Otherworldly Farming: The Little Husband Fiercely Raising Offspring - C8

Chapter 8 – Truly a Corpse Revived

A thief?

Luo Mingchen froze for a moment, frowning as he threw on his robe.

Whether or not the intruder was truly a thief, the fact that this man had witnessed his ability meant that even if he didn’t kill him, he had to beat him enough to instill fear.

With that thought, Luo Mingchen struck first.

The explosive force of that instant startled Huo Yan, though he quickly recovered and caught the incoming punch.

The two of them exchanged blows in the courtyard. Luo Mingchen had never formally trained in martial arts — his combat experience came entirely from fighting hordes of zombies, relying on reflexes and his ability to manipulate water.

Before, he had only fought mindless zombies that knew nothing of defense; his attacks had always been straightforward — blade raised, aimed straight for the skull.

But Huo Yan was different. Not only had he formally trained in martial arts, his inner strength was deep, and he could dodge Luo Mingchen’s water whips with ease.

Moreover, Luo Mingchen didn’t dare casually kill people in this world. If he was exposed, he’d be forced to flee with the three children and live as a fugitive.

Luo Mingchen was acutely aware that this man wasn’t an ability user, yet his speed and strength rivaled, even surpassed, that of a fourth-tier ability user.

The longer the fight dragged on, the more strained Luo Mingchen became; the opponent had already deciphered his attack patterns.

Just as Luo Mingchen considered killing him and hiding the body inside his spatial storage, Huo Yuhui — drawn by the commotion — rushed out. Upon seeing the man in the courtyard, he cried out in delight, “Dad!”

At that shout, Luo Mingchen — who was gripping a kitchen knife — instantly halted his attack.

Huo Yan clearly sensed that Luo Mingchen had just harbored killing intent, and he had already prepared to counterattack.

The hidden weapons had already been launched toward Luo Mingchen’s head, but Luo Mingchen stopped.

Seeing the projectiles flying toward Luo Mingchen, Huo Yuhui’s face turned deathly pale. “Papa!”

The moment Luo Mingchen halted, Huo Yan’s suspicions were confirmed. He lunged forward, knocking Luo Mingchen to the ground, and the cry from Huo Yuhui further affirmed his guess.

Pinned to the ground, Luo Mingchen only felt the crushing weight atop him. Though Huo Yan’s hand cushioned his head, sparing him from hitting the ground, his back throbbed painfully against the gravel.

This courtyard was paved with jagged stones — being slammed down by someone taller and heavier would hurt even if one’s body were forged of iron.

“Hiss…”

Luo Mingchen winced in pain, lifting the kitchen knife to smack the man atop him with the flat of the blade. “Get off!”

Huo Yan, struck, said nothing: “…”

He rose awkwardly, murmuring, “My apologies.”

Huo Yuhui quickly dashed over, helping Luo Mingchen up from the ground.

After a brief pause, Huo Yan also stepped forward to assist.

Supporting his waist, Luo Mingchen frowned at Huo Yan, snapping, “Are you human or ghost?”

“…Human.”

“Then why didn’t you knock on the door? What are you doing climbing walls for no reason?”

Huo Yan was about to explain when Huo Yuhui whispered, “Papa, when Dad goes out, we never know when he’ll be back. If he returns at night, he climbs the wall so he won’t wake us.”

Looking at the two of them, Luo Mingchen felt a headache coming on.

It had already been tough enough to fool one child — now there was another adult in the picture.

And Huo Yan, unlike the children, didn’t need him to survive; in fact, he was frighteningly strong. Luo Mingchen couldn’t help feeling a twinge of worry for his own safety.

When their older brother didn’t return right away, Huo Xiang emerged holding Huo Xinyue’s hand. Upon seeing the figure in the courtyard, all traces of sleep vanished. “Dad! You’re back?!”

Huo Yan smiled faintly at them. “Mm. I’m back.”

Huo Xiang ran to him joyfully, clutching at his sleeve — then suddenly recalling the rumors, tilted his head up and asked, “But they all said Dad was dead. Could it be… Dad’s ghost?”

Huo Yan: “…”

Seeing the boy’s naive expression, Luo Mingchen fought back laughter. “Not a ghost — just like a thief.”

Huo Xiang stared, stunned. “Huh?”

Since Huo Yan had vaulted the wall too quickly, Luo Mingchen hadn’t had a chance to rinse off properly; his body was still slick with soap, so he said, “Why don’t you all go inside and talk? I haven’t finished washing.”

Besides, being pinned to the ground had left dust clinging to his hair and robe — he needed to change clothes anyway.

Remembering that moonlit silhouette of pale skin he’d glimpsed earlier, Huo Yan awkwardly led the three children back inside, bringing in the bags and bundles he’d left at the gate.

Luo Mingchen quickly rinsed off, pressed his lips together, and pushed the door open.

Huo Yan was surrounded by the three children. The bed was now piled high with rattles, small snacks, ink brushes, paper, and several books, along with clothing of various sizes.

As Luo Mingchen stepped in, four pairs of eyes turned to him at once.

“Papa!”

Huo Xiang beamed, hopping off the bed to tug him closer. “Dad bought us so many things — and he said he won’t leave anymore, that he’ll stay with us forever!”

Feeling somewhat like an outsider, Luo Mingchen’s heart eased a little. He smiled at the boy. “Then you three play here for now. Keep an eye on your sister. I need to speak with your Dad.”

Huo Xiang and Huo Yuhui exchanged a glance, nodding obediently. “Okay.”

Huo Yan set down the things and followed Luo Mingchen outside.

Once in the courtyard, Luo Mingchen figured there was no avoiding it — better to speak plainly. When he had been bathing earlier, the boys had likely told Huo Yan everything. He said bluntly, “You must know about me by now, right? Also, I’m not the male bride you originally arranged to marry.”

Huo Yan guessed he was referring to the strange ability he’d displayed. “You’re not Wang Chen. I know.”

Though Luo Mingchen resembled Wang Chen somewhat, the moment Huo Yan first saw him, he hadn’t thought of Wang Chen. Besides, Wang Chen used to speak with his head lowered, voice soft and meek.

“Little Hui told you about me?”

“Mm. He said you were carried to my house badly injured.”

Luo Mingchen’s heart sank. So they did talk.

Still, putting himself in Huo Yuhui’s shoes, if he were the boy and Huo Yan returned, he would also tell him everything.

After all, one was a stranger he’d known for only days, and the other was the foster Dad he’d lived with for years.

Realizing this, Luo Mingchen no longer worried. “So, what do you think?”

Huo Yan considered for a moment. “If Wang Chen doesn’t wish to uphold the agreement, I won’t force him. The engagement can be voided. If you wish to leave, I can give you silver.”

Bathed in the pale summer moonlight, Luo Mingchen raised his eyes to Huo Yan’s handsome face, lips curling in a half-smile. “And what if I don’t leave?”

Huo Yan paused. Truthfully, compared to the timid Wang Chen, he found the sly Luo Mingchen far more likable.

Back then, he had only been seeking someone to care for the children. The matchmaker had said that although Wang Chen was a man, he was skilled in cooking and sewing, adept at running a household, and experienced in caring for younger siblings.

In his rush to leave, Huo Yan had left behind a marriage contract; if Wang Chen didn’t want to marry, he didn’t have to sign — simply caring for the children would be enough, and upon Huo Yan’s return, he would be compensated with silver.

He hadn’t expected Wang Chen to send Luo Mingchen in his stead — nor that Luo Mingchen would possess such strange water-controlling powers.

But the three children adored him, and Huo Yan himself found him agreeable. If Luo Mingchen wished to stay…

“That would naturally be the best outcome.”

Seeing the sincerity in Huo Yan’s eyes, Luo Mingchen, oddly flustered, coughed lightly. “You said it. Also — my abilities must stay secret.”

Huo Yan agreed readily. “Alright.”

Those earlier words had merely been a test from Luo Mingchen.

He hadn’t expected Huo Yan to treat him as anything but a monster.

And truth be told, Luo Mingchen had already grown accustomed to life here over these past few days. Moving elsewhere — where he might not even have household registration, much less security — might not be any better.

Since Huo Yan had no objections, Luo Mingchen saw no reason to leave.

TL- I used Papa instead of Little daddy here