My Scheming Little Devil

She couldn’t dare to disobey, obediently complying.

The thing she looked down upon the most was those spineless scholars.

But now, she truly felt that her husband was like the male protagonist on TV, how should it be put, yes, dignified, with real masculinity.

The most important thing was, he wasn’t looking down on her right now.

Just earlier, he was chatting idly with her in the yard, asking about the people and events in her village.

That tender and affectionate manner had her utterly enchanted. Even though they were already husband and wife, his gaze still made her blush and become even more fond of him.

"Cultured folks? Hmph." Hearing Mei’s protective words, many men in the village became dissatisfied.

Especially a few troublemakers known for stirring things up, their looks and words clearly scornful. They exchanged glances, giving Xie Wen a sly once-over and snickering secretly, vowing to drink him under the table tonight until he vomits.

"Xie Wen, it’s been a long time since you’ve been back. You should join the uncles and brothers of the village for a few drinks, right?"

As they said this, those men hastily filled all the cups with potent baijiu, and Xie Wen’s big bowl in front of him was filled to the brim. Their intention was evident: each person would toast him and, with one round like this, they were set on drinking him to death.

Such soft, spineless scholars are the most useless.

Xie Wen’s deep, unfathomable eyes swept over the loud men. That gaze was calm yet silent.

But unexpectedly, it caused a shiver to run down the spine of those men looking for trouble, as a chilly sensation crept up.

They felt embarrassed and frustrated, spooked by the stare of a spineless scholar - Xie Wen, who used to be scared of their bullying, his little white face turning pale from their pressure, now seemed unfazed.

"What’s wrong, too scared to drink? If you’re afraid, crawl under the table and bark like a dog." Frustrated, they banged the table more fiercely, putting on a show of strength.

Mei’s face looked extremely displeased: "Don’t go too far, my husband isn’t feeling well."

Yet, Xie Wen said nothing and simply picked up the big bowl and downed it in one go – leaving everyone present agape.

Previously Xie Wen would frown after just a few sips, his reluctance clear, not drinking cleanly or briskly -- these village men despised that kind of unassertive behavior.

Now, seeing him drink without changing his expression, finishing the bowl in one gulp, they were instantly stunned. It also elicited in them a sense of respect; men appreciate straightforwardness at the drinking table, and this attitude of his won their approval.

"In the past, Xie Wen was ignorant and didn’t show enough respect for the elders. Now, let me punish myself with three cups to make amends," he said calmly, picking up the wine bowl and boldly drank three cups in a row.

Immediately, the village elders cheered loudly: "Refreshing, good!"

In that moment, the villagers’ displeasures towards him disappeared with the drinks, and they began to see him in a new light, pulling him in to join them for drinks, food, and conversation, all smiles.

Xie Wen was no longer the aloof outsider; rather, he quickly blended in with the village elders and influential figures, managing the social scene with ease, well-received by all.

Ye Lu’s gaze remained on him, yet he never once looked back at her.

She saw, however, that after he had had quite a few drinks, his hand unintentionally pressed against his stomach, but his face bore no expression, still chatting and laughing freely.

She was somewhat stunned, her gaze blurred, because she always felt that some of his actions and mannerisms were so much like Jun Huang.

She couldn’t help but continually try to find traces of Jun Huang in him.