Chapter Sixty-Three: I Made You Papaya Stewed with Milk

“An’an!”
“Nian’nian!”
“An’an!!”
“Nian’nian!!”
“Peace and safety—what could be better?”
“Nian’s father, Nian’s father! Isn’t that full of feeling?”

Beside the stone table atop Twin Pearl Peak, Jiang Lin and Chen Jia slammed the table as they stood up, arguing fiercely. Seated between them, little Nian’nian’s head turned from side to side, her clear, watery eyes brimming with confusion, unable to understand why her Papa and Mama were quarreling.

“I don’t care! Our daughter’s name is going to be An’an!”

“Oh? You don’t care? Chen Jia, let me tell you! I, Jiang Lin, have three rules: I don’t hit the elderly, I don’t hit the weak, and I don’t hit women! Don’t make me break my rules… Ah!!”

Before Jiang Lin could finish, Chen Jia’s fist landed squarely, sending him flying.

“Chen Jia! You’re trying to murder your own husband!”

“Who’s your wife, you shameless rogue!”

Chen Jia’s cheeks flushed with both anger and embarrassment, yet Jiang Lin’s casual use of “your husband” brought a secret joy to the girl’s heart, as if a flower had blossomed. Though she knew Jiang Lin was only playing the role of her husband for little Nian’nian’s sake, the thought still made her happy.

But then she recalled how this man had teased so many other girls, and even eyed Wu Die. At that, Chen Jia’s large eyes widened, her fists clenched as she stepped forward, ready to give this scoundrel another beating.

“Mama, don’t hit Papa. Even though Papa often stares at Sister Fang Ruo’s neck, and whenever a pretty young lady in a long dress flies through the sky, Papa always looks up, Papa still likes Mama the most…”

Just as Chen Jia was about to land another punch, little Nian’nian wrapped her arms around her mother’s leg, shaking it gently, her adorable eyes filled with worry for both her parents and overflowing with innocence.

But…

Chen Jia’s expression only darkened further.

“Good girl, Nian’nian, Papa and Mama aren’t fighting.” Chen Jia squatted down, planting a kiss on Nian’nian’s cheek. “Why don’t you play outside for a bit? Papa and Mama have something to discuss in the room.”

“Are you sure? Is Mama really not angry with Papa?”

“Of course not. Mama loves Nian’nian and Papa the most.”

Chen Jia patted Nian’nian’s head with a smile, then helped Jiang Lin to his feet, her slender hand gently straightening his collar. “Husband, shall we go inside and talk?”

“The room? Actually, I prefer the great outdoors…”

“If you don’t go in, I’ll tell Mother you harassed me.”

Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, Chen Jia tiptoed close, whispering in Jiang Lin’s ear.

“All right, all right!” Jiang Lin wiped a cold sweat from his brow. “Ha! I, Jiang Lin, have never even learned how to write ‘afraid of wife’!”

With an air of bravado, Jiang Lin strode toward the room, and Chen Jia followed, hands clasped demurely before her.

Little Nian’nian blinked at the small thatched cottage, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Just as she turned to chase after a butterfly, a wail like a pig being butchered came from inside the cottage—

“Ah… Chen Jia! Do you think I really can’t beat you?”

“Hey, don’t sit on me…”

“Good grief, are you part cat? Don’t use your mouth…”

“Don’t bite my neck…”

Half an hour later…

Chen Jia emerged from the room, humming contentedly and clapping her hands in satisfaction, looking utterly refreshed. Jiang Lin followed, tugging his long robe up around his neck, but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t hide the bite marks there.

Jiang Lin made a decision! From now on, he would train diligently and, one day, turn the tables on her… Yes, and he’d even light a candle for the occasion!

Chen Jia, now in high spirits, seemed to have forgotten all about the argument over the child’s name, which Jiang Lin found odd.

At noon, Chen Jia insisted on cooking. To be honest, Jiang Lin was uneasy—after all, this girl was from a wealthy family. Could a pampered miss really cook?

Sure enough, as Jiang Lin was teaching little Nian’nian to sing the “Calabash Brothers” song, the smell of something burning wafted from the kitchen.

If he hadn’t rushed in and skillfully put out the fire with a handful of snow, the whole kitchen would probably have been lost.

In the end, Jiang Lin cooked lunch himself. After her failed attempt, Chen Jia sat like a little hamster, head lowered in guilt, her eyes full of self-reproach, and sneaking glances at Jiang Lin, clearly afraid he’d be angry.

As Jiang Lin ate, he couldn’t help but smile at her adorable, timid look. This little lady, usually so fierce and fearless—a prodigy in martial arts, always seeking out challenges—had just been biting him with abandon. Yet now she was like a scolded kitten, waiting to be punished by her master.

“All right.”

Jiang Lin put down his bowl, instinctively reaching to pat Chen Jia’s head, but halfway there, thought better of it—what if she hit him?

“It’s fine. Back at home, our kitchen often caught fire when Master was cooking. I’m used to it. It’s no big deal.”

“Really?” Chen Jia looked up at Jiang Lin with timid, apologetic eyes—so much so that he almost got a nosebleed. “Jiang Lin, you’re really not mad at me?”

“Of course not. Do I look like the kind of man who’d lose his temper over something so trivial?”

Honestly, even if he had been annoyed, what man could stay angry at such an endearing face?

That’s just how men are…

“Eat up. I made you papaya milk stew—it’s good for you.”

“Mm…” Chen Jia scooped up a spoonful of the milky soup, bits of papaya floating on top. The taste was odd, but sweet and rather nice.

“If you like it, have some more.” Jiang Lin smiled as Chen Jia’s eyes narrowed with delight. “Papaya milk stew is full of vitamins—and it helps to…”

“Vitamins? What are those? Helps with what?” Chen Jia blinked at him with childlike curiosity.

“It helps… supplement the nutrients you need…” Jiang Lin hurriedly explained. If he said the real reason, he’d end up with another round of punches.

Chen Jia rolled her eyes at him. She didn’t quite understand his strange talk, but that was nothing new—he’d always been like this as a child.

Thinking of their childhood, Chen Jia’s small heart grew angry again. It had only been a few years, and he’d already forgotten about her! What a pig!

She put down her chopsticks, pouting as she glared at Jiang Lin, but he was too busy enjoying his food to notice.

“Oh, what’s gotten into you now…”

Under the table, Jiang Lin yelped as Chen Jia stomped on his foot, kicking off her shoe and clutching her foot as he tried to soothe the pain.

“It’s nothing! Hmph!”

Chen Jia turned away and continued sipping her soup, but her eyes sneaked glances at Jiang Lin, and a soft smile played on her lips.

Silly man! One day, I’ll make you remember me!