Chapter 4: Your Skin Is So Soft

Ruan Jiaojiao first marinated the fish with seasonings so that it would be more flavorful once stewed.

Then, she used cornmeal to make several cornbread cakes.

Dabao and Xiaobao had never seen anything like this before. They’d once watched a friend’s parents stew fish, but it was always plain and unprocessed.

Even so, just the sight of it used to make the two little boys drool.

This time, Ruan Jiaojiao sautéed scallion, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then began stewing the fish in a rustic iron pot. Once the fish was nearly done, she stuck the cornbread cakes around the inside of the pot, and finally added cilantro before serving.

The big bass she’d brought out from her space was tender and delicious. The iron pot from the countryside enriched the soup with iron as well. The fish wasn’t even finished cooking yet, and Dabao and Xiaobao were already drooling uncontrollably.

“Mama… you’re a fairy…”

Excited, Xiaobao wrapped his little arms around Ruan Jiaojiao’s leg, tilted his head up, and looked at her with sparkling eyes.

Ruan Jiaojiao nearly melted at the sight!

The two little ones were adorably cute. Even in their shabby clothes, it was easy to see they’d grow up into dream boys in the eyes of many girls.

“Why do you say Mama is a fairy?”

“Because only a fairy would treat Xiaobao so well, hehe…”

It was clear Dabao had always protected Xiaobao, so the younger brother was still innocent and lively.

Soon, the fish was ready.

Ruan Jiaojiao placed a few pieces of the rich, fragrant fish in a bowl, ladled soup over it, added two cornbread cakes soaked with fish broth, and finally set out a bowl of water for each boy. “Dabao, Xiaobao, you two eat first.”

Xiaobao had been waiting impatiently. He ran over and started gobbling happily at the table.

They had no stools, so the two little boys could only stand and eat.

But Dabao hesitated. When Ruan Jiaojiao asked, she learned that he wanted to wait for Fu Ting to come back and eat together.

But, afraid that Ruan Jiaojiao disliked Fu Ting, he didn’t dare say it out loud.

In their hearts, Mama didn’t love Papa, so surely she wouldn’t want to wait for him or save him food.

Mama had only just started being good to them, so Dabao didn’t want to say anything that might upset her. If she got angry again, things might go back to the way they were before.

When Xiaobao learned that his brother wanted to wait for Papa, he too forced down his hunger and put down the fish, saying, “Xiaobao also wants to wait for Daddy to eat together!”

Ruan Jiaojiao: “…”

What had she done to deserve this? She had never taught them a day in her life, yet she somehow had two such adorable and sensible sons!

Smiling, Ruan Jiaojiao said, “You two go ahead and eat. You’re children, you need to grow tall and strong, you can’t go hungry. Mama is grown up, Mama isn’t afraid. I’ll wait for Daddy and eat with him.”

At those words, she saw Dabao’s eyes brighten instantly.

It seemed every child longed for loving parents. “Daddy loves Mommy”—that was the greatest form of wealth they could give.

Just then, Fu Ting happened to return. As soon as she finished speaking, they heard the sound of the door opening.

“Daddy! Daddy~”

Xiaobao ran out, bouncing with excitement, and began to tell Fu Ting everything: “Mama caught a fish, a big big fish! Mama became a fairy and cooked meat for Xiaobao and Brother. So delicious! Daddy, come try it too~”

“And Mama saved some for you~”

Fu Ting: “…” Really?

His footsteps felt lighter than ever.

At the same time, Ruan Jiaojiao led Dabao outside as well.

Fu Ting finally saw the scene he had always dreamed of—coming home from work, finding hot food on the table, and his wife and children waiting for him.

The tough man rubbed his eyes, afraid it was an illusion.

Ruan Jiaojiao walked up, stood on tiptoe, and gave him a quick kiss on the chin, whispering softly, “Hubby, dinner’s ready.”

After a whole day of labor, he was drenched in sweat, yet his little wife didn’t mind at all—she even gave him a sweet kiss.

Fu Ting hadn’t expected himself to be so useless. Just from her soft, tender tone, his… cough, cough… thankfully, his clothes today were loose enough that nothing showed.

Dabao quickly covered Xiaobao’s eyes, muttering, “Not for kids,” but secretly peeked himself, grinning like a little old auntie.

So much like a little grown-up—utterly adorable.

“Come on, wash up and eat.”

Ruan Jiaojiao pulled Fu Ting’s rough, calloused hand and brought him into the bedroom, where she washed his hands with the hot water she’d prepared.

She even tried to wipe his face with a hot towel. But with their great difference in height and build (picture Demon Lord Chonglou and Zixuan from Chinese Paladin 3), she simply couldn’t reach.

Standing on tiptoe, trying so hard to serve him, Fu Ting only had to lower his head slightly to see the soft curves of…

He: “…”

Great, now he didn’t feel like eating at all!

“I’ll do it myself.” Fu Ting quickly wiped his own face.

The whole time, Dabao and Xiaobao were watching with those same silly grins.

Children adapted quickly; they’d already accepted that Mama had completely changed for the better. Fu Ting, however, still had some unease in his heart.

But Ruan Jiaojiao didn’t mind. Life was long—sooner or later, she’d win over this tough man’s heart.

After all, through all those dreams, she had already fallen for him.

The two little boys were used to eating while standing. After finishing, they even took the initiative to wash the bowls. Then Dabao sensibly said, “Daddy, Mama, Xiaobao and I will go play in the yard for a while.”

The meaning was clear: leave the bedroom for Daddy and Mama.

Fu Ting had always had a big appetite, and with Ruan Jiaojiao’s cooking being the best food he’d ever eaten, he ate even more.

The family of four devoured a three-kilogram stewed fish and fifteen cornbread cakes, all gone. The man of the house still wanted more.

When only the two of them remained inside, Fu Ting felt a bit awkward.

He wanted to start a conversation but didn’t know how. In the end, it was Ruan Jiaojiao who said, “Brother Ting, when you have time, make a few stools, will you? Just chop two trees and saw them. Leave the rest to me.”

“…You wait, just wait!”

Ruan Jiaojiao rarely spoke to him of her own accord, so Fu Ting was overjoyed.

In a flash, he rushed out.

Ruan Jiaojiao: “…?”

Where are you going?

She had no choice but to wait. Luckily, he soon returned—carrying four stools.

One was finely crafted, the other three rather rough.

He handed the good one to her, saying, “Jiaojiao, I bought four stools. Your skin is so soft, you should use the good one!”