Chapter 213: Charming and Cute Qiao Qiao

Xu Yuexin carried the vegetables into the kitchen, first cooked the rice, washed and sliced the eggplant and placed it on the rice to steam, then promptly began to slaughter the fish.

After slaughtering the black fish, Xu Yuexin sliced it and put the pieces into the stew pot, and used the iron wok beside it to heat oil.

When the oil boiled, Xu Yuexin lifted the iron wok and poured the oil into the stew pot, added the pre‑sliced pickled cabbage, chili, scallion, ginger and garlic, and poured everything into the stew pot to cook together.

Soon, a pot of fragrant, spicy, delicious pickled cabbage fish was ready.

Next, Xu Yuexin made a tomato egg soup, and when the soup was done, the rice cooker also chimed.

Xu Yuexin kept the rice steaming for a few more minutes, and during that time sliced a cucumber.

"Time to eat."

After slicing the cucumber, Xu Yuexin called out toward the outside.

"Coming."

Qiao Qiao and Chen Yixue heard the voice and entered the kitchen together to serve the rice and dishes.

After the two sisters entered, Xu Yuexin glanced at Chen Yixue and noticed her expression was considerably happier than usual, with the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.

Truly, sisterly affection runs deep.

No amount of self‑comfort could match Qiao Qiao's return today.

Xu Yuexin thought to himself with a sigh.

"Your cooking skills have improved a lot."

Seeing the dishes Xu Yuexin made, Qiao Qiao immediately praised, "Did I practice this myself when I was away?"

"That's right, I did it just to give you a surprise when I came back."

Xu Yuexin said cheerfully.

The daughter‑in‑law represents the highest cooking level in his social circle.

Since the daughter‑in‑law praised it, it shows his cooking has indeed improved a lot.

After a while, all the food was placed on the table, and Qiao Qiao and Chen Yixue simultaneously fixed their eyes on the black fish.

"What is this dish called? I don't think I've seen it before."

Qiao Qiao asked Xu Yuexin.

"This is called pickled cabbage fish; give it a try, is it tasty?"

Xu Yuexin said.

Xu Yuexin didn't know when pickled cabbage fish was invented, but he was sure it wasn't popular at the moment.

After a while, he planned to teach Xiao Wang Youle, which might give the latter's shop another signature dish.

At this moment, Qiao Qiao had already picked up a piece of fish and put it into her mouth.

After just one bite, Qiao Qiao immediately raved with praise.

"The flavor is really good, both sour and spicy, and the fish meat is tender."

Qiao Qiao turned her face and said, "Sister, you try it too."

Chen Yixue then extended her chopsticks, took a bite and nodded, "The taste is good."

"I specially selected a two‑jin black fish."

"At this time, black fish have abundant flesh, the meat is still tender, making it ideal for pickled cabbage fish."

Xu Yuexin said, "Also this steamed eggplant, you should try it as well."

Qiao Qiao picked up a chopstickful and followed with another round of praise.

"The eggplant is cooked very fresh."

"From now on, we'll leave the household to you, okay?"

"Fine, it's just a matter of a single sentence."

Xu Yuexin answered in one breath, "Sure."

During the meal, Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue together learned the specific circumstances of Qiao Qiao's time in Tianjin.

Qiao Qiao joined the branch company's preparation team as an intern, and in her work she quickly became the pillar of the whole group.

Therefore the branch company's Manager actively tried to retain her when she left, offering an extremely high salary for a recent graduate.

Qiao Qiao wanted to return to Jing to reunite with Xu Yuexin, so she politely declined the Manager's retention.

However, the branch company still wrote a commendation letter to the headquarters, praising Qiao Qiao's performance during the preparation period.

"What treatment is the headquarters preparing for you?"

After the daughter‑in‑law finished speaking, Xu Yuexin asked her.

"I heard I'm being assigned to the office secretariat as the head of the Text Department, responsible for drafting reports upward."

Qiao Qiao smiled and said, "I actually quite like this job; it lets my writing skills shine."

"That's pretty good; the secretariat is the core department of the unit."

Xu Yuexin heard this happily and said, "As a junior brother, I wish you, senior sister, smooth work ahead and continual promotion."

After speaking, he poured half a cup of water into the teacup on the table and raised it toward the daughter‑in‑law.

Qiao Qiao and Chen Yixue were both amused by him.

"Stop messing around."

Qiao Qiao pursed her lips and laughed, "My sister is here."

"Alright, originally you kept insisting I call you senior sister."

"Now that it's come to this, you don't want me to call you."

"Pfft, I was just teasing you back then."

…

The lunch ended amid the three people's laughter and chatter, followed by clearing the dishes.

The daughter‑in‑law is exhausted from the errands, and Da Yizi is also unaccustomed to housework, so the duty of washing pots and dishes falls onto Xu Yuexin.

"Almost done washing?"

Just as Xu Yuexin was halfway through washing, a sudden voice came from behind him—Da Yizi's.

"Ha, you're trying to scare me to death."

Xu Yuexin patted his chest, turned around and said, "If you have something, speak up."

"You've also caught a glimpse of Qiao Qiao's future today."

Da Yizi whispered from behind Xu Yuexin, "From now on you must live up to her."

"Got it, no need for you to tell me."

"I've always been quite worthy of her."

"Saying that, aren't you embarrassed?"

Da Yizi looked at Xu Yuexin with disdain and said, "Take this chance now; you can still change."

"I'm living so happily now; what's there to change?"

Xu Yuexin brushed it off, even turned back and pinched Da Yizi's beautiful, dignified face.

Da Yizi jumped in shock and quickly stepped aside.

This guy's nerve is still as big as ever.

His younger sister is sleeping in the nearby bedroom, and he actually dares to lay hands on me.

Da Yizi thought angrily, glared at Xu Yuexin and hurried away, mainly because she didn't know what further outrageous things Xu Yuexin might do if she stayed.

After washing the dishes, Xu Yuexin dried his hands and left the kitchen; at that moment his daughter‑in‑law had already woken up.

"Not going to sleep more?"

Xu Yuexin asked his daughter‑in‑law.

"No need, I've had enough sleep."

"How many hours did you sleep last night?"

"Last night, thinking about meeting you kept me awake; I only slept five hours."

His daughter‑in‑law said energetically.

Alright, the daughter‑in‑law's energy is indeed abundant.

Xu Yuexin sighed.

Regarding the daughter‑in‑law's vigor, Xu Yuexin knows it well.

Among all the women he's with, the daughter‑in‑law's stamina is truly unmatched.

That night, Xu Yuexin showered first and slipped into the bed.

Soon after, Chen Qiaoqiao also finished washing.

She emerged from the bathroom, didn't go straight to the bedroom, but lingered in the dressing room between them for a while before coming out.

"Do I look good?"

Chen Qiaoqiao wore a pink lace camisole‑style nightgown, her long legs sheathed in white stockings, and walked toward the bedside with a smiling tone.

The nightgown had a deep V, exposing a swath of fair skin, and the neckline featured a small bow, inevitably drawing the eye to Chen Qiaoqiao's full bosom.

Xu Yuexin's Adam's apple bobbed; Chen Qiaoqiao's sight made him restless.

He immediately stood, embraced the increasingly graceful Chen Qiaoqiao, and kissed her hard.

His large hand also slipped into the nightgown, invading her.

"Mmm…"

In response to his affection, Chen Qiaoqiao actively replied with a pleasant hum.

Even after Xu Yuexin finished the kiss, she was still a bit unsatisfied, even actively guiding his large hand with her jade‑like hand…

"Do you miss me?"

While continuing to assault Chen Qiaoqiao's delicate body, Xu Yuexin asked in her ear.

"I miss you… hmm, do you miss me?"

"I miss you to death."

After saying that, Xu Yuexin increased the pressure of his hand and launched a new round of kissing.

"Mmm…"

A moment later, daughter‑in‑law Chen Qiaoqiao let out a soft whimper, and when she opened her eyes toward Xu Yuexin, her beautiful eyes were already watery.

Xu Yuexin knew the time had come.

With a "creak," he lifted his daughter‑in‑law and laid her down on the bed…

……

That night, the bedroom's activity never ceased.

Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, tangled together until dawn before finally falling asleep in each other's tight embrace.

When they opened their eyes, the sun was already high in the sky.

Xu Yuexin was the one who woke up first.

He saw his daughter‑in‑law's long white leg hanging out, and reached for a towel to cover it, preventing her from catching a chill.

"What time is it…"

At that moment, Chen Qiaoqiao in Xu Yuexin's arms, sensing the movement, woke up groggily and thought.

"Nine thirty."

Xu Yuexin picked up the Rolex on the bedside table, glanced at it and said.

"It's so late."

Chen Qiaoqiao rubbed her eyes and whispered softly.

"Who told you last night…"

Xu Yuexin gave a wicked grin and whispered in her ear.

"Ah, you can't say that."

Chen Qiaoqiao, who was half‑asleep, blushed immediately upon hearing it, gave a light punch to Xu Yuexin's chest and said, "If you say any more, I will…"

"What will you…?"

"I won't do that with you anymore."

Chen Qiaoqiao covered her face and said shyly.

"Can you really do it?"

Xu Yuexin gave a light pinch on her slender waist and said.

"Hmph, I can."

Chen Qiaoqiao cooed, "Hurry up, you Big Bad Guy."

"I don't believe it."

Xu Yuexin smiled, kissed Chen Qiaoqiao's forehead, then got up to dress.

Seeing the high sun outside, Xu Yuexin remembered that he had arranged with Wang Chaoyin to meet at People's Literature yesterday.

"Damn!"

Xu Yuexin slapped his thigh, quickly finished washing at top speed, pushed his motorcycle out of the courtyard, mounted it and sped toward Chaonei 166.

The Harley still had kick, and when Xu Yuexin arrived at People's Literature, he glanced at his watch and saw it was only 9:50.

He parked the motorcycle at the gate, ran into the building, and found the Deputy Editor‑in‑Chief's office.

"Old Wang, sorry to keep you waiting."

After pushing open the office door, Xu Yuexin strode in briskly and said to Wang Chaoyin.

Wang Chaoyin had been bent over reviewing manuscripts, but upon seeing Xu Yuexin, lifted his face, smiled broadly, and walked over.

"No, it's not ten yet."

"Come sit and talk."

The two sat opposite each other at the desk and discussed publishing a novel collection.

Having collaborated before, they quickly reached an agreement.

The royalty remained tiered, starting at 10%, adding 2% for each million copies, capped at 18%.

Each volume was priced at 3.5 yuan, not only due to rising costs but mainly because Xu Yuexin was publishing a hefty volume this time.

Counting from "Wreaths Beneath High Mountain", his total word count had reached over a million and several hundred thousand characters.

"By the way, there's an urgent matter I need to tell you."

After signing the contract, Wang Chaoyin solemnly said to Xu Yuexin.

(End of chapter)