Chapter 10

On the first day of moving, Xiao Jun bought two jin of lamb meat from the market and brought it back.

Ding Sha had been eating plain food these past few days. She was craving spicy food and would talk in her sleep at night.

So Xiao Jun agreed to make lamb for her to eat.

With two jin of meat, one jin would be braised in sauce and the other jin would be used to make lamb hot pot, so they could also drink the soup - killing two birds with one stone.

He soaked and washed the lamb with warm water until it was clean. Ding Sha couldn't stand the smell now and would always dry heave, so Xiao Jun washed it several more times.

He cut potatoes and carrots into pieces to the side to use later. He also sliced half an onion while he was at it.

He blanched the lamb in cold water with scallion, ginger, peppercorn, cooking wine to get rid of the gamey taste, then directly fished it out into a wok that had been fried with sliced scallions and garlic. The oil spewed everywhere with a crackling sound when the lamb met with the hot oil.

The aroma of the lamb and hot oil also spewed everywhere.

He added broad bean paste, hot pot soup base and some spices, stirred for a bit, then seasoned with soy sauce.

At this time, the little kitchen was already filled with this overpowering aroma. Ding Sha who was sitting in a recliner in the yard was getting a little restless.

Xiao Jun only poured a bowl of hot water, then opened a can of beer and poured it in. He boiled it vigorously over high heat, then transferred it to a sandpot to continue stewing over low-medium heat.

He went out and saw Ding Sha looking longingly over here, and couldn't help laughing a little.

There was still some lingering summer heat in the late summer weather. Xiao Jun took off his shirt, revealing his lean waist. Although lean, he still had muscles.

Especially the six pack abs on his stomach, and the obvious Adonis belt that extended into his pants, leaving much to the imagination.

Ding Sha stared blankly at him, dazed for quite a while before she could snap out of it.

The one who had intimate experiences with Xiao Jun was the previous Ding Sha. She hadn't seen such an impactful scene before, and suddenly became red faced.

Xiao Jun naturally noticed. The corner of his mouth hooked up in a wicked grin, and he deliberately walked up to Ding Sha bare-chested.

Ding Sha's eyes were still glued to his abs as he approached, unable to look away. Xiao Jun deliberately lowered his voice to coax her, "Come here Sha Sha, stretch out your hand..."

"Want to feel them?"

"The texture is really good..."

Hearing his voice, Ding Sha was led by him as if possessed to place her hand on his abs.

The firm, warm sensation felt a little strange but also made her unable to bear letting go. Until she subconsciously felt them two more times before realizing what she was doing. Ding Sha quickly retracted her hand as if electrocuted, and somewhat uncomfortably stood up, "I should go take my folic acid..."

Then hurriedly fled.

Xiao Jun watched her hurried back and red ears, and couldn't help laughing out loud as he stood in place.

At lunch, Ding Sha kept her head lowered and ate. After Xiao Jun put two pieces of potato in for her, he saw that she still didn't lift her head, and became a little worried.

Looks like I teased too much...

What to do?

After seriously pondering for a bit, Xiao Jun deliberately brought up a topic, "The renovations are almost done. I'll go to the Administration for Industry and Commerce tomorrow. While waiting for the business license, why don't you think about what would sell well?"

Hearing him bring up proper matters, Ding Sha finally breathed a sigh of relief. She also lifted her head, "I've thought about it. Since it's called a snack bar, why not start with snacks?

"We're near a college town, with many students nearby, and some middle school students have to walk past our shop entrance. I was thinking, why not sell buns."

"Cook a pot of tea eggs, make buns with meat and veggie fillings, then also cook a pot of porridge, put some side dishes on the table for self service."

"That way it won't be too tiring but there will still be business. There can also be stir fries for those with special needs during lunch and dinner. What do you think?"

After Ding Sha finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Jun somewhat nervously.

Xiao Jun took a bite of lamb, "Sounds good."

Only then did Ding Sha happily continue eating.

The lamb was soft, flavored, and bright red. Eating it was hot and aromatic, warming from the throat to the stomach.

Even the potatoes and carrots were infused with the soup and meat flavors. Ding Sha ate with great relish.

In the end, she ate two whole bowls of rice before stopping.

Xiao Jun had a big appetite, and directly poured the remaining rice into the soup, slurping it loudly.

Seeing him eat with such relish, Ding Sha felt the urge to eat more, but her stomach really couldn't fit any more. She was also afraid to eat too much for the baby's sake, so she could only hold a cup of ginger rice tea and watch Xiao Jun eat.

Finally all the food was swept clean. Xiao Jun sat back satisfied in his chair looking up at the sky.

Life was comfortable and fulfilling. Such happiness made him unable to resist looking at Ding Sha, afraid this was just a dream.

While Ding Sha was taking an afternoon nap, Xiao Jun ran to buy cage oil fryers, and also talked to the vegetable seller about delivery arrangements under Ding Sha's instructions.

Finally, right when the Administration for Industry and Commerce opened, he went to apply for a business license.

When he got home, Ding Sha was sleeping soundly. Xiao Jun looked at her sleeping face and couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her nose and forehead. He also squeezed her fingers and stroked her hair, finally leaving a kiss at the corner of her lips.

Ding Sha was sleeping hazily and only felt itchy. She reached out to scratch. Xiao Jun took off his shoes and climbed into bed, carefully hugging Ding Sha, and fell asleep with their heads touching.

The two slept until it was almost dark before getting up. They simply ate a little dinner, locked the door, and Xiao Jun randomly picked a university to take Ding Sha for a stroll.

There weren't many people on the large sports field. Most were walking laps around the field, with a small portion playing soccer. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed, making people unconsciously slow their pace.

The broadcast was even playing music, full of vitality and freedom.

Thanks to their good looks, everyone who walked past would look back at them, exclaiming in wonder.

If it was just one person doing this, Ding Sha could still feel happy about it.

But if everyone did it, Ding Sha was left only feeling embarrassed.

Xiao Jun was staring blankly at the students coming and going on the road, lost in thought.

Ding Sha shook his hand a few times but he didn't react.

Does he want to go to college?

Ding Sha wondered uncertainly. But without her previous memories, she also didn't know Xiao Jun's thoughts very well.

Xiao Jun looked back to see Ding Sha staring blankly at him, and smiled as he pinched her cheek, "What's wrong? Tired? Should we go back then?"

Ding Sha shook her head, "Not tired."

"Then why are you staring blankly at me?" Xiao Jun teased her, "Too in love with your husband?"

His words made Ding Sha a little uncomfortable, but she still drew near and asked softly, "Do you...want to go to college?"

Xiao Jun was stunned for a moment, his expression sobering. He led Ding Sha to a nearby bench to sit down, "I've never thought about going to college."

"You know, ever since I was eight years old when my mom ran off with another man, I never went back to school again, muddling along til now, and I've been fine."

"Grannie in the village said my mom was a college student, forced to marry my dad for the wedding gifts. So I don't resent her for leaving when I was eight."

"I'm just curious what college students are like."

As Ding Sha listened to him, a memory about Xiao Jun suddenly surfaced in her mind.

Xiao Jun was a child from the village next door, a posthumous child. When he was eight, his mom said she was going out to work with another man and never came back.

Little Xiao Jun grew up eating here and picking up scraps there. When even eating was an issue, going to school was out of the question.

He wasn't curious about college students, but about what his mom was like right?

Ding Sha felt a little heartache for him. She held Xiao Jun's arm and leaned on his shoulder. Xiao Jun stroked her hair and said earnestly, "Don't worry Ding Sha, I won't leave you alone. Our child won't grow up like I did either."

"I will let him grow up happy."

But deep down, he was still unhappy and resentful after all.

After sitting for a while, the two got up to head back. They had just stood up and walked two steps when they were sternly blocked by a middle aged man with graying sideburns walking rapidly towards them.

The middle aged man looked them up and down, still young and tender faces. After a long pause, he coldly snorted and said ruefully.

"Which department are you students from?"

"How can you get pregnant while still in school?! Such lack of self-respect!"