Chapter 98: Consolation Reward
Su Zhaozhao looked up at Xie Huaizheng. "That’s too much. I’ve already eaten plenty. I feel like I’ve gained a bit of weight recently, so I need to go on a diet."
The moment she said the word "diet," the man’s expression instantly darkened. "What did you say?"
"Go on a diet." Su Zhaozhao thought for a moment. ’Could it be that’s not a thing in this era?’
’That makes sense. Everyone is going hungry; being able to gain weight is probably something countless people dream of.’
The next second, Xie Huaizheng placed all the braised pork he had gotten into Su Zhaozhao’s bowl.
Su Zhaozhao: "???"
"I don’t want to eat it," she said, frowning. "I’m serious. I feel like I can’t gain any more weight."
She had always had her own standards for her figure.
When the original owner of this body had been too thin, Su Zhaozhao had forced herself to eat a lot. After coming here and having meat with every meal, she had gained a full eleven pounds this month!
She felt her current weight was just about right. From now on, she could start eating a little less for dinner.
Xie Huaizheng looked at Su Zhaozhao’s slender, delicate arms. They looked so fragile, like he could snap them with one hand.
’And she’s telling me she wants to go on a diet?’
’And here he was, trying so hard to help her fill out a bit.’
He hadn’t forgotten that the last time Su Zhaozhao was hospitalized, the doctor had said she was malnourished.
He’d been here with her for so long, and he’d only managed to help her gain a little bit of weight.
"Eat. Wasting food is forbidden," Xie Huaizheng told her icily.
Su Zhaozhao looked at him, feeling wronged. ’This man is so infuriating.’
’From now on, I should just eat by myself,’ she thought. ’That way, I can eat whatever I want, and Xie Huaizheng won’t be able to boss me around.’
"You need to eat more. You’ll look better with a bit more meat on your bones," Xie Huaizheng said. ’With those thin arms and legs, how is she fat? A little flesh is a good thing.’
"This is enough."
"If you really feel like you’re fat, then come exercise with me after dinner."
Su Zhaozhao paused. ’Oh, right! Exercise!’
She’d actually had a habit of exercising before. When she had free time, she would usually go for a run outside or work out at the gym. But after coming here, she felt like she had inherited the previous owner’s body and instantly become a low-energy person.
She felt like lying down, sprawling out, and sleeping in all the time.
The only reason she occasionally got up and walked around was because she didn’t have a phone, and lying in bed was just too boring.
"Okay," Su Zhaozhao said. "I agree, I need to get some exercise."
’It’s just that it gets too dark here at night, and there’s nobody around. Even if I wanted to run, I’d be too scared.’
Xie Huaizheng glanced sideways at her. "Then eat up. We’ll take a slow walk later. It’ll help you digest your food, get some exercise, and build up your stamina."
"Okay," Su Zhaozhao relented.
The main reason was that the braised pork was just so fragrant. She’d had it many times, but she felt like she could never get tired of it.
Eating it with the dumplings gave it a unique and delicious flavor.
Seeing Su Zhaozhao immediately dive back into her food, Xie Huaizheng couldn’t help but chuckle.
’She so clearly loves to eat, yet she forces herself to eat less?’
’It’s completely unnecessary.’
After they finished eating, the two of them left the cafeteria and headed outside.
They walked along the small path outside.
There were few streetlights here, and the road was very dark. They could only rely on the starlight to find their way.
But with Xie Huaizheng by her side, Su Zhaozhao didn’t feel the least bit afraid.
She just needed to stick close to his side.
Xie Huaizheng lowered his eyes, watching their two dark shadows standing side-by-side.
Su Zhaozhao’s shadow was as petite as she was.
’Walking like this forever wouldn’t be so bad,’ he thought.
After a while, Xie Huaizheng spoke. "You said you’re going to the West City District tomorrow?"
"That’s right. I want to look around a bit. It gets pretty boring for me here all by myself, you know."
Xie Huaizheng had to agree that Su Zhaozhao was probably getting stir-crazy here.
She had no job and no duties, and there weren’t even any entertainment facilities around.
It was only natural she’d find it dull.
"Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?"
"Come on, I’m an adult. I’ve already been to the city district a few times. Don’t worry about me." Su Zhaozhao did her best to reassure Xie Huaizheng. "I made it all the way here from Jiang City, which is so far away. That was nothing to me. Camp Commander Xie, you can relax, I’ll be fine!"
As the girl earnestly tried to reassure him, Xie Huaizheng squeezed her hand and fell silent.
He was still a little worried.
The past was the past, and now is now.
"It’s a long bus ride to the city district. Besides, you were in an accident last time."
’Back then, he hadn’t even been able to make sense of his own feelings, yet he had been extremely worried about Su Zhaozhao. That was nothing compared to now, when he finally understood his feelings for her. Although they weren’t that deep yet, he had already accepted her as the one he could marry and spend the rest of his life with.’
’So, shouldn’t he be worried about her?’
"It’ll be fine. Hmm... If you’re worried, how about I call you to let you know I’ve arrived safely? And I’ll come back early, just like we agree. How does that sound?"
Su Zhaozhao stopped walking and took Xie Huaizheng’s hand with both of hers. She stared up at him with her big eyes, in a clear attempt to charm him.
The hazy moonlight illuminated the girl’s face, making it seem bright and flawless.
Xie Huaizheng gazed at Su Zhaozhao for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. Give me a kiss, and I’ll agree to it."
Su Zhaozhao was surprised. ’Xie Huaizheng is really getting addicted to kissing.’
She glanced around. Seeing no one, Su Zhaozhao breathed a sigh of relief.
Her hands came to rest on Xie Huaizheng’s chest as she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips.
However, she had only intended for it to be a quick peck.
But she didn’t expect the man to seize the opportunity, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her forcefully into his embrace.
His other hand cupped the back of her head, his sharp-knuckled fingers threading through her jet-black hair.
He leaned down, like a great beast, enveloping her in his arms.
Then, he deepened the kiss.
An unknown amount of time passed before Su Zhaozhao was finally released. She was panting, her body limp and weak as she collapsed against Xie Huaizheng’s chest.
"Can I go now?" she asked weakly.
In stark contrast to her exhaustion, the man before her looked calm and composed, wearing a sated expression.
His rough fingers caressed her lips, which were red and swollen from his kiss.
He then smiled. "Yes, you can. Go ahead, but remember to leave early and come back early."
Although he found it a bit strange that Su Zhaozhao was going to the city district so often, Xie Huaizheng still felt that since he had chosen to trust her, he wouldn’t pry.
Besides, he had received his reassuring kiss.
"Okay." Su Zhaozhao sighed. It was a long moment before she finally pulled away from Xie Huaizheng’s arms.
But the man just had to stare at her with a teasing gaze. "Zhaozhao, I told you your stamina isn’t good enough. You really do need to work out more."
’So *that’s* what Xie Huaizheng meant by exercising to build stamina!’
Realization dawned on Su Zhaozhao. She couldn’t help but grab Xie Huaizheng’s arm and, in her vexation, bite down on it.