Chapter 22.1

The next morning, both of them slept late.

After waking up, neither of them felt comfortable looking at each other. Jiang Rou turned her back to feed the baby, while Li Xiao, seeing this, touched his nose and went out to buy groceries and cook.

Since he didn’t have to rush around that morning, he took his time, buying a lot of fresh vegetables and meat from the market. He made two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes for breakfast and also put pig’s trotters and soybeans in a pot to stew.

He brought breakfast into the room. Jiang Rou got out of bed, and the two of them sat facing each other at the small table in the room. As Li Xiao ate, he put food into Jiang Rou’s empty bowl several times.

Jiang Rou ate quietly, to the point of feeling full by the end.

In the morning, Zhu Qiang came over.

He had heard that Li Xiao had returned from the hospital the day before, so he came to check on him, carrying a lot of things—red dates, longan, brown sugar, and two cans of milk powder. All were good items.

He asked about the baby and, after learning that everything was fine, was happy for Li Xiao.

In the middle of their conversation, he casually mentioned his own wedding plans. “It’s set for the twenty-third of next month. I originally wanted to schedule it for the end of the year, but considering the high prices during the New Year, it’s not worth it. It’s better to do it sooner. I’m planning to arrange for everyone to eat at a restaurant. My uncle is the head chef there, so it will be a bit cheaper.”

Then he looked at Li Xiao and smiled, “Brother, bring sister-in-law with you so you can eat more.”

Li Xiao couldn’t help but ask, “Have you thought about it?”

Zhu Qiang was silent for a while, then touched his head and smiled innocently. “Well, my uncle agreed to help her get a job at Jiangnan Mountain Villa next year. He said she could be a manager after working for a few years, so she agreed.”

But there was a bit of helplessness in his smile.

Li Xiao knew about Jiangnan Mountain Villa—it was a newly built four-star hotel in the county. He didn’t understand much about star ratings for hotels, only that they were very expensive. Even before it was finished, many laid-off workers from the county wanted to get a job there.

Li Xiao didn’t know what to say about this. He and Jiang Rou had gotten together in a muddled way and weren’t in a position to judge others. However, Zhu Qiang was a brother he grew up with and was still a good person, having often brought him food from his own home when they were kids.

In Li Xiao’s view, Zhu Qiang’s appearance was the only drawback. His parents were still around, and he had a powerful uncle. Even if he couldn’t marry someone particularly good, it wouldn’t be too bad.

He wondered why Zhu Qiang was interested in Mei Zi. That woman wasn’t half as pretty as Jiang Rou and her personality was even worse.

Li Xiao patted him on the shoulder but still said, “Life is something you create yourself. Everything will get better.”

Zhu Qiang gave a bitter smile, understanding that Li Xiao was trying to comfort him. “Brother, I’m getting older. Wang Tao’s son is four; your daughter was born; and Zhou Jian also found a wife. I can’t wait any longer. Even if I find someone else, it will be the same. Plus, I’ve spent quite a bit of money on her.”

Recently, he felt a tinge of regret, thinking he might have made a wrong choice.

But sometimes, it was hard to turn back.

Li Xiao could only continue to pat his shoulder and say, “Don’t think too much; Jiang Rou and I didn’t get along very well at the beginning.”

After hearing this, Zhu Qiang was finally comforted; his face looked better, and he responded with a soft “mm.”

He suddenly remembered something: “By the way, Jiangnan Mountain Villa might open by the end of the year. Will your wife go?”

When Li Xiao heard this, he refused without hesitation. “No, the baby is too young to be away from her.”

Zhu Qiang expressed his regret. “That’s a pity, but don’t be too upset. There will be many opportunities in the future.”

Li Xiao nodded.

After seeing him off, Li Xiao carried his things back to the house. After hesitating for two seconds, he told Jiang Rou what Zhu Qiang said and asked her if she wanted to go.

Jiang Rou was sitting on the bed, reading a book. After hearing this, her attitude of refusing became more determined: “No, I still want to go to college.”

She had worked as a summer intern at a hotel after her college entrance exams, which had been exhausting and led to reprimands from her boss.

Li Xiao sighed in relief and gently responded. He agreed that going to college was better than working as a waitress. Money could be earned anytime, and being a waitress was tough—she couldn’t even complain if someone touched her inappropriately.

“Go ahead and study. I’ll support you.”

Jiang Rou turned her head to look at him and couldn’t help asking curiously, “Why don’t you take the exam?”

She felt that, with such brains, it was a waste if he didn’t go to school. She had seen many talented people during her studies, but none like him, who could understand a book after reading it twice.

The man replied calmly, “I know everything.”

To him, studying was just a waste of money and time.

“……”

He’s very infuriating.

However, Jiang Rou still said: “In a couple of years, when the family’s situation improves, you should go to an adult university and get a diploma. Even if you know things, not having a diploma could still put you at a disadvantage.”

Li Xiao nodded, knowing Jiang Rou meant well.

Noting the dim light in the room, he advised her to look less at the book to avoid straining her eyes.

Actually, Jiang Rou was having trouble focusing on the book. After hearing his words, she simply put them down and asked, “What were you talking about with Zhu Qiang just now? Did he have a falling out with someone? ”

She had a curious look on her face.

Li Xiao and Zhu Qiang had been speaking quite loudly in the yard earlier. Jiang Rou had eavesdropped for a while, but the conversation wasn’t very clear. Seeing Li Xiao’s not-so-good expression now, she couldn’t help but guess.

Li Xiao heard her and knew she had been eavesdropping. He said impatiently, “You’re really idle.”

Jiang Rou glared at him.

Li Xiao immediately changed his tone. “Alright, it’s me who’s idle.”

He admitted his mistake very decisively.

He had learned to be smart; he couldn’t argue with her, or it would just bring up old issues.

He briefly mentioned Zhu Qiang’s marriage, but he wasn’t very comfortable with it. Although he was usually cold-hearted, he still cared about the brothers he grew up with.

He had a feeling that Mei Zi was unreliable.

Jiang Rou dismissed it with an “Oh” sound, thinking it wasn’t a big deal.

She felt that he was worrying for nothing. She remembered that the previous information about Li Xiao did not mention Zhu Qiang. If something really happened, it should also be documented, such as Zhou Jian, who died of SARS.

Thinking of Zhou Jian, Jiang Rou hoped that his life would be different.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

In the following days, Jiang Rou stayed at home to take care of the baby. While Li Xiao prepared marinated pork intestines at night and worked on making furniture during the day to earn money.

The house smelled delicious with the marinated food, making Jiang Rou’s mouth water every evening.

The little girl also changed every day. Maybe Jiang Rou took good care of her during the confinement period and had enough milk—her initially rosy complexion was gradually fading, and her cheeks had become chubbier. Her head was still a bit pointed but less noticeable now, and her eyes could open fully, round and large.

Her whole body exudes the fragrance of milk.

The most important thing is that this child is really well-behaved. Jiang Rou had taken care of her nephew before and knew that her sister-in-law was very tired during the confinement period, even with the help of her mother and the caregiver. Her sister-in-law had been worn out by the baby’s loud cries.

But this child simply came to repay her filial pity. She didn’t cry or make a fuss. She woke up once at twelve o’clock in the evening to drink milk and then slept until dawn. When Jiang Rou woke up, the baby wouldn’t make a fuss; she simply opened her eyes and waited for her father to get up change her diaper, and prepare the milk.

That night, Jiang Rou’s biological clock woke her up as usual, and she got up to feed the baby.

She and Li Xiao had a clear division of labor: she would feed the baby at night, and he would take over in the morning, allowing them both to get eight to nine hours of sleep.

As Jiang Rou got up to feed the baby, Li Xiao turned over and continued sleeping in her direction, unconsciously stretching his hand to rest on her waist.

Jiang Rou thought it was too heavy and moved his hand away.

The child in her arms opened her big, round eyes and looked at her. While drinking, she used her little hand to poke. Jiang Rou, somewhat irritated, removed her hand and said, “Pay attention.”

The baby seemed to understand. This time, she drank seriously and even faster.

Jiang Rou smiled.

About halfway through her drink, someone suddenly knocked on the door from outside, and then Aunt Wang’s voice faintly came through: “Jiang Rou, are you still awake? ”

It sounded somewhat anxious.

Jiang Rou was stunned for a moment and then hurriedly nudged the man beside her.

Li Xiao woke up after being pushed and opened his eyes in a daze. Jiang Rou said to him, “Go outside and have a look. It sounds like Aunt Wang’s voice.”

Li Xiao turned over and lay still, and then he did indeed hear Aunt Wang’s voice.

Without saying a word, he got up, put on his clothes, and headed outside.

After a while, voices could be heard from the courtyard. Judging by the tone, it seemed that something serious had happened.

Jiang Rou got out of bed, picked up the child, and rocked her to sleep. After putting the baby in the crib, she put on a coat and went outside to check.

At the gate of the yard, Aunt Wang said with a face full of fear and worry, “When your Uncle Wang left at noon today, he promised me that he would come back after the banquet, but he hasn’t come home until now. He had always kept his word; even if he didn’t come back tonight, he would definitely send someone with a message. I’m getting more and more anxious, and my eyelids have been twitching all night. Do you think something might have happened?”

Then she grabbed Li Xiao’s arm and said, “Little Xiao, can you accompany Aunt Wang to look for him? Aunt Wang doesn’t know who to look for. I can only come to you.”

She really had no idea what to do. If she hadn’t had a bad premonition, she wouldn’t have disturbed the young couple in the middle of the night. At her age, with her poor eyesight and declining physical strength, it was truly impossible for her to go looking alone.

Li Xiao frowned as he listened, then said, “Don’t worry. I’ll go find him with Zhou Jian. It’ll be faster this way. Auntie, you go back home and wait for my news.”

“This…” Aunt Wang hesitated.

Li Xiao directly asked which village Uncle Wang had gone to for the meal.

Aunt Wang hurriedly said, “Chunyang Village, the one below Mushiang Town. Do you know the way? If not, maybe you should take me with you. ”

Li Xiao nodded. “I know the way. I went there to play when I was a child.”

As soon as Aunt Wang said that, he knew where it was. “I’ll go back to the house to change clothes and go right away.”

Without saying much, he turned around and strode into the house. He changed into a thicker coat and outdoor shoes, while Jiang Rou took out a scarf and some money from the wardrobe for him, as it was quite cold at night.

Li Xiao took the scarf put it on, and reminded her: “Close the door and lock it properly while you’re alone at home.”

Jiang Rou nodded. “You should also pay attention to safety.”

Li Xiao hummed and strode out.

Aunt Wang had not yet left and stood at the entrance of the courtyard, watching Li Xiao leave. When she saw Jiang Rou coming over, she couldn’t help but complain, “I told him not to go, but he wouldn’t listen. Tell me what’s going on. That cousin used to bully us a lot when we were young. Their kid even injured my daughter’s mouth back then, almost ruining her looks. Now something’s happened, right? ”

Jiang Rou understood she was speaking out of worry and quickly comforted her: “Auntie, don’t think too much. Uncle might have just drunk too much and stayed over at someone else’s place.”

Aunt Wang forced a smile but remained worried. Her husband could drink a lot without getting drunk, so it was hard to believe he would end up sleeping at someone else’s house.

Still, she said to Jiang Rou, “You should close the door and go to sleep. I didn’t have any other choice but to come looking for Li Xiao. Don’t tire yourself out.”

Jiang Rou shook her head. “We live next door; what’s the trouble? You should go to bed early too.”

“Oh…”

Aunt Wang went back in a daze.

Jiang Rou closed the door and went back to the house. After entering the room, she first checked on the baby in the crib. Seeing her sleeping soundly, she smiled gently and went to bed herself.

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Lucia: Okay, since I’ve become very active, we have new schedule for unlocking chapters!! 2 chapters every Tuesday and Thursday and 3 chapters every Saturday!!

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