The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

Xu Nian looked up at the time and opened the pot lid.

In an instant, a rich fragrance filled the entire room.

Each dumpling sat plump and glistening on the steamer, radiating a mouthwatering sheen.

Xu Xi couldn't wait to pick up a dumpling, dip it in vinegar, and put it in her mouth.

"Ah! Whoosh...whoosh...it's so hot! So hot!"

"Spit it out! You're putting it in your mouth right after it came out of the pot, you'll burn your tongue!"

Xu Xi was so burned that tears were about to stream down her face, but she still couldn't bear to spit it out.

She gasped a few times, finally blowing the dumpling in her mouth to a temperature she could eat.

"Delicious! So delicious!!"

The savory flavor of pork, combined with the aroma of shiitake mushrooms, bursts with delicious juice with every bite.

In addition, the celery and carrots neutralize the greasiness, making it irresistible.

Especially the dumpling skin, it has a very chewy texture, doesn't stick to your teeth at all, and is full of chewiness.

After being dipped in Xu Nian's blend of soy sauce and vinegar, the aroma, which is completely different yet perfectly combined, is so delicious it's almost tooth-rotting.

Xu Xi had never eaten such delicious food in her life.

Compared to the frozen dumplings I've had before, although they look similar, they taste completely different.

Frozen dumplings can't possibly compete with these freshly made and steamed handmade dumplings.

In an instant, Xu Xi understood why making dumplings starts with kneading the dough.

She gave a thumbs up and praised the delicious food repeatedly.

Seeing Xu Xi give such high praise, Xu Nian smiled from the bottom of her heart.

He picked up a dumpling, blew on it to cool it down, and then savored it carefully.

Compared to what I made many years ago, it tastes even better now because I have more seasonings and ingredients.

Xu Nian looked at the girl beside her who was eating happily.

More importantly, now he has someone to share it with.

Seeing others genuinely praise the food you've made is a kind of happiness, isn't it?

......

"Brother, I'm full."

Xu Xi patted her round belly and let out a satisfied burp.

She licked her lips, savoring the taste of the dumplings.

Xu Nian smiled helplessly.

I thought two steamers would be enough for the little one, but Xu Xi ate both and still felt it wasn't enough.

Xu Nian had no choice but to steam another batch, which finally made her feel better.

Looking at the two baskets of dumplings that were left, Xu Nian thought for a moment and then put them back into the steamer to steam until cooked.

"Xiaoxi, take these bags and share them with Grandpa Deng, Grandpa Qu, and Grandpa Liu."

Xu Nian and the others have received a lot of care from these people while living here.

Now that he has made some dumplings, he feels he should share some with his neighbors.

"OK!"

Xu Xi took several plastic bags full of dumplings and ran out the door in a flash.

Xu Nian sat in the dining chair, leaning against the back, her eyes filled with weariness.

Making dumplings may not seem as strenuous as his work, but it takes a lot of effort.

In addition, standing for long periods of time inevitably leads to some fatigue.

However, thinking about how happily Xu Xi ate, Xu Nian rubbed her slightly sore shoulders and felt that it was all worth it.

If you have time in the future, make dumplings for Xu Xi a few more times.

After more than ten minutes, he heard Xu Xi's cheerful footsteps approaching from afar.

"Brother, I'm back!"

With a smile on her face, Xu Xi plopped down on Xu Nian's lap.

"How was it? Did Grandpa Deng and the others like it?"

Xu Xi nodded vigorously.

"They loved it. Grandpa Deng and Grandma Deng even played rock-paper-scissors to grab the last dumpling. Grandpa Qu could only play half a game of chess before stopping, saying he would wait until he finished eating before continuing."

"And Grandpa Liu is the most interesting. He acts like he's never seen anything delicious before, but he criticizes Grandpa Deng and the others for being too exaggerated and lacking willpower."

"After he finished eating it, he almost lost his teeth from the aroma."

Xu Nian burst into laughter.

Xu Xi nestled in Xu Nian's arms with a proud expression.

"I told them that my brother and I made this together, and they all praised me for being skillful."

"Tsk tsk, how can you be so shameless? The thing you give up the most is food."

Xu Nian affectionately ruffled her hair and said, both amused and exasperated.

Xu Xi chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, revealing her smiling eyes.

Xu Nian stared blankly at it.

He was completely powerless against Xu Xi's smiling eyes.

Suddenly, Xu Xi gave Xu Nian a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hehe, thank you, brother."

Before Xu Nian could react, Xu Xi blushed and ran back to her room.

Xu Nian wiped the hickeys off her cheek and felt a sudden dizziness.

What is this?

The intimacy between siblings?

He felt somewhat confused.

Xu Nian, who has never had contact with the opposite sex or any relatives, is somewhat unsure of what constitutes normal behavior between her and Xu Xi.

Therefore, whenever Xu Xi snuggled into his arms and acted coquettishly, or cried and begged Xu Nian to hold her to sleep, Xu Nian would always indulge her.

But today's kiss made him feel a little hot.

It should be... normal, right?

It's reasonable for family members to engage in some affectionate behavior...

Xu Xi, who had fled back to her room, leaned against the tightly closed door, panting heavily.

She pressed her hands tightly against her chest, feeling the rhythm of her rapidly beating heart.

For some reason, nestled in her brother's arms and feeling the breath he exhaled from his nose, Xu Xi felt an urge to kiss his lips.

However, at the last moment, Xu Nian turned her head slightly, and the kiss went astray, only touching Xu Nian's cheek.

This feeling is both wonderful and blissful.

Xu Xi licked her lips with her tongue, savoring the lingering warmth of Xu Nian on them.

"elder brother..."

......

That day, after Xu Nian got off work, she saw a familiar figure at the entrance of the residential area.

"Officer, what brings you here?"

The chubby policeman came out of the security office and waved to Xu Nian.

"My wife went to her parents' house today, and there's no food there. I'm asking if you mind if I come over for a meal."

"I don't mind, of course I don't mind."

Xu Nian waved the groceries she had just bought in her hand.

"I just bought some fresh vegetables, why didn't you call me beforehand?"

"Oh, I'm afraid it will affect your work, isn't it?"

The chubby policeman smiled and said to Grandpa Liu beside him.

"Old comrade, can I go in now?"

Grandpa Liu glanced at Xu Nian and waved his hand at him.

"Go in."

The chubby policeman chuckled as he carried a case of milk out of the security office and followed Xu Nian into the residential compound.

"Officer, you're here, why did you bring anything?"

"Haha, I can't just eat your food for free. I brought two boxes, but I waited outside for ages and didn't see you. I bribed the old man with one box before he let me into the security room to watch Romance of the Three Kingdoms with him."