Chapter 19: A sense of déjà vu about a family of three.

Jiang Ning took out a handkerchief from her body and took Huo Zhiqi's hand to wipe his palms and the backs of his hands clean. "This way they won't be dirty anymore."

After wiping his hands clean, the child was indeed less resistant.

As Jiang Ning led Huo Zhiqi into the courtyard, they happened to run into Shen Mo, who was returning home.

"Zhiqi." Shen Mo was somewhat surprised to see the little guy being led by Jiang Ning.

"Uncle Shen," Huo Zhiqi greeted politely.

"What are you doing here?" Shen Mo frowned and asked, noticing that he was covered in dirt and had a hole in his pants. "What happened?"

Jiang Ning explained, "A few kids were bullying him just now, so I brought him back."

Shen Mo frowned and asked, "Who bullied you?"

Huo Zhiqi lowered his head, looking as if he was avoiding answering.

Shen Mo wanted to ask more questions.

Jiang Ning spoke up at the right moment, "Alright, the child has his own thoughts. If he doesn't want to talk about it, that's fine. Let's eat."

Jiang Ning first took Huo Zhiqi to wash up before they ate in the main room.

As soon as Huo Zhiqi entered the house, he smelled the aroma of meat, and his misty eyes lit up.

At the age when he was growing and developing, Huo Zhiqi could only eat two meals a day and he was still not full. All the meat was eaten by Wang Xiaotian and Wang Xiaodi, so he didn't get any.

His happiest days were the few days when Sister Jiang taught him English. He never had to go hungry at noon and could even eat meat.

But when he found out that Sister Jiang was Uncle Shen's wife, he didn't dare to go.

Sister Jiang and Uncle Shen also have their own lives to live. He, as someone else's child, shouldn't disturb their lives.

While Jiang Ning went to get a bowl to serve rice, Shen Mo picked up a piece of meat and put it in Huo Zhiqi's bowl.

Huo Zhiqi stared blankly at the large piece of meat in the bowl; it was the first time he had ever seen such a large piece of meat.

Aunt Wang's family often has meat to eat, but each time it's mostly vegetables with very little meat, and the meat is a very small piece, at most only one-fifth the size of the piece of meat in the bowl in front of them.

Why aren't you eating?

Seeing that he was staring blankly at the bowl without eating, Shen Mo asked him a question.

Huo Zhiqi was actually quite hesitant to eat meat, as Aunt Wang rarely gave him any at her house.

They always gave the meat to Wang Xiaotian and Wang Xiaodi first, and only gave him a piece of fatty meat when they were in a good mood.

Jiang Ning carried a bowl of freshly cooked rice into the house and saw the little guy looking at her with his big eyes.

?

Why are you looking at her?

Jiang Ning placed a bowl of rice on the table, then reached out and picked up the bowl in front of Huo Zhiqi.

Huo Zhiqi saw her take away the bowl with a large piece of meat in front of him, and a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

He had just lowered his head when a steaming bowl of perfectly cooked rice was placed in front of him.

Huo Zhiqi stared blankly at the steaming rice in front of him.

Jiang Ning was worried that he wouldn't have enough to eat, so she pressed down on the rice while serving it.

"Why aren't you eating? Eat up, there's more if you're not full." Seeing him staring blankly at the bowl, Jiang Ning urged him and put two more large pieces of meat into his overflowing bowl.

Huo Zhiqi then picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.

The meat was steamed until it was tender and melted in his mouth. Huo Zhiqi's eyes lit up, and he ate heartily.

While Shen Mo was picking up the meat, he had already scooped a bowl of rice for Jiang Ning with a rice spoon, and Jiang Ning obediently picked up the bowl and ate.

Shen Mo picked up a slice of meat and put it in Jiang Ning's bowl before starting to eat.

The aroma of freshly cooked braised pork belly is enough to whet your appetite, and now that you've tasted it, it's so delicious you'll want to swallow your tongue.

Meat is used to accompany rice, while vegetable soup is used to cut through the greasiness.

All three of them were satisfied after the meal.

Jiang Ning doesn't have a big appetite, but she ate a bit more of the braised pork she made herself because it was delicious.

Shen Mo has a huge appetite, eating bowl after bowl. Others are only amazed by his enormous appetite and even worry whether they can afford to feed him.

But Jiang Ning knew that due to their years of military training, their physiques were what they were, and they couldn't afford to eat less.

Zhiqi ate very quickly, but Jiang Ning soon noticed that the child only shoveled the white rice in his bowl and did not take any food with him.

Children fostered by other people's families are often more sensitive, so Jiang Ning didn't expose his sensitivity. When she saw that there was no food in his bowl, she would put some food on it for him.

Shen Mo was enjoying his meal when he suddenly felt the meat in his bowl wasn't as delicious anymore, seeing his wife constantly putting food on Zhiqi's plate.

Looking at the empty plates on the table, Jiang Ning felt a sense of satisfaction welling up inside her.

When the food she cooks is completely devoured, that's the greatest recognition of her culinary skills.

After finishing their meal, Huo Zhiqi, that little guy, took the initiative to help Shen Mo clear the dishes.

Shen Mo didn't stop him; boys should be taught to do housework from a young age.

Jiang Ning wasn't idle either. She walked around the yard to digest her food, glancing at the kitchen every now and then. The two figures, one big and one small, in the kitchen gave Jiang Ning a strange feeling.

Life is full of ups and downs, but in the end, it all comes down to the mundane necessities of life: firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea.

She has a husband and a well-behaved child.

It gives off a feeling of a family of three.

The high-hanging sun shone into the courtyard, dappling the ground through the big tree, dispelling her thoughts. Jiang Ning took a deep breath of fresh air.

The air quality of this era is incomparable to the polluted air of today, which explains why people in this era live longer.

While Jiang Ning was feeling bored, she noticed that the weeds on the newly cleared wasteland had not yet been cleared. She picked up a winnowing basket and was about to scoop the weeds back in.

Just as he was about to clear away the weeds, his hands were empty.

The winnowing basket in my hand was taken away.

Shen Mo looked at her and said, "Don't do these dirty chores while I'm at home."

Shen Mo originally intended to dispose of the grass himself, but seeing Zhiqi standing helplessly to the side, he said, "Zhiqi, come over and put the grass here, then take it to the backyard."

“No need, it’s not like I can’t do it, he’s just a child…” Jiang Ning was interrupted by Zhi Qi’s excited words before she could finish.

"Coming!" Zhiqi quickly jogged over, as if afraid that Jiang Ning would steal his job.

Jiang Ning's words caught in her throat.

Okay, then she's happy to have an easy time.

Then Jiang Ning went to the swing and swung around for a while.

The task of weeding was handed over to the little guy Zhiqi, while Shen Mo went out of the yard and soon returned carrying a bag of things.

When he emptied the bag, Jiang Ning realized it was cement.

Shen Mo quickly mixed the cement, then took off his coat and began applying it to the pool.

She can pull weeds, but she really can't do this.

When Shen Mo was working, he was efficient and serious, and Jiang Ning's gaze unconsciously fell on him as she looked him over.

The man took off his coat, revealing a military green vest underneath, and soon his chest was soaked with sweat.

The vest clung to his skin, subtly outlining the curves of his pectoral muscles. His muscle lines were so smooth, as if sculpted, each one exuding masculine charm.

His arms and shoulders moved with his movements, revealing firm, visible muscles.

Jiang Ning unconsciously swallowed, recalling the erotic scene she had witnessed that morning.