Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 43 -

"I understand, and... I’m sorry."

Fu Sheng didn’t respond.

He simply turned and walked toward the wagon, his steps steady, yet there was something in the stiffness of his back that made it clear he was still displeased, and I followed quietly behind him, my earlier boldness gone as my eyes drifted upward almost against my will.

Honestly...

How was it fair for someone to look that good from behind?

His shoulders were broad, his posture straight, and the faint movement of his muscles beneath his robe as he walked made my thoughts wander far from anything remotely serious.

Tsk.

This man was truly dangerous.

By the time we reached the wagon, Fu Sheng finally spoke, his voice calm but still carrying that faint trace of restraint.

"I already bought some things," he said. "Check and see if they’re enough."

I blinked slightly, then stepped closer.

Without hesitation, I lifted the cloth covering the bundles and began looking through them, my curiosity rising instantly.

And then my eyes lit up.

"Well, well..."

Inside were neatly arranged items, clearly chosen with care rather than impulse. There were fresh spices tied in small paper wrappings, their scent faint but rich even before opening, followed by a new set of folded blankets, clean, thick, and far more suitable than the worn ones we had lost.

I pulled one out slightly, feeling the fabric between my fingers.

"We couldn’t carry the old ones anyway," Fu Sheng said quietly from beside me. "They were already too heavy."

I nodded absentmindedly, still inspecting everything.

There were also dried food supplies, properly packed, along with simple utensils and cloth pieces that could be reused for multiple purposes.

A slow smile spread across my face.

"You really didn’t buy randomly," I said.

"I never do."

I glanced at him sideways, amusement flickering in my eyes.

"How boringly reliable."

Fu Sheng ignored that comment completely.

Instead, he adjusted one of the bundles, his movements calm and efficient as always.

"If anything is missing, say it now," he said. "We still have a little time."

I looked back into the wagon, pretending to think deeply.

"Hmmm..."

Then I nodded dramatically.

"Yes."

He paused.

"There is something missing."

Fu Sheng’s brows pulled together slightly. "What?"

I looked up at him and smiled brightly.

"Father’s medicine."

Fu Sheng froze.

For a brief second, his calm expression cracked ever so slightly, and then he let out a quiet sigh, one hand rising to his forehead.

"I forgot," he muttered.

I blinked.

"You forgot?"

"I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly while looking for someone who vanished without a word," he replied flatly.

"...Fair point."

Without wasting another moment, he turned at once.

"Come," he said.

And just like that, the two of us moved quickly through the market again, weaving past busy stalls and loud vendors, the earlier lightness gone as purpose replaced everything else.

We found the herbal stall not long after.

The old herbalist barely looked up before Fu Sheng began speaking, his voice low but direct, listing the needed items with practiced ease, while I stood beside him pretending to be the obedient, harmless wife.

Inside, however...

My brain was already working, I was already thinking how I was gonna make Bia Ming suffer so bad... once I’m done with her, I would surely teach Li Manman a lesson of her life.

Everything had to make sense.

Once the medicine was packed and secured, we moved again.

That was when my steps suddenly slowed.

Fu Sheng noticed immediately.

"What now?"

I turned my head slightly, my gaze fixed upward.

"The roof."

He followed my line of sight.

Earlier that morning, when we were cleaning the cabin, I had spotted small holes near the edges, barely noticeable unless one paid attention, but very noticeable to someone like me who absolutely refused to sleep under a leaking disaster.

"If I’m not wrong," I said casually, "it’s going to rain tonight."

Fu Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly. "And?"

"And," I continued calmly, "I would rather not drown indoors."

He stared at me.

I smiled.

A few moments later, we stood before another stall.

Roof patch materials.

By the time we were done, our hands were fuller, our time nearly gone, and together we made our way back toward the entrance where the guard had instructed us to meet.

The guard was already there, arms crossed, expression impatient.

Fu Fong stood nearby with several bundles at his feet, looking thoroughly bored.

But something was off.

The guard’s brows pulled together slightly as his gaze shifted between us.

"Where is Bai Ming?"

Silence.

Fu Fong clicked his tongue lazily.

"How should I know?" he replied. "She said she was going somewhere."

The guard frowned deeply.

"Somewhere?" he repeated. "What do you mean, somewhere?"

Fu Fong shrugged, completely unconcerned.

"She wandered off."

The air instantly grew heavier.

The guard’s expression darkened.

"She is under supervision," he said coldly. "Exiles do not ’wander off.’"

For the first time, even Fu Fong looked slightly uneasy.

Meanwhile, I stood there quietly beside Fu Sheng.

And inside...

My smile almost slipped.

Ah.

Looks like the real drama was about to begin.

....

We returned to the cabin area not long after.

The sun was already high, and the heat was unbearable. Most of the exiles had gathered outside, some sitting on the ground, some leaning against walls, all trying to escape the suffocating warmth trapped inside the cabins. Our Fu family was also outside, resting in the shade, speaking quietly among themselves.

Near the entrance stood the head guard with his men, together with the village chief.

The moment we approached, the guard who had escorted us stepped forward and bowed slightly.

The head guard’s eyes swept over us quickly.

Then his brows pulled together.

"Where is the fourth person?" he asked coldly.

The escorting guard straightened at once. "Reporting to Head Guard... Bai Ming is missing."

The air shifted instantly.

"Missing?" the head guard repeated, his voice sharp.

"Her husband stated that she wandered off during market time."

For a brief second, silence fell.

Then the head guard’s face darkened with fury.

"Wandered off?" he snapped. "Do these people think this is a pleasure trip?!"

His voice rang loudly across the open space, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

From afar, Uncle Fu stiffened.

Grandma Fu’s eyes widened. "Missing?" she cried. "What do you mean missing?!"

Uncle Fu hurried forward. "Head Guard, there must be some mistake. My daughter-in-law wouldn’t just disappear." he faced his son, "Fu Fong, where is she?"

Fu Fong clicked his tongue, clearly irritated. "She said she was going somewhere. How am I supposed to know where?"

The head guard turned sharply toward him.

"You were assigned together," he said coldly. "You are responsible for each other’s movements."

Fu Fong’s expression tightened slightly, though he still tried to appear unconcerned.

Behind them, Fu Jia muttered under her breath, "She better not start causing more trouble for our family..."

Meanwhile...

Not far away...

Li Manman stood frozen as her eyes were fixed on me.

Her brows slowly pulled together, confusion spreading across her face as she stared at me like she had just seen a ghost.

Because according to their perfect little plan...

I shouldn’t have been standing there.

Su Long should have been gone.

Everything was supposed to fall into place.

But I was here. Alive and standing calmly beside Fu Sheng.

Li Manman’s fingers slowly tightened at her sides.

Her mind clearly racing.

If Su Long is here... then where is Bai Ming?

Her gaze darted around anxiously and it made me so happy, i wasn’t even able to contain my smile,

"This is exile," the head guard said, his voice low yet filled with restrained fury. "Not a marketplace stroll where people wander off whenever they please."

No one dared to speak.

The tension thickened instantly as He turned slightly toward his men.

"Prepare to search the village."

His command was immediate, leaving no room for hesitation as several guards straightened at once.

Fu Fong clicked his tongue and turned, clearly intending to walk back toward his family, his movements stiff but pretending indifference.

But he didn’t get far.

"Stop."

The head guard’s voice was sharp.

Fu Fong froze mid-step.

Slowly, he turned back.

The head guard’s eyes were already locked onto him, cold and dangerous.

"You," he said.

Fu Fong frowned. "What now?"

That single response was enough.

The head guard’s face darkened further.

"Capture the husband."

The crowd gasped.

Fu Fong’s eyes widened. "What?!"

Before he could react, two guards stepped forward, gripping his arms firmly.

"Head Guard, what is the meaning of this?!" Uncle Fu shouted, rushing forward.

The head guard didn’t even look at him.

"A woman under supervision vanishes," he said coldly, "and the husband claims ignorance."

Fu Fong struggled. "I told you, she said she was going somewhere!"

"Silence."

"You are responsible for her."

Fu Fong’s expression twisted. "I didn’t kidnap her!"

The head guard stepped closer, his gaze icy.

"That," he said slowly, "is exactly what we intend to find out."

Fu Fong’s face paled slightly.

"They think they can fool me?" the head guard continued, his voice heavy with suspicion. "Exiles don’t simply disappear without reason. Either she fled... or someone helped her."

His eyes narrowed.

"And husbands," he added coldly, "are always the first to lie."

Grandma Fu’s voice trembled. "Head Guard, there must be some misunderstanding—"

"There is no misunderstanding."

His tone was final.

"Discipline him."

Fu Fong’s eyes widened in panic.

"WAIT—!"

But it was already too late.