Chapter 297 - 298
Although in Ning Hui’s dream, Sun Yuhua eventually separated from Gao Jiazhi, Sun Yuhua was still the elder sister-in-law now.
Moreover, given Sun Yuhua’s current temperament, if it didn’t change, Sun Yuhua might choose to separate from Gao Jiazhi in the future.
The Suns’ family conditions were good, and aside from suffering when going to the countryside, the family was presumably getting by, so Sun Yuhua couldn’t accept the dirtiness, poverty, and chaos of rural life now.
Therefore, Sun Yuhua was unwilling to do household chores and didn’t even feed her daughter, let alone change diapers. It was Zheng Xianghong who washed all the child’s clothes and diapers.
Xia Xiao looked at the more than ten fish left at home, which was fine since the weather was cool, otherwise, keeping them like this in the summer would easily cause them to spoil.
Xia Xiao cleaned out the winnowing basket, then washed the fish thoroughly, removed their scales and guts. With the small fish, she sliced them open from the belly and washed away the blood, laying them out on the winnowing basket. For the big fish, Xia Xiao cut them into pieces and laid them on the basket, then mixed them with some spring water and salt before setting them out to dry.
When Gao Jiaxing returned and saw Xia Xiao preparing the fish, he said, "Why didn’t you wait for me to do it?"
"There’s not much, I can handle it myself," Xia Xiao said with a smile.
Gao Jiaxing said further, "Why did you cut up all the fish? Weren’t you supposed to take them to your family’s place? They look nicer whole."
Xia Xiao shook her head, "Let’s just keep them at home to eat, it’s inconvenient to carry them on the train."
Gao Jiaxing said, "I have to bring something when I visit your family; although it’s not my first time, this visit is different. As the new son-in-law, I wouldn’t dare to enter your parents’ house empty-handed."
Xia Xiao laughed at Gao Jiaxing’s troubled expression. "You’re overthinking it. That’s not the custom anymore, and I’ve told you, the authorities are strict. Keeping it simple is best, and my parents won’t mind the details."
Gao Jiaxing shook his head, "Even if I let it pass, with so much fish today, we should keep some to take to your family. It’s not like we’re short on food at home. We can slice some from the bigger fish for the family to try, and take the rest to your family so they can also taste the meat of a fish that weighs over two hundred pounds."
Seeing Gao Jiaxing’s insistence, Xia Xiao nodded, "Alright, I’ve salted them, so they’ll be fine to take later and won’t spoil."
"That’ll work," Gao Jiaxing nodded, resigned to the fact the fish were already cut, as long as they didn’t spoil when taken there.
Xia Xiao then said to Gao Jiaxing, "Brother Gao, you should mention to the family about taking fish to my parents’ place. Even though we caught these fish, it’s still good to communicate as we’re all one family."
Xia Xiao couldn’t help but bring it up again, feeling it was necessary to do so.
"I know, I will certainly talk to the family," Gao Jiaxing said as he helped Xia Xiao with the fish.
Although it was already afternoon, there was still time before sunset, and with the cold weather, the fish would dry just the same.
After dealing with the fish, Xia Xiao herself smelled fishy, but she had heated water for herself so she went to take a shower.
Ge Liang was still sleeping, and Xia Xiao said to Gao Jiaxing, "The child has slept for quite a long time. Keep an eye on him, I’m going to take a quick shower."
Gao Jiaxing nodded, "Go ahead. My mother’s medicine includes something to aid sleep, he won’t wake up soon. I’ll talk about Red Star Production Team matters with Hong Xing."
Xia Xiao thought, no wonder Ge Liang was sleeping so soundly, but it was for the best as the child seemed to need a good rest.
Xia Xiao left to shower, and Gao Jiaxing discussed matters of the Red Star Production Team with Hong Xing, who also mentioned Liu Haihua taking a fancy to Wang Xueyong.
Gao Jiaxing frowned, with Wang Xueyong seemingly involved in everything lately. His reach was getting too long.
"Don’t interfere in their affairs for now, we also can’t afford to offend them," Gao Jiaxing said before continuing, "Even if we know that Ge Lai was wronged, with Ge Lai gone without a trace, not knowing whether he’s dead or alive, just do your own thing. When you have time, help take care of Ge Liang for Ge Lai, that’ll fulfill the brotherly bond."
Gao Jiaxing didn’t want Hong Xing to focus on Wang Xueyong, Liu Haiguo, and Liu Haihua, as it could be dangerous if discovered.
Gao Jiaxing didn’t tell Hong Xing that he saved Ge Lai, as such sensitive matters weren’t to be shared, even if he considered Hong Xing trustworthy.
He shook his head to signal ignorance, and deep inside, Gao Jiaxing also really wanted to know Ge Lai’s current situation.
Meanwhile, Yan Hao had settled into the arranged dormitory, his month-long weariness finally eased now that he had located Xia Jing. Yan Hao’s excitement lingered long in his heart.
With everyone in the dormitory resting, Xia Jing didn’t say much to Yan Hao, "Look how tired you are. Get some rest. I’ll head back to my dorm and come get you after you’ve slept."
Yan Hao nodded. Indeed, he was very tired and not in the best condition, so he watched Xia Jing leave and then lay down in the dormitory.
After her shower, Xia Xiao saw that Gao Jiaxing and Hong Xing were still whispering together, so she returned to her room only to find that Ge Liang had woken up.
And she didn’t know when he had wakened but found him sitting quietly on the bed, staring intently at the door. Upon seeing Xia Xiao enter, Ge Liang immediately lay down again and tucked himself into the blanket, still fixing his gaze tightly on Xia Xiao.