Chapter Twenty: My Beloved, I Have Come (Part Two)

Some people shout the loudest when they are most afraid inside, and Gu Dacai was just such a person.

“Where did you hide the silver?”

Gu Xiaoyao lifted the sharp butcher’s knife in her hand. Though her tone was calm, to Gu Dacai’s ears it sounded especially menacing.

This money-losing wretch was truly becoming more formidable by the day. Hearing her question, Gu Dacai’s eyes flickered as he denied it.

“What silver? What silver do I have? I’m penniless now. If I had silver, would I need you to marry off?”

Others might have believed him, but Gu Xiaoyao did not. She pressed the tip of her knife to the center of Gu Dacai’s brow.

The spot between one’s brows is exceedingly sensitive; any threat here is instantly communicated to both mind and body.

The knife hovered, neither striking nor retreating, its sharp tip lingering at his brow. Only those who have experienced it know the feeling. If one’s eyes are covered, it becomes all the more nerve-wracking—indeed, a form of torment.

“Did you hide the silver in your room? Under the bed? In the corner of the cabinet? Or did you dig a hole beneath the bed to stash it away…”

Gu Xiaoyao spoke slowly, listing each place while closely watching Gu Dacai’s expression.

Under constant threat from the blade, Gu Dacai gulped hard, his eyes nearly crossing in terror, dreading that sharp point would suddenly stab down.

“Really, there’s nothing, you have to believe me, believe me, Xiaoyao.”

Gu Dacai clenched his teeth, unwilling to admit he had hidden any silver.

Seeing he still refused to confess, Gu Xiaoyao was not disappointed. It was just as she thought—without blindfolding him, the method wasn’t quite intimidating enough.

“If you won’t tell me, I won’t force you. How about this: I see there are a few things about you that are quite useless. Why not let me help you get rid of them?”

Gu Xiaoyao’s lips curled in a soft, almost adorable smile as she lowered the knife.

The cold blade gleamed mercilessly as Gu Dacai watched it move from his chest downward.

“No, no, no…”

Gu Dacai was so frightened he nearly lost control of his bladder.

“Don’t be afraid. I learned the art of butchering from Grandfather—I promise I won’t make it painful.”

No one in their right mind would believe such words. Once the blade pierces flesh, how could there be no pain, unless one was under anesthesia?

Gu Xiaoyao raised the sharp knife, and as it whistled through the air, Gu Dacai lost all composure and wet himself on the spot.

“I’ll tell! I’ll tell! Where do you want me to say the silver is hidden?!”

In his panic, Gu Dacai’s voice broke and cracked.

Those in the courtyard, hearing he had truly hidden silver, stared in disbelief.

What a wretch—while the family worried every day about not having enough rice to cook, he had silver stashed away, living well and eating fine food in town.

Chu Chengjin, bracing his injured body, arrived at Shuichang Village just in time to see his own “wife” holding a knife threateningly at another man’s groin.

Such a scene could not help but inspire poetry.

So many beauties in the world—why must this one hold a knife? If she must wield a blade, why does it have to be a butcher’s knife?

“My dear wife, has your husband arrived too late?”

Chu Chengjin, looking every inch the frail, scholarly invalid, coughed weakly a few times. The way he called her “wife” made Gu Xiaoyao’s ears tingle.

“Chu Chengjin?!”

Gu Xiaoyao was a little surprised. Hadn’t he gone home? Why was he here?

“Didn’t you go home?”

Chu Chengjin drifted over, catching sight of her slightly widened almond eyes, and pressed a fist to his lips, coughing again.

“If my wife is returning to her family, how could I not come? My body may be weak, but I can still manage the journey back and forth.”

He had indeed gone home—but as soon as he arrived, he hurried back down the mountain.