enjoyebooks Chapter 108 You're being unfair!
Chapter 108 You're being unfair!
Chapter 109 You're being unfair!
Xia Li considered Song Che's suggestion and nodded. She and Song Che were not on the same wavelength.
She actually agreed with what Song Che was saying.
For this to happen, either magic or science would have to die first.
Who should die first?
Song Che was unaware that he had been completely bewildered by Xia Li's train of thought these past two days.
Xia Li's questions gradually became strange. In the first few days after she arrived, Xia Li was quite curious, so he could understand the questions she asked. Now that some time has passed, Xia Li is vaguely awakening some extraordinary attribute.
Control and masochism?
Song Che didn't have that inclination. He felt that the idea that getting angry could restore magic was unreasonable. It was just something you could fool yourself in a dream. It was better not to think about it too much.
Sometimes, giving someone hope, only to find out it wasn't hope at all, is the most despairing thing.
Seeing how serious she was, Song Che was afraid that she would become stubborn and fixate on this matter.
Xia Li sat to the side, lost in thought, and Song Che didn't disturb her. When she finally understood and looked up at him, Song Che said, "Let's go to Mom and Dad's for dinner. It's already prepared."
"Mm." Xia Li followed Song Che out. She had met with her aunt and uncle a few times, and her inexplicable worry had lessened considerably, but she was still a little worried.
Xia Li found it strange that two ordinary humans, with the added identity of [Song Che's parents], would make her nervous.
Unable to pinpoint why she was nervous, Xia Li's description was inaccurate; she could only vaguely sense two words.
Inferiority.
A sudden feeling of inferiority.
But Xia Li didn't feel inferior. Song Che was her contractor. Before, she was definitely in a superior position. But now, she treated Song Che as her lover, and she actually felt inferior. Is it normal for Your Highness to feel this way?
With no predecessors to refer to, she had to figure it out on her own.
After much deliberation, I concluded that the reason lay in her loss of magic.
If she still possessed magic, she wouldn't feel inferior.
Xia Li nodded again, agreeing with her idea.
The problem lies here.
Song Che watched as she stood there nodding, looking like a little fool. No one was talking to her. She suddenly spaced out and then nodded. What was she nodding at?
Song Che tidied himself up, wrapped a scarf around his neck, and then skillfully tied it around Xia Li's neck. "You're not trying to make me angry again, are you?"
"No, I was thinking about what just happened."
Thinking about what just happened is fine, but Song Che really can't bring himself to make Xia Li angry. At most, he'll tease Xia Li a little, but he won't get angry at her.
After all, Xia Li gets angry very easily.
Song Che discovered that when you like someone, you want to spoil them; this hateful woman had changed his personality.
He doesn't really like to spoil others.
"Just think about it yourself, don't tell your parents," Song Che simply reminded them. "Like we said before, as long as you don't say anything strange, there won't be any problems. We're only talking about science here."
"Yes, I know, science is amazing."
Xia Li stood up and clasped her hands together beside the scarf.
Song Che always wrapped her up very warmly.
"When the time comes, Mom and Dad will probably talk about the New Year. If you don't want to talk, just nod. It's okay if you don't understand. My mom is very soft-hearted. If you stay quiet, she'll believe whatever you say."
"Yes, I understand. Actually, I've learned a lot. I've remembered everything the Magic Mirror told me, such as what preparations are needed for the New Year, what New Year's goods to buy, what special days are coming up, and what I need to do. I understand all of that."
"That's good. Your Highness's memory is truly exceptional."
Song Che expressed his understanding.
Xia Li's memory is terrible, how can you even play with it?
"I'll go out for a stroll tonight; I bought snacks this morning."
After saying that, Song Che opened the door, went downstairs, crossed the alley, and came to the other side.
He originally intended to buy some couplets or something in the morning, but he was too focused on Xia Li's gaze. As soon as he saw that she was interested in the food, he went in and bought some, eventually buying four large bags.
However, Mom and Dad should prepare. It's okay if we don't buy New Year's goods. The main thing is to buy some clothes for Xia Li. She only has two pieces of clothing. She doesn't have any spring clothes—she doesn't have any spring, summer, or autumn clothes. We can buy them in advance.
Her witch dress was too cold to wear in spring and too hot to wear in summer. The main problem was the stockings; perhaps because of the time travel, the material had deteriorated.
After being hidden away by Xia Li last time, Song Che felt like he was no longer worth keeping.
Song Che didn't keep a single one of those clothes for himself.
I washed Xia Li's underwear once last time, and haven't touched it since. Xia Li washes all her own underwear.
Damn it, I suddenly feel like I didn't do anything during my first wash, what a pity!
Xia Li followed them downstairs and upstairs. When faced with the aunt and uncle, she instinctively hid behind Song Che. She was never good at talking and always just wanted to sit quietly to the side.
When I knocked on the door, the aroma of food had already wafted into the hallway.
Zhang Shushu took off her apron, her hands just washed. "I timed it well, didn't I? Come on, the soup's just cooked, you two come in quickly."
Song Jianguo poked his head out of the kitchen: "Xiao Che, Xia Li, sit down, dinner will be served soon. By the way, has Bruce been brought yet?"
"No, it's sleeping at home."
"Okay, try what I made this time."
My dad, who usually doesn't move much, surprisingly joined in the cooking.
The main problem is that his cooking is terrible.
Song Che shook his head, suddenly no longer wanting to eat this meal.
The room was small but well-heated, with a thin layer of condensation on the windows. Xia Li followed Song Che into the room, changed into slippers, and took off her scarf, draping it over the back of a chair.
My mom was really generous this time, turning on the air conditioner in the bedroom, making the living room warm too. The electricity meter must have been spinning like crazy.
My mom is more willing to spend money than before.
Song Che thought for a moment and realized that his mother still didn't like to spend money, and that she mainly turned on the air conditioner for the two of them.
"Auntie, Uncle," she greeted them, then sat down without saying a word. Song Che told her to stay put, so she tried her best to act like a little fool.
Although she doesn't really like playing silly girls.
"Oh, how polite." Zhang Shushu came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup and placed it on the table. "I'll have something simple today: stir-fried shredded potatoes, steamed fish, and stir-fried cabbage."
It's simple, but piping hot.
The food on the table looked delicious, with perfect color, aroma, and taste. It was clearly Mom's cooking. Dad offered to help, but he could only help by carrying plates and pouring oil. He couldn't cook food like this.
The four of them sat down around the small square table.
Song Jianguo served rice to everyone. Zhang Shushu first put a piece of fish belly meat on Xia Li's plate: "Try it, this fish is fresh, I just bought it this morning."
"Thank you." Xia Li looked down at the fish in the bowl, picked it up with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed.
The fish was indeed delicious; it was her favorite food.
"How is it?" Zhang Shushu asked expectantly.
"It's delicious," Xia Li said. "There are no thorns."
"I specifically chose the part with fewer thorns." Zhang Shushu smiled and put another piece of shredded potato on her plate. "Try this too. Your uncle cooked it. Although it's a bit bland, he said it tastes like home. Give it a try."
Song Che picked up some food for himself, thinking to himself: Mom's favoritism is too obvious.
If Song Che knew that his mother originally wanted to pressure Xia Li, but softened so much as soon as she saw Xia Li, Song Che would definitely say, "Double-standard mom, I protest!"
Song Che picked up some shredded potatoes, but it didn't taste like home; it tasted more like something unpalatable.
After eating quietly for a while, Zhang Shushu asked, "The New Year is almost here, do you two have any plans?"
Song Che chewed his food and said, "What plans could I possibly have? I'll just stay home."
"Have you bought your New Year's goods?" Song Jianguo asked.
"I bought some," Song Che said. "Snacks—I bought four bags of snacks, but I haven't bought the couplets yet."
"I have some couplets here," Zhang Shushu said. "I bought a few extra last year, I'll bring them to you tomorrow."
"No need, we can buy it ourselves."
"Why are you being so polite with Mom?" Zhang Shushu waved her hand, then looked at Xia Li, "Xia Li, are you getting used to spending the New Year here?"
Xia Li raised her head and swallowed the food in her mouth: "It's a habit."
"That's good." Zhang Shushu smiled. "The New Year is so lively! We make dumplings on New Year's Eve, watch the Spring Festival Gala, and eat glutinous rice balls on New Year's Day morning—"
"What are tangyuan?" Xia Li asked.
The three people at the table were stunned for a moment.
"It's made of glutinous rice flour, with a sweet filling inside," Song Che explained. "Sesame filling, peanut filling, red bean paste filling, and so on. You boil it and it's soft and chewy."
"Oh." Xia Li nodded. "I haven't eaten it before."
Zhang Shushu immediately said, "Then Auntie will cook it for you on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. What kind of filling do you like?"
As a woman, my mother is an emotional being, and she immediately conjured up a whole bunch of pitiful and tragic stories about Xia Li in her mind.
This child—has never even eaten glutinous rice balls before!
Xia Li thought for a moment: "———— Either is fine."
"Then cook a few of each," Zhang Shushu said. "You'll know which one you like after you try them."
Song Jianguo took a sip of soup and asked, "Xia Li, don't people in your hometown celebrate the New Year?"
Xia Li looked at Song Che.
Song Che chimed in, "Her customs are different; she doesn't celebrate the Spring Festival there."
"Oh, I see." Song Jianguo nodded. "That's perfect. I'll definitely experience it here this year. We have so many traditions for celebrating the New Year here: putting up couplets, setting off firecrackers, staying up late on New Year's Eve—by the way, do you young people still grab red envelopes these days?"
"Grab it," Song Che said. "Send it in the group chat."
"Does Xia Li have a cell phone?" Zhang Shushu asked.
"Yes," Xia Li said. "Song Che bought it for me."
"Then Auntie will give you a red envelope too," Zhang Shushu said with a smile, "just for good luck."
Xia Li didn't quite understand the specific meaning of the red envelope. Was it the same as the one given last time?
Or what is it?
Seeing Zhang Shushu's happy expression, he nodded and said, "Thank you, Auntie."
The topic then shifted to plans for the Chinese New Year.
Zhang Shushu talked about visiting relatives: "Your eldest uncle's family is coming on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and on the third day we'll go to your maternal grandmother's house—Xia Li will go with us then, to meet the relatives."
Song Che felt a chill run down his spine: "Mom, Xia Li is shy, so let's not take her around."
"That won't do," Zhang Shushu disagreed. "She has to meet the family first. Besides, Xia Li is such a sensible girl, what's there to be afraid of?"
Xia Li listened quietly, her chopsticks stirring the rice grains in her bowl. She understood; it meant she had to see other people. Actually, she wasn't very willing to see other people—she didn't know why herself.
Song Che glanced at her and noticed that although she didn't have much of an expression, her body was tense.
"We'll see when the time comes," Song Che said, trying to smooth things over. "It depends on whether Xia Li wants to go."
"I want to go," Xia Li suddenly said.
Song Che and Zhang Shushu both looked at her.
"I want to see," Xia Li added, "your—relatives."
Zhang Shushu immediately beamed, "Okay, okay, let's go together then. Auntie will introduce you to some friendly people, so don't be nervous."
Song Che sighed inwardly.
Your Highness, you have no idea of the power of your extended family.
Whether to say something or not.
They will all be ruined!
Xia Li, in particular, with her silver hair, was bound to be the subject of gossip.
After dinner, Xia Li offered to help clean up, but Zhang Shushu stopped her again.
"You all sit down and watch TV for a while." She quickly cleared the dishes. "Old Song, you talk to the kids, I'll wash the dishes."
The TV was on, showing a period drama that Song Che hadn't seen before.
Song Jianguo brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup for Song Che and Xia Li respectively.
"Xia Li," Song Jianguo took a sip of tea, "is there anything you particularly want to do while living here?"
Xia Li held her teacup and thought for a moment: "I want to learn to cook."
"Oh, what dish do you want to learn?"
"Scrambled eggs with tomatoes," Xia Li said. "Song Che said it was delicious, and I want to learn how to make it."
Xia Li actually wanted to eat it too.
Song Che taught her how to make stir-fried eggs with chili peppers, which was on the spicy side, but she wanted to try a sweet and sour flavor.
Song Jianguo laughed: "That's easy, just have your aunt teach you. She's cooked all her life, she's very skilled."
Zhang Shushu's voice came from the kitchen: "Xia Li wants to learn to cook. Come over tomorrow, and Auntie will teach you!"
Xia Li looked towards the kitchen and nodded: "Okay."
Song Che listened from the side, feeling a little emotional.
Not long ago, Xia Li was a prince who couldn't even use chopsticks properly, but now she actually wants to learn how to cook.
"Anything else?" Song Jianguo asked, "Besides cooking, what else do you want to do?"
Xia Li thought for a moment and then said, "—Skiing."
"Skiing?" Song Jianguo was a little surprised. "You want to go to a ski resort?"
"Mm," Xia Li said. "Song Che said we can play in winter."
Song Che explained from the side, "I just mentioned it casually, but she remembered it."
"Go if you want to," Song Jianguo said. "Young people all like it. But you have to be careful and find an instructor to guide you."
"Expensive," Xia Li said.
Song Jianguo was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Don't worry about the money, have your aunt pay for it."
"No need, no need," Song Che quickly said, "We've already made arrangements."
"Don't be so polite with Dad." Song Jianguo waved his hand. "We only go on vacation once a year, so let's spend the money as it comes. Xia Li just arrived, so let her experience more."
Xia Li glanced at Song Jianguo, then at Song Che, and said nothing.
She felt she had said the wrong thing; she shouldn't have brought it up, because it would only cause trouble for her aunt and uncle.
This was not her intention.
Zhang Shushu finished washing the dishes, dried her hands, and sat down: "What were you talking about?"
"Let's talk about skiing," Song Jianguo said. "Xia Li wants to go."
"Skiing—" Zhang Shushu thought for a moment, "Then I'll need to buy equipment, right? Clothes, shoes, and stuff like that."
"Renting is fine," Song Che said.
"Rented clothes are never as good as your own," Zhang Shushu said. "Besides, with Xia Li's figure, rented clothes might not fit. I'll take her to buy a new outfit tomorrow as a New Year's gift."
Song Che was exasperated: "Mom, really, you don't need to—"
"No need for anything." Zhang Shushu glared at him. "Xia Li has been coming to our house, and I, as her aunt, haven't given her anything decent yet. It's settled then, I'll take Xia Li to the mall tomorrow morning."
Xia Li held the teacup, looked at Zhang Shushu, then at Song Che, and finally nodded: "Thank you, Auntie."
Song Che was at a loss. "Then—can I buy one too?"
"Buy it too. You're my son, not someone I picked up off the street."
After sitting for a while, Song Che saw that it was getting late and got up to say he had to go back.
"Are we leaving already?" Zhang Shushu went to get some more fruit. "I'll have some oranges too, they're freshly bought and sweet."
"I'm really full." Song Che took the orange and put it in his pocket.
"Okay, be careful on the road." Zhang Shushu saw them to the door and then handed Xia Li a carton of milk, saying, "Drink it if you're thirsty tonight."
"Thank you, Auntie."
Xia Li said thank you at least a dozen times since she came to eat here. She didn't know what else to say, so she just said thank you.
"Your mother—" Xia Li began, then paused, "Very good."
When Song Che heard Xia Li praising her mother again, he agreed wholeheartedly. However, Xia Li always spoke incompletely, and Song Che thought she was cursing.
Song Che turned his head to look at her, "As long as you don't find her long-winded."
"I don't mind," Xia Li said. "She cares about me."
Song Che smiled. His mother just loved to care about people, and knowing that Xia Li was an orphan made her even more heartbroken.
Back at the rented apartment, Taoxiang was probably asleep; there was no sound. Bruce poked his head out of the cat bed and barked.
Song Che changed his shoes and went to the kitchen to get some water. Xia Li followed him in and stood behind him.
"Song Che," she called out.
"Um?"
"The Lunar New Year," Xia Li said slowly, "isn't it—very important, even more important than my birthday?"
Song Che turned around. "For us, it's the most important holiday. A day for the whole family to reunite."
"Reunion." Xia Li repeated the word, "That's why your mother wants me to visit relatives."
"I guess so," Song Che said. "She wants you to fit into the family, but meeting relatives—it's hard to say, I don't like meeting relatives."
Xia Li remained silent for a while.
"I—" she looked up, "I want to fit in."
"You're already here."