novelraw Chapter 221
Chapter 221
Chapter 221: Enjoying the Punishment You Were Supposed to Give Me
The parenting style in Fang Xia’s family has never been about suppression, nor has it been about overprotective, spoiling love.
To put it nicely, their parenting style is to let their children be independent.
To put it bluntly, it’s free-range parenting.
Back when the family was busy with their business, they rarely had time to supervise Xia Li. From elementary school onwards, Xia Li went to and from school by himself. Occasionally, when it rained, he would share an umbrella with a neighbor to go home. When he was hungry, he would eat at a neighbor’s house. When he was bored, he would beat up the neighbor’s kids…
That’s how they raised him.
And as they let him be, the child grew up.
When Xia Li insisted on not taking any allowance from the family when he went to college, Fang Xia was both worried and relieved.
Relieved that her son had really grown up, but worried that he would learn bad habits after being exposed to society…
That’s how mothers are. They’re always conflicted. And just like that, cautiously, her son had already gotten a girlfriend, and in a few years, he would be starting a new family. Fang Xia started to worry about all sorts of trivial things again.
She was afraid that Xia Li would be deceived in his relationship, afraid that he would be exploited for his dignity and money like those stories on the internet…
But on the contrary, what Fang Xia saw was a virtuous girl who was very obedient to Xia Li and took extra care of him.
Now Fang Xia started to worry that the girl would spoil Xia Li too much and turn him into a good-for-nothing.
That’s just how her son is.
When faced with difficulties, he’s steady and reliable. When in a comfortable environment, he can lie flat and be a useless bum…
“Little Lu, take a break. Don’t spoil him, let him get his own rice.”
After a table full of dishes was prepared, Xia Li sat on the chair like a disabled person, not moving an inch. Fang Xia found it very unpleasant.
Lucia gave her a sweet smile and brought over two bowls of rice.
“It’s okay, Auntie, it’s just something I do anyway.”
“It’s okay, Mom, it’s just something Little Lu does anyway.”
The young couple responded to Fang Xia one after another, leaving her speechless.
After the rice was served, Xia Li, the “disabled person”, finally moved. He picked up his chopsticks, smiled at Lucia, and said.
“Thank you, my girlfriend.”
“……”
Lucia weakly “hmmed” and lowered her head to eat without saying anything.
Sigh, letting Lucia pamper him in front of his mother, and then watching his mother’s silent disapproval and inability to refute…
Don’t get him wrong, it felt pretty good.
Xia Li secretly enjoyed it.
“Here, Little Lu, this is bitter bamboo shoot. I brought it from Miyang City. They don’t have this kind of bamboo shoot in Qingcheng City. It tastes slightly bitter but also has a fresh fragrance.”
Fang Xia still focused her attention on Lucia. She picked up the cut bamboo shoot tips one by one and placed them in Lucia’s bowl.
Lucia had never eaten this before and sniffed it.
The bitter bamboo shoot only had a grassy aroma, reminding Lucia of a meadow, and she was the little calf lying in the meadow eating grass.
Eating grass is eating grass. As a mighty dragon, how many times has she eaten grass?
With some anticipation, she put the new food in her mouth. After just one bite, Lucia’s face froze.
“How is it?” Fang Xia asked.
Lucia nodded stiffly.
“It’s… it’s good…”
So bitter!
It smelled fresh, but it tasted like Chinese medicine in her mouth!
If Houttuynia cordata ranked first in the “Evil Dragon’s Most Disliked Food List,” then bitter bamboo shoot was undoubtedly second!
Sent straight to hell alongside bitter melon!
“Haha, as long as you like it. It’s a specialty of our province. Xia Li has loved it since he was a child.” Fang Xia said kindly.
Hearing this, Lucia secretly glanced at Xia Li’s expression.
Xia Li held back his laughter and ate.
He naturally saw that the Evil Dragon couldn’t accept this food.
But in order not to embarrass the Evil Dragon, Xia Li decided to keep quiet.
Lucia puffed out her cheeks and swallowed the bamboo shoot.
“Eat more if you like it.”
As a very considerate boyfriend, Xia Li naturally had to spoil his girlfriend.
He picked up two bamboo shoot pieces, each as thick as a finger, and put them on Lucia’s rice.
To prevent the bamboo shoot pieces from falling off, he pressed them into the rice, packing it down.
Lucia: “…………”
“I heard from your Aunt Li… the one who runs the pet hospital in Miyang City… that there’s only one veterinary qualification exam this year in June. How’s your studying going?”
Fang Xia wasn’t idle while eating. Xia Li usually didn’t chat with her much, so she wanted to talk more now that he was back.
Xia Li lowered his head to eat and answered after swallowing.
“I’ve memorized most of what I need to… the rest is up to luck.”
Xia Li wasn’t lying. No matter how much he practiced or tried to predict the questions, it wouldn’t be as accurate as systematic learning in school.
He had done everything he could, and the rest was really up to fate.
“Well, it’s okay if you don’t pass.”
Fang Xia glanced at the living room, which was filled with all kinds of study materials.
It reminded her of Xia Li’s intense studying during his senior year of high school, staying up all night reading, and going to school with dark circles under his eyes at dawn.
Seeing her son work so hard, Fang Xia felt distress as a mother.
She sighed and said, “If you want to open a pet hospital, you can just open it directly. If you need any procedures or certificates, you can hire a few licensed veterinarians.”
“Mom, I’ve already made up my mind. Don’t try to discourage me…”
A piece of meat appeared in his bowl, fed to him by Lucia. Xia Li lowered his head and gnawed on the meat patty, saying as he ate.
“Hiring doctors is something to consider later, but if I don’t understand the professional knowledge myself, how can I convince people as the director?
It’s quite easy for me to learn now, and I have Little Lu, the on-site nurse, to teach me clinical experience, I…”
Xia Li knew that his mother was concerned about him.
Perhaps even Fang Xia thought that it was too difficult for Xia Li to self-study a different major and didn’t want to pressure him, so she thought of other ways out for him.
But Xia Li had made up his mind. He wanted to open a “mom-and-pop shop” with Lucia, not be a hands-off boss.
Xia Li wanted to persuade his mother with reason, but before he could finish speaking, his lips suddenly stopped moving.
It wasn’t because of any logical error or stuttering…
It was entirely because…
Something had wrapped around his leg!
Something soft and smooth, yet with a hint of hardness and coolness, like a snake.
If there were no one else present, when Xia Li felt this “snake” wrap around his leg, he could directly take off his clothes and pounce on it.
But this was in front of his mother!
Xia Li’s nerves tensed, and he suddenly felt a cold sweat break out.
Cold sweat was already forming on his forehead.
He looked up at Fang Xia.
Fang Xia didn’t notice the commotion and was picking up meat for Lucia.
They had all kinds of delicious food today, pork ribs, fish, stewed chicken, everything.
The Evil Dragon was eating with gusto.
Only when Fang Xia came back could she enjoy such a feast. Usually, when she and Xia Li were at home, they would make do with one or two dishes.
“If you had a pressure cooker, these ribs would be stewed even more tender… but don’t use a pressure cooker yourself, it’s easy to burn your hands. Let Xia Li do it.”
Fang Xia had automatically skipped the previous topic with Xia Li.
Since Xia Li had expressed his determination, she wouldn’t worry too much.
Compared to him, Lucia was more appealing to her.
“Mm-hmm, okay, Auntie.”
Lucia smiled brightly as she ate, her eyes slightly narrowed, a happy expression on her face.
Her two little legs dangled in the air, swaying left and right, looking like a carefree little girl, so innocent.
However, beneath this kind and lovely exterior, an unknown dragon tail extended from behind her tailbone.
The back of the chair Lucia was sitting on was hollow, and the rectangular gap was just enough for her to stick her big tail out, then stealthily hook it over and onto Xia Li’s ankle.
So… so exciting…
Xia Li felt like his heart was about to stop.
He hooked his foot back and lifted the dragon tail. It was very heavy, and the dragon scales rubbed against his trousers, hard and rough.
“Why are you sweating so much while eating?”
Fang Xia looked up and saw the fine beads of sweat on Xia Li’s forehead. She casually tore off two pieces of paper for him to wipe himself.
“Xia Li is not in good health.”
Lucia interjected, adding fuel to the fire.
Fang Xia couldn’t help but pay attention now and put down her chopsticks.
“Are you weak?”
“Mom, how am I weak…” Xia Li couldn’t help but laugh.
“Then why are you sweating?”
“Heh… cough.”
◈◈◈
Lucia didn’t have Xia Li’s composure. She couldn’t hold back her various expressions and laughed out loud when she wanted to.
“You used to go to the gym to exercise, why don’t you go anymore?” Fang Xia continued to question.
“Now I have to work part-time and study every day, where’s the time?”
“Health is more important. You worked so hard to get in shape before, and now you suddenly stopped, your body will suffer.”
“Mom, I’m really fine.”
Xia Li couldn’t argue with Fang Xia at all. He glanced lightly at the stinky dragon beside him.
The stinky dragon was eating a chicken leg, her mouth full of food. Her beautiful brown eyes were fixed on the food in her hand. When she noticed Xia Li looking at her, she narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled like a cunning little fox.
“Clack,”
The chopsticks in Xia Li’s hand slipped and fell to the floor.
He bent down to pick them up, and as he lowered his body, he saw a silver dragon tail quietly slapping the ground.
Xia Li’s heart skipped a beat, and he reached out his hand.
Lucia hadn’t paid much attention to Xia Li’s actions at first. When Xia Li was left speechless by Fang Xia, she felt a sense of victory.
But the next second, a strange sensation suddenly came from her tail. Lucia had a bad feeling.
“Sweating easily can lead to colds. You should drink more soup, add some red dates and longan to it.
Keep some peanuts at home, eat a couple when you’re free. Eat them raw, roasted ones are easy to get you fired up… also, you have so many snacks at home, they’re not good for your health, eat less snacks, eat more nutritious things.”
Bringing up the topic of “poor health” seemed to open the floodgates for a mother. She could always go on and on, tirelessly repeating these words over and over again.
Xia Li had heard it all many times. Even though his ears were calloused, he would still patiently nod in response at this time.
“Mom, I know. I’ll go buy those things tomorrow.”
The silver dragon’s tail was like a struggling little silverfish, its tip flicking up and down.
Xia Li grabbed the dragon tail with both hands and gently bit the softest part at the tip.
His teeth met with a hard sensation, and beneath this hardness was an extreme softness.
It felt like freshly baked roast duck, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
If sprinkled with chili powder and Sichuan peppercorns, the dragon tail would probably be delicious.
“Mm…”
Attacked by the wicked Brave Hero, Lucia felt her nerves sting.
A warmth spread from the cool dragon scales.
This warmth seemed to spread throughout her body, and Lucia’s cheeks instantly flushed red.
She instinctively tried to retract her tail, but Xia Li held her tightly. Her tail was fragile, and after two attempts, she found she couldn’t pull it back.
No more playing, no more playing.
Never playing like this again!
“What are you doing?”
Fang Xia saw that Xia Li had been squatting down for so long and wondered if he was dizzy from low blood sugar. She was about to look down when Xia Li instantly released the struggling dragon tail in his hand.
The two cooperated tacitly, and the dragon tail swiftly retracted back under the girl’s skirt.
Fang Xia glanced under the table, but saw nothing.
“It’s nothing, I dropped a couple of grains of rice, it’s not easy to pick them up.”
Xia Li picked up his chopsticks and casually answered Fang Xia’s question. Then he looked at Lucia.
“I’m done eating…”
Now it was Lucia’s turn to be nervous. She quickly cleaned up the leftovers in front of her and took the empty bowl back to the kitchen.
“Go wash the dishes.” Fang Xia winked at Xia Li.
Xia Li followed her with a smile.
Lucia was squeezing dish soap onto a sponge, then rubbing it between her hands to create a lot of bubbles.
This dragon’s habit of playing with water while washing dishes couldn’t be changed. Every time she washed dishes, it would take a long time.
At first, Xia Li was worried that the dish soap would hurt her tender and smooth hands, but then he realized he was overthinking it.
Lucia was a dragon, a little dish soap wouldn’t harm her at all.
“This is like mutually assured destruction, Little Dragon.”
Xia Li grabbed her paw and rinsed the foam under the faucet.
Then he stuffed her paw into his trouser pocket and took the sponge to wash the dishes himself.
“Playing like this is risky.” Xia Li whispered.
Lucia took her hand out of his pocket and snorted, “That’s what you get for giving me bitter bamboo shoot.”
She peeked at the situation outside the kitchen and whispered after making sure no one was there.
“As long as you don’t say anything, Auntie won’t find out…”
“Playing something so exciting?”
Xia Li was stunned for a moment, “Want to play some more later?”
“No more playing!”
Lucia blushed and took the pot from the stove, throwing it to Xia Li to wash.
She originally did this to punish Xia Li, to scare him.
But it seemed to have turned into a reward…
Xia Li was clearly enjoying it!!
“There’s still a lot of these ribs and stewed chicken left, probably enough for two more meals. Remember to throw them away if you haven’t finished them tomorrow, especially the green beans inside, they’re not good for you if you keep them for too long.”
While the two were busy in the kitchen, Fang Xia brought in the remaining dishes and wrapped them in plastic wrap.
“Put them in the fridge after they cool down, otherwise the fridge will break.” Fang Xia said.
“Mom, I know.”
“It’s getting late, I’ll be leaving now, I won’t help you clean up.”
Fang Xia said, taking off her apron. Xia Li quickly dried his hands and went to see her off.
“It’s so late, driving back to Miyang City is too late, why don’t you stay…”
Xia Li glanced at the clock, it was exactly six o’clock in the evening.
Although it was just getting dark, Miyang City was more than two hours’ drive from Qingcheng City, and it would probably be completely dark halfway through the journey.
Fang Xia couldn’t drive at night, and Xia Li wasn’t at ease letting her go.
“Didn’t Dad come to pick you up?”
“Pick me up for what? I’m going to your grandmother’s house. The day after tomorrow is Tomb-Sweeping Day, I have to go sweep your grandfather’s tomb.”
Fang Xia picked up her small bag and slung it over her shoulder.
When she came, her hands were full of bags, but when she left, they were empty.
Xia Li always felt it wasn’t good to see a guest off empty-handed, so he went around the living room and picked up an unopened pack of biscuits.
“……”
Fang Xia looked at him with an amused expression.
“For Grandma.” Xia Li said.
“You eat it yourself.”
Fang Xia waved her hand with a smile.
Why be so polite within the family? It would be better to give her a big, fat grandchild sooner.
Seeing that she wouldn’t accept it, Xia Li put down the biscuits and was about to change his shoes when Fang Xia pulled him back.
“No need to see me off, don’t I know this area better than you?”
“……Alright.” Xia Li retracted his foot.
“Goodbye, Auntie~”
Lucia stood by the side and waved to Fang Xia. Fang Xia pulled her arm, squeezed her hand, and said with concern.
“Oh, look how thin you are, eat more, tell Xia Li to buy you whatever you want to eat.”
“Okay, Auntie…”
Lucia nodded shyly.
“Mom, drive slowly.”
“Okay.”
Fang Xia stopped nagging and left with a smile. The iron gate slowly closed.
Xia Li went from the living room to the balcony and watched Mrs. Fang leave the building, greeting and chatting with every neighbor who passed by.
He didn’t relax until she got back in her car and drove away.
“Xia Li, what is Tomb-Sweeping Day?”
Lucia stood on her tiptoes and looked out. The evening spring breeze was a bit chilly, so Xia Li pulled her back inside and closed the balcony door.
“Like Spring Festival, it’s also a traditional festival here, mainly for paying respects to ancestors.”
“Ancestors…” Lucia trailed behind slowly, blinking her eyes and saying, “Can I celebrate this festival?”
“Pfft, celebrate my ass.”
“By age, I’m several generations older than you!”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a hundred generations older than me!”