Chapter 31: Mid-Autumn Festival

That evening, Mi Xia and Mo Haoyue were both in their private space, reading books. On the desk, besides books, there were various fruits and milk. Mi Xia occasionally wrote and drew.

Although they didn’t speak, the atmosphere was pleasant. Sometimes they would look at each other and smile before returning to their books.

“Wife, this is the bonus and salary for the past two months. The receipts are inside too.”

Before going to bed, Mo Haoyue handed Mi Xia the money he had saved over the past few months.

Mi Xia, looking at the thickness of the envelope, wondered what kind of mission her husband had undertaken to earn such a large bonus. She felt a pang of heartache; they could live comfortably on her family’s support.

She knew Mo Haoyue wanted to support her and their daughter through his own efforts, and that he loved his profession. Therefore, Mi Xia wouldn’t actually let him rely on her.

Mi Xia pretended to be very happy, but she was actually heartbroken.

“Let’s go to sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

Mo Haoyue responded and hugged Mi Xia to sleep.

Time flew by; tomorrow was Mid-Autumn Festival, and this year the whole family would be together for a reunion.

Early the next morning, Mi Xia and Mo Haoyue pretended to go out to buy groceries. They walked a short distance and entered their private space. Mi Xia washed some fruit and took out some snacks: Oreos, small bread rolls, cakes, and drinks. They spent over an hour in their space before heading home with the food.

“Let’s have hot pot tonight,” Mi Xia suggested. “The children have been wanting it for a while.”

Mi Xia said, “When we get home, you tell everyone it’s from one of your army buddies.”

“Okay, I’ll take care of it,” Mo Haoyue said, smiling and stroking Mi Xia’s hair.

Mi Xia: “Sister-in-law, we’re back! We’re having hot pot tonight. We promised the kids, but we haven’t been able to do it yet.”

“Where did you buy so many vegetables? It’s a holiday, so many people must be shopping. How did you manage to buy so much?” Zhang Hongxia asked curiously.

“Sister-in-law, an army buddy of mine works at a government-run market. He sold them to me. It’s safe to eat,” Mo Haoyue replied.

Zhang Hongxia felt relieved. She didn’t suspect anything; soldiers always had more connections than ordinary people.

People generally had a special admiration for soldiers. If someone were wearing a green military uniform, the rate of people turning to look would be 100%.

Mi Xia felt a little resentful. Mo Haoyue had easily convinced her sister-in-law with that excuse, but if she had used the same reason, her sister-in-law wouldn’t have believed her so easily.

“Aren’t you going to help your sister-in-law with lunch?” Mo Haoyue asked, pinching Mi Xia’s cheek.

Mi Xia: “I will. We can’t let Sister-in-law do all the work alone.”

In the kitchen:

Mi Xia: “Sister-in-law, let’s make a dish of cabbage and vermicelli noodles for lunch. I’m craving it.”

Since her younger sister got married, she seemed younger. Before, she was timid and quiet, but now she’s learned to act spoiled, like a child.

Zhang Hongxia was happy for Mi Xia. Her younger sister had married well.

“Okay, eat whatever you want. Sister-in-law will make it for you,” Zhang Hongxia said, smiling at Mi Xia.

During lunch, Mi Lao Er started looking forward to dinner. He had waited a long time for the hot pot.

After Mi Xia’s afternoon nap, she and Zhang Hongxia started preparing the ingredients for the evening hot pot, washing and chopping, working tirelessly. One person chopped, the other washed. When Mi Xia saw it was almost time, she secretly prepared the hot pot base and dipping sauces.

The children came home from school shortly after, and Mi Qiu also got off work. Hearing about the hot pot, he was very happy. He had been craving it since the last time, but being older, he didn’t ask directly like the children.

Everyone helped. In the afternoon, Mi Xia asked Mo Haoyue to buy many bottles of soda and put them in the well to chill.

How could a hot pot be complete without ice-cold soda? Zhang Hongxia was used to Mi Xia’s generous spending, and she was also looking forward to the hot pot, so she didn’t say anything.

The family chatted and laughed, enjoying the meal together. Even after all the food was gone, the children still wanted more.

After the meal, Mi Xia and Zhang Hongxia didn’t have a chance to clean up. The children took care of everything.

“Mom, Aunt, you sit. We’ll wash the dishes and clean up,” the boys said eagerly.

The children often helped with chores, but usually one child did it each day. It was rare for all three boys to volunteer at once.

Mi Xia and Zhang Hongxia exchanged knowing smiles.

That evening, the family washed up and went to bed. Mi Xia and Mo Haoyue showered in their private space.

The fatigue of the day washed away with the spiritual spring water. Mi Xia took out her books and began to study. Her space had a phone, internet, and computer.

These things were very helpful for Mi Xia’s self-study. Otherwise, she couldn’t have learned several languages just from books.

Mi Xia planned to learn several languages. When she got tired of studying languages, she would read various books stored in her space. Because of her photographic memory, she could remember almost everything she read.

When Mo Haoyue came out of the shower, Mi Xia was still reading. He moved quietly and sat next to her. There were books all over the table, and he picked one up and started reading.

Although they didn’t talk, the atmosphere was wonderful. Mi Xia was so engrossed in her reading that she didn’t notice when Mo Haoyue came over.

At 9:30 pm, they drank milk and prepared to rest.

Mi Xia: “Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival. I have some mooncakes in my space. Let’s take some out for Big Brother and the others to try.”

Mo Haoyue: “Okay, just say they’re from my army buddy.”

Mi Xia lay in Mo Haoyue’s arms: “Did you have any trouble understanding anything in the book?”

“No, I understood everything. If I didn’t understand something, I would ask you.”

“Have you read ‘The Art of War’? I’ll find it for you tomorrow. I have some of those kinds of books in my space.”

“Okay, we’ll read it tomorrow. Let’s go to sleep,” Mo Haoyue said. His voice was gentle and magnetic; Mi Xia felt her ears were going to get pregnant.

That night, their private space was quite lively; the water in the bathroom ran on and off, as if telling a story.

The next morning, Mo Haoyue took the mooncakes from their space and left the room.

Zhang Hongxia got up early and made breakfast. Mi Xia had taught her various breakfast recipes.

This morning, she made soy milk, fried bread sticks, tofu pudding, and boiled eggs.

It was Mid-Autumn Festival. Mi Qiu’s factory had given out holiday bonuses yesterday, and today was a day off. The whole family worked together to prepare a sumptuous lunch.

The empty soda bottles from yesterday were replaced with new ones. Today’s lunch was even more abundant—ten or eight dishes. Mo Haoyue was very happy. In previous years, he had spent holidays in the army with his comrades, which was also enjoyable, but now his wife and daughter were by his side.

It was naturally more joyful to spend it with his family. He decided to work harder and strive for further studies in Kyoto.

After the meal:

Mo Haoyue: “Sister-in-law, my army buddy gave me some mooncakes yesterday. Let’s share them with everyone tonight.”

Zhang Hongxia happily accepted them, “Your army buddy is so kind. He gave you so many vegetables yesterday and these rare mooncakes.”

“Next time you go to see your buddy, tell me in advance. We have some cured meat; I’ll pick some greens, and you can take them to your buddy.”

Mo Haoyue nodded and turned to find Mi Xia.