Gao Jiaxing chuckled, "I’ll go heat some water for your bath and get some hot food ready for you to eat."
Gao Jiaxing said, "Stay still, sweetheart, I’m going to heat some water for your bath, and then we can eat."
As soon as Gao Jiaxing left, Xia Xiao, hearing his footsteps fading away, immediately slipped into another room.
Shitou said, "What are you doing?"
Soon after, Gao Jiaxing came in with breakfast, and Xia Xiao asked, "Is no one home?"
"No one’s home, they’ve all gone to work," Gao Jiaxing replied.
"My mom took her away," Gao Jiaxing answered.
"Have you eaten yet?" Xia Xiao asked Gao Jiaxing.
"Not yet," he said, "I’ll massage your legs first."
Xia Xiao watched Gao Jiaxing warily, but as he massaged her, it did feel quite comfortable. So, she peeled a sweet potato, took a bite, and peeled another one for Gao Jiaxing, stuffing it into his mouth.
Gao Jiaxing was delighted, eating without stopping, and said to Xia Xiao, "Xiaoxiao, you’re really good to me."
"If you don’t touch me today, I can be even nicer to you," Xia Xiao replied.
"Then, just being nice is fine, no need to be nicer."
As soon as Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao stuffed the sweet potato into his mouth, "Just eat, no more talking."
"Take your time eating, I’ll go check on the fire."
So, Gao Jiaxing went out to check the fire, quickly came back, and continued massaging Xia Xiao, while eating the sweet potatoes she fed him, finding life particularly amusing that day.
Soon, Xia Xiao was full and could walk normally. Gao Jiaxing had heated the water, and Xia Xiao finally went to bathe.
Seeing Gao Jiaxing grabbing clothes, Xia Xiao immediately warned, "I’m not bathing with you."
Gao Jiaxing burst into laughter, "Xiaoxiao, you’re overthinking it. I hadn’t thought about that yet, but your suggestion isn’t bad, we might try it sometime."
"Get lost," Xia Xiao wished she could kick Gao Jiaxing far away.
Gao Jiaxing watched her walk away with a chuckle, realizing he had indeed been too unrestrained, tiring and frightening Xia Xiao.
After she finished bathing, Gao Jiaxing also picked up some water to bathe, and soon emerged refreshed.
"It’s almost noon, I’ll make lunch," Xia Xiao said.
Gao Jiaxing shook his head, "No need, they took pots and rice to the hillside to clear land today. They’ll cook and eat there, and won’t be back until the afternoon."
Xia Xiao didn’t know what to say, feeling like it was intentional. She couldn’t possibly stay at home all day with Gao Jiaxing—it would lead to trouble.
"Let’s go get the photos," Gao Jiaxing, eager to see their pictures, suggested.
"Already?" Xia Xiao was sceptical.
"Yes, I made arrangements, we can pick them up today," Gao Jiaxing affirmed.
Xia Xiao’s face broke into a smile, also curious to see the photos, and she nodded, "Then let’s go."
"Or should I go alone? I can carry you back no problem, but going there, you’ll need to walk yourself," Gao Jiaxing said, glancing at Xia Xiao’s legs.
Xia Xiao’s face darkened instantly, and Gao Jiaxing quickly added, "I’ll go borrow the ox-cart from the team."
With that, Gao Jiaxing dashed off, leaving Xia Xiao snickering despite herself.
However, Gao Jiaxing returned empty-handed shortly after, "All the oxen are gone."
"Let the secret remain a secret forever."
Gao Jiaxing nodded, "Alright, we’ll go tomorrow." He could go alone, but couldn’t leave Xia Xiao at home alone, and it would be no fun entering the city without her company.
Immediately, Xia Xiao headed back inside the house. If they weren’t going to town, she might as well go back to her room and catch up on some sleep.
But before she reached the room, Gao Jiaxing swept her up in a princess carry, making Xia Xiao exclaim, "You scared me."