Chapter 41: Little Lion Head

Chapter 41

"Come give grandma a hug!"

After washing her hands, Zhuang Auntie hurried over and gently touched Little Ping An's face.

Seeing a stranger suddenly, Little Ping An was a little scared and shrunk back into Ding Sha's arms.

Zhuang Auntie also drew her hand back, her face full of kindness, "So handsome!"

"You're back?" Ding Sha was also quite happy.

"Yeah, Da Zhuang drove us back," Zhuang Auntie smiled.

"Da Zhuang heard that you had a baby, and prepared some things that his family produced, they're all pretty safe, don't worry." Gong Sister-in-law said, tidying up the things behind her and coming over to see Little Ping An.

"He looks so healthy and sturdy!" Gong Sister-in-law hadn't seen Little Ping An for a while and said somewhat emotionally.

"Of course, eating eight meals a day, crying for food after a while, he's eaten into a little fat pig!" Ding Sha tucked Little Ping An's clothes.

"It’s good that he has a big appetite, less likely to get sick!" Zhuang Auntie thought Little Ping An looked better and better.

"Where is Brother Da Zhuang? Is he outside too?" Ding Sha looked towards the door.

"He went to park the car, parking is difficult around here. I pointed him to a place to find parking himself," Gong Sister-in-law waved her hand.

"It's just nice to have Brother Da Zhuang stay for a meal," Ding Sha stood up, "There are still a lot of ingredients in the kitchen out back."

"He was hoping to stay for a meal," Gong Sister-in-law laughed, "When he's home, he can't wait, talking every day about the dishes from our shop. As soon as he heard we were coming over, he was exceptionally eager."

Ding Sha laughed when she heard this.

Du Rourou bit her spoon somewhat enviously, “It’s so nice. Boss lady, are you recruiting part-timers? I can do it!”

Ding Sha was stunned for a moment, “But we’re moving away...”

"School hasn't started yet for us...it’s still uncertain when school starts...it’s possible school won’t open at all...” Du Rourou said, “Even if school opens, it’ll be online classes. I’m already in my third year, there aren’t many classes... "

Before Ding Sha could reply, Du Rourou went on, “Plus my grandparents live right there, so I wouldn’t have to worry at all!”

Ding Sha thought about it. She did need a part-timer; Little Ping An needed someone with him at all times, there was only Xiao Jun in the kitchen, even with Zhuang Auntie helping out, Gong Sister-in-law would be overwhelmed.

"Then let's talk about it again once we've moved," Ding Sha didn't reject or agree, "Could you give me your contact info?"

"Sure, sure!" Du Rourou quickly reported her phone number to Ding Sha.

When Xiao Jun came back, Ding Sha had already started getting Zhuang Auntie to prepare the ingredients.

Da Zhuang was just standing at the side with a silly, honest smile, teasing Little Ping An. With no reason to go out during the pandemic, Da Zhuang hadn't even bothered shaving and had grown a full beard. He made faces at Little Ping An, wriggling his brows and pulling expressions.

At first Little Ping An frowned, seemingly disgusted. Then he made little giggling sounds showing his amusement.

She heated oil in a wok, added green onion, ginger and garlic to infuse the oil. Then she added some soy sauce and water, old soy sauce and spices, finally pouring in some shaoxing wine, white pepper and a little sugar.

Once the soup was boiling she turned down the heat. Using her thumb and index finger or a small spoon, she took portions of the meat paste and rolled them into little balls, dropping them into the soup.

Then she used low heat to slowly simmer for an hour before taking it off the heat.

Though cooked in water, it was as delicious as traditional red braised lion’s head meatballs.

With one bite the texture was both tender and springy, and full of flavor.

Healthy and tasty. The bowl was quickly cleaned out between everyone.

It had been a long time since they’d eaten such a lively meal with so many people. Xiao Jun and Ding Sha both felt somewhat sentimental.

Xiao Jun looked at Ding Sha next to him, smiling gently with Little Ping An in her arms. He was filled with complex emotions.

“What is it?” Ding Sha noticed his gaze. Though she asked, she still reached out and interlaced her fingers with his.

“Nothing, just happy,” Xiao Jun said.

Xiao Jun suddenly took out a small box from his pocket.

Everyone looked over at them. Xiao Jun said, “I never dared wish for such a happy life before, it always felt unreal.”

“All these years it had only been the two of us. Though I never felt lonely, I still felt I owed you, making you stay with me as the eccentric loners in others’ eyes.”

“I’m very happy with our current life. Thank you Sha Sha for always being with me, waiting for me, giving me a perfect home.”

“But I feel guilty.”

Xiao Jun’s eyes grew red. “I greedily take warmth from you, but it seems I keep bringing you unhappiness—not being there when you were pregnant, letting you have a child at such a young age, it’s all my fault.”

“I owe you a lot,” Xiao Jun said. “But I want to slowly make it up to you.”

Xiao Jun stood up and opened the box. Inside was a ring, with a dazzling diamond set into the platinum band.

“Sha Sha, will you marry me?”

Xiao Jun looked only at Ding Sha’s eyes as he slowly lowered to one knee. His eyes were brimming with intense, fiery ardor overflowing with love.

Ding Sha’s nose soured.

She currently faced the sky bare-faced, smelling of oil smoke, her postpartum belly not yet flat, tightly cradling their child.

“I...”

She choked up.

“I...will.”