Chapter 6 The Nemesis of Lesbians

Tang Banxia was just about to push open the door when she heard a chorus of feminine voices from inside. Mingled with them was Wen Mubai’s commanding tone.

“Aunt Hu, over there! That spot isn’t done yet.”

“Comrade Cuiyun, that part still hasn’t been cultivated.”

“Sister Xiaocao, be more thorough when you wash—Comrade Tang is a bit of a neat freak.”

Tang Banxia: !!!

An ominous feeling welled up inside her. She took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

As expected, the courtyard, which had been empty before she left, was now packed with people—women, all of them.

The women in the yard turned at the sound of the door. When they saw it was Tang Banxia, disapproval appeared on every face.

“Comrade Tang, slow down! Wen is timid—you’ll scare him!”

For a fleeting moment, Tang Banxia almost felt heroic.

“That’s right, Comrade Tang. Xiaobai is frail, how could you let him do hard farm work? What if it wears him out?”

“We’re women—how could we let a man do laundry? Comrade Tang, this really won’t do.”

Tang Banxia didn’t utter a word, nearly drowned by a barrage of well-meaning admonishments from the village women.

She tightened the straps on her overalls, forcing a smile. “Sisters, I’ve taken everything you said to heart.”

Taking advantage of a moment’s distraction, she shot Wen Mubai a glare. “It’s getting late… Comrade Wen must be hungry. I should get dinner started for him, isn’t that right, Xiaobai?”

Wen Mubai smiled shyly. “Comrade Tang is always so good to me.”

“Sisters, you don’t need to worry—Comrade Tang won’t mistreat me,” he declared to his loyal supporters.

“That’s good.” Aunt Hu beamed, her eyes nearly vanishing in her smile. “Wen, if you need anything, just call for us—don’t be shy around your sisters!”

“You’re always so good to me, Auntie.” Wen Mubai’s delicate face was full of innocent affection.

The women, thoroughly charmed, left the courtyard in high spirits.

Without exception, as they passed Tang Banxia, each one gave her a look—some warning, some unfriendly.

The smile on Tang Banxia’s face was on the verge of collapse.

Only when the yard was empty except for her and Wen Mubai did she finally speak. “Wen—”

“Comrade Tang, look! The land’s all cultivated, the bedding’s been washed, and the house has been tidied up too. Come see!” Wen Mubai’s eyes shone as he looked at her.

Tang Banxia ground her teeth. “Wen—Mu—bai!”

“I’m here.”

Staring at his handsome face, she found herself unable to spit out or swallow the curses in her throat.

“Wen Mubai, enough with your tricks.” She pushed past him and entered the house.

Pouring herself a glass of water, she glanced sideways at the man who’d followed her in. “Do you remember you’re married?”

Wen Mubai was rummaging through the things she’d brought back. “I remember. Comrade Tang, don’t worry—I belong to you.”

Tang Banxia’s jaw clenched in annoyance. “A married man should behave himself.”

Wen Mubai answered idly, “Got it, got it.”

Then, fishing out a lively chicken from the basket, he changed the subject, “Comrade Tang, can we start making chicken stew now?”

Tang Banxia arched a brow, drawing out her words, “Chicken, hmm…”

Seeing the anticipation in his eyes, she feigned disappointment. “What a shame, there’s no pot in the house. No way to stew it.”

Wen Mubai’s face fell. “You’re lying to me!”

“I’m not!” Tang Banxia replied innocently. “But even the best cook can’t cook without a pot.”

Wen Mubai turned and dashed out, “I’ll go borrow one!”

In no time, he was back, lugging a large black pot. “Comrade Tang, here’s a pot!”

Tang Banxia pressed a hand to her forehead. She had truly underestimated his obsession with food.

Resigned, she picked up the still-struggling old hen. “You clean the pot.”

Wen Mubai answered gleefully, “Right away!”

Tang Banxia carried the chicken to the courtyard. With a swift, practiced motion, she cut its throat. “Wen Mubai, bring a bowl.”

“Coming!”

Chicken blood dripped steadily. The hen struggled ferociously, but Tang Banxia’s grip was steady as a soulless assassin.

“Wen Mubai, boil some water.”

“Understood!”

The two worked in seamless tandem—boiling water, plucking feathers, chopping, blanching, and finally heating oil in the pot.

Once the fragrance bloomed, she tossed in a handful of vermicelli, poured in half a basin of water, covered the pot with the wooden lid, and dusted off her hands. “Done. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

Wen Mubai’s beaming grin was almost foolish. He chirped sweetly, “Comrade Tang, you’re an amazing cook, and a wonderful person—beautiful, generous, one of a kind.”

Tang Banxia ignored his flattery. Trusting a sycophant like this would be her downfall. “Wen Mubai, let’s talk.”

With chicken on the way, Wen Mubai was in a good mood. “Go ahead, Comrade Tang.”

Tang Banxia chose her words carefully. “Wen Mubai, since we’re married now, I intend to live a proper life with you.”

Wen Mubai’s eyes stayed glued to the pot. “Mmm.”

She kicked him. “Pay attention! The chicken’s not going anywhere.”

“Oh.” Wen Mubai looked aggrieved. “Comrade Tang, I am serious.” About living off you, he added silently.

“It’s just… my stomach isn’t great,” he mumbled shyly, glancing at Tang Banxia. “When you said you’d take care of me, does that still count?”

Suppressing her exasperation, Tang Banxia replied, “It counts.”

“Then it’s settled. From now on, you’re in charge—whatever you say goes, no questions asked.” He looked perfectly content.

“My word is law?” she repeated.

“Yes, I’ll listen to you.” Wen Mubai nodded.

“Good. Then the first thing is that you need to cut off all that flirting with those sisters and aunties. You’re married now—keep your distance from other women.”

“I wasn’t—” he protested innocently. “They’re just good friends.”

A vein throbbed at Tang Banxia’s temple. “Then keep your distance from your good friends.”

Wen Mubai pursed his lips, silent—clearly unwilling.

Tang Banxia stood her ground, fixing him with an unwavering stare.

She had no desire to become the enemy of every woman in the village. If she didn’t rein Wen Mubai in, she feared it wouldn’t be long before she was the laughingstock of them all.

That was something she absolutely could not accept.

She would never let anyone trample on her dignity.

After a long standoff, Wen Mubai’s eyes gradually reddened.

Tang Banxia: ???

Wait, was he about to cry?

“Comrade Tang, I know… I know you look down on me, just like everyone else. You think I’m… I’m…”

“I don’t!” Tang Banxia replied, flustered.

“But those sisters—they’re my only family. Forgive me, but I can’t.”

She wanted to say, “You sure have plenty of ‘only’ family,” but didn’t dare, for fear he’d cry for real.

“Alright, alright, don’t cry. How about this: you can see them, but you can’t take things from them.” She decided to take it step by step.

Wen Mubai muttered, “It’s not like I take things for nothing…”

“Hm?”

“Fine, fine, I won’t take anything.” He relented.

It wasn’t ideal, but for now, it would have to do.

As the aroma from the pot filled the air, Tang Banxia opened the lid, gave the stew a stir, and stuck a few corn cakes to the side, covering it again. “A little longer and it’ll be ready.”

The scent instantly evaporated Wen Mubai’s tears. “Comrade Tang, you’re right. I’ll listen to you.”

Tang Banxia was at a loss for words. This man’s morals were clearly dictated by his stomach.

After dinner, the mood in the house became ambiguous.

After all, there was only one bedroom—just the two of them, a man and a woman…

Or rather, newlyweds, grown adults, fully aware of what such a night entailed.

At least, that was Tang Banxia’s thinking.

With the moon hanging above the willow branches, they lay side by side in silence.

Feeling the heat radiating from the person next to her, and recalling the intimacy of that night, Tang Banxia curled her finger, rolled over, and naturally rested her hand on Wen Mubai’s chest.

He caught his breath, his voice husky. “Comrade Tang, you…”

Taking the opportunity, she drew closer, her breath warm against his ear. “Little brother, do you really think your sister only wants your name?”

As she spoke, her fingers traced the lines of his handsome face. “Your sister wants your body, too.”

Her lips found his tightly closed mouth, her hand sliding lower…

Completely unaware, in the darkness, that Wen Mubai’s eyes glowed green, sharp as a wolf’s.

“Little brother, we’re married now. Even if you scream, no one will come to save you.”

“I… mm—”

“Heh, Comrade Tang, far be it from me to refuse.”

The night was still young…