Zhong Mingwei looked at A’Chou’s fair and skinny hands flexibly cut his toenails, and felt warm inside. He randomly picked up a white cotton sock, and found a vivid pattern of a cute little bat embroidered on its back. There used to be a hole, but he didn’t care. He even seemed comfortable in moldy clothes. However, when she took this sock this morning, the hole was already mended by the little bat.

“Am I good? Haha.” A’Chou became proud when noticing that Zhong Mingwei was checking that pattern of bat she embroidered.

“It’s nice.” nodded Zhong Mingwei with a smile. Then, he asked curiously: “Why bat?”

“When I did Imperial Concubine Zhao’s laundry at the Yanxi Palace, I found several of her clothes were embroidered with pattern of bats. I kept wondering why she wanted this dark and hideous animal to damage her perfect fine clothes until later some maids told me that it stood for good luck.” explained A’Chou. Then, she continued to manicure another foot: “I’ve embroidered the pattern of bat under your foot, so you will tread on the good luck and be blessed for the rest of your life.”

“But it looks so nice that I don’t want to step on it.” said Zhong Mingwei softly while rubbing the surface gently and slowly.

In fact, Zhong Mingwei wanted to rub A’Chou’s face, but he didn’t. She was so bashful that she always flushed and stuttered so easily.

He had seen everything she had done, and felt really bad for her. He used to hear others describe their beloved ones “apple of the eye”, and he scorned them. However, he did felt the same way this time.

“Humph! You were just exaggerating. You said you didn’t want to step on it, but you’ve been wearing your socks all day.” A’Chou rolled her eyes, unpleasant and doubtful.

“I barely moved all day so that I won’t sweat and ruin this little bat.” Zhong Mingwei tried to please A’Chou. It seemed that he worried she wouldn’t buy it, so he added in a low voice: “It’s true. Trust me.”

A’Chou really couldn’t bear it. It almost killed her that a man in his thirties showed his weakness unconsciously.

“It’s okay. I’ll embroider patterns of bats on all of your socks.” said A’Chou generously. Then, she tilted her head and asked: “What would you like for dinner?”

“The stewed wild fish you mentioned this morning.” answered Zhong Mingwei embarrassedly with a smile. He hadn’t eaten fish since he was sent to NingGuTa, and he had been craving for it since this morning.

“Not now. Uncle Chen said the heated bed wouldn’t be available in a couple of days.” said A’Chou while looking up at the bed which was still wet. Then, she looked at Zhong Mingwei: “Wait for it. I’ll get a big fish.”

“A small one would be fine.” said Zhong Mingwei hurriedly. “It would be tenderer and taste better.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got enough money.” A’Chou finished manicuring Zhong Mingwei’s feet, put down the scissors, and looked at him: “Besides, Mrs. Chen will pay me. We can surely afford a fish.”

Zhong Mingwei felt uneasy under A’Chou’s gaze, so he looked away silently. Then, his Adam’s apple trembled. When he was about to speak again, she chuckled and continued: “Zhong Mingwei, I’m sure the fish would taste good as long as we have it together. However, I’m too lazy to bone it, and there are so many bones in small fishes, so could you make a compromise and always choose the big fish?”