Chapter 97: Chapter 97: Extinguishing the Flame
When heading home, Qin Xiao and Xiao Li first went to pick up Mianmian before returning home.
Upon arriving home, since Mianmian had just had dinner at Qin’s mother’s place, dinner was only for Qin Xiao and Xiao Li.
At noon today, the on-duty nurse, Nurse Huang, ordered food from that place, and the taste was okay, but the portion was somewhat small, especially the vegetables. Xiao Li found herself eating plain rice towards the end.
Perhaps because she hadn’t had enough vegetables, Xiao Li was quite hungry before the end of her shift due to lack of satisfaction.
With the delicious dishes in front of her now, how could she wait any longer?
After hurriedly washing her hands, Xiao Li sat down at the dining table, ready to eat. By the time Qin Xiao returned from washing up, she had already started.
Seeing Xiao Li really hungry, Qin Xiao felt a bit of heartache and, noticing she kept eating rice and vegetables, he picked up a small bowl and served her some soup...
"Drink some soup to warm your stomach first, don’t eat too quickly, or you’ll get indigestion."
Obeying his words, Xiao Li took the soup bowl and sipped it slowly...
With a small bowl of soup in her belly, Xiao Li no longer felt that frantic hunger and ate more slowly as well.
Seeing her slow down, Qin Xiao also picked up his chopsticks and started eating...
As Xiao Li ate, she asked, "Uncle, what did you have for lunch today?"
Qin Xiao replied calmly, "Ordered takeout with colleagues from the same department."
Curiously, Xiao Li asked, "What did you eat? Was it good?"
Qin Xiao nodded, "The taste was alright, we ate fast food."
Xiao Li, "Did you get enough to eat? Do you know the name of the restaurant?"
Shaking his head, Qin Xiao said, "I was full. The food was good, but the name of the place was something they picked, I’m not sure. If you want, I can ask..."
Xiao Li nodded, "Yes, please..."
Xiao Li knew that Qin Xiao was quite picky, so if he said it tasted okay and he got full, then it would surely fill her up too.
"Uncle, the lunch we ordered was good, but the portion was too small, not enough to eat...
I got hungry around four in the afternoon today."
After hearing this, Qin Xiao paused briefly, "How about having Aunt Wu bring you lunch starting tomorrow?"
Hearing this, Xiao Li quickly shook her head, "No way... It’s too much trouble to bother others while I’m at work.
I’m not that picky; as long as it tastes okay and is enough to eat, it’s fine.
Help me find out which place you ate at for lunch?
I’ll just order from them directly for tomorrow’s takeout."
Qin Xiao nodded slightly, picked up his phone from the side, and sent out a message. By the time they finished their meal, he had received a list.
Qin Xiao sent the list to Xiao Li, who, upon seeing it contained only restaurant names, looked at Qin Xiao in confusion, "Uncle, why did you send me this?"
With a smile, Qin Xiao said, "These are good eateries within three kilometers of the hospital. If you don’t want Aunt Wu to bring food, you can’t eat from the same place every day!
I had someone compile this list of places near the hospital. You can try ordering from these, and mix it up."
On hearing this, Xiao Li’s eyes lit up, "Uncle, you’re amazing!"
With a smile, Qin Xiao asked, "Is there a reward for that?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li generously turned and kissed him. Originally, she only intended a brief kiss, but once their lips met, Qin Xiao turned passive into active, deepening the kiss.
Thankfully, Aunt Wu had taken little Mianmian upstairs to wash up, or else it would have been very embarrassing!
Although no one saw them, this was the first time they kissed in the dining room, making Xiao Li blush involuntarily.
Trying to ease her embarrassment, Xiao Li changed the subject, "Uncle... Today, Director Bai asked us over for dinner at his house tomorrow, saying a senior wants to meet me."
Qin Xiao nodded, "It’s probably my cousin. This time, Bai Yu and my cousin returned first."
Xiao Li shook her head, "I don’t know, he didn’t say."
Qin Xiao touched Xiao Li’s face, "Don’t worry, we’ll know who it is when we go tomorrow."
Xiao Li nodded.
After talking a little more about the Bai family, the two got up and left the dining room for the second floor.
Upstairs, in Mianmian’s room, Aunt Wu was helping Mianmian change clothes. Xiao Li walked in, "Aunt Wu, thank you for all your hard work lately."
Since Xiao Li hurt her hand, it was inconvenient for her to bathe Mianmian, so Aunt Wu was in charge of Mianmian’s baths.
Qin Xiao wanted to help bathe Mianmian, but Xiao Li wouldn’t let him.
Because the day after Xiao Li got injured, Qin Xiao bathed Mianmian, but took half an hour and still hadn’t come out.
When Xiao Li went into the bathroom, she saw bubbles everywhere, Qin Xiao soaked through, Mianmian laughing while pouring water over Qin Xiao with a cup, and Qin Xiao splashing back.
Father and daughter weren’t bathing, they were having a water festival!
As a result, Mianmian got a slight cold the next day.
In anger, Xiao Li took away Qin Xiao’s privilege to bathe Mianmian.
Even though Xiao Li knew Qin Xiao wouldn’t indulge Mianmian again, she didn’t agree to let him bathe her again.
Humph...
Without a little lesson, he wouldn’t restrain himself...
Mianmian is still young, and if he indulges her now, what about when she grows up? With the two of them conspiring, wouldn’t it drive me mad?
So, these tendencies must be extinguished in their buds.
With a laugh, Aunt Wu waved her hand, "Not tiring at all, the young miss is very obedient, bathing her isn’t a hassle."
Hearing this, Xiao Li glanced at Qin Xiao from the corner of her eye, and he awkwardly touched his nose.
"Aunt Wu, I’ll take it from here! You can head out." Xiao Li smiled at Aunt Wu.
After Aunt Wu left, Xiao Li picked up a towel from the side and wiped Mianmian’s still slightly dripping hair. She said as she wiped, "Mianmian behaves very well when I bathe her; the same with Aunt Wu.
But when you bathe her, she doesn’t behave.
So, who’s really the naughty one here, Mianmian or you?"
Qin Xiao laughed, straightforwardly admitting, "I’m the naughty one!"
After drying Mianmian’s hair, Xiao Li left Qin Xiao with Mianmian while she went to take a shower.
When she came back from her shower, it was Qin Xiao’s turn to wash up, while Xiao Li read Mianmian a bedtime story.
Once Qin Xiao finished his shower, he saw Mianmian lying there, with Xiao Li beside her telling her stories.
Leaning against the door frame, Qin Xiao watched them on the bed, feeling his heart soften.
With Xiao Li’s gentle voice, Mianmian’s eyelids slowly drooped, and soon her breathing evened out as she drifted off to sleep.
After confirming Mianmian was completely asleep, Xiao Li lightly kissed her forehead, tucked her in, and walked towards the door...
Reaching Qin Xiao’s side, Xiao Li whispered, "What are you doing standing here? Why don’t you go over and lie down with her?"
Qin Xiao lightly laughed, reached out to stroke Xiao Li’s face, "I was watching you put Mianmian to sleep, and I got lost in it."