NOVPUB
Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Amendment 3
Han Jiaojiao felt that Han Yi was making a big deal out of a small issue. Such a minor skin injury would have scabbed over in a few days without a bandage, but... being fussed over always felt wonderful.
As she was basking in the feeling, she glanced sideways and saw Yan Xiao staring blankly at her hand, and she couldn’t help but smile, "Yan Xiao, are you lost in thought?"
Yan Xiao snapped back to reality, gave a dry laugh, and asked her, "Jiaojiao, have you felt recently... that you are a bit different?"
Han Jiaojiao stared at him, puzzled, "What could be different about me? Um... did I get a tan?"
The sun had been getting stronger recently, and with the wind and sun exposure, she might have gotten a bit sunburned. Maybe... she should do a facial mask tonight?
Yan Xiao chuckled and said, "...Maybe I’m mistaken, I’ll go find something to eat in the kitchen."
"Talking nonsense," Han Jiaojiao muttered softly, watching his retreating figure.
—In celebration of the first mission being successfully completed and everyone’s safe return, tonight’s dinner was exceptionally lavish; chicken, duck, fish, meat—it nearly covered the table, along with nine dishes of hot and cold, meat and vegetables, plus a pot of thick bone soup and a case of chilled beer prepared early by Lu Changyuan. Everyone gathered around the table, a lively scene.
Since both of Han Jiaojiao’s hands were bandaged, Han Yi wouldn’t let her lift a finger and spoon-fed her the bone soup. Han Jiaojiao found it embarrassingly sweet, but seeing that everyone else pretended not to notice, well... She gradually got used to such public displays of affection.
Yu Wanxi looked a bit nervous but also excited; it was her first time cooking so many dishes, and she was not sure about everyone’s tastes yet. Seeing Han Jiaojiao sipping the soup, she asked with a smile in her eyes, "How’s the taste? Is it too bland? This soup is very nourishing; you’re still growing, so drink more."
Han Jiaojiao swallowed a spoonful and smiled, "I’m already eighteen."
Yan Xiao interjected, "The old saying goes, ’Twenty-three springs a leap,’ you’re only eighteen, still in your growth phase, drink more."
Lu Changyuan added cold beef salad to his plate and said, "Sister Yu’s cooking skills are commendable, Doctor Zhou is very lucky."
Yu Wanxi, being thirty-four, was naturally called ’sister’ by everyone.
Zhou Yan, although still slim, appeared spirited and was not as dispirited as when he first arrived. Seeing Yu Wanxi praised, he modestly smiled, "The cooking is indeed good, but it’s also because Mr. Han provides rich ingredients here. Otherwise, even a skilled chef would struggle without rice."
Zhou Yan was not aware of the special supplies, and seeing the collection of freezers, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, induction cookers... and high-end furniture that didn’t belong in a military base, he wisely kept his doubts to himself.
His life experience taught him that sometimes it was essential to feign ignorance. Knowing too much often didn’t lead to good outcomes.
Now, he and his wife had food and shelter, and it was even possible that he might resume his medical career in the future. He was very content.
Dinner went on until late; everyone drank quite a bit, especially Bai Kairui, who got thoroughly drunk, slumped in his chair, singing Christmas carols. Xiao Jian, typically reserved like a big boy, sat giggling in his seat. Yan Xiao and Lu Changyuan, who could hold their liquor better, each supported one drunk person upstairs.
Han Yi had only had a symbolic sip, as he usually didn’t drink much, and no one dared to push him. Zhou Yan kept declining, yet Yan Xiao managed to make him drink several glasses.
Han Jiaojiao felt that Han Yi was particularly clingy tonight, his deep and shiny eyes like those of a languid big cat, constantly rubbing his chin on her neck.
Suddenly, a bold thought sprang up in Han Jiaojiao’s mind—was her brother... drunk?
Could such a small cup of liquor make him drunk? ...That wasn’t likely, was it?
Han Yi led Han Jiaojiao back to their room. His steps seemed no different from usual as he firmly ascended the stairs, entered the room, locked the door behind him, and without turning on the light, he sat on the bed holding her, then silently stared at her in the darkness.
Han Jiaojiao felt her face flush under his intense gaze and tried to stand up, but Han Yi firmly held her hands down on the bed.
They sat in their respective positions quietly, and gradually, Han Jiaojiao began to falter under her brother’s fiery stare, feeling even her breath grow hot...
Suddenly a shadow loomed over her, and before she could react, she was pinned down on the bed by her brother.
"Mm..."
She wanted to say it wasn’t okay, that she hadn’t had a bath. Having run around outside all day, she must have been sweaty and smelly.
But pushing him away seemed too heartless.
Han Jiaojiao struggled to keep her clarity, whispering softly, "No, no... it’s dirty..."
She heard his muffled voice buried in her chest, "It’s fragrant."
Han Jiaojiao turned her face away and closed her eyes, feeling her face burning hot.
She couldn’t quite figure out whether her brother was drunk; she just felt he was unusually different tonight... But when asked what exactly was different, she couldn’t quite articulate it.
...
In the still of the night, a faint sound arose from somewhere, like something cracking, or something breaking.
Moments later, it occurred again, creating a series of crisp sounds before fading into silence...
A warm breeze blew, the round shadow on the windowsill shivered, and finally split completely, revealing a furry bundle curled up, partially hidden in a fractured eggshell, barely perceptible in its slight movement.
In a while, from the other side came the crisp sounds of snapping.
Crack, crack...
