"I didn’t expect there to still be so many fish in this creek; I thought we had caught them all," Gao Jiaxing immediately told Xia Xiao that they used to come here to fish pretty often and that they had almost caught all the fish, leading to a period when no fish could be seen.
"Brother Gao, do you think someone might come here?" Although it was dark by this time, it was still possible for someone to come to the creek in the back hill.
In those times, people who often walked at night had very good eyesight, so Xia Xiao was still a bit worried. What if someone did come?
"Almost everyone in the production team went clearing the fields today. At this time in the back hill, there might be wild animals roaming, so people probably won’t come here."
As soon as Gao Jiaxing finished speaking, Xia Xiao said, "What if some of the elderly who didn’t go to clear the fields come by?"
Thinking about it this way, Xia Xiao felt somewhat relieved. Nonetheless, she still brought out Shitou and hung it on her body, asking Shitou to keep an eye on the surroundings. Even if wild animals approached, they would know immediately. It would still be dangerous with wild animals around now that it was dark.
After Gao Jiaxing finished cleaning the fish, he squatted by the fire that Xia Xiao had started to do the grilling. Xia Xiao said, "I’ll go pick some wild vegetables from the creek and cook them."
"What’s so tasty about wild vegetables?" Gao Jiaxing had no interest in cooking wild vegetables.
"Give it a try. It might turn out delicious. Just grilling a few fish, I won’t starve after eating one or two, but I’m afraid you might not be satisfied."
As she spoke, Xia Xiao also took a small paper packet out of her pocket, and Gao Jiaxing asked, "What’s that?"
"Seasoning," Xia Xiao said.
"You carry seasoning with you?" Gao Jiaxing was surprised.
Xia Xiao laughed, "Ever since that time we had a wild chicken barbecue in the mountains with the troops, I’ve gotten into the habit of carrying seasoning when I’m with you. See, now we can use it."
Gao Jiaxing laughed and took the seasoning packet from Xia Xiao, "You really are foresighted."
Xia Xiao then went to pick wild vegetables and also mixed in some from her space, washed them by the creek, and brought them back for Gao Jiaxing to grill.
Gao Jiaxing, who was grilling the skewered fish over the fire, also whittled some thin sticks to skewer the wild vegetables and grilled them alongside the fish.
"It tastes not bad," Gao Jiaxing tried a grilled vegetable and nodded, "It’s the first time I’ve thought wild vegetables could be grilled, and they’re edible too."
Xia Xiao smiled faintly. Having a grill would have been better, as the vegetables would taste better grilled on one, but even though they weren’t as good as they would be on a grill, they weren’t awful either.
"I’ll go pick a little more," Xia Xiao said, worried Gao Jiaxing might still be hungry. They probably wouldn’t have dinner when they returned home. Fortunately, she also grew wild vegetables in her space, and such vegetables were readily available; otherwise, a few fish wouldn’t be enough for her and Gao Jiaxing.
"Just pick some nearby, and don’t bother if there aren’t any. Don’t go far," Gao Jiaxing said. It was dark already, and he didn’t want Xia Xiao out of his sight.
"I’ll just pick them here; there’s plenty," Xia Xiao smiled, picked a handful of wild vegetables from the creek, and also mixed some from her space. There was no shortage now.
"The grilling is done; try it and see if it’s good. It’s not too hot now," Gao Jiaxing handed a grilled fish over to Xia Xiao.
After tasting it, Xia Xiao nodded, "Delicious, Brother Gao, you eat too."
"You eat first; I’ll eat after I finish grilling," Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao felt a bit embarrassed eating alone and offered, "Then let me feed you."
At that suggestion, Gao Jiaxing nodded, very willing.
So Xia Xiao ate while also feeding Gao Jiaxing, both chatting and laughing, enjoying themselves.
"Brother Gao, have some water," Xia Xiao said.
"Didn’t you pour the water out?" Gao Jiaxing said.
"I poured out a bit, but I thought drinking the cool boiled water with some creek water would be better, so I didn’t pour it all out." Xia Xiao handed the water bottle to Gao Jiaxing.
"I want my wife to feed me," Gao Jiaxing said.
Xia Xiao laughed and held the water bottle to give him a drink.
After Gao Jiaxing finished drinking water and clapped his hands, he stretched out his arm and hugged Xia Xiao close, "Wife, are you cold?"
"Not very cold," Xia Xiao shook her head.
"Let’s go back, Brother Gao," she then said.
Gao Jiaxing, now full and with his cherished wife in his arms, started to get restless.
Even if Shitou wasn’t human, Xia Xiao wouldn’t let it witness what they did.
Only when Shitou was no longer heard did Xia Xiao feel satisfied and stopped resisting Gao Jiaxing.
Back at home, there were too many concerns, and she was always afraid of not being able to control and letting her voice be heard by others, so she couldn’t let go. She didn’t have Gao Jiaxing’s thick skin.
"Wife, I really want to swallow you whole."