Chapter Eighty-Seven: The Taste of Home

  Tian Miao was carried home by Gao Xiang, wearing a hospital gown. Today is also the 30th of the Lunar New Year. After hearing from Gao Xiang about how Tian Miao got injured, Gao Xiang's parents were heartbroken for Tian Miao. They scolded Gao Xiang nonstop, saying almost the same thing as Old Zeng had said: "You men in the police force are all useless. With so many men around, you still let a girl do such dangerous work." After criticizing Gao Xiang, his mother ignored Tian Miao's objections and dragged her into the house to dress her up, putting her in her own clothes.

  "Mom looked at the dishes on the table and said, "The dishes are a bit cold. Gao Xiang, quickly take these few hot dishes to heat them up in the microwave. First, heat this turtle soup. Little Tian's body is weak, so it's just right for her to have some nourishment. Also, bring out the wine warmer. Warm up a pot of wine. This weather isn't good for drinking cold wine."

  Tian Miao Miao hastily waved her hand and said it was not necessary. Gao Xiang's parents just wouldn't allow it. His mother enthusiastically served Tian Miao Miao dishes, saying "Come on, Miao Miao. It's okay for Auntie to call you that. Don't be polite, eat the food. Treat this place like your own home. Compared to you, Gao Xiang is far inferior. After hearing about your heroic deeds, I'm so impressed. You've won honor for us women.

  "There's something else I want to talk to you about. This little brat in my family became a cop for one day and is being very arrogant. You have to help us take him down a peg or two, or he'll get too full of himself. If he gives our superiors the impression that he's proud and self-satisfied, it won't be good. Let's see how arrogant he is this time. He thinks he's capable? I'll let him try to achieve something. Later, Auntie will toast you with a cup."

  No sooner had he finished speaking than Gao Xiang came in with a tray. Curiously, he asked: "What were you talking about?"

  Tian Niao gave him a glance. Meaningfully, she said: "Auntie, don't worry. Gao Xiang has promised me. After the New Year and after we go back to work, he will help me wash the captain's car for a month."

  Gao Xiang is pouring wine. His hand slipped and the teapot slid down. The splashed boiling water scalded him, making him cry out in pain. What's even more strange is that his mother slapped the table: "What are you yelling about? Hurry up and pour wine for Miao Miao. And then pour some for me and your father. Our first cup of wine should be to toast Miao Miao."

  Gao Xiang hastily poured wine for everyone, looking a bit flustered. Tian Miao Miao quickly stood up and said: "Uncle and Auntie, I'm really sorry to disturb you on New Year's Eve. Let me toast you with the first cup of wine. Wishing you a happy and harmonious family, a happy new year! And since you're my elders, please just sit back down."

  Gao Fu and Gao Mu held their wine cups, just about to stand up. After hearing this, they sat back down with a smile and had a cup of wine with Tian Miao Miao. Gao Xiang, looking foolish, also picked up his wine cup, ready to clink glasses. His father slapped him on the head. "Others show respect to their elders. What are you? Pour the wine, then toast Miao Miao."

  Looking at Gao Xiang and Tian Miao, they also touched a cup. His dad laughed so hard that he lost his composure. The old couple kept exchanging glances. Dad understood Mom's intention very well. He opened his mouth and said: "That's it. Gao Xiang will clean up your bedroom in a while. Miao Miao, why don't you spend the Spring Festival at our home? What's good about the hospital? You'll be alone when you go back. If you need to remove the stitches, you'll have to wait until the 7th or 8th day of the new year anyway. We'll take care of you during this time. I guarantee it will be better than the hospital."

  Next to her, the old mother quickly echoed: "That's right. Let's do it this way. It's so unlucky to stay in the hospital during the New Year. Miao Miao, you just rest assured and stay down. I'd love to have a daughter by my side. This little brat has been making me angry since he was a kid."

  Gao Xiang said sourly from the side: "I'm lying down and I've been shot... And where are you going to let me live?"

  "Living room. The balcony is not a place to sleep. What's wrong with you? Have you eaten enough? Put down your bowl after eating. Hurry up and clean the house for me."

  "Are you kidding me... Miao Miao didn't see it. First time update? You've completely ruined my poor little reputation..."

  Tian Miao Miao watched this happy family, unable to utter a word of refusal. The scene was bittersweet and brought tears to her eyes. Gao Xiang suddenly shouted: "Hey! We're going to set off fireworks later. If we get flooded, they won't light up!" After saying that, she ran away. Tian Miao Miao glared at her with anger, but stopped crying.

  They ate for over half an hour. Tian Miao Miao was a bit awkward at first. The Gao family was too enthusiastic; Father and Mother Gao kept refilling the soup and serving dishes. Next to them, Gao Xiang made jokes and fully utilized his talent for being talkative, making several people laugh. Gradually, Tian Miao Miao also relaxed a bit.

  They had dinner. Sat on the sofa, Gao Xiang and his family watched the Spring Festival Gala while chatting with Tian Miao Miao about family matters. Such as how old they were, where their hometown was, who was in their family, whether their parents had retired or not... etc. Gao Xiang brought over a few cans of drinks. His mother was afraid that Tian Miao Miao couldn't eat cold things, so she went to get her a bowl of hot and steaming silver ear soup. Tian Miao Miao's voice trembled with emotion as she said: "Thank you, Auntie..."

  He took a look at her, then at his mother. Suddenly he said: "You're calling so intimately, just call mom directly..." which made Tian Miao's face turn bright red. His father almost kicked him. Angrily, he ordered: "Hurry up and roll out. Drive to the hospital and get Miao Miao's changed clothes. Go early and come back early. Later we'll set off firecrackers. Remember to explain at the hospital. See if there are any oral medications. Be careful."

  The old couple scolded and cursed, driving Gao Xiang out. The first time to update? Tian Miao Miao, who was gloating over the misfortune of others, didn't see that. As she sent her son out the door, the old mother quietly said to Gao Xiang: "You little rascal, well done."

  After eating dumplings and setting off firecrackers, while Tian Miao went to make a New Year's phone call to her family, my dad and mom exchanged sly glances with Gao Xiang, whispering: "You rascal, you've finally grown up. This girl is not bad, much better than that girlfriend of yours, Shao something... Your mom and I have created an opportunity for you, take advantage of these few days during the New Year to make a move. After the second day of the new year, take Miao out on dates everywhere. Young people in love should stick together."

  "Miao Miao is a good girl, but isn't her job too dangerous? She's just a young woman. For more and faster updates, please visit. Soft and weak, yet fighting against such vicious thugs. Our Gao Xiang is also a detective. My heart is racing with worry. If only she were an office worker..."

  "Hey, you're so naive. You don't understand anything. As the saying goes, 'learn literature and martial arts to sell to the imperial family.' This kid has no other skills. At least his physique is not bad. If he's not a cop, what else can he do? He's always out on cases and can't even be found at home. We need to find someone with more power. Miao Miao is pretty good. She's also a detective and can understand his work. And she can bring warmth to his family. This is a great match. Old lady, stop being so nosy."

  Gao Xiang let him get a scolding that was not light. The eight characters have not been found on paper yet. First time update? Dad and mom started calculating future things. The more I listened, the less it sounded like words. Hurriedly interrupting them: "Enough enough. It's not even a thing yet. You guys don't say anything. Later let people hear how bad it is."

  While they were talking, Tian Miao hung up the phone and went into the house. Her red-rimmed eyes cried again. Gao Xiang got up with concern and led her to sit down on the sofa. His mother handed her a tissue and comforted her, saying: "It's just ten days or half a month. If you miss home terribly, make a few more phone calls. Your uncle and I have discussed it. On the second day of the New Year, we'll all go out to play together. The lively atmosphere will lift your mood."

  Tian Miao Miao choked back a small voice and said, "Thank you, Auntie..." Gao Xiang's mother promptly hugged Tian Miao Miao in her arms. At this point, Tian Miao Miao's tears couldn't be stopped anymore. The old mother comforted Tian Miao Miao softly, just like a kind mother comforting her child.

  After eating dumplings and watching the fireworks, Dad and Mom went to sleep. I said to Tian MiaoMiao and Gao Xiang: "We two are old. We can't stay up late. You and MiaoMiao are young. Keep watch for a while. Gao Xiang, you have a computer, right? And also a game console? Play with MiaoMiao for a bit. Don't be too late. MiaoMiao needs rest too."

  For the first time, Tian Miao Miao entered Gao Xiang's room. She curiously looked around. The room wasn't big. At this point, it was already her room. Looking at the new pajamas, quilt, mattress and pillow on the bed. Tian Miao Miao really felt like she was troubling him. She softly thanked Gao Xiang. Gao Xiang casually said: "Hey, I'm more than happy to have you live here. Let your family live in this house. In the future, it will be a great place with good feng shui."

  Curious, she picked up a tank model from Gao Xiang's desk. It was heavy. It turned out to be made of metal. This is a 1:59 scale model of the Type 59 tank. The workmanship is exquisite. Every small detail is well handled. The straight gun barrel, the delicate tracks; the machine gun, the gun sight are all vividly depicted. On the base, there was an inscription that read: "Certain Group Army Certain Division Tank Regiment". Gao Xiang proudly told her: "This is a prize from the grand competition. It was given by the regiment commander. You can't even buy it outside. It's a genuine military product."

  Put down the tank model. Gao Xiang opened his computer. Connect the game console to Wi-Fi. He handed a controller to Tian Miao Miao. The two started playing games. Before long, Tian Miao Miao's true nature was revealed again. When she made a mistake, she would scold him. When he made a mistake, she would still scold him. Finally, Gao Xiang got angry and threw down the controller, refusing to play anymore. She laughed so hard that she fell forward and backward. As a result, her joy turned into sorrow. Her head started hurting...

  Gao Xiang hastily handed her the oral medication. After she took it, he didn't dare let her play games again. He quickly helped Tian Miao tidy up the bed and said: "Miao, hurry up and rest. Sleep well. I'll be outside. Call me if you need anything."

  Lying in Gao Xiang's bed, Tian Miao Miao couldn't sleep. Although they had changed into new clothes, there was still a hint of Gao Xiang's scent. An indescribable scent that was similar to the one on his body. Slightly pungent, but with a reassuring power that could calm people down. It was probably the same scent she smelled when she was little and climbed onto her father's shoulders, which also made her feel at ease.

  Tian Niu Miao fell asleep soundly. Gao Xiang lay on the sofa bed in the living room, playing with his phone. His mind was also recalling everything that had happened today. The moment he picked up Tian Niu Miao, he smelled her scent too. The smell of alcohol and disinfectant couldn't cover up a hint of sweetness. It was Tian Niu Miao's body fragrance.

  Turning her head to look at the extra pair of shoes on the shoe rack. Thinking about Tian Miao Miao in the bedroom. It turns out that a complete home, apart from Dad and Mom, really needs someone like her...