Wealthy Beauty in the 60s

Xianghong was already cooking when Xia Xiao arrived. She said, "Ge Liang’s medicinal bathwater is ready. Check if he’s eaten his fill. If he has, wipe him down, then once the water is nice and warm, let him sit and soak in it. When the water starts to cool, call him out, and that’s it."

Xia Xiao nodded and turned to Xia Jing, "Xiao Jing, keep boiling the water here to help out."

"Alright," Xia Jing replied.

Xianghong smiled and said, "Xiao Jing, go and help your sister. I can manage here by myself."

"I think I’ll help you with the fire," Xia Jing said. "I often do chores at home too, Auntie. Just tell me if there’s anything I can do."

"Both of you sisters are so capable." Xianghong did not refuse further; with Xia Jing helping her make the fire, her work would be a bit faster.

Meanwhile, Ge Liang had finished eating by the time Xia Xiao came over. She said to Gao Jiaxing, "Brother Gao, you should also take Hong Xing to have some porridge."

"I’m not hungry, I’m not hungry," Hong Xing quickly said. "Sister-in-law, you don’t need to be so polite."

"Alright then, let’s all eat together later," Xia Xiao didn’t insist.

At that moment, Xia Xiao brought over a bucket of steaming medicinal water and said to Gao Jiaxing, "Brother Gao, this is the medicinal water for Ge Liang’s bath, but it’s too hot right now. Make sure the child doesn’t touch it. I’ll go find a cloth and see if there’s anything Little Ge Liang can wear."

"I’ll look for it, see if there are any of my old clothes at home." Gao Jiaxing said.

Following him, Xia Xiao went to look because Ge Liang’s current clothes were too dirty and would definitely not be wearable after his bath.

Unfortunately, Gao Jiaxing couldn’t find any old clothes, but he did find an old vest and a cloth.

Xia Xiao took off Ge Liang’s clothes and handed them to Gao Jiaxing, saying, "Put these in the basin to soak; I’ll wash them later."

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As she spoke, Xia Xiao soaked the cloth in medicinal water, shook it out, wrung out most of the water, shook it again, and waited until it wasn’t too hot to wipe down Ge Liang.

Ge Liang shivered slightly, and Xia Xiao said, "Does it hurt a bit? It’ll be better soon."

Ge Liang was very obedient, his gaze fixed on Xia Xiao. She wiped his face first, then his body. Once his face was clean, Xia Xiao thought he looked even more like Ge Lai, perhaps this was also why The Lius and Liu Haihua disliked him.

But such a small child doesn’t understand these things. With proper guidance, he could turn out well in the future. Otherwise, if not dealt with properly, if he grew up and veered onto the wrong path, revenge would make things unbearable.

"Pain."

This was the first word Ge Liang said, and though it was only one word, it made Xia Xiao happy. At the same time, her heart ached. Such a good child, such an obedient child, and Liu Haihua just didn’t know how to cherish him.

The medicinal water soon cooled enough. Xia Xiao tested the temperature and, feeling it was just right, picked up Ge Liang and placed him in to sit.

Before long, Gao Guoqiang, Gao Jiazhi, Sun Yuhua, and Weilin returned. By this time, Yan Hao had also finished his bath.

Seeing so many people in the house, Gao Guoqiang and Gao Jiaxing were surprised. Xia Xiao introduced them, "This is my sister, and her partner, Yan Hao."

Gao Jiaxing simply said, "Hong Xing and Ge Lai’s son, Ge Liang."

Gao Guoqiang nodded and then looked toward Ge Lai’s son, asking, "What’s this about?"

At this moment, Zheng Xianghong came out of the kitchen and said, "What else could it be? Liu Haihua would be thrilled to beat her own son to death, a complete madwoman."

Zheng Xianghong couldn’t help but curse, reflecting how Liu Haihua must be out of her mind to beat her son like that.

Hong Xing immediately relayed the things Liu Haihua had done, and Gao Guoqiang and the others sighed with concern and cursed Liu Haihua and the Lius, although there was little else they could do.

Xia Xiao took the opportunity to bring up Yan Hao’s and Xia Jing’s situation, then turned to Gao Guoqiang and asked, "Dad, can Yan Hao be registered in our production team?"

"What’s the situation on his side? I need to see his file," Gao Guoqiang said, not committing right away.

Xia Xiao turned to Yan Hao and said, "Your file, take it out for the captain to see."

Gao Jiaxing said, "I just put it away for him; I’ll go get it."

Soon enough, Yan Hao’s file was in Gao Guoqiang’s hands. Gao Guoqiang nodded after looking at it and then asked Xia Xiao, "Have you received any letters from his family over the past month?"

Xia Xiao and Xia Jing shook their heads. Xia Xiao said, "We had no idea he was coming. There was no mention in the letters from home either; they clearly didn’t know. His family might be keeping it a secret."

Yan Hao felt somewhat uncomfortable at this point. He hadn’t contacted his family, but he hadn’t expected them to be so indifferent about his departure, making him feel somewhat lost.

Gao Guoqiang said, "He can be registered in the production team and assigned to Youth Point." Turning toward Yan Hao, he added, "Our Guangming Production Team welcomes you, but you need to let your family know you’re safe and explain the situation to them."

"No problem, thank you, Captain. Thank you," Yan Hao said excitedly.

Xia Jing, who stood by the kitchen door, also wiped her tears in happiness, and Xia Xiao was pleased as well. Gao Guoqiang then asked Gao Jiazhi to arrange a dormitory for Yan Hao and said to Gao Jiaxing, "After we’ve eaten, you take them into town to send a telegram and buy some necessities."

Zheng Xianghong said, "Let Jiazhi go; Jiaxing can prepare the dormitory."

Xia Xiao knew that Zheng Xianghong didn’t want Gao Jiaxing to go into town now and possibly run into Wang Xueyong. Gao Jiaxing didn’t mind, but then Hong Xing spoke up, "Why don’t I go? I can also drive the ox cart, and I know the way."

Indeed, Hong Xing wanted to help with something. It was the New Year, and he had shown up with Little Ge Liang to save lives, indulging in food and drink, which made Hong Xing feel somewhat embarrassed.

So, Hong Xing volunteered to help, saying, "Auntie, let me go. I won’t feel comfortable if I don’t do something."

Zheng Xianghong smiled wordlessly and said, "Okay, then you go. Little Ge Liang can stay here; we’ll look after him."

At that moment, Xia Xiao, holding a needle and thread, intended to mend Gao Jiaxing’s torn vest to give to Little Ge Liang to wear temporarily. But doubting her own sewing skills, Xia Xiao said to Zheng Xianghong, "Mom, you do it. I’ll go cook."

"Okay, I’ve already added salt to the dishes; don’t put in more," Zheng Xianghong took it over and said to Xia Xiao. "But you taste and see, add a bit more if it’s bland."

"Alright, Mom, you keep an eye on Ge Lai." Xia Xiao immediately headed for the kitchen and said to Xia Jing, "Yan Hao’s finished bathing; you go keep him company so he doesn’t feel awkward."

Xia Jing shook her head, "No need, sis. I’d rather help you cook. They’re all men; they’ll have stuff to talk about. It’d be awkward if I went."

Xia Xiao let her be, focusing on getting the meal ready quickly so that everyone could have a simple meal, after which Hong Xing would take Xia Jing and Yan Hao into town to send the telegram.