CHAPTER 522: CHAPTER 524: I AM TAKING MARRIAGE LEAVE

Under Xia Xiao’s gaze, Gao Jiaxing paused and said, "It’s not that I’m unwilling, if you want to go for a shoot, I’ll accompany you, but this is all about young people..."

"Then forget it." Xia Xiao felt somewhat disappointed inside but could also let it go; she didn’t blame Gao Jiaxing, just wished to take some artistic photos while she was still young.

Um, she kind of wanted to take photos in her wedding gown, in a formal dress, including a bridal shoot.

But since Gao Jiaxing was not very keen on the idea, Xia Xiao didn’t press the issue; after all, taking photos with a forced smile would be worse than not taking any at all.

That evening, as Xia Xiao was lost in thought, she remained silent throughout, Gao Jiaxing watched her mental absence all night and then said, "I’ve heated up some water, go have a wash."

Xia Xiao hummed a response, took some fresh clothes from the wardrobe, and headed to the bathroom, not even sparing Gao Jiaxing a glance.

Gao Jiaxing felt something was amiss, but without knowing what Xia Xiao was thinking, he just sat there waiting.

However, Xia Xiao’s bath took longer than usual; lying in the bathtub surrounded by warm water, she simply didn’t want to move.

Knock, knock, "Xiaoxiao," Gao Jiaxing’s voice called from outside.

The drowsy Xia Xiao replied with an "Oh," and asked, "What’s up?"

"You’ve been in there quite a while," Gao Jiaxing said.

From the outside, not hearing any response, Gao Jiaxing couldn’t help but enter.

Now it was cold outside, still snowing, but it was warm inside the house.

Early the next morning, when Xia Xiao woke up, she saw Gao Jiaxing propped up on his side, lying on the bed watching her with a smile full of ripples.

What Gao Jiaxing did not say was that he had sent the son and daughter out of the house, fearing Xia Xiao would not dare to step out and might throw a tantrum on waking up.

"Why didn’t you let them eat before leaving?" Xia Xiao said speechlessly.

"Eat what? If they can’t find a wife, I don’t even want them to come in the house," Gao Jiaxing said as he hugged Xia Xiao, nuzzling her and said, "You must be starving, just lie there, I’ll go heat up some food for you."

Soon after, Gao Jiaxing got up and left for the kitchen.

Xia Xiao came out of the bathroom after brushing her teeth and washing her face, left the bedroom, and indeed, aside from her, there was only Gao Jiaxing in the vast house. Not only were the children gone, but so were the guards and the maid.

"Where are Xiao Zhou and the maid?" Xia Xiao asked aloud.

"I gave them the day off; now it’s just the two of us in our little world," Gao Jiaxing brought the food to the dining room with the air of a domesticated husband cooking at home, completely unrecognizable as the devilish instructor from the Special Forces.

Having given the guards and the maid a week off, the children didn’t come back either; these days, Gao Jiaxing spent all his time snuggling with Xia Xiao, oh how sweet it was.

Xia Xiao said, "Don’t you have to go to the military base?"

"I’ve taken leave," he replied.

"For what reason?" To take so many days off.

"Marriage leave."

As soon as Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao burst out laughing inelegantly, "You still have marriage leave?"

"My son got married, and as his father, I’ve got lots to do, naturally I took marriage leave."

Gao Jiaxing stated it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and Xia Xiao couldn’t refute him.

"You’re going out again, and who knows how many days it will be before you return, don’t you want to spend some quality time with me?" Gao Jiaxing’s words carried a hint of jealousy.

Xia Xiao thought about it, realizing that indeed, she was about to leave with Shitou again, searching for the energy stone was a must.

On the sixth day, Feiling came home, father and daughter keeping their activities secret.

It wasn’t until Xia Xiao followed the father and daughter outside that she realized what they had been keeping from her, Feiling had actually arranged for a photographer to take wedding photos of her and Gao Jiaxing.

Xia Xiao looked at the beautiful wedding gowns, both Chinese and Western styles, her eyes moistening for a moment.