For Now

If they knew what the other party was thinking, it would definitely be embarrassing for the both of them.

This was really a beautiful misunderstanding.

Jiang Danhe was standing beside Xiaoguo. In front of her was Ruyi, and diagonally behind her were Shu Botong and Qin Anming.

Shu Botong was hiding behind Qin Anming and looking at Ruyi. From Jiang Danhe’s position, it looked like Shu Botong was looking at Xiaoguo.

Therefore, this was really an unnecessary bout of jealousy on Jiang Danhe’s part. Fortunately, Xiaoguo had Jiang Danhe in her grasp and knew how to coax him. Otherwise, when they were making supper later, Jiang Danhe would definitely teach the man a lesson.

The little episode passed quickly. When the group returned to the noodle shop, it was already late, and their stomachs were all growling.

“Hurry up and make dinner. There’s all kinds of ingredients in the kitchen. You can make whatever you want. I’m starving…”

Ruyi didn’t want to select the menu anymore. If someone were to serve her an empty plate now, she would probably gobble it up. It didn’t matter what dishes were served, as long as there was something to eat.

Seeing her like this, Shu Botong snorted and thought to himself, “She can’t even sit down properly in her seat.”

After complaining in his heart, he followed Qin Anming into the kitchen.

Jiang Danhe also followed behind them. Only Uncle Xu lifted his robe and was preparing to sit down.

“Hey, Uncle Xu, what are you doing?”

Ruyi leaned over the table and saw that Uncle Xu was about to sit down, so she asked.

“Waiting for…”

“Don’t tell me you’re waiting for dinner?!”

Ruyi looked up with an incredulous look on her face.

“Yes…”

“How is that possible!” Ling Long and Fu’er retorted at the same time. “How can Uncle Xu go back on his word after losing the game?”

“I think so too.” Ruyi nodded. “Uncle Xu is not that kind of person.”

“By the way, Uncle Xu, what were you going to say just now?”

Only then did Ruyi remember that the other party seemed to have something to say.

“… Nothing much. I’m going to the kitchen.”

Before Uncle Xu could sit down, he was rushed to the kitchen by the few of them.

Although he did think of waiting for dinner, he couldn’t be that kind of person! Since the team had lost, he must keep his word and acknowledge defeat.

He had lived an honest life for decades, so he couldn’t be stumped by a small task like making supper. If he couldn’t cook, he could start a fire. He hoped that the young people in the kitchen wouldn’t take pity on him because of his age and stop him from doing any work.

Xiaoguo had been walking all day and her legs were almost cramping. She was feeling extremely comfortable sitting on the stool.

In the hall, a group of women were sitting and relaxing in their seats. At the same time, the kitchen was bustling with activity.

Jiang Danhe had picked up his cooking skills from Xiaoguo. Qin Anming’s cooking was barely edible. Shu Botong only knew how to eat, and Uncle Xu knew how to start a fire.

Since they were all equally inexperienced in the kitchen, it was obvious who would take on the role as the head chef.

Jiang Danhe put on an apron and took charge of the cooking. Qin Anming was in charge of cutting the vegetables. This was Shu Botong’s first time in the kitchen. Unable to handle any important tasks, he could only help out on the side, and Uncle Xu couldn’t escape from the fate of doing work either.

Since he knew how to start a fire, he would start one.

Uncle Xu seemed agreeable with the chores on the surface, in actual fact, he was secretly wiping away his tears. “These youngsters are not so sensible after all…”

Soon, the fragrance of food started wafting out from the kitchen. The people in the hall did not sit back and do nothing. Before the food was served, they were busy cleaning up the tables and joining them up.

Then, they opened the windows to reveal the bright moon hanging high in the sky. In a while, they will admire the moon while enjoying their supper.

However, there was a small interlude before this.

“Xiaoguo, should I put vinegar in this stir-fry dish?”

“Xiaoguo, what can I do if I have put too much salt in the vegetables?”

“Xiaoguo, what do I do if all the tofu is mashed in the Mapo dish?”

“Xiaoguo, what should I do if the rice porridge turns into rice?”

“Xiaoguo, do I need to blanch the pork ribs?”

“Xiaoguo, do we add garlic to the loofah?”

Xiaoguo… Xiaoguo… Xiaoguo…

Xiaoguo expressed that she didn’t want to hear the word ‘Xiaoguo’ again. Her head was hurting so much.

Although the cooking process was a little chaotic, the outcome was satisfactory.

The food tasted pretty good, and the table was filled with dishes—some were stewed, some boiled, some stir-fried, and some were made into salads. Everyone ate to their fill.

No one cleaned up the tables because they were too tired to do so. Having had a full supper, everyone was feeling drowsy.

Ruyi had already prepared rooms for everyone. After dinner, the group washed up and went straight to bed.

—-

Time flies. Shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival, it was time for Jiang Danhe to leave. He had originally planned to stay a few more days, but he had already received several letters urging him to return to the capital. Unable to put it off any longer, he packed up and prepared to leave.

Looking at the woman packing his bag, Jiang Danhe was filled with reluctance. He repeated what he had said many times.

“Xiaoguo, come with me to the capital.”

As he spoke, he leaned towards her aggrievedly, trying to persuade her.

Xiaoguo stopped folding the clothes for a second before calmly pushing away his handsome face.

“I can’t, for now. There are still a lot of things here that need preparation. I can’t leave.”

Jiang Danhe’s eyes lit up. “For now? Does that mean that you will go back with me in the future?”

Xiaoguo blushed in embarrassment. She pretended not to hear him and continued to pack the clothes.

“For now? For now?”

Jiang Danhe leaned in front of her persistently.

“Get up. You’re blocking the light.”

Feeling embarrassed, Xiaoguo pushed the man away and spoke with her back facing him.

“For now? For now? Yes?”

Jiang Danhe kept sticking against her and touching her as he spoke.

With difficulty, Xiaoguo avoided his ticklish hands. In the end, she was dragged onto the bed by him.

“Stop fooling around. Zhuang Zhuang will come in soon.”

Even though Xiaoguo had told him to stop, Jiang Danhe still held her down and insisted that she elaborate on the meaning of what she had said earlier..

“For now means for now.”

Xiaoguo had no choice. After struggling for a long time, she still couldn’t break free from his grip.

She could only look at him breathlessly and say, “After everything has stabilized here, I can go to the capital and stay there for a while.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Danhe couldn’t help but give her a peck on the cheek.

Xiaoguo covered her face in disbelief. “What are you doing?”

“I’m feeling happy.” Jiang Danhe looked straight into Xiaoguo’s eyes. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Zhuang Zhuang’s running footsteps outside the door.

Jiang Danhe had no choice but to let go of her.

The two of them had just sat down when Zhuang Zhuang pushed the door open and entered.

“Mother?”

“Yes,” Xiaoguo replied guiltily.

“What’s wrong with your face? Why is it so red?”

Zhuang Zhuang ran curiously between the two of them and sat down. He took one look at his mother before turning to look at his father. He looked very cute and adorable.

Xiaoguo didn’t know what to say. She could only look at Jiang Danhe strangely.

Before she could speak, Zhuang Zhuang exclaimed in surprise. “Father’s face is red too!”

Now, both Xiaoguo and Jiang Danhe were feeling embarrassed. They both avoided looking at each other, while Zhuang Zhuang was seated between them, shaking his head and making wild guesses.

With Zhuang Zhuang around, even if Jiang Danhe wanted to say something heartwarming to Xiaoguo, he couldn’t. In the meantime, he could only wait for Zhuang Zhuang to fall asleep while he held onto his wife’s hand and grieved quietly.

He really wanted to put Xiaoguo in his pocket and bring her to the capital, and never be apart.

Of course, it was just a thought. There was no way he could do that. After all, his wife was always focused on making money, putting her handsome husband in second place.

Looking at the fair face in front of him, Jiang Danhe’s heart was itching. Just as he was about to take action, Zhuang Zhuang, who was sleeping in the middle, suddenly slapped him on the face, waking him up completely.

Jiang Danhe looked sadly at the little man, who was drooling because he was sound asleep. No matter how helpless he felt, he started to calm down.

All his emotions turned into a smile as he kissed the boy’s little rosy face.

“Go to sleep, my precious baby.”