Chapter 77: Can Beauty Be Eaten?

After Zhong Xiao finished packing her things, it was already midday. She felt a bit hungry, just as two knocks sounded at the door. Turning around, she saw Jiang Yuan standing there.

Even though Zhong Xiao hadn’t closed the door, Jiang Yuan knocked anyway out of courtesy, smiling as she said, “Xiao Xiao, I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I just made some of my specialties. Please don’t mind if they’re not to your taste.”

Zhong Xiao couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness. To her, being able to eat when hungry was one of life’s greatest joys.

She quickly thanked Jiang Yuan. “Sister-in-law, I’m not picky at all. I’ll eat anything.”

Jiang Yuan looked at Zhong Xiao with growing satisfaction.

The two of them went to the dining room, and Zhong Xiao helped Jiang Yuan bring out the dishes from the kitchen. In just the two hours Zhong Xiao had spent unpacking, Jiang Yuan had already prepared five dishes: garlic vermicelli scallops, spicy clams, steamed crab, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and cucumber and preserved egg clam soup—all famous seafood from Taizhou Island.

Jiang Yuan served Zhong Xiao a bowl of rice. “Xiao Xiao, just have whatever you like, don’t be shy…”

But before Jiang Yuan could finish her sentence, Zhong Xiao was already shoveling a mouthful of rice into her mouth.

In less than five minutes, Zhong Xiao had sampled every dish that Jiang Yuan had made, eating with obvious relish—alternating a bite of food with a mouthful of rice. In just a few minutes, she had finished a bowl of rice. Grinning, she asked, “Sister-in-law, is there more rice? Could I have another bowl?”

Jiang Yuan stared in astonishment, then quickly recovered, smiling broadly. “Of course, of course! I’ll bring out all the rice for you!”

Jiang Yuan was thoroughly pleased. She had thought that, given Zhong Xiao’s background, she might turn her nose up at these simple home-cooked dishes and not eat much. She hadn’t expected Zhong Xiao not only to give her face, but to be so enthusiastic about it. Whether she genuinely liked the food or was just being polite, Jiang Yuan was satisfied.

At that lunch, Zhong Xiao ate three bowls of rice and drank two bowls of soup. By the end, her pretty face was visibly rounder, and Jiang Yuan’s heart swelled with contentment. Watching Zhong Xiao eat, Jiang Yuan herself barely touched her own meal. Zhong Xiao asked, “Sister-in-law, why aren’t you eating more? The baby in your belly needs to eat too. You’re eating for two now.”

Jiang Yuan smiled a little sheepishly. “It’s just that I’ve eaten too much before and gained too much weight. The baby’s getting big. The head of obstetrics told me to eat less for a while, or it’ll be hard when it’s time to give birth.”

Zhong Xiao opened her mouth in surprise—she hadn’t known there was such a saying. She’d thought all pregnant women ate as much as possible for the child. At least, that’s what she’d seen when she was in the countryside in her past life; the women there stuffed themselves with everything, never picky about food, believing that the more they ate, the more likely it was a boy, since boys supposedly had heartier appetites.

Zhong Xiao asked Jiang Yuan, “Sister-in-law, do you know if you’re having a boy or a girl?”

Jiang Yuan shook her head. “I haven’t asked, nor let anyone tell me. I want to see for myself when the time comes. Boy or girl, I’ll love them both—they’re my children.”

“That’s wonderful,” Zhong Xiao said.

She had seen too many women in her previous life whose newborn daughters were either thrown into ditches or died of “accidental” fevers at home. In that mountain village, very few girls grew up healthy and safe.

As Zhong Xiao and Jiang Yuan sat in the dining room, suddenly there was a commotion upstairs. Zhong Xiao was about to ask when Jiang Yuan sprang to her feet.

“Oh no! I forgot about my husband!” Jiang Yuan exclaimed anxiously. “Xiao Xiao, you keep eating. I’ll go bring your big brother some food!”

With that, Jiang Yuan hurriedly grabbed a plate, took a bit of each dish, scooped up a bowl of rice, and dashed upstairs.

Entering the room, she saw Song Yanzhou propping himself up, smiling despite everything.

“Aiya, Old Song, sorry! I was so busy entertaining your little sister-in-law that I forgot to bring your food. You must be starving!” Jiang Yuan’s smile was so bright it seemed to erase all worries.

Song Yanzhou, evidently used to this, didn’t bother to fuss. He quietly took the plate and started to eat.

Jiang Yuan sat on the edge of the bed and began chatting.

“Old Song, you have no idea how precious Xiao Xiao is—she’s the most beautiful, lively girl I’ve ever seen! And not just pretty, she’s hardworking and strong too! I saw her carry a giant sack on her back with my own eyes—she’s definitely no ordinary girl! And she can eat! You should’ve seen how much she enjoyed her meal just now. I like her so much! If you weren’t bedridden, I’d make you come see her too—you’d definitely think she’s wonderful!”

As Jiang Yuan chattered, Song Yanzhou ate his meal with an air of calm indifference, utterly unbothered by her mentioning his “paralysis.”

In fact, when Song Yanzhou was first injured, the Song family had been extremely cautious. No one dared mention anything about legs, feet, or being unable to walk—let alone say the word “paralyzed.” The more they avoided the subject, however, the more acutely Song Yanzhou felt it: he was now a burden, a man whose future had been destroyed.

That period was the darkest of his life. He didn’t want to see anyone or speak to anyone, locking himself in his room, refusing food and water.

It was Jiang Yuan who finally lost her temper. She kicked open his tightly shut door, hands on her hips, and shouted at him.

“Song Yanzhou! Who do you think you are? What makes you so special? So you’re paralyzed—so what if you can’t walk anymore? You’re not dead! As long as you’re alive, what’s there to be afraid of? So many people never came back from the battlefield. Ask them, would they rather be paralyzed or dead? Ask their families, would they rather have an urn of ashes or a son to care for? Are you really going to make such a fuss over this? Is your pride worth more than life? You told me when you applied for marriage that you’d take care of me for life, that you’d never leave me. Has it really been that long? You liar! If you could take care of me, I can take care of you. So you’re paralyzed—so what? At least you’re alive! As long as you’re alive, nothing else matters!”

After that stormy lecture, Song Yanzhou didn’t sleep all night. The next morning, when Jiang Yuan brought his meal again, he ate in silence. From then on, he never wallowed in self-pity again, nor did he shy away from words like “paralyzed” or “disabled.”

And so now, as Jiang Yuan chattered about Zhong Xiao, Song Yanzhou listened quietly, each word sinking into his heart.

When Song Yanzhou finished eating, he looked up, about to say something to Jiang Yuan, when his gaze paused at the doorway.

“Comrade Zhong Xiao, hello,” Song Yanzhou said.

Jiang Yuan turned in surprise and saw Zhong Xiao standing just outside the door by the second-floor railing, peeking in cautiously.

Hearing Song Yanzhou call her, Zhong Xiao quickly stepped forward and greeted him. “Hello, Brother Song, I’m Zhong Xiao.”