Chapter 423 - I'm Hungry

"I'll be resting at home today," said Xiang Hulin as he was descending the stairs.

"General, are you feeling okay?" asked Adjutant Zhang to Xiang Hulin.

Xiang Hulin waved his off saying, "It's nothing. I'm just getting old now." 

As he walked towards the dining table, he was left frozen on his track for a moment at the sight before him. Right there sat his daughter gobbling up her food without a care in this world. She looked like she hadn't eaten in over a decade or so.

Just at this scene, he felt his headache worsening. 

"Good morning, darling!"

Xiang Wai looked up from her bowl of dumplings, with her cheeks filled with dumplings making her look like a round bun. She gave him a greeting in return but because her mouth was filled, he hardly understood anything.

"Daughter, just chew it first and then swallow it before speaking," said Xiang Hulin in a mild manner. He didn't look mad at her at all. Rather, he seemed quite helpless as he sat down opposite her.

Xiang Wai's eyes moved to the empty head seat of the dining table before looking at her father who sat opposite her and shook her head lightly. In all her life, she had never seen her father taking the head seat. She knew that chair was empty for her grandfather but she really didn't understand, why? It was obvious that her grandfather wasn't gonna take that chair.

As Xiang Wai swallowed, she took a sip of water.

"When did you come?" asked Xiang Hulin.

"Just an hour ago," answered Xiang Wai and even yawned on cue as if to indicate that she was tired after traveling for the night. Originally, she planned on taking a few days before coming to see her father in Nanzhou but then after leaving her brother last night, she couldn't think of anything else to do. So, in the middle of the night, she took the flight to come over.

Xiang Hulin's brows knitted up, "Couldn't wait for the daybreak?"

"I thought my plan might change once daybreak came around," answered Xiang Wai honestly. Then she looked at her empty bowl and rubbed her tummy, "I'm still hungry."

"What do you want to eat?" asked Xiang Hulin.

"Why?" asked Xiang Wai as she leaned ahead on the dining table. "Are you gonna make it for me?"

Xiang Hulin smiled at her, "I will."

"Scallion oil pancakes!" announced Xiang Wai with a wide grin on her face.

"Anything else?" asked Xiang Hulin.

"Tofu pudding."

Xiang Hulin nodded his head and stood up immediately. He entered the kitchen while Xiang Wai continued to look at his back with a smile on her face. She couldn't remember the time in her life when her father would have said 'no' to her for something. No matter how unreasonable her demands would get, he'd never disagree with her.

Maybe he really felt guilty for not being able to give her a complete family and turning her into a complete mess. Or maybe it was just his way of showing his love to her. After all, he had never been good at showing his love. So, he believed that if he gave her whatever she asked for, it'd be enough to show that he really loves her.

"General, you can tell me what you want. I'll make it for you," said the kitchen lady hurriedly. 

Xiang Hulin stopped her, "It's nothing. I'm seeing my daughter after months. The least I can do is to cook a simple breakfast for her."

Xiang Wai had followed him inside and sat down on the high stool with her elbows perched on the counter. "Papa, are you taking a day off?"

"Hmm..." Xiang Hulin hummed in response to her. "It's Sunday. There is nothing special for me to do. So, I thought I should rest." He looked up at her with gentle eyes and added, "And now I'm glad that I decided to rest at home. Or else, I wouldn't be able to spend time with my daughter."

Xiang Wai narrowed her eyes at her father, "Did Ge tell you that I'm coming?"

"Does Weimin know?" asked Xiang Hulin in surprise. He knew his son. Xiang Weimin would have told him if he knew that Xiang Wai was coming.

"I told him last night," answered Xiang Wai as she read through her father's mind easily. It seemed it was really a coincidence that he was staying home today. "In fact, I only told him that I'd be coming to visit you in a few days. I don't think even he expected me to get up in the middle of the night to make this trip."

"You should have told me before coming."

"Why? I can't come unannounced?"

"It's nothing like that. It's your home. You can come whenever you want to," said Xiang Hulin. "I'm just thinking it'd be a shame if you came and didn't get to see me at home."

Xiang Wai nodded in agreement, "That's true. That thought crossed my mind when I was boarding the plane. After all, it's rare to find you at home. Most of the time, you're busy with those old geezers."

"Be respectful," Xiang Hulin chided her gently. "Those 'old geezers' are all higher in rank than you." As he chopped the scallions, the sound of rhythmic 'tuk-tuk' echoed in the kitchen. "I'm also a part of those old geezers, by the way. It's not like I'm getting any younger."

Xiang Wai mentally rolled her eyes at her father, "Papa, by old geezers, I meant those grumpy old men who only know how to make soldiers like us work to the bones with their unreasonable demands. Although you're getting old, you aren't that unreasonable or grumpy all the time."

Xiang Hulin chuckled softly at her words, "I am flattered that my daughter is complimenting me.." His voice and expressions showed that he was genuinely happy by this 'so-called' compliment of hers which she even didn't think was a compliment.