Chapter 51: Boiling Wine by the Fire

Chapter 51: Boiling Wine by the Fire

"Truly, they are stubbornly sticking to their misguided path."

Lu Mingchao's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Old Lady Qi and Qi Rui certainly had money to spare.

She knew well that the compensation of twenty-four taels of silver wouldn't drain this grandmother and granddaughter.

If Old Lady Qi and Qi Rui were to rent a modest house in town and take on honest, if menial, work like laundry, they could live with their heads held high.

But it seemed Qi Rui, with her lofty aspirations, wouldn't choose this path.

And Old Lady Qi, with Qi Rui as her only grandchild, would undoubtedly indulge her without restraint, unable to be persuaded otherwise.

Xie Yan felt the cool touch of fingers beneath his eye, his body stiffening, not daring to move.

This scar—he had no choice but to inflict it.

Now, he was fundamentally changed.

There are indeed miraculous doctors in this world who can perform bone scraping and skin grafting, but the situation was sudden, and he had to resort to this desperate measure.

"A Yan, it's not unsightly."

Lu Mingchao's voice was tender and soothing.

This scar, she couldn't remove.

It seemed that when A Yan made the cut, he didn't hold back, not even bothering to stitch, bandage, or medicate it in time.

"A Yan, do you know what I thought when I first saw you?"

"How could there be such a strikingly handsome person in this world?"

"Back then, young and clad in a thin spring shirt, leaning on a horse by the slanting bridge, with all the red sleeves in the building waving at him."

"To put it mildly, I was captivated by your appearance."

"Is this a scar? No, it's A Yan's medal."

Xie Yan was slightly dazed, the soft spot deep within his heart, hidden under layers of defenses, seemed to be gently pressed.

Yes, gently pressed, yet it made him particularly nostalgic.

Suddenly, Xie Yan felt his throat tighten.

"Mother, mother."

A small head peeked through the door crack, disrupting the serene and enchanting atmosphere.

Lu Mingchao retracted her hand as if shocked, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Indeed, in front of such a delectable person, she had no self-control to speak of.

If Jingyi hadn't appeared suddenly, she might have wrapped her arms around Xie Yan's neck and done something not suitable for children.

When people feel embarrassed, they tend to appear particularly busy.

Lu Mingchao tugged at her clothes, fidgeted with her fingers, and even pretended to take a sip of ginger tea, nearly choking herself in the process.

Xie Yan snapped out of his reverie and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Mama, mama." The little one finally made it over the threshold, clutching a large, dusty orange in her arms.

Clearly, the orange had rolled to the ground and met an unfortunate fate while climbing over the threshold.

"Mama, my little uncle and I wanted to eat the big orange, but big brother was so mean and wouldn't let us, saying it's too cold and would make our stomachs hurt."

"Mama, mama, Sanbao wants to eat it." Xie Jingyi (nicknamed Sanbao) looked up, blinking her round, clear, and adorable eyes, her voice soft and sweet.

Lu Mingchao pinched Xie Jingyi's chubby little cheek. "But Huaiqian is right, you see."

"Look, your hands are freezing."

Xie Jingyi pouted, making her round face even rounder.

"But Mama has a solution." Lu Mingchao took a deep breath.

What could be more relaxing than sitting around a stove, brewing tea under the winter sunset?

Just the thing to ward off bad luck!

Especially after encountering such a disgusting scoundrel today.

Lu Mingchao, feeling slightly unwell, only gave directions, while the highly perceptive Xie Yan took charge of the preparations.

The spacious floor was covered with a soft, clean fur rug, and a pale orange glow filtered through the window.

On the rug sat a modest wooden table.

At the center of the table was a delicate ceramic charcoal stove, warming a pot of clear, fragrant wine. Various fruits were added to enrich the flavor, and the wine bubbled and danced with enticing ripples.

On the side, oranges, apples, and chestnuts were being roasted.

The rich aroma filled the air, making everyone's mouth water.

With the small stove in front of her and the rising steam, Lu Mingchao didn't feel cold at all.

"Green ants brew new wine, red clay warms the stove.*

As evening falls and snow threatens, shall we share a cup?"

It was truly delightful.

Lu Xiaoxin and Xie Jingyi snuggled close on either side of Lu Mingchao, their eyes sparkling with curiosity as they watched the chestnuts crackle and pop.

Lu Mingchao reached out and gently poked the warm, roasted orange. The skin was soft, and with a light peel, the steaming flesh was revealed.

She broke it into several pieces, giving each person a couple of segments.

Xie Jingyi took a bite, chewed slowly, and then her eyes lit up. "Mama, it's so good!"

Lu Mingchao smiled, her eyes narrowing with joy.

Xie Yan raised his hand and used a spoon to pour the brewed wine into Lu Mingchao's cup, the liquid rippling with a shimmering glow. *Note: This line is a poetic reference to a traditional Chinese poem, evoking a cozy and idyllic winter scene.

Hmm, they are gathered around the stove, brewing wine.

It's quite a unique and enjoyable experience.

With hot wine and charcoal-grilled fruits, Lu Mingchao's appetite was completely aroused.

"A Yan, wanna grab some grilled meat?"

Xie Yan's voice was filled with a deep chuckle, and in the rising steam, his face appeared exceptionally gentle, exuding the refined elegance of a gentleman.

Standing like an orchid and a jade tree, his smile was like the bright moon entering one's heart.

He really looks handsome.

Lu Mingchao sipped her wine, thinking the alcohol must be strong, making A Yan look even more attractive.

"A Yan, do you want some?" Seeing Xie Yan smile without speaking, Lu Mingchao shook her head and repeated the question.

Xie Jingyi chimed in enthusiastically, "Mother, mother, ask Sanbao, Sanbao wants to eat."

"But mom needs Sanbao's dad to make it," Lu Mingchao said, imitating Xie Jingyi's soft and sweet voice.

Xie Yan's smile widened, "I want some."

Hmm, he really wants to eat.

Xie Yan seemed like a master chef, the skewers of meat he grilled sizzled with oil, and with the addition of various seasonings provided by Lu Mingchao, they were exceptionally delicious, as if they had a magical allure that made one unable to stop.

Xie Huaiqian chewed a piece, "I remember, father's grilled meat didn't taste like this before."

On the escape journey, they mostly ate whatever they could hunt.

Clean it, grill it, sprinkle some salt, and fill their stomachs.

So, this is what proper grilled meat tastes like.

Xie Yan tapped Xie Huaiqian's forehead, "You should thank your mother."

With the seasonings Mingchao brought, even grilled leaves would taste amazing.

Xie Huaiqian said seriously, "Mother is truly omnipotent."

The small room was filled with warm, lively laughter, and everyone's stomachs were full.

Xie Jingyi had already fallen asleep on Lu Mingchao's lap.

Under the influence of alcohol, the corners of Xie Yan's eyes were slightly red, "Huaiqian, Ru'an, I, I didn't know you've endured so much hardship and suffered so much injustice following me."

If he had paid more attention, Huaiqian and the others would have had an easier time.

Ru'an blinked in confusion, "Father, I haven't suffered."

Following father, he was very happy.

He could eat his fill, and there were also elder brother and Jingyi.

Now there's also mother Lu, he has never felt so happy before.

Xie Ru'an had faced a lot of hardship growing up, and he didn't take the torment from Granny Qi and her grandson seriously at all.

Xie Huaiqian also said, "Dad, it's no big deal."

Even if it were hard, we wouldn't blame you.

If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have made it this far.

"Huaiqian, take your little uncle and Er Bao to bed."

Lu Mingchao handed the peacefully sleeping Xie Jingyi to Xie Huaiqian.

Xie Yan's eyes were a bit red at the corners, but they sparkled as he said, "Mingchao."

"Three days after the wedding, the bride returns to her family home."