Chapter 4: Spiced Pork

Ding Sha sat nervously for a while before following the young policeman into the room next door.

They walked through several winding corridors and passed many doors before finally stopping in front of an iron gate.

"Go on in. I'll come get you when it's time," the kind young policeman said, pushing the door open a crack for her.

Ding Sha thanked him, took a deep breath, and gathered her courage to push the door fully open.

The space inside was large, with a very big table. Behind a transparent wall sat a young man with a shaved head.

He looked thin, with a scar over his eyebrow. His gaze towards her was eager and ardent.

Xiao Jun had waited for her for a long time. Now, seeing her timidly push open the door, not daring to come in, he was anxious but also afraid of frightening her. He stood up slightly, leaning on the glass, and coaxed gently, "Don't be afraid, Sha Sha, it's me."

"Come slowly, don't stand there, you must be tired. Sit down."

Ding Sha unconsciously touched her belly again, but finally strode forward towards him.

Seeing her come over, Xiao Jun revealed a bright, delighted smile. He had been worried that his Sha Sha would be unhappy or cry or ignore him.

As she drew closer and closer, Ding Sha could hear the intense beating of her heart. Her eager nervousness made her somewhat short of breath.

She staggered two steps, her vision went black, and she flailed her arms for balance, grabbing onto the chair back nearest her.

Before fainting, she reflexively put her hand over her belly to protect it.

Xiao Jun watched helplessly as she floated down into a faint. His eyes reddened anxiously. He jumped up like a panther, pounding the wall, yelling her name in helpless tension.

"Sha Sha! What's wrong, Sha Sha!! Someone come! Save her!!"

His outburst drew the prison guards' attention. They swiftly burst in and pinned his arms behind his back onto the table.

Xiao Jun was still struggling. He twisted his head to see Ding Sha's condition but couldn't see her face, only her thin, weak figure collapsed on the cold cement floor.

At that moment Xiao Jun bitterly hated his own powerlessness.

The young policeman heard the commotion, opened the door, saw Ding Sha, and ran in to pick her up and carry her towards the infirmary.

Xiao Jun had calmed down now. He stopped struggling. "My wife is unwell. Can I go to the infirmary to see her?"

The prison guards held him down tightly, not daring to relax their grip. This brat was very wild, and his martial arts skills were good too. If they let him get away even for a moment, it would surely lead to big trouble.

Xiao Jun let them exert their strength on him without resisting. "I just want to see my wife. I want to know how she is. I'm worried about her."

The two guards exchanged a glance. "Let me report to my superior first. You go back for now, and we'll see about it later."

But Xiao Jun shook his head. "I can provide important information, but I have a condition. Let me see my wife."

The two looked at each other again. So this brat was finally willing to talk?

After thinking for a moment, one of them directly radioed Xiao Jun's demand to his superior.

Shortly after, approval came through the radio for Xiao Jun's request.

When Ding Sha awoke, she felt like she was lying in a warm, somewhat bony embrace. She opened her eyes a crack and saw Xiao Jun holding her, his face full of worry.

Before she could feel awkward and say anything, Xiao Jun immediately brought over the glass of room temperature water that had been cooling nearby. "How do you feel? Still uncomfortable? Have some water?"

Ding Sha did indeed feel thirsty. She wanted to drink it herself, but Xiao Jun wouldn't allow it. So she could only sip the water from Xiao Jun's hand.

The doctor from the infirmary came out holding test reports. "Young lady, do you know your own physical condition?"

Seeing his somewhat stern expression, Ding Sha bit her lip and nodded.

Xiao Jun also frowned, preparing to hear the doctor's report on Ding Sha's condition.

But the doctor's next words made him open his eyes wide in shock.

"How could you run around pregnant like this? Don't you know how weak your body is?" The doctor looked at her reproachfully.

Ding Sha lowered her head guiltily without speaking.

But Xiao Jun's hand tightened on her protectively. He held Ding Sha close anxiously, stuttering, "Preg...pregnant?"

"Yes, probably two or three months along," the doctor supplemented.

Xiao Jun just looked at Ding Sha and repeated his question. "Sha Sha, you're pregnant?"

Ding Sha murmured affirmation. "Three months along."

Xiao Jun was somewhat at a loss. He had left for less than two months. If he had known Sha Sha was pregnant, he absolutely would not have...

Moreover, Sha Sha was so obedient, so loving towards him.

Xiao Jun mouthed the words "pregnant" over and over, only belatedly feeling the joy. He babbled excitedly, "A child...I'm going to be a dad..."

"Sha Sha! I'm so happy!" His delight was pure and intense. His expression was as if illuminated.

But Ding Sha didn't know how to face him. She avoided his gaze, looking to the doctor. "Doctor, why did I suddenly faint like that..."

"Your health is very poor, you have anemia and malnutrition. Carrying a baby is of course very taxing on you," the doctor said, sitting in the chair by the bed. "Go home and drink more milk and eat more eggs. It will be good for you."

Ding Sha listened carefully.

Of course Xiao Jun felt her avoidance. He thought it was because she still resented and blamed him for not being by her side, especially now that she was pregnant...

Xiao Jun was incredibly pained. His gaze was dark as he silently made a decision.

Ding Sha exchanged just a couple words with Xiao Jun before making excuses about needing to take folic acid and fleeing as if flying away.

Xiao Jun sat alone in the infirmary for a long time until the sun set. Only then did he stand up as if having made a decision.

"I want to see Officer Liu. I have something to say."

The doctor looked at him in surprise.

Since being brought in, this brat had refused to say anything, giving Officer Liu a headache. But after seeing his pregnant wife once, he was now willing to talk...

Ding Sha returned home with complicated feelings. She sat by the stove, distractedly cooking eggs.

She was completely unprepared for Xiao Jun's appearance.

But she could not deny that she did not feel aversion towards Xiao Jun. It was as if she had known him for a long time.

Ding Sha felt it was very strange, but could not find a reason why.

She attributed it to her original self's familiarity with Xiao Jun.

She cut the pork belly into thick slices, blanched them, then added in new rock sugar to the hot oil to caramelize. After the meat turned golden brown she added soy sauce, bay leaves, and other seasonings, brought it to a boil, then turned down the heat to simmer.

Before long the rich fragrance floated out into the air.

When the stew was nearly done she added the eggs she had boiled the previous day to stew together until the flavor was fully absorbed and the stew was aromatic.

Ding Sha picked out a few pieces of meat and egg to go with the cold tossed cabbage she had prepared, and brought a serving over to Zhang Granny's place.

As soon as she knocked on the door, Zhang Granny's little grandson poked his head out. His little nose twitched as he smelled the food. Seeing it was Ding Sha, he shyly ran back to call out Zhang Granny.

Zhang Granny came out from the kitchen. "What is it, girl?"

"I made some food, for you to try," Ding Sha handed over the bowl. As she lowered her head, she saw Zhang Granny's little grandson peeking out from behind her legs, curious but shy.

Seeing her look his way, the little boy withdrew his head bashfully. But soon the aroma drew him out again.

Ding Sha smiled and stroked his head.

Zhang Granny did not stand on ceremony with her. "Then granny will accept. If you need anything, just tell granny. Granny has everything here."

She cheerily pulled Ding Sha in, insisting she have a bowl of granny's egg and brown sugar water. But Ding Sha quickly waved her hands. "No no, I still have to go sell food at the worksite."

Zhang Granny patted her forehead. "Of course, just look at my memory. Alright, you go on. Remember to tell granny if you need anything!"

Ding Sha smiled and agreed, before heading back with light steps.

Today the brothers were also already waiting in their usual spot at the worksite. They had set up the tables, benches, and stools themselves, watching expectantly for her direction. It was as if everything was ready and they just awaited her arrival.

Da Zhuang cheerfully helped her unload and set up, then lined up to be the first to buy food without modesty.

After receiving his food, he immediately sat to the side and dove in impatiently. Ever since Ding Sha had mentioned pork belly stew yesterday, he had been thinking about it for a whole afternoon.

Even when he slept he drooled.

Taking a deep breath, he opened the lid. The contents were shiny and red, glistening. He poked it with chopsticks and the meat was soft and tender. The air was already permeated with the tantalizing aroma.

Next to it was a hard boiled egg cut in half, and the side dishes were fresh and appetizing. The pork was fatty but not greasy. After one bite, Da Zhuang almost shed tears.

How long had it been since he ate something so delicious?

He wolfed down several more mouthfuls of rice, then couldn't help but glance again at Ding Sha who was still selling food.

No matter what, they had to get her to keep selling boxed lunches here!

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