Chapter 144

Chapter 144

Xu Yuqing exclaimed with enthusiasm and joy, raising her cup and downing it in one go.

Fortunately, it was rice wine, not too strong, so Xu Yuqing could handle it.

"Come on, try this braised meat. It's guaranteed to be delicious." Xu Yuqing picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. The golden, crispy meat segment was coated with a brown sauce, sweet and sour, and when she bit into it, it made a satisfying crunch, incredibly fragrant.

Tonight, to ensure everyone ate more food, Xu Yuqing didn't cook rice but focused on these corn cakes. A bite of the braised meat followed by a bite of corn cake, and before she knew it, she was almost full without even trying other dishes.

She paused for a moment, looking at Xie Junli and He Xiang. During the day, they had been at odds, but now, both were engrossed in eating, looking somewhat similar.

Xu Yuqing chuckled as she placed a piece of corn cake on Xie Junli's plate. "Be careful not to choke; eat some cake."

"Okay." Xie Junli took it and ate half in one bite. The soft, sweet corn cake paired perfectly with the dishes. He stuffed a piece of fish into his mouth and then took another bite of the cake.

He Xiang was seriously gnawing on a rib. This guy loved meat and attacked the ribs with gusto. Xu Yuqing was glad she had prepared plenty of meat, initially worried about leftovers for tomorrow, symbolizing abundance.

But seeing how much they were eating, it seemed just enough. She was glad she hadn't held back on the meat.

Xu Yuqing also picked up a rib. The ribs were cooked until tender, falling off the bone with a light bite, and paired with pickled cabbage, they weren't greasy at all.

The sweet sausage was also delicious, slightly salty and sweet. When He Xiang took his first bite, he was shocked, suspecting Xu Yuqing might have used the wrong seasoning, wondering why it tasted sweet.

But as he chewed, it grew more flavorful, and he couldn't resist having more pieces.

The texture of the cured meat differed from the sausage. The fatty, savory sausage paired well with the corn cakes, though rice would have been ideal, but tonight there was no rice.

Xu Yuqing sampled each dish, taking a few bites of each. After a few rounds, she was too full to continue but still felt tempted by the dishes. She picked up her chopsticks again, eating a few more bites before stopping.

As a result, she kept burping, feeling extremely full. With no hawthorn dried slices left, she stood up to walk around and aid digestion.

Xie Junli was well aware of Xu Yuqing's appetite and continued eating calmly. He Xiang, who had eaten with them for the past two days, understood too. Both competed silently, never stopping their chopsticks, taking one bite after another.

The dishes on the table gradually emptied, leaving only cucumber salad. Even the fish broth was consumed by He Xiang mixed with vermicelli and corn cakes.

Both were truly stuffed, feeling as if their throats were full. They stood up simultaneously, just like Xu Yuqing earlier, walking around the main room.

Xu Yuqing had just sat down when the two started moving again. She watched them amusedly, feeling a little emptier in her stomach, and couldn't resist picking up her chopsticks for a few more bites of cucumber salad.

After their walk, Xie Junli felt better and drained the wine in his cup. Just as he was about to clean up, Xu Yuqing stopped him. "Don't wash yet. It's New Year's Eve; let's rest a bit and eat some sunflower seeds."

"Okay."

Xie Junli took her hand and sat down. Xu Yuqing fetched some sunflower seeds from the cabinet, and He Xiang joined them. She gave a handful to He Xiang and another to Xie Junli, keeping some for herself. Leaning comfortably against the backrest, she gazed at the ceiling while cracking sunflower seeds.

Cracking seeds alone felt lonely, with no one to chat with. She finally understood why people gathered together during the New Year, chatting and snacking on seeds. Chatting made it less lonely!

She suddenly missed Yan Lan.

The two quiet companions beside her were too much to bear.

Suddenly, an idea struck her, and her eyes lit up. Looking at He Xiang, who was absent-mindedly cracking seeds, she pulled out something from her pocket.

It was red. She nudged Xie Junli with her foot, and he looked over. Xu Yuqing, doing this for the first time, felt nervous, subtly showing a corner of the red envelope to Xie Junli.

Xie Junli, with sharp eyes, saw it immediately, straightened up, and took the envelope. Clearing his throat, he said, "He Xiang."

"Hmm?" He Xiang spat out the seed shells and looked at Xie Junli in confusion.

Xie Junli handed him the envelope. "Here, this is for you."

The red envelope was thick, containing the amount Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli had agreed upon at noon. Since he would be leaving soon and wouldn't receive any allowances from the army, it was best to give him extra money.

Inside was eighty-eight yuan, the amount Xu Yuqing suggested, and Xie Junli added some more.

The couple, seeing someone with a similar background to theirs, felt like they were offering support to their younger selves.

He Xiang had just popped a seed into his mouth and was caught off guard, staring blankly at Xie Junli and Xu Yuqing, and the envelope in their hands. After a moment, he came to his senses, quickly standing up and saying anxiously, "You've already given me clothes; I don't want it."

"Don't want it? Xie Junli frowned, grabbing his hand. "Take it. I'm your elder. Work hard and contribute to the country."

He then pulled him up. "Alright, go back. I'll do the dishes. Don't come too early tomorrow, remember to pack your things; the train is the day after."

"Hey! I know! I said I don't want it!"

"Bang."

The door closed. He Xiang, in front of Xie Junli, was like a little chick, easily lifted. He looked at the thick envelope in his hand and the new coat on his body, feeling increasingly indebted.

How could an unrelated uncle be so kind, while his own mother was so different?

He Xiang couldn't understand and slowly walked out. Under the night sky, doors were open, adults chatting, children showing off their New Year's money and milk candies in the courtyard.

Some kids had bought firecrackers, with parents watching closely behind.

He Xiang clutched the envelope, watching from a distance for a while before turning to head home.

After he left, the couple exchanged glances. "Wasn't that He Xiang's?"

"No way. That kid is always messy, not as neat as the one we just saw. And look, those are new clothes, fitting perfectly. How could it be him?"

The man nodded regretfully. "I see. We should check on him tomorrow; he's the old squad leader's son."

"Ah, if you're going, I'm not. That kid is so stubborn, no wonder his mom doesn't want him anymore."

After saying this, he hugged his son and walked home, leaving the man behind to sigh heavily.

He Xiang returned home and lit a lamp. He didn't use an electric light, too lazy to pay the electricity bill. Under the dim light, he lay down on the bed.

Speaking of packing, what did he have to pack? He only had about ten yuan in his pocket, clothes that were tattered, just the ones he was wearing, and the red envelope in his hand.

He didn't open the red paper bag but placed it carefully at the bottom of his bundle. This house was practically empty. He put the only slightly valuable warm water bottle inside, along with some cups and a handkerchief with holes. But as soon as he put them in, he quickly took them out again—he would need them later that night.

With all this fussing, he managed to dispel his troubles.

At the Xie household, after He Xiang was sent away, the house became quiet. Xu Yuqing stared in disbelief as He Xiang was escorted out. "You... You're amazing."

"But, won't there be any trouble?" Xu Yuqing said worriedly.

However, her concern was completely unfelt by Xie Junli, who walked back over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her to sit down. "Don't worry, I'll go wash the dishes and heat up some water. Rest for a bit more."

"Oh." Xu Yuqing responded reluctantly, sitting down. If only they had a TV, even a black-and-white one, it would help pass the time.

It was really boring now.

She sat there aimlessly, already feeling sleepy due to her body clock, but tonight was New Year's Eve, and in the north, they stayed up until midnight.

Xu Yuqing had lived her entire life in the south and didn't require staying up, but she insisted on setting off firecrackers at the turn of the year to scare away the 'Nian.'

There were no firecrackers here, so she sat aimlessly, almost falling asleep.

Fortunately, Xie Junli finished cleaning just in time.

Xu Yuqing looked at him drowsily. "You're done?" As she spoke, she couldn't help yawning, tears welling up in her eyes.

Xie Junli walked over, his warm hand gently wiping away her tears, looking at her tenderly and amusedly. "Didn't you just sleep this afternoon?"

What kind of talk is this! Xu Yuqing glared at him. "If you ate lunch, does that mean you don't eat dinner?"

Xie Junli fell silent.

In summary, one was a big eater, and the other was a sleeping beauty.

Xu Yuqing couldn't hold on any longer, waving her hand in surrender. "I'm from the south, I don't need to stay up. I'm going to bed."

Xie Junli remembered how Xu Yuqing had woken up from her nap and insisted he stay up, specifically reminding him to include her. Worried, he grabbed her. "Then let's do something that won't make you sleepy."

"Hey, hey, hey!" Caught off guard, Xu Yuqing suddenly perked up, pushing back to resist. "No! You just..."

Her words were cut off, and after a minute, Xie Junli released her, helping her catch her breath. Raising an eyebrow provocatively, he said, "Did you eat yesterday, so you don't need to eat today?"

With that, he picked her up and laid her on the bed. The room grew warmer, the air more intense. Her gaze became hazy, chin tilted upward, a tear fell, her trembling hands dropped, yielding to his every desire.

The next day was sunny. Xie Junli gently removed the hand from his waist and quietly left. It was still early, but his wife needed breakfast.

He wasn't skilled at cooking, but he managed to boil some dumplings and steam some buns. Thinking about how pleased his wife had been with sweet porridge before, he added two spoonfuls of sugar to the rice porridge.

Just as he started stirring, there was a commotion outside. Before Xie Junli could open the door, he saw He Xiang standing outside the window with huge dark circles under his eyes.

"Where's Sister Xu? Why are you making breakfast?" He Xiang said, somewhat disdainfully.

Xie Junli's straightened back immediately bent again. He had intended to open the door but changed his mind. He Xiang noticed and became anxious. "Open the door, I have something to tell you."

"Speak."

"You just put in two spoonfuls of salt."