Chapter 286 - 287: Braised Meat
Zheng Xianghong was incredibly adept with her hands. Xia Xiao could hear the sound of her chopping meat while she showered, so after she finished bathing, she wanted to help in the kitchen. That’s when Zheng Xianghong said, "You’ve just finished showering, don’t come into the kitchen. There will be something to eat in a moment. Wait in your room."
"Oh, Mom, no need, Brother Gao and I just had a meal before coming back," Xia Xiao shook her head.
"Hurry back to your room, the kitchen smells of fumes," said Zheng Xianghong, shooing Xia Xiao out before she could stay any longer in the kitchen.
Xia Xiao had no choice but to return to her room. Soon after, Gao Jiaxing finished showering and told Xia Xiao, "Mom said the soup is ready, we can have some."
Xia Xiao shook her head, "I won’t drink it, you have it, Brother Gao."
Xia Xiao wasn’t used to eating before bed and she felt quite tired already, very much wanting to sleep.
But just as she finished speaking, Zheng Xianghong came over with two bowls of soup. Xia Xiao felt embarrassed to refuse, and said to Zheng Xianghong, "Thank you, Mom."
"Be careful, it’s hot. Sleep after you drink," Zheng Xianghong reminded Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao before stepping out.
Before long, Xia Xiao heard that Gao Guoqiang, Gao Jiazhi, and Sun Yuhua had all been called to get up as well. Xia Xiao said, "Drinking so much before bed, will we be able to sleep?"
"Drinking fills you up and helps you sleep; just don’t overdo it. Moreover, the soup is freshly cooked, it’s delicious. Hurry up and drink," Gao Jiaxing advised.
Xia Xiao nodded, took a sip, and nodded again, "It’s tasty. What did Mom put in the soup? It’s really good."
"I don’t know, some kind of herbal medicine, I guess," Gao Jiaxing replied.
"I’m kind of looking forward to the braised meat we’ll eat tomorrow," said Xia Xiao.
Gao Jiaxing laughed, "My mom’s still braising it. You can wait and eat that before sleeping if you like."
On hearing that, Xia Xiao shook her head. "Never mind, I’ll just go to sleep. It’s the same if I eat when I get up tomorrow."
After all, they were supposed to drink a big bowl of soup and wait for the meat; she wasn’t that hungry.
Moreover, after drinking nearly half a bowl, Xia Xiao felt her stomach was full, and with a troubled face, she looked at Gao Jiaxing, "Brother Gao, I’m full. I can’t finish it."
"No problem, I’ll help you finish it." Gao Jiaxing drank his bowl and then finished what Xia Xiao left as well, then took the bowls and went out.
Xia Xiao crawled directly under the covers. Having drunk that much soup, she indeed felt much more comfortable and not as cold anymore.
It wasn’t long before Gao Jiaxing came back and Xia Xiao said, "I’m sure Mom put some cold-repelling herbs in the soup, didn’t she? I feel warmer after drinking it."
Gao Jiaxing chuckled, "Anyone drinking a bowl of hot soup would stop feeling cold. Go to sleep."
Saying this, Gao Jiaxing got into the covers as well. Xia Xiao nodded, feeling very sleepy. She snuggled into Gao Jiaxing’s arms and fell asleep.
Suddenly, Xia Xiao’s eyes snapped open and she sat up. Gao Jiaxing asked, "What’s wrong?"
"Brother Gao, where are our photos?" Xia Xiao hurriedly asked.
"They’re on the desk. Do you want to see them now?" Gao Jiaxing said.
"Let’s take a look," said Xia Xiao. She had almost forgotten about the photos; she had only glanced at them at the studio and hadn’t yet taken a good look.
Gao Jiaxing sat up, lit the oil lamp, and the young couple huddled together, looking at their photos under the dim light of the oil lamp.
Black and white portraits at that time had a unique beauty to them, with a strong sense of the era. In the photos, she and Gao Jiaxing looked perfectly matched, their faces radiating joy and sweetness.
"Brother Gao, I think this photo makes you look very handsome," said Xia Xiao, and then added, "and it makes me look pretty good too, right? I’ve always thought I was not bad-looking, but this is the first time I’ve been stunned by my own image."
Yes, that was exactly how Xia Xiao felt at the moment. She was amazed by her own photograph.
Sometimes, Xia Xiao would look at the person in the photo and feel a strange familiarity, almost unable to believe it was her.
She looked better now than in her previous life. If before she was just an above-average beauty, now she was top-tier.
Gao Jiaxing boasted proudly, "I’ve always been handsome; now you see it, don’t you?"
Xia Xiao was speechless; such blatant vanity, was it really okay?
"Brother Gao, looking at me in the photo, don’t you think it seems a bit fake?" Xia Xiao couldn’t help blurting out.
Pat, Gao Jiaxing gently tapped Xia Xiao’s head, "Silly, who talks about themselves like that? There’s nothing fake about you; you’re so genuine. What’s fake?"
"I think my smile looks a bit stiff," Xia Xiao said.
"Not at all, you’re the prettiest. The photo studio owner said that after so many years of taking photos, ours is the best," Gao Jiaxing whispered.
Xia Xiao laughed, "Alright, I’m happy you think so. Let’s sleep."
Gao Jiaxing nodded, "Let’s sleep, I won’t tire you out today."
Xia Xiao rolled her eyes and swatted him, "Hurry up and sleep."
At that moment, Zheng Xianghong was braising meat with medicinal herbs, which gave off a delicious aroma, thankfully it was late at night, or else the neighbors might have come over to ask about it.
"If you want to eat, get up and have some," Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao shook her head, "No, I’d rather sleep."
Gao Jiaxing chuckled, and gradually, they fell asleep to the scent of meat cooking in the kitchen.
The next morning when Xia Xiao woke up, there was still soup to drink. After Zheng Xianghong had cooked a small pot for each person the day before, she made a large pot that could last them all day.
And there was a pot of braised meat too. Just prepare some vegetables and that would be it. In the morning, everyone mostly saved the braised meat for lunch or dinner.
In the morning, they all ate sweet potatoes with the soup, and a bit of greens. It was delicious.
Sun Yuhua even whispered to Xia Xiao, "Last night, I almost got up to look for some meat."
Xia Xiao laughed; indeed, the aroma was very tempting.
Today was New Year’s Eve, and everyone still had work in the morning. Zheng Xianghong said to Gao Jiaxing, "Take Xia Xiao around for a walk."
"Mom, I should work too," said Xia Xiao.
Zheng Xianghong shook her head, "It’s the New Year’s today, there’s no work to do. You won’t be needed for this half a day of work. You and Jiaxing just go for a walk."
Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing nodded; they decided to go for a stroll.