The Daily Life of a Depressed Salted Fish Chapter 112

The history community quickly erupted in excitement.

The newly unearthed documents strongly contradicted previous records, yet a scholar emerged who masterfully tied everything together, weaving it all seamlessly.

Meanwhile, the metaphysics community was also abuzz.

“I’m absolutely stunned. How did this timeline even come together?”

“Can someone from the history circle confirm if this is true?”

“Was the recently discovered document really about Jiang Wu and Yin Wuzhi of the Xia dynasty?”

“If that’s the case, then Yin Wuzhi must have had an incredibly strong sense of vengeance. He not only forced a happy ending for himself but also took down the Zhao state…”

“No way, no way. People believe this? It’s clearly a fabricated story pieced together from existing information!”

“Wait, so the stone statue on Wudao Mountain really is Yin Wuzhi? Are they still lingering as spiritual entities?”

…

Apart from passionately speaking up for Jiang Wu, Yin Wuzhi refrained from revealing much else—like the fact that they had both been reincarnated.

So, he didn’t care much about others’ opinions or debates.

For him, as long as Jiang Wu was not slandered, that was enough.

On Friday, after school, Jiang Wu suddenly said, “I want to have dinner with you.”

Yin Wuzhi: “Dinner?”

“To the snack street, for the memories.”

Yin Wuzhi: “!”

As expected, when dealing with someone in a slump, it’s crucial not to drain their energy. All the effort over this time hadn’t been in vain—Jiang Wu finally had the energy to entertain thoughts of dating.

Yin Wuzhi immediately asked, “What do you want to eat?”

“Tofu pudding.”

“Then tofu pudding it is. I’ve heard there’s a really good shop; lots of students go there.”

Yin Wuzhi called the driver to come later, then casually leaned closer to Jiang Wu. As soon as his hand touched Jiang Wu’s waist, Jiang Wu said, “Let’s walk.”

Yin Wuzhi held his breath: “Walk.”

“Mm.”

Yin Wuzhi slung both their schoolbags over one shoulder, while Jiang Wu trailed lazily behind him. Once outside the school, Jiang Wu added, “Yin Wuzhi, hold my hand.”

He even knew that a proper date meant walking hand in hand. He must have done some thorough research before this.

Feeling deeply loved, Yin Wuzhi immediately reached for Jiang Wu’s hand. Jiang Wu, not as tall as him, leaned his shoulder against Yin Wuzhi’s arm and softly asked, “Yin Wuzhi, are you afraid?”

“Afraid of what?”

“Of being seen holding hands.”

Yin Wuzhi didn’t hesitate: “Not afraid.”

If Jiang Wu wasn’t afraid to hold hands with him, there was no reason for Yin Wuzhi to fear anything either.

Jiang Wu let him hold his hand, closing his eyes and lazily swaying as they walked. Occasionally, his shoulder would lightly bump against Yin Wuzhi’s arm. He murmured, “The osmanthus is blooming.”

He still loved that scent, as always.

Yin Wuzhi’s gaze softened, and he silently tightened his grip on Jiang Wu’s hand.

Jiang Wu peeked at him with one eye but quickly closed it again, pretending nothing happened when Yin Wuzhi looked his way.

They soon arrived at the tofu pudding shop. As they entered, Yin Wuzhi confidently said, “Two bowls of tofu pudding—one plain, one with all the toppings.”

It was as if he’d rehearsed the order a hundred times in his head.

Jiang Wu sat down obediently and instinctively leaned forward to rest his face on the table. Yin Wuzhi quickly put down the bags and supported Jiang Wu’s chin just in time. “Wait, it’s dirty.”

Small, bustling shops like these often had quick turnovers, with students constantly coming and going. Cleaning wasn’t always thorough; tables were often left slightly greasy or damp from a quick wipe.

Yin Wuzhi grabbed several napkins, wiped the table, and laid down a clean paper mat before gently guiding Jiang Wu’s face onto it. “It’ll be ready soon; don’t fall asleep.”

Jiang Wu: “.”

As if he’d fall asleep here.

The tofu pudding arrived quickly. Jiang Wu sat upright and, as he leaned forward, managed to stick a piece of the paper mat to his soft cheek.

Yin Wuzhi peeled it off and placed the tofu pudding before him. “Do you want me to feed you?”

Several girls at a nearby table glanced over, their eyes glinting with curiosity.

Jiang Wu rejected the offer and took a couple of spoonfuls himself. “It’s bland.”

“Tofu pudding is supposed to be bland,” Yin Wuzhi said. “You eat it like this at home too.”

Unlike Yin Wuzhi, who liked adding all sorts of toppings, Jiang Wu preferred his tofu pudding plain—no hard bits, nothing that could scratch his throat.

Jiang Wu lowered his lashes and murmured, “It’s not like how it tasted in my past life.”

Yin Wuzhi frowned. “Thinking about your empress again?”

“Mm.”

Yin Wuzhi felt a pang of annoyance. “Why do you keep thinking about him when you’re with me?”

Jiang Wu replied, “Because he was more attentive.”

“More attentive?” Yin Wuzhi was incredulous. “I’m not attentive enough?”

“You’re not even feeding me.”

“Didn’t you say you’d eat on your own?”

“See? If it were the empress, he’d know when I really don’t want to eat and when I’m just pretending.”

Yin Wuzhi felt a mix of pride and grievance. “…Was he really that good?”

But wait. He had regained his memories—how was Jiang Wu still feeling let down? Did he love him less now than before?

Yin Wuzhi’s face turned pale.

He slid the bowl closer, scooped up a spoonful, and held it to Jiang Wu’s lips. “Here, eat.”

Jiang Wu: “I had to remind you. If it were the empress, he’d know I don’t need this anymore.”

Yin Wuzhi: “.”

“Now I want to eat by myself.”

Yin Wuzhi thought that if he pushed the bowl back, Jiang Wu might say, “See? You just don’t understand me.”

Hesitating, he continued feeding Jiang Wu. “I know you don’t feel like eating. Be good. Just eat.”

Jiang Wu: “.”

Wrong choice.

Yin Wuzhi read his expression: “So presumptuous. I just wanted to eat on my own.”

He paused, then reluctantly returned the bowl and spoon.

Jiang Wu picked up the spoon again. As he resumed eating, Yin Wuzhi felt a bit relieved, only to hear Jiang Wu mutter softly, “Obviously didn’t want to feed me. Couldn’t he just insist a little?”

Yin Wuzhi: “….”

The tofu pudding in his mouth suddenly tasted bland.

He quietly put down his spoon and watched Jiang Wu.

After a couple of bites, Jiang Wu set his spoon down, his arms slumping.

That’s him tired out, Yin Wuzhi instantly thought. “Do you want me to feed you?”

Jiang Wu looked at him, his eyes saying, Don’t you see? I don’t feel like eating anymore.

Yin Wuzhi had no choice but to ask, “Then… do you want me to finish the rest for you?”

Jiang Wu: “…” You clearly don’t love me as much as the empress did. I’m just not in the mood to eat right now—it’s not like I’m refusing to eat altogether.

Yin Wuzhi’s expression gradually turned wooden.

After a brief pause, Jiang Wu predictably picked up his spoon again and resumed eating.

When he ate, his mouth opened very slightly, as if opening it too wide would tire him out. This meant he could only scoop half a spoonful at a time, making each bite require two attempts.

Watching Jiang Wu eat like this somehow healed the wounds in Yin Wuzhi’s heart. Feeling better, he resumed eating his own food.

Before long, the sound of Jiang Wu’s spoon clinking against his bowl reached his ears.

Yin Wuzhi glanced at him and, sure enough, saw him set the spoon down again. “Full?”

Jiang Wu: “…” Do you even need to ask? Isn’t it obvious?

Yin Wuzhi: “…” He decided to keep his peace and quietly ate his own food.

“Yin Wuzhi.”

At once, Yin Wuzhi put down his spoon and looked at him.

Jiang Wu said, “I’m full. I want water.”

The undertone of his words seemed to accuse: Couldn’t you tell I’m done and need water?

Yin Wuzhi immediately got up to pour a glass of warm water. He tested the temperature with his lips before sitting beside Jiang Wu and offering, “Here, let me help you drink.”

The cup was a bit heavy, so Jiang Wu sipped from his hand. The water was just right—not too hot, not too cold—leaving no room for complaints.

When Jiang Wu drank water, he resembled a cat, sipping in small, deliberate gulps. Yin Wuzhi had to carefully control the angle of the cup to make sure the water level stayed comfortable for him.

No one could be more attentive to Jiang Wu than Yin Wuzhi, and he was sure of it.

Yin Wuzhi was once again healed by Jiang Wu’s small, delicate movements. But just as he was feeling content, Jiang Wu suddenly stopped drinking.

His lips remained pressed to the water’s surface, but he didn’t move.

Yin Wuzhi: “???”

Feeling uneasy, Yin Wuzhi sniffed at the cup, growing more anxious. “What… what’s wrong?”

Jiang Wu looked at him, expressionless.

Yin Wuzhi: “?”

Jiang Wu finally spoke: “It’s itchy.”

“Itchy?” Yin Wuzhi repeated, confused. “Where’s itchy?”

“It’s not itchy anymore.”

“…Oh.” Yin Wuzhi hesitated. “So, do you still want the water?”

“No one scratched it when it was itchy, so I endured it, and now it’s fine.”

Yin Wuzhi: “…” Please don’t say things like that in such a pitiful tone—it’s making me nervous.

He sincerely apologized, “It’s my fault for not noticing you were itchy.”

Then he added, “But you didn’t give me any indication.”

Jiang Wu: “I stopped drinking.”

“…” How was I supposed to know that meant you were itchy?!

Jiang Wu asked him, “Are you thinking, ‘How was I supposed to know?’”

Yin Wuzhi: “I wasn’t—”

“The empress would’ve known.”

Jiang Wu said this with a tone full of resentment, then declared, “I don’t want it anymore.”

Yin Wuzhi stayed silent for a moment before tipping his head back and finishing the water in one gulp.

He felt utterly defeated. To think he’d been bested by his past self!

This wasn’t just a lack of progress—it was regression.

Grinding his teeth, Yin Wuzhi returned to his seat and resumed eating the rest of his tofu pudding. But before he could finish, he noticed Jiang Wu looking at him with increasingly sorrowful eyes.

Right. Jiang Wu felt itchy, and I didn’t notice. Instead of feeling guilty, I even dared to keep eating.

Yin Wuzhi put down his spoon and said, “I’m done. I’ll go pay the bill.”

After paying, he came back, picked up his bag, and glanced at Jiang Wu. In a soft voice, he asked, “Do you want me to carry you?”

Jiang Wu stared at the leftover tofu pudding.

Yin Wuzhi sighed, set his bag down again, and said, “You’re right. Wasting food is a sin.”

He forced himself to finish the rest of the tofu pudding, then stood and walked over to Jiang Wu. “Come on, I’ll carry you.”

“No.”

Yin Wuzhi hesitated, weighing whether Jiang Wu meant it or was just being stubborn. Slinging his bag over one shoulder, he offered, “Then how about a hug?”

The girls at the next table squealed, clutching their flushed faces as if about to faint.

Jiang Wu simply replied, “No.”

Yin Wuzhi hesitated again, unable to discern Jiang Wu’s intentions, and cautiously asked, “Really no?”

Jiang Wu: “.”

Yin Wuzhi, utterly blind to the meaning of the period, decided on his own. He reached out and hoisted Jiang Wu into his arms.

The dejected man was tucked under his arm and carried out of the shop.

A dramatic gasp came from inside the small restaurant, and the girl whispered, “Come, let me carry you on my back. Then, a hug. Oh my gosh!”

She turned to her friend: “Squeal!”

Yin Wuzhi’s inner turmoil gradually subsided in the quiet presence of the person under his arm. Soft and still, Jiang Wu’s existence alone was enough to soothe all his emotions.

After walking about a hundred meters, Jiang Wu suddenly spoke. “Yin Wuzhi.”

Yin Wuzhi’s instincts screamed trouble. “What… What now?”

“You said what now. You’re annoyed with me.”

“I’m not.”

“Put me down.”

Yin Wuzhi set him down, straightened the dejected figure, and looked at Jiang Wu, who said, “Do you think I’m awful?”

“That’s ridiculous—”

“I was worried you didn’t eat properly just now, but you thought I was worried about wasting food,” Jiang Wu said. “The empress in the past would never have thought that about me.”

Yin Wuzhi: “… I.”

He wanted to say, I am the empress from the past, but I’ve never met someone like you!

But he thought of the long list of “wrongs” recorded against him and swallowed his words.

“Jiang Wu…” Equal parts grievance and jealousy spilled out. “Do you really think so highly of the empress?”

“Mm.”

Yin Wuzhi asked, “And what about me?”

Jiang Wu replied, “You have a lot of room for improvement.”

“But—”

“You’re questioning me.”

“I’m not.”

Jiang Wu sighed mournfully. “If it were the empress, they’d know exactly what I was thinking and would never make the wrong choice.”

Yin Wuzhi: “What did I even do wrong this time…”

“I said no, no, no,” Jiang Wu said. “Yet you still didn’t let me go on my own.”

“I was worried about you…”

Jiang Wu looked even sadder. “And now you’ve started assuming what’s best for me.”

Yin Wuzhi: “…..”

On the bustling street, they stared at each other, eyes brimming with sorrow. Clearly, they were lovers. How had it come to this?

Jiang Wu tilted his head slightly.

Yin Wuzhi seized the opportunity to mend the rift. “Are you itchy? Let me scratch it for you.”

Jiang Wu’s lashes fluttered. “You let there be silence between us for so long. I didn’t move, and you didn’t even try to talk to me.”

“I-I was thinking.”

“Do you lack confidence in me?” Jiang Wu asked. “Do you really need to overthink just to talk to me?”

Yin Wuzhi swallowed hard, blinking in despair. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

“You’re apologizing just to make me feel guilty,” Jiang Wu said. “Well, you’ve succeeded.”

“I’m not—”

“I’m tired.”

Yin Wuzhi said, “Then let me carry you.”

“You’re looking down on me,” Jiang Wu said. “I can be strong too.”

“Fine. Walk on your own, then.”

Jiang Wu took two steps and squatted down.

He said, “When I pretend to be strong, you don’t even call me out.”

Yin Wuzhi stayed silent.

Jiang Wu added, “Are you just waiting for me to lie down on the ground? Fine, I’ll do it right now.”

Yin Wuzhi grabbed his collar in an instant.

Jiang Wu tilted his head up to look at him.

Yin Wuzhi asked, “Do you even—”

“I’m really upset.”

“.”

“You grabbed me by the back of my collar. It’s so embarrassing.”

“Sorry.” Yin Wuzhi didn’t know what else to say. “Jiang Wu, let’s go home, okay?”

“I worked so hard to come out with you on a date. Do you know how much I’ve endured? And now you’re telling me to go home?”

Yin Wuzhi felt like he had endured a lot too.

He vowed never to go on a date with Jiang Wu again.

“You think you’ve endured more than I have,” Jiang Wu said. “You don’t want to date me anymore.”

“…No, I don’t.”

“You’re lying,” Jiang Wu accused. “You’re not even honest with me anymore.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why do you keep apologizing?”

“Jiang Wu, let’s go home, okay?”

“You still haven’t answered me.”

“Because I was wrong,” Yin Wuzhi said weakly. “That’s why I’m apologizing.”

“Why do you want to go home?”

“Because it’s going to rain.” Yin Wuzhi crouched down and carefully smoothed out Jiang Wu’s collar. “I’m worried you’ll get wet.”

“And if it rains, you won’t hold an umbrella for me? Why would you watch me get drenched?”

“…You’re right.” Yin Wuzhi said, “I’ll definitely hold an umbrella for you.”

“I can’t believe I had to point that out to you.” Jiang Wu finally asked the ultimate question: “Do you not love me anymore?”

Yin Wuzhi: “.”

Completely, utterly numb.