CHAPTER 323: CHAPTER 325

"What are you daydreaming about? Your little head is always filled with wild thoughts. We’re living our days now, and yet you’re already thinking about the future," Gao Jiaxing gently tapped Xia Xiao’s head.

"Ouch," Xia Xiao exclaimed, "that hurts."

"It’s good that it hurts, so next time I’ll pat even harder to stop you from having such wild thoughts," Gao Jiaxing said.

Xia Xiao pouted but didn’t say anything. She really didn’t want to find out in middle age that her feelings had changed. But considering she had the security provided by the space, she wasn’t afraid even if it did happen.

What she had just mentioned was about Xia Jing. Now, with Yan Hao’s deep affection and moving behavior, Xia Jing’s love for Yan Hao was not less than his for her. If Yan Hao changed his heart in the future, it would be a great blow to Xia Jing.

However, Xia Xiao also felt that she was indeed overthinking. To anticipate the future in such a way was being overly cautious, and she did deserve a smack for that.

So, with a smack, Xia Xiao also gave her head a tap as a punishment for letting her thoughts run wild.

This time, Gao Jiaxing was displeased. "Are you silly? How can you hit yourself? Doesn’t it hurt?"

"It hurts," Xia Xiao giggled.

"If it hurts, why hit yourself?" Gao Jiaxing reached out to rub Xia Xiao’s head.

Xia Xiao quickly dodged and said, "Brother Gao, we are outdoors. It’d be troublesome if someone saw us."

Gao Jiaxing withdrew his hand and said, "Don’t hit yourself in the future. You may not care, but I do. This beautiful little head, what if you really did damage it?"

Seeing Gao Jiaxing looking so distressed, the corner of Xia Xiao’s mouth twitched. "I would never bear to hurt myself that badly."

"Then don’t hit at all. You can hit me. My flesh is tougher," Gao Jiaxing said.

Xia Xiao shook her head after looking at Gao Jiaxing, "No, hitting you would hurt my hand as well."

"If I let you hit me, you definitely won’t hurt your hand. If I don’t let you hit me, you’ll hurt your hand if you do," Gao Jiaxing said.

Xia Xiao then sneakily said something mushy, "I couldn’t bear to hit Brother Gao either. When I hit you, the pain is in my heart."

As soon as these words came out, Gao Jiaxing was overjoyed. Sweet nothings are loved by all, not just women, but men as well. At that moment, Gao Jiaxing’s heart blossomed with happiness. However, he still said, "That’s exactly what I wanted to say. You stole my words. Isn’t it just like the pain being in my heart when I hit you?"

The two of them chatted back and forth, and before they knew it, time flew by, and they finally arrived at Grandma’s house.

Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia’s faces beamed with joy when they saw Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing, "Oh, your mum told us you’d be back for the New Year. We’ve been looking forward to it, and now you’ve finally made it."

"Grandpa, Grandma," Gao Jiaxing and Xia Xiao greeted.

Old Man Xia said, "Your grandma has boiled a pot of water, waiting for you to come back and wash up. We’ve also prepared the vegetables waiting for you to come back and cook."

Mrs. Xia said, "It’s your grandpa, counting down the time for your return. He said he’ll cook for you."

Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing had already eaten at home, but upon arriving at their grandparents’ place, seeing the elders’ thoughtfulness, they didn’t refuse.

Xia Xiao went to take a bath first. Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia headed into the kitchen, with Gao Jiaxing helping out too. No one knew how he managed it, but in the end, it turned into Mrs. Xia watching while Gao Jiaxing and Old Man Xia cooked together.

When Xia Xiao finished her bath, she saw the harmonious scene in the kitchen and couldn’t help but smile.

"Brother Gao, it’s your turn. Hurry up and wash, we’ll eat shortly," Xia Xiao said.

Gao Jiaxing nodded, grabbed his clothes, and went to take a bath. Xia Xiao stayed in the kitchen to chat with Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia.

"How’s Xiao Jing doing? I heard Yan Hao went to find her?" Mrs. Xia asked.

"She’s fine. Xiao Jing is with me. Grandpa and Grandma, don’t worry. There’re no problems. As for Yan Hao, he’s continuing to court Xiao Jing. He’s had his household registration moved to the production team and is staying in the male educated youth dormitory. Everything is fine."

Old Man Xia and Mrs. Xia nodded. Old Man Xia said, "Xiao Jing and Yan Hao are still young. It’s better to date for a year or two before getting married. They’ve just arrived there, and getting married without getting used to everything, relying solely on you as her sister, is not acceptable."

Mrs. Xia also said, "Yes, getting married is simple now, just registering. But living together as a married couple is not so easy. It’s different from when you’re just dating. Daily life consists of trivial matters, the details of household management."

Xia Xiao nodded, also in agreement.

Then Old Man Xia secretly asked Xia Xiao, "How is Jiaxing treating you? Is he good to you?"

Xia Xiao smiled and nodded, "Brother Gao is very nice. We’re doing well."

"That’s good to hear." The elders also sighed in relief. Now, they didn’t ask for much, just wishing their children and grandchildren to live safe, healthy, and smooth lives.

Once Gao Jiaxing finished his bath, he and Xia Xiao joined the elders for a meal. At that moment, Xia Xiao was glad she had come early. It was obvious that the elders hadn’t eaten as they had been waiting for them.

Xia Xiao felt deeply moved. "Grandpa, the fish you made is delicious, really fragrant."

Old Man Xia said, "This is my specialty, but you’re not bad at cooking either." As he said this, Old Man Xia gave Xia Xiao a big thumbs up. Among all the granddaughters, Xia Xiao’s cooking earned the most approval from Old Man Xia.

"Jiaxing, eat up," Mrs. Xia kept urging Gao Jiaxing to eat more.

"Grandma, you’re too kind. Here, have some fish," Gao Jiaxing also served Mrs. Xia some dishes.

Xia Xiao could tell the elders were very lonely. Now, in the old Xia house, none of the sons were concerned enough to stay for long periods, just occasionally coming back to check but not living there to keep the elders company.

Everyone had their own work and affairs, and they certainly couldn’t rush here every day.

As for Xia Weiguo, he had the time, but with a family of his own, he couldn’t stay here day after day either.

"Grandma, when is Brother Yuanchao getting married?" Xia Xiao asked.

Mrs. Xia smiled and replied, "It’s tomorrow, the sixth day of the lunar month. You’ve just made it."

"Where is the sister-in-law from?" Xia Xiao was very curious about this mysterious sister-in-law.

Mrs. Xia said, "Your sister-in-law comes from quite a background. It’s said that they started dating back in military school, for several years, and nobody knew."

Xia Xiao chuckled. She hadn’t expected Liu Yuanchao to have a secret romance. She was burning with curiosity, wondering who pursued whom.