Chapter 92

Seeing the serious expression on Xi Junjie’s face, with even a hint of nervousness, Zhenzhen’s heart melted into a puddle. She couldn’t help but reach out and pinch his cheek, her smile uncontrollable.

Xi Junjie watched Zhenzhen laugh and couldn’t help but beam as well, looking a little silly in a cute way.

Grandma Li coughed lightly twice and turned her head away, a little embarrassed to watch. This Zhenzhen girl, really—right in front of his mother, could she not be so brazen in taking advantage of her son?

Ling Xiulan, watching from the side, looked at her son’s silly grin and actually felt her hands itch, wanting to rush up and pinch his face too just for fun. When Xi Junjie was younger, his smile had been sweet and adorable. But after he started elementary school, his teachers and classmates all liked to pinch his cheeks for fun. After being pinched so much, little Junjie stopped smiling and would always keep a straight face, not even letting people touch him.

Now, watching Zhenzhen start with one hand and then use both to pinch Junjie’s face without letting go, Ling Xiulan was absolutely delighted. Truly, one thing always subdues another. His face was even turning red from the pinching, yet he looked as happy as if he’d picked up a gold ingot.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem…” Wang Sufen really couldn’t bear to watch anymore and started coughing hard. Only then did Zhenzhen remember they weren’t alone—there were three spectators in the room. She silently withdrew her hands. Seeing the red handprints on Xi Junjie’s cheeks, she guiltily reached out to rub them, trying to erase the evidence.

Wang Sufen couldn’t even look—first pinching, now rubbing. Wasn’t once enough? Her daughter really had no shame, just like her dad always said.

Ling Xiulan nearly laughed out loud. Seeing how embarrassed her future in-law looked, she tried to comfort her: “Don’t worry, young people in love are always like this. You haven’t seen the young couples in France—we used to live there. They’re even more outrageous, hugging and kissing right on the street.”

Wang Sufen trembled. Please, future in-law, don’t say any more. What if my daughter picks up on that? Can’t you see her eyes are already drifting toward your son’s lips?

Fortunately, Zhenzhen wasn’t entirely overwhelmed by desire. She used great willpower to turn her face away, glanced at the three varied expressions before her, and let out an awkward laugh. “Well… Auntie Ling, why don’t you stay for lunch? Junjie and I will cook.”

Ling Xiulan had recently gotten to enjoy her son’s cooking more and more. Ever since Xi Junjie realized Zhenzhen couldn’t resist good food, he would often whip up a few dishes and bring them along for their dates. Usually, he’d make an extra portion for his greedy parents.

Ling Xiulan was never tired of her son’s cooking. Plus, the two families were already very close, so she readily agreed. Zhenzhen smiled and rolled up her sleeves, giving Junjie a glance. “Wait for me. I need to prep some nutrients for the peonies first. We’ll cook after I water them.”

Hearing the word “we,” Xi Junjie felt like he was floating. Who invented this word? It sounded so wonderful to him.

Zhenzhen ran out, and after quite a while, she returned with half a bucket of slightly yellow liquid. She stopped Xi Junjie from helping and proceeded to give each peony a ladleful of the “nutrient solution.” When she reached the last pot, the liquid was just finished. As she left to rinse the bucket and wash her hands, Ling Xiulan squatted nervously beside the pots, closely observing any changes.

Although she knew Zhenzhen’s gardening skills wouldn’t produce immediate results with just one application, Ling Xiulan was too anxious. She wished the peonies would bloom right then and there, just to ease her mind. But after ten minutes of watching, there was still no change. Just as she leaned on a chair to stand up, one of the buds twitched slightly. Startled, she looked closer. Though it was still drooping, it seemed noticeably more spirited. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.

By eleven o’clock, Zhenzhen put on her coat and headed to the kitchen with Xi Junjie. Wang Sufen watched her daughter happily pulling the young man along and almost wanted to follow them. She was really worried that, out of sight, her daughter might do something inappropriate.

But with the future in-law present, she couldn’t very well sabotage her daughter. Holding back her worries, Wang Sufen brought over a bag of pine nuts and handed a nutcracker to Ling Xiulan. “These are from our hometown—home-roasted. They’re big and super fragrant. Try some.”

In the courtyard, Zhenzhen ran with Xi Junjie’s hand in hers, fast as lightning. Once they were in the kitchen and the door was shut, Xi Junjie suddenly smiled, “Zhenzhen, the way you’re acting, I might misunderstand your intentions.”

Flushed from the run, Zhenzhen rubbed her cheeks. “You’re overthinking it. I’m just a little cold because I’m wearing light clothes.”

“But now I really do want to do something to you.” Xi Junjie wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his arms.

Startled, Zhenzhen instinctively gripped his arms. She suddenly noticed that although he didn’t look bulky, his body was surprisingly solid. Curious, she squeezed his upper arm, then pressed a hand to his chest. Even through the sweater, she could feel the shape of his muscles.

The confident aura Xi Junjie had built up vanished instantly under Zhenzhen’s casual groping. His face turned bright red as he held her tighter, pulling her even closer.

They’d been dating for a few months now and had only ever held hands. Even Zhenzhen pinching his cheeks was a rare move. This embrace was Xi Junjie’s boldest step yet.

Maybe it was the heat in Zhenzhen’s gaze that overwhelmed him. Unable to resist, Xi Junjie held her tightly. Zhenzhen responded by wrapping her arms around his waist, feeling his youthful body tremble slightly from her touch.

“Why did you suddenly want to hug me?” Zhenzhen buried her face in his chest and asked.

Xi Junjie smiled, lifting her chin to look at her seriously. “You already beat me to the confession and to holding hands. I figured if I waited any longer, you might be the one to hug me first. So I decided to strike first.”

“Be honest,” Zhenzhen said, placing her hands on his arms and staring into his eyes, “did you want to hug me from the very beginning?”

Immediately, the tips of Xi Junjie’s ears turned red again. He tried to keep his cool but couldn’t help but laugh softly, tightening his hold. “Li Mingzhen, do you know what the biggest change in me is since we got together?” As Zhenzhen looked at him curiously, his gaze dropped to her lips. “My skin has gotten thicker.”

Zhenzhen was just about to reply when suddenly, her lips were covered. Warm, slightly trembling lips pressed against hers—but before she could even savor the moment, they were gone again.

Perhaps realizing he’d been too bold, Xi Junjie’s ears weren’t the only thing red now—even his neck seemed to radiate heat. Zhenzhen touched her lips, feeling like it wasn’t enough.

“Was that a preemptive strike too?” Her gaze lingered on Xi Junjie’s lips, seriously contemplating whether she should take the initiative this time. With such a handsome face so close every day, it was hard to stay composed.

“Actually, I was a little nervous,” Xi Junjie mumbled. “I was afraid you’d be mad.”

“We’re a couple, aren’t we?” Zhenzhen smiled. “And we’re going to get married someday.”

Xi Junjie’s eyes lit up like the full moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. He nodded rapidly, encouraged beyond measure. Her words were like a shot of adrenaline, restoring his confidence completely.

Seeing the dazzling sunlight in his smile, Zhenzhen wrapped her arms around his neck. “So… it’s better to get used to certain things early.”

Just as Xi Junjie was about to respond, he suddenly felt her pull his neck down. Before he could react, Zhenzhen stood on tiptoe and kissed him again. Unlike the earlier peck, this kiss was deeper. Xi Junjie instinctively wrapped one arm around her slim waist and gently cradled her head with the other, deepening the kiss. Tasting her sweetness, he couldn’t help but lose himself in it.

Breathless, Zhenzhen finally broke free from his embrace and leaned against the wall, legs slightly weak. Covering her lips with the back of her hand, she stared at Xi Junjie with dazed eyes and couldn’t help but wail internally: He’s usually soft and sweet like a little puppy, so why does he turn into a little wolf the moment the kiss gets deep? I can barely keep up.

Xi Junjie took a few deep breaths and finally calmed down. Seeing Zhenzhen leaning against the wall with those moist eyes looking up at him, his heart melted like water. He wanted to wrap her up and keep her safe forever.

“Don’t lean against the wall—it’s too cold.” Xi Junjie reached out and pulled Zhenzhen into his arms, gently patting her back.

“You kissed me for way too long.” Zhenzhen looked at him accusingly. “I could barely breathe.”

Xi Junjie lightly caressed Zhenzhen’s slightly swollen, red lips and gave them a soft peck. “Like you said, it’s better to get used to some things early.”

“So now you’re addicted to kissing, huh?” Zhenzhen pushed Xi Junjie’s face aside with her hand. The smooth feel of his skin made her give it a couple more pinches. “Enough talking. Go cook already. If it’s mealtime and the food’s not ready, and they ask about it, I doubt you can handle the pressure.”

Thinking of his future father-in-law’s stern face, Xi Junjie shivered and reluctantly let go of Zhenzhen’s waist. “What do you want to eat?”

Zhenzhen’s legs were still weak from the kissing. She sat down on a chair and pointed to the shelf. “I made a pot of chicken soup this morning. Besides the ribbonfish you brought today, everything else is just regular stuff—cabbage, potatoes, tofu. In winter, our family usually eats these common dishes.”

Xi Junjie showed off his cooking skills at Zhenzhen’s place every ten days or so, so he knew his way around her kitchen. He confidently took out the accompaniments like Jinhua ham, dried scallops, dried shrimp, and mushrooms. He sliced what needed slicing, soaked what needed soaking. Once Zhenzhen was rested, she joined in to help. One washed vegetables, the other chopped; one stir-fried, the other added salt. They worked together seamlessly.

After Xie Yanan’s pregnancy stabilized, she and Mingxi moved back to their own home with Yuanxiao. The house had been empty too long anyway. Grandma Li asked them to come back to the courtyard home around the twelfth lunar month to reunite with the family for a while. With Mingxi’s family gone, only Grandma Li, Li Muwu, Wang Xiufen, and Mingbei’s family of three still lived there. With fewer people eating, Xi Junjie and Zhenzhen didn’t cook anything too elaborate. But even simple ingredients like cabbage, tofu, and potatoes turned into gourmet dishes in Xi Junjie’s hands. Just one dish of soft, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth Wensi Tofu made Zhenzhen question life—she felt like all the tofu she’d eaten over the years had been wasted.

After finishing a small bowl of Wensi Tofu soup, Zhenzhen sat on a stool, holding the empty bowl and watching Xi Junjie’s long legs moving back and forth in front of her. “Have you ever thought about changing your dream? Like, becoming a chef or something?”

Xi Junjie placed a large bowl of Wensi Tofu on the table, turned around, and bent down slightly to look into Zhenzhen’s eyes. “I have. My dream now is to be your personal chef for life.”

“Xi Junjie, your skin is getting thicker and thicker.” Zhenzhen had just reached out to pinch his cheek again when she suddenly sensed from her awareness that Grandma Li and the others were headed toward the kitchen.

She quickly shoved Xi Junjie away and set the empty bowl aside. “I think they’re coming to eat.”

Xi Junjie, clueless, thought she was just being shy. He smiled and reached out to pull her back. “Turn around and let me see if your face is red.”

The kitchen door suddenly burst open. Xi Junjie’s hand froze mid-air. Faced with Grandma Li, her parents, and her brother and sister-in-law all staring at him, he calmly extended his arm. “Zhenzhen, pass me the chopsticks. I’ll take them to the table.”

Zhenzhen hurriedly grabbed a bunch of chopsticks—didn’t even count them—and stuffed them into Xi Junjie’s hand. She also fetched a stack of small bowls from the cabinet and went to distribute them at the dining table.

Ling Xiulan noticed the sweat beading on Xi Junjie’s nose and the flush on his ears—clearly, this boy had not just been reaching for chopsticks.

Since late autumn, the Li family had been eating in the kitchen. With the weather getting colder, the distance from the kitchen to the main house made carrying food back and forth a hassle. The dishes wouldn’t stay hot by the time they arrived.

Thankfully, the kitchen was big enough—built to the standards of an old prince’s residence, it could hold twenty or thirty people without issue. Zhenzhen had cleaned up the innermost area, set up a table and chairs, so the whole family could eat right in the kitchen during the winter. The sink had hot water too—much more convenient than hauling dishes back and forth.

Ling Xiulan took a sip of Wensi Tofu soup and smiled. “The last time I had this dish was during New Year’s. If not for Zhenzhen, I’d probably have to wait another month to taste it again.”

Zhenzhen smiled and glanced at Xi Junjie. “I bet he made this soup just to tempt me. Next time I want some, I’ll have to beg him.”

Xi Junjie ladled out another bowl of soup and placed it in front of her. “No need to beg. As long as you want to eat it, I’ll cook it anytime.”

Ling Xiulan choked a little on her steamed bun. Her son could really be over-the-top with the sweet talk.

After a sip of soup helped the bun go down, Ling Xiulan looked at Zhenzhen with a beaming smile. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you two, but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate.” Seeing everyone look over, she quickly continued, “I was thinking, with Junjie’s grandmother turning eighty, maybe Zhenzhen could come with us and meet Junjie’s cousins and extended family. What do you all think?”

According to Beicha custom, once a couple is engaged, it’s normal to start meeting relatives. Although Zhenzhen and Xi Junjie weren’t quite there yet, given their strong relationship, it was likely they’d get married after graduation anyway. And since it was such a joyous occasion, it wouldn’t hurt for them to meet a bit early.

It was too big a matter for Wang Xiufen to decide on her own, but Grandma Li didn’t hesitate long. She looked fondly at Zhenzhen and gently asked, “Zhenzhen, what do you think?”

Zhenzhen glanced at Xi Junjie and saw the quiet hope in his expression.

“Sure,” Zhenzhen replied, smiling at Ling Xiulan. “I’ll have to trouble you to look after me then, Auntie Ling.”

“Don’t say such formal things,” Ling Xiulan beamed. “You’re my future daughter-in-law—who else would I take care of if not you? Besides…” She gave Xi Junjie a meaningful glance. “If I don’t treat you well, Junjie won’t let it slide.”

Under the table, Xi Junjie took Zhenzhen’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll stick by your side the whole time. If you’re not comfortable, we’ll leave early.”

Zhenzhen’s smile bloomed like a flower. She gently squeezed his hand in return. “Okay!”

Under Zhenzhen’s careful tending, the peonies that had wilted from the cold gradually revived. In just seven days, the buds that had looked weak were vibrant again. The darkened ones had fallen off, and new ones had sprouted—seemingly even more than before.

With Ling Xiulan’s birthday gift now settled, Zhenzhen figured she ought to prepare one herself too. Luckily, she already knew the old woman’s tastes. She laid out a blank scroll she’d previously mounted and began working on a painting titled Turtle, Crane, and Peonies.

The piece wasn’t especially hard, but because it was for Xi Junjie’s elder, Zhenzhen poured her heart into it. She spent seven full days completing the painting. Just as she was admiring it on the wall, the families of Mingdong and Mingnan suddenly showed up, bustling and noisy.

Grandma Li and Wang Xiufen hurried out of the house to greet them. Grandma Li grabbed Tangbao and wouldn’t let go, while Wang Xiufen complained nonstop that Mingdong hadn’t sent a telegram ahead of time so someone could meet them at the station.

Zhenzhen had prepared her room as soon as the holidays began—bedding was ready, and it was fully furnished with a desk and wardrobe.

Mingnan’s two kids were still young, so they’d share the same room as last time. Shuijiao and Shaobing would sleep in one bed, the little brothers bouncing with joy.

Mingdong’s family was trickier. Roubao was only two years younger than Zhenzhen and now a grown boy, clearly preparing for next year’s college entrance exam—his heavy backpack said it all. Tangbao, being a girl, couldn’t exactly share a room with her parents and older brother. So Zhenzhen had her stay in her own room, Roubao got a room to himself, and Doubao stayed with Mingdong and his wife.

Roubao had grown up with Zhenzhen. Though he always called her “Little Auntie,” their bond was closer than siblings.

When he opened the door to his room, Roubao saw that not only had Zhenzhen set up a desk and lamp, but there was even a bookshelf lined with books.

He couldn’t help putting down his backpack and walking over. On the shelf were all the newest workbooks from the capital—every subject was covered, and if the cover differed, Zhenzhen had bought it. There were five full sets.

“Roubao, do you like this New Year gift?” Zhenzhen asked teasingly when she saw him flipping through a workbook.

“Little Auntie, can you stop calling me by my nickname? I’m not a kid anymore,” Roubao said, lifting his head with a helpless look.

“I was the one who gave you that nickname, remember?” Zhenzhen said as she sat in a nearby chair. “Now you’re saying you don’t like it? That’s not very nice, is it?”

Roubao looked even more helpless. “You were just a little kid back then and already obsessed with food. You named me Roubao…” He paused, then added, “Okay, I guess I’ve gotten used to it. At least it’s not Big Corn Grits or Cornmeal or something worse.”

“That won’t do. Your little aunt here has impeccable taste,” Zhenzhen said with a laugh as she looked at him. “If the name I come up with doesn’t sound nice, it’ll hurt my reputation in Beicha!”

“That’s true. People in Beicha still talk about your legendary deeds,” Roubao said as he put down his practice book and pulled a textbook out of his backpack.

Zhenzhen immediately perked up. She usually came and went in a hurry whenever she visited Beicha. Apart from spending a little time with Li Mingzhong, she never really went anywhere else, so she had no idea what the neighbors were saying about her.

Twisting her long hair around her fingers, she smiled dreamily. “Are they saying things like I’m peerlessly clever and breathtakingly beautiful?”

“Not quite,” Roubao said coolly. “But they do say you’re insanely brave and strong.”

Zhenzhen’s fingers froze. Somehow, that kind of compliment felt… off. Roubao’s face was about to crack from holding in his laughter. “They say you’re fearless and powerful—strong enough to lift a 400-pound wild boar with your bare hands. And that you’re so good in water that the moment you jump in, the fish get so scared they fling themselves onto the shore…”

Zhenzhen’s face turned green. “How quickly people forget! When I left Beicha, everyone was calling me the top scholar among women. It hasn’t even been that long, and now they’ve turned me into a female Li Kui? Who started this nonsense?”

“No idea who started it, but a lot of people who’ve never met you have come up with all kinds of new versions of you,” Roubao said, squinting with laughter. “Those of us who actually know you started questioning reality, wondering if our brains were playing tricks on us. Maybe you’re not actually as pretty as we remembered. With your ability to climb mountains and dive into rivers, being called the female Li Kui is honestly not far off.”

“You just can’t stop teasing, can you?” Zhenzhen flicked Roubao’s forehead with her slender finger. “Stop making up stuff about me just to cover for yourself. I’ll tell your little uncle and have him deal with you.”

This time, Roubao really did look shocked. “Wait—Auntie, how old are you? You’re already secretly married? That’s way too eager!”

Author’s Note:

I’ve always wondered—did I ever give Roubao a proper full name? I have this vague feeling I did… haha.

By the way, in Heilongjiang, the youngest aunt is usually called “Old Auntie,” but I figured that might sound odd to readers, so I changed it to “Little Auntie.”