Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 3 3 Relaxation

"Don't cry anymore, excessive tears harm your well-being, I was wrong about all those past matters..."

Su Yunjin froze in place, gazing at Chen Jie with wide eyes. She could hardly believe that Chen Jiusi would utter such words to her.

For an instant, her sobs ceased entirely.

The surprise was overwhelming.

Was it possible for this monster to acknowledge his errors?

To Su Yunjin, the former Chen embodied a rogue, an alcoholic, a betting addict, and a wife-beater. Beyond their home, he cowered like a frightened animal, fixated on saving face, bold only within these walls.

During those lean days when food was scarce in the household, a handful of sweet-talking remarks convinced him to loan their sole sack of rice to the idle neighbor, Ma Liu.

He proved spineless too. Once, a quarrel erupted with neighbor Lu Qinsi, and when Lu stormed over to berate and strike her, he hid indoors, too afraid to utter a single supportive word.

After enduring two slaps from that vicious woman, he turned around and accused her of causing him difficulties.

Her spouse allowed outsiders to pursue and assault her without lifting a finger in protection—how could she depend on a fellow like that?

Yet if not him, then who? Notions of divorce or parting were unheard of in this era. For someone like her, a rural wife, the sole recourse was receiving a divorce decree.

With no relatives remaining, where could she turn post-divorce? Would she stoop to partial prostitution?

Besides, a sibling lived with her. Options were nonexistent, utterly nonexistent!

She could only fault her destiny for binding her to a brute disguised as human, a timid wretch who bullied solely at home.

Observing Su Yunjin's bewildered expression, Chen Jie gradually lowered himself to a crouch, gazing intently at her. Only now did he appreciate the woman's striking beauty, particularly with tear marks on her face, resembling a rain-kissed flower that evoked deep pity.

Chen Jie perceived the shift in the woman's demeanor and understood his statement had impacted her.

The old Chen had committed numerous atrocities, so he offered an apology in his stead.

At minimum, it might offer some solace to this unfortunate lady before him.

Noting her evidently easing features, Chen Jie chose to add a few more phrases to calm her feelings.

As he extended his hand, the woman recoiled on reflex, yet Chen Jie gently cupped her cheek and brushed away her tears using his thumb. Astonishment filled her, accompanied by a faint quiver.

"Yunjin,"

Chen Jie uttered. He had considered addressing her as Jin'er at first, but opted for a cautious approach to avoid alarming her in her fragile state. He must refrain from agitating her further.

Su Yunjin eyed Chen Jie with astonishment, since he customarily referred to her as "that Su" or the more repulsive "bitch."

Yet he had never used her given name before. She regarded him, uncertain of his next action.

Chen Jie met her gaze and stated, "I recognize how I've failed you before."

"Life with me has brought you endless hardship. I never imagined you'd reach such a breaking point. The blame rests entirely on me."

These declarations made Su Yunjin's frame shudder, her gaze brimming with incredulity. She had suspected a hallucination moments ago, but now another apology emerged from him. Was he genuinely seeking redemption?

Su Yunjin wavered briefly before denying it with a shake of her head. *A leopard can't change its spots. What scheme brews in his mind? Fears our suicide might prevent selling us for profit?*

Chen Jie detected the caution and anxiety in her stare.

Next, he clasped her hand—a palm that ought to feel tender and smooth, yet bore calluses and fissures.

Such damage stemmed from prolonged fieldwork and laundry duties.

Hands like these ill-suited a beauty of her caliber.

Upon contact, Su Yunjin grew uneasy and attempted to withdraw, but Chen Jie urged, "Stay still, hear me out. I genuinely regret my actions; this isn't a trick."

"I realize mere words won't convince you now, yet I plead for an opportunity. The change in me is real."

Chen Jie understood that promises rang hollow without deeds, but certain gestures demanded display.

Su Yunjin remained quiet for an extended period, her tone cooling as she queried, "You truly won't sell Ruirui?"

Chen Jie affirmed, "I won't sell her under any circumstances!"

Su Yunjin fell mute upon hearing this, and after a prolonged pause, she declared, "Chen Jiusi, Mother showed me kindness, so whatever you do to me, I can endure. But Ruirui is young; she mustn't lose all hope—do you get it?"

"Yes,"

Chen Jie agreed with a nod.

Su Yunjin pressed on, "If you vow something and break it, insisting on selling Ruirui, then poison or not, we'll end it all to deny you any gain."

Chen Jie responded, "Yes, I get it—believe in me."

With that, Su Yunjin rose slowly from the floor, proceeding to gather the strewn belongings; little Ruirui joined in the tidying efforts. Witnessing this, Chen Jie promptly carried the vessel of toxic white rice porridge outdoors and interred it.

Once done, Chen Jie reentered the dwelling. The pair disregarded his presence, and he recognized that to them, he likely appeared as a fiend.

Gurgle...

Amid the tense silence, little Ruirui's belly rumbled audibly.

Su Yunrui glanced downward at her midsection, then cinched the cloth belt tighter around her waist, whispering, "Ruirui is the best, Ruirui is not hungry."

Gurgle...

Another rumble followed, this from Su Yunjin, flushing her cheeks red, though she uttered no word.

Chen Jie recalled the near-empty rice container in the home. Without swift provisions, starvation loomed for the family. This thought sparked a memory of intelligence noting a rabbit trapped and deceased in a tree on the rear hill.

It seemed a mountain trip was necessary.

With that in mind, Chen Jie stood and informed Su Yunjin, "Remain here; I'm stepping out briefly and will return shortly."

The two offered no response, but Chen Jie shrugged it off and departed the dilapidated thatched home.

As Chen Jie exited through the doorway, Su Yunjin knelt beside Su Yunrui, inquiring, "Is Ruirui hungry?"

"No, Ruirui is not hungry."

Gurgle...

Even as she replied, little Ruirui's stomach emitted a growl.

Nevertheless, little Ruirui lifted her chin defiantly, signaling "I'm not hungry."

Su Yunjin grinned, stroking little Ruirui's hair, then exhaled and suggested, "Shall we forage for wild greens soon? Wild vegetable soup for midday meal?"

"Yes, yes, alright~"

The prospect of eating brightened little Ruirui's eyes. Anything edible counted as a blessing, though she lamented missing a sip of that appealing white porridge.

Su Yunjin caressed little Ruirui's head once more, then rose, retreated indoors, retrieved a bamboo basket, grabbed a spade, and contemplated fetching shears from the sewing kit too.

Guiding little Ruirui outside, despite Chen Jiusi's claims of reform, doubts lingered on potential trickery to disarm her for selling Ruirui.

Thus, she resolved to keep Ruirui close during outings and carry the shears. Should Chen Jiusi betray her, failing to slay him, at least self-harm remained an option, right?