Chapter 47 Yesterday's virgin, today's cold-faced maid.
Spring goes and autumn comes, the sun and moon revolve.
Another winter solstice has arrived. It has been a full year since Pei Yiyan found Xixi. Sometimes when he wakes up in the morning and sees the little one next to him, Pei Yiyan feels as if he has lived through another world.
Yesterday's virgin, today's painless father, cold-faced stay-at-home dad—Pei Yiyan lived like this for a year in a daze.
Hmm, overall it's not bad.
In the north, people eat dumplings on the winter solstice, while in the south they eat glutinous rice balls.
Pei Yiyan and Meng Zhiyao are both native southerners. Considering that glutinous rice balls are too sticky, they decided to eat dumplings instead.
The winter solstice happened to fall on a Friday.
Neither of them had ever made dumplings before, and they didn't plan to cram at the last minute. After Pei Yiyan picked up Xixi from kindergarten, the father and daughter went to the supermarket.
Pei Yiyan bent down and picked out two bags of frozen dumplings and a bag of custard buns. Xi Xi, who refused to sit in the shopping cart, slipped into the snack section and swaggered out carrying two buckets of instant noodles.
"Daddy, put it down." Xixi's little hands couldn't reach it, so she gestured to her father with her eyes.
"If you don't buy it, put it back. Instant noodles are too spicy and have no nutritional value."
Paomian was Su Peisheng, who served Pei Yiyan for many years.
It wasn't until Xixi appeared that he felt the responsibility of being a father, and thus he banished instant noodles to the cold palace.
"tasty!"
Even if it tastes good, I can't eat it.
“On this day last year, Dad took Xixi to eat instant noodles and wontons.”
The wontons were the first meal that Xixi and her father ate together after she came down from the mountain.
Pei Yiyan raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise. Her cold father's heart softened, and he relented: "Fine, we'll make an exception for today because it's a holiday."
He took the instant noodles from the child's arms and put them in the shopping cart. Xi Xi cheered and clapped her little hands, taking advantage of the situation:
"There are also blue, red, and yellow ones over there, Xixi, go get them!"
Then it sped away and disappeared in a flash, leaving no trace of its exhaust fumes.
When checking out, Pei Yiyan clutched his chest, his shopping cart overflowing with colorful instant noodle containers. Another trip to the supermarket had cost him several hundred yuan.
I secretly felt relieved for Xixi. Luckily, her father was a wealthy and ambitious second-generation rich kid, otherwise this little girl would be eating instant noodles until she was sick of them.
I don't know if it was because I didn't choose the right brand or the way I cooked them, but the dumplings came out of the pot hard and the filling was soft, bland and melted in my mouth. I ended up just eating the dumpling skin.
Pei Yiyan looked pale and sickly.
The family of three looked at each other.
Xi Xi's chubby face scrunched up like a little lady.
Meng Zhi put down her bowl, hesitated for a moment, and softly suggested, "How about we eat instant noodles? I see you bought several different flavors."
"Okay, let's have instant noodles!"
"Xixi loves noodles the most."
The mother and daughter, having reached an agreement, beamed with joy. Xi Xi was incredibly proud, all thanks to her foresight.
Pei Yiyan, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up: "I'll go cook."
Meng Zhi shook her head: "Then I'll help."
Pei Yiyan dumped the dumplings into the trash can, then took out four buckets of instant noodles. He had a bigger appetite than his mother and daughter, so he needed to eat two buckets to feel full.
He had four different flavors of instant noodles, but without batting an eye, he changed the pickled pepper flavor that the child had requested to mushroom and chicken soup flavor.
They all come in green packaging and are hard to distinguish without careful inspection. The main problem is that Xixi can't recognize all the characters, so you can rest assured that you're being fooled.
Eating instant noodles alone is too monotonous, so Pei Yiyan fried three poached eggs and three crispy grilled sausages in a pan. When they were done cooking, he sprinkled some chopped green onions on top of the soup, and the instant noodles immediately became more valuable.
This presentation would sell for at least fifteen yuan in a store.
The smell of instant noodles from the kitchen spread into the living room, and Xixi, who had smelled the aroma, couldn't wait to eat them.
Set out the bowls and chopsticks obediently, sit down and start eating.
"I'm going back to Pingshui after my exams next month. Is there anything I can bring with me?" Meng Zhi asked.
With winter vacation approaching, Pei Yiyan was still considering whether to go home for the New Year: "Not for now."
"Okay, let me know if you need anything."
The girl with her hair tied in a little bun looked to one side and asked, "Mommy, are you leaving?"
“Yes, winter vacation is coming soon, and Mom has to go home for the New Year.” Meng Zhi turned slightly to the side and replied gently, “I will be back after the New Year. Xi Xi can think about what New Year’s gift she wants.”
Children who have started school already know the concept of winter and summer vacations.
"No need for gifts, Mom will be fine when she comes back after the New Year."
After the little girl finished speaking, she flipped her palm over, revealing a tender green leaf. She then tugged at Meng Zhi's arm and shook it.
"Mom, please take Xixi's little leaf with you."
Meng Zhiyao was surprised.
The child spoke slowly and softly: "The leaves can be used to make tea for Grandma. If Grandma drinks it, her head won't feel so stuffy, and she can sleep well at night."
"Is your head crowded?"
Pei Yiyan translated: "She means that your mother tends to overthink, and drinking ginseng leaf water can help her think less and improve her sleep quality."
Meng Zhi shook her head, somewhat touched by the little girl's thoughtfulness.
The little girl had only witnessed her video call with Song Ling once, but she had silently memorized some of the details.
Because Meng Zhiyao refused to let Song Ling travel a long distance to accompany her to school, Song Ling was so worried that he couldn't eat or sleep well. He was filled with anxiety and fear that something might happen to his daughter who was alone away from home.
After six months of this, everyone was exhausted and looked haggard.
Meng Zhiyao planned to talk to Song Ling when she got home and give her some advice.
Meng Zhi shook her head with concern and frowned: "Xi Xi, you don't need to go to this extent. Mom and Grandma are adults. If they are sick, they can go to the hospital. Ye Zi and Xu Xu are your flesh and blood. You can't sacrifice your flesh and blood just because you feel a little uncomfortable."
It's true that being helpful is a noble virtue, but as a mother, she doesn't want to always be the one to sacrifice herself.
“Mommy, it doesn’t hurt.” The little girl held out ten short, white fingers. “It’s like when Daddy cuts Xixi’s nails.”
Pei Yiyan's expression shifted subtly for a moment, and the corners of his mouth turned down.
The first time he tried to trim Xixi's nails, the little girl cried and tried to hide. He thought her nails were like her hair, made of ginseng roots, so he didn't dare to do anything rash.
Some time later, Pei Yiyan accidentally learned the truth.
That's not ginseng rootlets at all. She just watched too many videos and wanted to learn how to grow long nails and do manicures, sticking on sparkly rhinestones.
The stoic dad choked on his words, grabbed his unlucky kid, and cut off his long fingernails, which made the kid so angry that he ate an extra bowl of rice at lunchtime.
The child's inner monologue at that moment:
Dad says I'm a money-devouring beast, so I'll eat more and make Dad poorer, hmph!
"I can testify." Seeing that the mother and daughter were at an impasse, Pei Yiyan stepped forward to vouch for them, "You should take her; she's tough and grows fast."
Meng Zhiyao was skeptical.
Xi Xi nodded enthusiastically in cooperation with her father, and Meng Zhi finally accepted it.
Don't let her sweet and considerate nature fool you; she's actually a little biased.
She could tell that Song Ling didn't like her and her father, so she couldn't bear to give him ginseng rootlets. But if it were Zhou Yi, she would immediately offer them to him with both hands.
Although ginseng leaves are not as potent as ginseng rootlets, they are still several levels stronger than ordinary medicinal herbs.
As soon as winter vacation started, Pei Yiyan received a call from Zhou Yi, urging the father and daughter to come home for the Chinese New Year.
"Xiao Yan, you haven't spent Chinese New Year with your mother in a long time. Since you're studying in Beijing, why don't we celebrate together this year?"
"good."
Zhou Yi, with half a sentence stuck in her throat:
"You...you promised to spend the New Year with Mom? You're not going back to Pingshui City?"
I'm not going back.
Pei Yiyan's straightforwardness made Zhou Yi, who was originally prepared to give a long and earnest speech to persuade him, jump for joy.
Then I realized what was going on; my eldest son was just exhausted.
He juggles teaching classes, taking care of his child, trading stocks to earn money for baby formula, and looking after his kitten in his spare time. How could he not be exhausted?
Zhou Yi felt sorry for him, but she never stopped smiling, which proved that her eldest son needed her and was willing to take the initiative to get closer to his mother again.
Zhou Yi was rubbing her hands together with great satisfaction, determined to personally prepare this year's New Year's Eve dinner and treat her eldest son well.
Pei Yiyan and Zhou Yi agreed to go back the next afternoon and sleep in the morning.
As girls grow older, they should avoid sleeping with their fathers. Pei Yiyan had researched online that girls should not sleep with their fathers after the age of five.
However, he felt that it should be decided based on the actual situation. Xixi's gender awareness has gradually deepened, so this matter should be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
The father and daughter slept until noon. Xi Xi whimpered and stayed curled up in the blankets, too lazy to move. Pei Yiyan had no choice but to get up and wash up first, and opened the door wearing an old man's shirt.
On a bright, sunny day, the light is exceptionally abundant, making it easy to see what's new or missing in the house.
The little black boy, who was hiding in the corner of the living room, suddenly jumped up, his green leaf hat fluttering up at one corner: "Good morning, Grandpa Tree Spirit!"
Pei Yiyan jolted awake, fully waking up: "What's wrong with you?"
Xiao Hei's white teeth gleamed brightly: "Oh, I've come to get something from Xi Xi."
"What is that?"
"Dream-cherry." Little Black peeked out, "Is Xixi awake?"
"You're awake. Wait a minute, where are your clothes?" Pei Yiyan blocked the doorway, preventing Xiao Hei from going anywhere, a suspicion rising in his mind, "Did your dad take them again?"
Xiao Hei scratched his head sheepishly and said, "My grandpa thought my dad's clothes were nice, so he said he'd borrow them for a couple of days. Then grandpa disappeared, and my dad took my clothes."
Pei Yiyan: "Is your grandfather called Lao Hei?"
Xiao Hei's eyes widened: "Yes, yes, Grandpa Tree Spirit, you've regained your memories!"
Sure enough, Pei Yiyan smiled.
Little Black, Big Black, Old Black—there's absolutely no need to rack your brains to guess them.
"There's a wholesale market nearby. I'll take you there later to buy a couple more outfits, as a New Year's gift for you."
Xiao Hei: "!"
The little monster switched to the eyes of someone admiring the top spot on the leaderboard, feeling shy and excited, with nothing to repay the favor: "Then, then I'll borrow the Dream-Cherishing Grass from Xixi for another two days. Thank you, Grandpa Tree Spirit, hehehe."
Then, as if afraid that Pei Yiyan would change his mind, he disappeared again in a flash.
Pei Yiyan was stunned for a moment, then began to wonder if he had been tricked by the little monster.
In the afternoon, Pei Yiyan was too lazy to cook lunch because she was rushing to the Chen family's house. She ordered two takeout meals, ate a few simple clothes, and then the father and daughter went out.
The Chen family always had a special room reserved for them, fully equipped with daily necessities, so they could stay comfortably whenever they came back.
Chen Yihuan had a weak spleen and stomach since childhood, and his appetite had always been poor. He was also quite picky about food. Strangely, after he had a fever during the summer vacation, it was as if his Ren and Du meridians had been opened, and his appetite had greatly improved.
In just six months, he went from a skinny little stick to a round and healthy chubby boy.
This finally fulfilled the wish of Grandpa and Grandma Chen to have a big, healthy grandson. The old folks are a bit superstitious and firmly believe that the father and daughter are bringing good fortune to their family.
Therefore, they always treated the father and daughter with the utmost enthusiasm whenever they visited.
Besides Chen Yihuan, there was another cousin in the house today, a year younger than Chen Yihuan, who is Zhou Yi's brother-in-law's child.
When Xixi came in, her little cousin had just had his pants pulled down because he was fighting with Chen Yihuan over a toy, and his bottom was cold in the wind.
Coincidences are called coincidences because they are unpredictable, unavoidable, and have a mystical quality.
The three children looked at each other. Xixi blinked, tilted her head slightly, and spoke in a clear, sweet voice:
"Hello, aren't you cold in the 'penis' area if you're not wearing underwear?"
Pei Yiyan covered the child's mouth, but it was too late; the child was already dead: "You can't say that!"
My little cousin blushed from head to toe, then whimpered and hid behind the adults, refusing to come out, biting his lip and digging his toes into the ground.
Xi Xi is exquisitely cute, and my little cousin had a strong liking for her at first sight. Who knew that this would be the opening line?
Nobody told him that a pretty girl would be coming.
Chen Yihuan laughed gleefully, rolling on the ground in amusement.
Yeah, I'll tell him to take his toys every time he comes over!
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