"You eat," Qin Xiangyang pushed the bowl towards his sister again, touching her little face and seeing that it had finally filled out, he sighed in relief, happy that their days were getting better.
"Brother, there’s still some left," Qin Xiangnuan scooped herself a small bowl, which was actually just the scrapings from the bottom of the pot.
"I like eating the scrapings from the bottom, they taste the best when slightly burnt."
Qin Xiangyang split a scallion pancake in half.
"Here, sister, let’s each have a half."
"Okay," Qin Xiangnuan smiled, her eyes curving, as she took half of the pancake. The siblings started eating, each with half a pancake and a small bowl of porridge.
Jian Zhiqing squinted his eyes slightly. Though young, he was tall and composed. He grew fond of these young siblings. Children from poor families mature early. Despite their age, they managed their small business competently and could prepare decent meals. He also hoped his mom would have a little sister, so he could take care of her just like Qin Xiangyang did.
After finishing the meal, Qin Xiangyang cleaned up the bowls, washing them with water, while at that moment, Li Qiuhua also woke up.
"Mom, you’re awake," Jian Zhiqing quickly stood up and helped Li Qiuhua to sit up.
"Yes, I really slept well," Li Qiuhua touched her belly, full and well-rested, truly feeling much better with no more dizziness or stomach ache.
"Are you okay?" Jian Ming hurriedly came over and supported Li Qiuhua, the pregnant woman, asking if she felt discomfort anywhere.
"Yeah, I’m fine," Li Qiuhua comforted by patting the back of her husband’s hand, "I’ve eaten and my stomach is comfortable. After a nap, I feel so much better."
That’s good, Jian Ming sighed in relief.
Qin Xiangyang took over washing the dishes, and Qin Xiangnuan made a few more scallion pancakes, then packed them in a paper bag.
She placed the paper bag in front of Jian Zhiqing.
Jian Zhiqing was so tall, Qin Xiangnuan had to look up until her neck grew sore, sighing, "When will this little dwarf grow taller."
"Young brother, these are scallion pancakes made by Nuannuan, for aunty, uncle, and the young brother. Our family’s pancakes are still delicious even when cold."
"Thank you," Jian Zhiqing did not refuse. He took the pancakes; they indeed needed it as there wouldn’t be much to eat on the train.
"You’re welcome," Qin Xiangnuan lifted her face and saw the boy in front of her. Although not fully grown and still very young, he already possessed an unusual aura. The youth had long, slender phoenix eyes, slightly upturned, clean and clear, though not too warm, but still like the breeze in March and the fine drizzle, nourishing everything silently, just like what she had read in books, that poem...
"A spring outing, apricot flowers blowing over the head. Whose is the young man stylish enough to take a stroll on this path, caught in the wind.
A winter outing, like water cloud snow falling on the head, whose is the young man stylish enough to take a stroll on this path, falling into the clouds, laughing endlessly.
Zong Zhi, the dashing beautiful youth, raises his drink as his clear eyes gaze to the blue sky, as bright as a jade tree facing the wind.
Jian Zhiqing slightly lifted the corner of his lips, then pulled out 100 yuan from his pocket.
"Little sister, how about I give this as payment for the meal?"
Qin Xiangnuan looked at the 100 yuan Jian Zhiqing held, she didn’t take it, instead tried to lift her face higher, "Young brother, we can’t make change for this."