Transmigration Of An Assassin

Winter Night

After the meeting, Tang Shushui returned home without mentioning the matter to anyone. From the beginning, he had no intention of involving the family. The Wang family was not an opponent ordinary people could afford to provoke lightly, and if something truly went wrong later, there was no need for everyone to suffer alongside him. Since he had chosen this path himself, he would naturally walk it himself.

Snow had fallen for most of the evening. By the time he returned, the courtyard was covered in a thin layer of white. Warm light spilled from the windows, and the faint smell of food lingered in the cold air. The moment he pushed open the door, the warmth inside washed over him.

Yanwei was sitting near the brazier folding clothes. Several neatly folded robes already rested beside him, while the last one remained spread across his lap. Hearing the door open, he immediately looked up. His hair was tied loosely behind him, a few strands having escaped while he worked. Seeing Tang Shushui enter, he stood naturally and walked over to take the cloak from his shoulders.

"You came back late."

Tang Shushui hummed softly in response. Snow had gathered along the hem of his cloak and melted beneath the warmth of the room. Yanwei shook the remaining snow away before hanging it nearby. His movements were familiar and practiced, the result of years spent caring for the household.

Only after everything was settled did he turn back around.

"Still because of the Wang family?"

Tang Shushui glanced at him before nodding slightly.

Yanwei was silent for a moment.

In truth, he was worried.

How could he not be?

The Wang family was not an ordinary household. They had status, influence, and connections stretching throughout the city. Tang Shushui might appear calm now, but Yanwei knew how dangerous it was to provoke people like that.

Even so, he never spoke the words "let it go."

Years ago, perhaps he would have.

Back then, he believed ordinary people had no choice but to lower their heads before the powerful. Swallowing grievances quietly was simply part of life. But after spending so many years beside Tang Shushui, watching him struggle, watching him build everything from nothing, Yanwei no longer believed enduring everything was the same as living peacefully.

If they backed down every time someone with power stepped on them, then what would happen the next time?

Or the time after that?

Eventually, there would be nothing left to protect.

"I won't stop you," Yanwei finally said.

Tang Shushui looked at him.

Yanwei smiled faintly. "I don't think I'd be able to stop you anyway."

That earned a quiet laugh.

The tension that had lingered around Tang Shushui all evening eased slightly.

Compared to most households, their marriage had always been unusual. Tang Shushui handled matters outside. Business, negotiations, accounts, and everything involving silver eventually found its way into his hands. Meanwhile, Yanwei remained at home managing the household. The cooking, cleaning, children, servants, and countless small matters that kept a home running smoothly all belonged to him.

When they first married, he had struggled with it more than he liked admitting. He who had always yearned for the sword was now just a husband who stayed at home.

After all, he grew up believing men should provide for the family. Hearing people whisper that he relied on his wife had left a bitter taste in his mouth more than once. He wanted to refute but didn't want to hurt his wife's feeling, so he bottled up all his grievances.

But over the years, those feelings slowly disappeared. Not because the whispers stopped. Because Tang Shushui never cared.

He never treated Yanwei as lesser. Never acted embarrassed by him. Never hid the fact that Yanwei managed the household while he handled business outside. Gradually, even Yanwei stopped caring.

In fact, he grew to enjoy it.

He started liking preparing meals before dawn. He liked making sure Tang Shushui returned to a warm home every evening. He liked folding his robes, he like making his wife happy, and hearing the children running through the courtyard while he worked in the kitchen.

As Tang Shushui engaged in more business, this home had become his responsibility. And he loved it.

By the time they climbed into bed that night, the brazier had burned low. Outside, snow continued falling softly beyond the window. Beneath the blankets, however, everything was warm.

Yanwei naturally shifted closer until he was resting against Tang Shushui's chest. Neither of them thought much of it anymore. After so many years together, closeness had become second nature.

For a long while, neither spoke.

Tang Shushui rested one arm around his waist while Yanwei listened to the steady sound of his heartbeat.

Finally, Yanwei let out a quiet sigh.

"You're thinking too much again."

Tang Shushui lowered his eyes.

"Is it that obvious?"

Yanwei laughed softly against his shoulder.

"You've been doing that since the day I met you" 

"You have." Yanwei shifted until Tang Shushui more comfortably tucked against Yanwei's chest, lazily tracing circles against the front of his robe with one finger. "Whenever something is weighing on your mind, you stop talking. You look calm on the outside, but your mind is probably running through a hundred different possibilities."

Tang Shushui looked down at him with a hint of surprise and affection.

"I didn't know I was that easy to read."

"Not to everyone." Yanwei smiled without opening his eyes. "Just to me."

"Well can you read what I want now?" Tang Shushui said, his voice a bit husky

"You trying to start something, don't cry late." Yanwei responded his voice already low.

Tang Shushui chuckled quietly, his arm tightening around Yanwei's waist just a little.

"I've never known you to make empty threats."

Yanwei looked up at him, the corners of his lips lifting. "Then don't test me."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The room grew quiet. The charcoal in the brazier crackled softly, and the candle flame swayed as a gust of winter wind brushed against the paper windows.

Tang Shsuhui lowered his eyes first, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he leaned a little closer until his forehead rested lightly beneath Yanwei's chin.

"Blow out the candle," Tang Shushui murmured.

Yanwei looked at him for a moment before a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

"As you wish."

A moment later, the room fell dark, and only subtle creaks could be heard.

Outside, the snow continued to fall without end.