wife share the same soul, right?"

Deeply gazing into her eyes, Shen Wenchen pulled her into his arms.

"Yes, that’s it." As he held her, Nanzhi felt her heartbeat quicken, while a tinge of envy trickled into her mind.

Only a man who had been a villain could understand her despite her clumsy explanation.

"Then what exactly is your worry about?" Shen Wenchen felt a pang of heartache as he held the petite and slender figure in his arms.

"But the person who was with you for two years wasn’t me. Even if we share the same soul, she was the one who suffered, while I just... just reaped the benefits."

As she curled up in his arms, Nanzhi’s voice gradually faded until it was barely audible even to herself.

Shen Wenchen perfectly understood her feelings, so he just rubbed her head and softly reassured her.

"Silly girl, you two have always been the same person. Don’t overthink."

Thinking of the old man’s words, Shen Wenchen sighed softly.

The old man came back to him once, reminding him that everything was a result of cause and effect, and asked him to understand his true feelings.

Before Shen Wenchen could ask further, the old man left, taking with him his eight pancakes.

"Then... then stop touching my hair. It’s dirty," Nanzhi stifled her embarrassment, her voice barely audible.

She hadn’t washed her hair in over a month, so she could only guess how dirty it was now.

As a woman, she desired to be attractive for the man she loved. Even though this wasn’t the time for grooming, she didn’t want to leave a negative impression in his eyes.

"I’m dirty as well."

Laughing, Shen Wenchen intentionally rubbed his stubbly chin against her forehead, causing Nanzhi’s ears to turn a rosy red.

"Dad’s embarrassing himself!"

Little Zhiyu repeated his grandmother’s words while calling his parents to dinner, only to see the two adults hugging each other.

He pointed at his father while wiping his cheek, amused at the situation.

"You rascal."

Shen Wenchen grinned and released Nanzhi from his embrace.

"Grandma asked me to call you for dinner, dad. Mom, stop being embarrassing."

Making a funny face, Little Zhiyu, afraid of being caught by his father, scampered off with his small short legs.

"Let’s go for dinner."

"Sure."

Even though Nanzhi didn’t expect the issue to be settled within a few sentences, she felt much lighter now.

"Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?" As the couple walked back to the mule cart and sat down, they noticed their family members looking at them, barely suppressing their laughter, which took them by surprise.

Instantaneously, Nanzhi turned to her little son who was hiding in his grandmother’s arms, hugging her even tighter at their gaze.

"Alright alright, Wenchen, sit down for dinner now." Lin’s mother gently patted her grandson in her lap and waved at Shen Wenchen, smiling.

It was all good as long as the young couple had sorted things out. It was all good now.

"Okay."

Shen Wenchen was in great spirits, nodding and sitting next to Nanzhi with a smile.

After dinner, and after putting their child to bed, the couple sat beside the fire for warmth.

"So... are we considered husband and wife from now on?"

Nanzhi poked the sweet potatoes roasting in the fire with a stick.

"We always have been."

"Alright then."

Nanzhi smirked.

"Once we get to Yan City, we’ll have another wedding ceremony." Shen Wenchen was sincere, his eyes full of stars as he gazed at Nanzhi.

"Fine..."

Before Nanzhi could finish, a piercing scream echoed from not far away.

The shrill sound startled the surrounding refugees who were resting on the ground.

Those who just fell asleep were awoken, each groping for the weapons they had prepared before their escape.

"The mountain bandits are coming! Run!"

The shout set off a chain reaction. On hearing it, the refugees immediately packed their belongings and fled. The river of people was like a tide of black water, filtering through every gap just to escape.

Shen Wenchen instinctively tried to shield Nanzhi, but she immediate ran toward the mule cart.

Watching her get on the cart, Shen Wenchen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then whistled to call Zhui Yue over.

The Lin brothers wasted no time in getting dressed and ran straight to where their women were in the mule cart.

Lin Yicheng smoothly mounted the cart carrying Lin’s mother and couldn’t help but reassure her: "Mom, just sit properly in the cart, I’ll handle the driving!"

With the trembling child in her arms, Chen Qiulan and Sun Cui dared not move and just huddled in the cart.

Lin Ercheng, however, went to Nanzhi’s cart.

"Fatty, watch out for Zhiyu. Your second brother is here."

"Okay."

A few days ago, they had discussed that in case of any mishap, Shen Wenchen would lead the way, while the three men of the Lin family would drive the cart. If they happened to get separated, they would regroup in Yan City!

Compared to the quick actions of the Lin family, the Shen family seemed to be in a bit of a predicament.

"Forget about the things! Let’s go!" Aunt Guihua couldn’t help but grow anxious at the sight of her husband trying to load things onto the cart. She urged him to get on the cart quickly instead.

It was better to lose their belongings than their lives!

The number of fleeing refugees was increasing. The few meter wide official road was now crowded with people trying to escape. Some even tripped and were trampled underfoot, unable to get up again.

Others were trying to take advantage of the situation by tripping up those around them to buy themselves some time. The usually quiet night was now filled with cries and wails.

The three startled mules trampled through the mud, carrying on in the direction of the moving crowd.

Woken by the crying and shouting outside, little Zhiyu was now silently hiding in Nanzhi’s embrace.

"It’s okay Zhiyu, it’s okay." As Nanzhi tightly held onto Zhiyu in one arm with the other, she gripped an axe, her eyes riveted on the back curtain of the cart.

If anyone dared to approach, she would cleave them with this axe!

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