Chapter 161 Winter by the Fireplace: There's a Kind of Coldness Called "Your Husband Thinks You're Cold"
In the Jiangnan region, winter is either fine if it doesn't snow, or when it does, the damp cold seeps into your bones.
Unlike the biting winds of northern China, the cold of Jiangnan is a kind of "magical attack"—a chill that comes with moisture and seeps into every crevice. No matter how thickly you wear clothes, that damp cold can still seep into your bones through your collar and cuffs.
Shenyuan Garden, Warm Pavilion.
Although the earthen floor was scorching hot, Jiang Mianmian still wrapped herself up like a ball. She was wearing a thick cotton coat, a fox fur coat, and two pairs of socks. She was huddled in the huge beanbag chair, with only her head sticking out.
Achoo!
Jiang Mianmian sneezed and sniffed.
[Dad's freezing to death...]
Is winter in Jiangnan on another level? It's even colder than Beijing!
[This cold air feels like it's coming straight from my bones! My chronic leg pain is about to flare up!]
[Calm down! Help! I'm freezing!]
Shen Jin was sitting by the window brewing tea when he heard her thoughts. He put down the teapot and walked over helplessly.
He was wearing only a thin quilted robe, and looked very elegant, showing no sign of cold.
"Is it cold?"
Shen Jin reached into her blanket and grasped her cold little feet.
"Hiss—! It's cold!"
Jiang Mianmian shrank back slightly, then, craving the warmth of his palm, she nestled her feet into his lap. "Are you a furnace? How come you're so warm?"
Chen Jin channeled her inner energy, and a warm current flowed from the soles of her feet into her entire body.
"Because my heart is warm."
He said in a serious tone, "Just looking at you makes me hot."
Jiang Mianmian blushed.
[Oh my, this old married couple is still using cheesy pickup lines?]
However... I actually found it quite useful.
"Since it's hot," Jiang Mianmian pressed her advantage, "could you... be my hand warmer? The fully automatic kind?"
Shen Jin chuckled, then simply sat on the soft couch and pulled her, blanket and all, into his arms.
"Okay. Fully automatic, constant temperature, and even... massage function."
His hands gently kneaded her waist, making Jiang Mianmian moan softly in pleasure.
"Calm and cautious."
"Um?"
"Isn't this kind of weather... lacking something?"
Jiang Mianmian looked at the snowflakes fluttering outside the window, her eyes becoming unfocused.
Shen Jin knows her too well.
"hot pot?"
"Bingo! You got it right!"
Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up. "On a day like this, we should gather around the stove and eat hot pot! We need spicy chili oil! And mutton! Plus some frozen tofu and glass noodles!"
There's nothing a hot pot meal can't solve! If it can't, then have two!
That steaming, spicy sensation... just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
"As you wish."
Shen Jin pinched her cheek. "Perfect timing. Tuantuan hunted a wild goat in the mountains yesterday. The meat should be pretty good."
...
Half an hour later.
In the center of the warm pavilion, a huge bronze hot pot was set up.
The charcoal fire glowed red-hot, and the pot contained Jiang Mianmian's secret recipe for a spicy and numbing broth made with beef tallow. Red chilies and Sichuan peppercorns floated on top, and the pot was bubbling away, its rich aroma instantly dispelling the chill in the room.
The table was covered with thinly sliced lamb, tender beef, fresh tripe, and various vegetables.
The family of four sat around the stove.
"start!"
At Jiang Mianmian's command, chopsticks flew everywhere.
"I want to eat meat! I want to eat meat!"
Fourteen-year-old Tuantuan was at the age of rapid growth and had an amazing appetite. He poured the entire plate of mutton into the pot and waited there with a slotted spoon.
"Chen An! Leave some for me!"
Jiang Guoguo tapped his hand with her chopsticks, "This meat isn't cooked yet! Do you want to get parasites?"
"It's alright, cousin... oh no, wife."
Tuantuan, with its thick skin and playful grin, said, "I have internal energy protecting me; insects can't bite me."
"childish."
Jiang Guoguo rolled her eyes, then elegantly picked up a piece of freshly cooked tripe and placed it into... Chen Jin's bowl.
"Uncle, this piece is too old, here you go."
Shen Jin: ...
That brat, she's still so unlovable.
Jiang Mianmian laughed so hard her stomach hurt.
[Hahaha! Shen Jin, even you have a day when you're disliked!]
"Come on, honey, don't cry. I'll get you a tender piece!"
She picked up a piece of the tenderest lamb leg, blew on it, and fed it to Chen Jin's mouth.
"ah--"
Shen Jin opened his mouth and ate it, giving Jiang Guoguo a defiant look.
See that?
This king has a wife who dotes on him.
The family ate with great enthusiasm, and fine beads of sweat appeared on their foreheads.
Outside the window, a biting wind howled and snow fell heavily. Inside, a small red clay stove glowed, and the aroma of wine and the warmth of meat filled the air.
Jiang Mianmian took a sip of the warm rice wine and felt as if she were floating on air.
This is what life is all about.
[A wife, kids, and a warm bed... oh wait, I mean, a husband and kids having a hot pot.]
I wouldn't trade this kind of life for a god!
"Calm and cautious."
Jiang Mianmian was slightly tipsy. Leaning against him, she pointed to the snow scene outside the window and said, "Do you think we'll be like this when we're old?"
"Eating hotpot every day, bickering every day, and...being together every day?"
Shen Jin put down his chopsticks and used a handkerchief to wipe the red oil from the corner of her mouth.
He looked into her eyes, which seemed especially gentle in the mist, and felt a sense of peace.
Yes, it will.
He stated definitively, "It's not just about getting old. In the next life, and the life after that, we'll be like this."
"Keep eating until... all your teeth fall out."
"screw you!"
Jiang Mianmian punched him lightly, "I won't lose my teeth! I'm going to use these teeth to eat my way through the Three Realms!"
"Very good, very good, let's eat our way through the Three Realms."
Shen Jin held her hand and placed it against his heart.
At this moment, Tuantuan and Guoguo are fighting fiercely over the last piece of frozen tofu.
"mine!"
"I'm your wife! Give in to me!"
"What's wrong, my wife? Everyone is equal before delicious food!"
Seeing this, Shen Jin and Jiang Mianmian smiled at each other.
This damn, noisy, yet incredibly warm atmosphere of everyday life.
This is probably the greatest treasure they've ever had.
It's late at night.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, covering the whole world in a silvery white.
Inside the warm pavilion of Shen Garden, the lights still burned, and laughter filled the air.
This winter isn't too cold.
Because of you, I have a home, and I have hot pot.
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