Ch 49: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

Jing Li accompanied Old Dr. Xue and Ah Yi back to their small cottage to pack their belongings.

They didn’t have much to pack—just a few changes of clothes and some medical books. Most of their luggage consisted of herbs they had dug up from the nearby mountains.

—And a large sack of astragalus.

It seemed that Jing Li’s intense desire for astragalus over the past few days had caused this rare herb to grow wildly in his yard. It kept sprouting more even after being harvested multiple times, to the amazement of even the experienced Xue Ren.

Knowing that Old Dr. Xue needed this herb to make medicine, Qin Zhao generously gave him ten or so plants, considering it as payment for the medical treatment.

The carriage was already waiting at the village entrance. Jing Li helped Ah Yi load the luggage onto the carriage, but he couldn’t help glancing around.

“Jing Li, what are you looking at?” Ah Yi asked.

“Nothing…”

Jing Li couldn’t help but wonder where Chen Yanan had wandered off to. Today was supposed to be a rest day, so why wasn’t he in the village? Jing Li had even gone to his house last night to tell him that Ah Yi would be leaving today.

After all the luggage was loaded, Ah Yi bid Jing Li farewell: “Thank you for all the trouble these past days. When you visit the county, be sure to come see me and Grandpa Xue.”

Jing Li nodded, “I will!”

“And… please thank Mr. Chen for me. It was kind of him to let Grandpa Xue and me stay at his house.”

“Got it,” Jing Li replied, though he was a bit annoyed. “He didn’t even come to see you off, and you’re still thinking about him…”

That guy deserves to be single.

“He… he might be mad at me,” Ah Yi said hesitantly. “He came to see me last night, but…”

Jing Li blinked, “What did he say to you?”

Ah Yi replied, “He said he wanted to go to the county with me, to help me look after the shop.”

Jing Li: “…”

That sounds exactly like something that guy would do.

He says he wants to look after the shop, but it’s more likely he wants to look after Ah Yi.

Jing Li felt a bit helpless and asked, “And what did you say to him?”

“I asked him if he knew anything about medicinal principles, if he could identify herbs, if he understood how to procure and sell them.” Ah Yi paused, then added in a small voice, “He didn’t know any of it…”

Jing Li: “…”

“I told him that our pharmacy is too small and that I don’t know enough about medicine yet to take on an apprentice. Even if we were to hire someone, we’d need to hire someone knowledgeable, and he… he doesn’t meet that requirement.”

“After I said that, he ran off, and I couldn’t catch up with him.” Ah Yi looked worried. “Did I say something too harsh?”

Jing Li: “…”

After hearing this, Jing Li’s annoyance dissipated, and he even felt a bit of pity.

Poor guy, he’s probably hiding somewhere nursing a broken heart. Worse still, he probably doesn’t even know why he’s heartbroken.

How tragic.

Jing Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Ah Yi continued to ask, “Should I apologize to him in person? But the truth is, he really doesn’t meet the requirements to work at the shop. What should I do?”

“No need,” Jing Li reassured him. “I’ll explain it to him. He won’t misunderstand you, so don’t worry.”

Ah Yi: “But—”

“How much longer do you two plan to say your tearful goodbyes?” Xue Ren called out with a smile, leaning out of the carriage window. “If we don’t leave soon, you won’t make it to the county before curfew.”

“Coming!” Ah Yi replied, and before getting into the carriage, he reminded Jing Li, “Please make sure to explain to Mr. Chen for me. I really didn’t mean to offend him last night.”

Jing Li agreed.

As the carriage left Linxi Village, Jing Li turned to head back. Just as he entered the village, he saw a familiar figure running in the opposite direction.

He shouted, “Chen Yanan, stop right there!”

The broad figure halted, turning around with an awkward smile. “Oh, it’s you, sister-in-law. What’s the matter?”

Jing Li walked up to him and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Me? I was just passing by… just passing by…”

Jing Li was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly. “So you were just passing by, huh? If you’re not concerned about Ah Yi, then you probably don’t want to hear what message he left for you. In that case, I’ll be on my way.”

“Wait.” Chen Yanan stopped him, his eyes brightening. “He left a message for me? What did he say?”

Jing Li raised an eyebrow and relayed Ah Yi’s words to him.

The brightness in Chen Yanan’s eyes dimmed again, and he said dejectedly, “I understand.”

Jing Li had a protective affection for Ah Yi and was instinctively displeased with anyone making advances on him. But seeing the chubby guy’s dejected expression, he couldn’t help feeling a bit sympathetic.

Jing Li said, “Ah Yi is very straightforward. If you hint at something, he won’t understand. Why not just tell him directly?”

“I was afraid of scaring him…” Chen Yanan replied in a low voice. “Ah Yi said that many people who come to his shop in the county do so with ulterior motives, trying to get close to him. He’s encountered this too many times, and I don’t want him to think I’m like that.”

Jing Li bluntly pointed out, “But you do have ulterior motives.”

Chen Yanan: “…”

“That’s different!” The chubby guy’s face turned red as he exclaimed, “I want to pursue him properly. I won’t marry anyone but him!”

Jing Li burst out laughing. “You’ve known him for less than half a month, and you’re already talking about marrying him? Isn’t that a bit hasty?”

“Huh?” Chen Yanan seemed confused. “Half a month isn’t hasty, is it? Lots of couples in the village only met once or twice before getting married, and some even got married without ever meeting. How long did it take you to get together with Qin Zhao?”

Jing Li was taken aback. “I…”

Jing Li had never thought about it that way.

He had spent over a month as a fish in Qin Zhao’s house, then pretended to be his husband for a few more months, and then… they somehow ended up together without really thinking about it.

Qin Zhao hadn’t even properly confessed to him.

So how long did it take for him to fall in love with Qin Zhao?

Jing Li couldn’t come up with an answer right away. Chen Yanan, not paying much attention to the question, added, “I can’t talk any longer. I need to get home and study.”

Jing Li: “Study?”

“Yeah, I thought it over last night. Ah Yi is so amazing, I can’t just keep being a good-for-nothing.” Chen Yanan said seriously, “I’m going to start studying hard from now on, pass the county examination, and learn medicine. I’ll make sure I qualify to work at his pharmacy!”

Jing Li: “…”

The ambition he had earlier was fine, but what was that last part? Working so hard to pass the county examination just to become an assistant at a pharmacy?

Jing Li was speechless for a moment, and before he could say anything, Chen Yanan politely bowed to him and then ran off.

Jing Li watched his retreating figure from afar and sighed.

Will Ah Yi really like him like this?

Jing Li returned home alone, pushing open the courtyard gate. The bamboo courtyard was quiet and peaceful.

He tiptoed into the main house and, sure enough, saw Qin Zhao lying on the bed, sound asleep.

Because of the medicine, Qin Zhao had been particularly sleepy these past few days, but every time he woke up, his energy was noticeably better, so it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Jing Li knelt by the bedside, resting his head on his arms as he tilted his head to study the sleeping figure.

For the past two days, Jing Li had been reminding himself not to get too close to Qin Zhao, so he hadn’t had the chance to observe him this closely.

Qin Zhao asleep was quite different from Jing Li. He slept very quietly, lying peacefully on the bed, with only the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. From Jing Li’s angle, he could see the long, curled lashes and the slightly furrowed, handsome brows.

Jing Li still couldn’t figure out when he had started liking Qin Zhao.

But he also couldn’t think of anything about this person that wasn’t worth liking.

It would be one thing if he were just good-looking, but he also happened to be skilled in cooking and medicine, with a calm yet not dull personality. He was considerate and polite in dealing with others, leaving nothing about him that didn’t captivate Jing Li.

Jing Li’s gaze shifted to Qin Zhao’s hand, which was hanging off the edge of the bed.

What he liked most about Qin Zhao were his hands.

Those hands were long and strong, with well-defined joints, yet the fingertips had a sickly pallor, blending strength and fragility in a way that was irresistibly attractive.

Jing Li reached out to clasp those fingers, interlocking them with his own. Qin Zhao’s hand was larger, easily wrapping around Jing Li’s hand completely.

Half a month really isn’t that long.

Jing Li gently stroked the small callus on Qin Zhao’s palm, thinking to himself.

If he had met Qin Zhao as a human, it would have taken only a few days to fall for him—no, perhaps it wouldn’t even take that long.

After all, this person was so good that he could capture your heart at first sight, leaving no room for anyone else.

Jing Li pressed his face against Qin Zhao’s warm hand and whispered softly, “I like you so much…”

If only he were a normal human.

Then he wouldn’t have any worries, no need to be concerned about cultivation or spiritual energy, and no fear of being too close to this person.

Thinking of this, Jing Li suddenly felt a bit dejected.

He had already spent most of the day in human form; it was time for him to return to the water for a while. This way, when Qin Zhao woke up, he could spend more time with him in human form.

Jing Li lowered his eyes, reluctantly loosening his grip, but then found his hand caught by Qin Zhao’s.

Startled, he looked up and met those handsome eyes.

“Are you sneaking in another chance to take advantage of me?” Qin Zhao’s voice was slightly hoarse, as if he had just woken up.

Jing Li softly refuted, “I… I wasn’t…”

Qin Zhao lifted their intertwined hands. “Then what do you call this?”

Jing Li: “…”

He tried to get up and run, but Qin Zhao was quicker.

Qin Zhao firmly wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him onto the bed, and swiftly pinned him down.

“Trying to avoid me again?” Qin Zhao held down his hands, but there was no anger in his eyes—only a smile. “Earlier, when Dr. Xue and Ah Yi were here, I couldn’t ask. What’s been going on with you these past few days? Why are you avoiding me?”

Jing Li stubbornly replied, “I’m not avoiding you…”

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow and leaned in to kiss him.

Jing Li quickly turned his head to avoid it.

Qin Zhao’s lips brushed against Jing Li’s cheek. He lifted his head slightly and asked, “So this isn’t avoiding me? Why won’t you let me touch you?”

Jing Li pressed his lips together tightly, as if afraid Qin Zhao would steal another kiss. His words came out in a muttered protest, “It’s just… it’s not allowed.”

Qin Zhao gazed at him for a moment, then sighed softly, “Is this because of that book, The Record of Demonic Creatures?”

Jing Li suddenly turned his head, almost bumping into Qin Zhao’s lips, and then quickly looked away, flustered. “How… how do you know?”

Qin Zhao chuckled, “You’ve been sneaking that book into your Confucian texts, pretending to learn how to read. Sometimes you get so sleepy while reading that you end up using the book as a pillow. How could I not notice…”

Jing Li, a bit embarrassed, grumbled, “It’s all that book’s fault for being so hard to understand…”

Just looking at it made him sleepy.

Qin Zhao replied, “Don’t change the subject. Tell me, what’s really going on?”

Realizing he couldn’t hide the truth any longer, Jing Li confessed everything to Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao listened attentively, playing with Jing Li’s hair that draped over the edge of the bed. Occasionally, he would ask about specific details from the book. Since Jing Li couldn’t read well and had to guess most of it, he answered haltingly.

After explaining everything, Jing Li added seriously, “That book seemed really convincing. It might actually be written by a demon. Better to believe it than not.”

Qin Zhao nodded, his tone neutral. “…So you believed it.”

“…And that’s why you’ve been avoiding me for two days.”

“…And even caused Dr. Xue to misunderstand.”

Jing Li met his gaze for a moment, then obediently admitted, “I’m sorry.”

“But I’m still really worried,” Jing Li whispered. “What if the book is right? What if I really turn back into a fish and can’t change back?”

Qin Zhao pondered for a moment. “There’s one solution.”

Jing Li asked eagerly, “What is it?”

His curiosity lowered his guard, and as soon as he turned his head, Qin Zhao leaned down and kissed him.

With his hands pinned at his sides, Jing Li went weak from the kiss, unable to muster any strength, leaving himself at Qin Zhao’s mercy.

After a long moment, Qin Zhao finally let him go.

“Why… why do you keep taking advantage of me?” Jing Li’s lips were slightly red as he questioned him.

“This is the solution,” Qin Zhao said. Seeing that Jing Li didn’t understand, he explained seriously, “You believe that if your spiritual energy is depleted, you’ll lose the ability to stay in human form, and you also believe that being close to me will drain my vital energy. So let’s test it. See if I am affected by you.”

Jing Li frowned. “How can that be okay? What if something goes wrong—”

“If something goes wrong, it would prove that I was wrong, that I shouldn’t have doubted the book,” Qin Zhao replied calmly. “Time will give us the answer.”

“That… kind of makes sense?” Jing Li was completely confused by his reasoning. He had a vague feeling that something wasn’t quite right, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was. “So I don’t need to avoid you anymore?”

Qin Zhao smiled slightly. “Of course not.”

Jing Li nodded. “Got it.”

But Qin Zhao still didn’t let go of him.

Jing Li blinked in confusion and looked up at him.

“Now that we’ve settled this matter, it’s time to talk about something else,” Qin Zhao said softly as he played with a strand of Jing Li’s hair. “Did you tell Ah Yi and Dr. Xue that we were sleeping in separate beds?”

Jing Li instinctively sensed danger and shrank back a little. “I… I just mentioned it casually.”

It was during a conversation while brewing medicine yesterday that Jing Li mentioned he hoped Qin Zhao would recover soon so they wouldn’t have to sleep apart at night.

His intention was that if Qin Zhao’s health improved, he wouldn’t have to worry about draining his energy and worsening his condition.

But… it seemed Ah Yi and Dr. Xue misunderstood something.

Qin Zhao leaned in slightly closer, his voice gentle. “You’ve been secretly avoiding me for two days, and now you’ve affected your husband’s reputation. Xiao Yu, do you know what kind of punishment a husband usually faces for such mistakes?”

Jing Li: “…”

He didn’t answer, but his ears suddenly turned red as he looked away. “You… you should let go of me first.”

Qin Zhao was too close, so close that… they were almost touching.

Jing Li bit his lip, wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself in it.

Qin Zhao clearly sensed the change as well. He paused for a moment, then chuckled. “It seems you’ve already answered me.”

He straightened up, shifting his weight onto one arm while his other hand quietly moved downward. His tone was light. “I’ve been curious about something for a long time. Since anyone who offends you will suffer misfortune, if I’m the one who offends you, will I face the same fate?”

Jing Li didn’t understand why he suddenly brought this up and shook his head. “Of course not, how could I—”

His voice abruptly stopped, and his eyes widened.

Qin Zhao leaned down and gently kissed Jing Li’s eyes. “Words alone aren’t enough. Let’s find out for ourselves.”