Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The festive new year’s air was very much present in the villa.
The character for “good fortune” was everywhere in bright red. Some were pasted upright, and some were upside down. There were also spring couplets by each door frame. Each room was full of joyous festive spirit.
At that moment, Ding Mengya was preparing the ingredients needed to make dumplings with the butler.
The fillings were seasoned by the butler. Ding Mengya stood there and stared at the flour in the pot blankly. “Old Li, why have you turned the flour into dough? Just how much water did you add? What if the flour sticks to our hands? And isn’t it really unsanitary to use your bare hands to knead the flour?”
The butler was speechless.
After the butler was finished with seasoning the ingredients, he couldn’t help but walk over and lightly push Ding Mengya away. “Madam, let me do it.”
“Ai, alright.” Without another word, Ding Mengya turned and left.
The butler was left speechless once more.
The butler put on an apron and started kneading the dough. Without moving, Ding Mengya stood by the side and watched him. She was watching him so intensely that Butler Li’s ears were turning red. However, Butler Li continued kneading the dough. Perhaps he had long gotten used to Ding Mengya’s antics.
At that moment, Zhuang Nainai and Si Zhengting walked down the stairs.
After he saw the couple, Old Li could not help but say, “Madam, you can take a rest and use your phone or your computer. When I’m done kneading the dough, I still have to let it rest for a bit.”
It was only then that Ding Mengya acknowledged his words and walked to the sofa in the living room. She took a seat.
Old Li then greeted Si Zhengting and Zhuang Nainai. “Sir, Madam, please take a seat on the sofa as well. When the dough is sufficiently rested, I’ll let you know!”
Zhuang Nainai was speechless.
She could feel Old Li trying his best to improve her relationship with Ding Mengya during the past few days while they were both in the Si residence. After thinking about it for a while, she could understand him. Both Zhuang Nainai and Ding Mengya would strive to forget their differences with each other so that Si Zhengting would not be put in a spot.
“Old Li’s dumplings have very thin skins and are filled with a lot of ingredients. They’re even better than those you buy in stores!” Ding Mengya said as she attempted to find a conversation topic.
“Ah, then we’re in for a tasty treat.” Zhuang Nainai played along.
But they were not that familiar with each other. After she said that, the two had nothing more to say to each other. The air between them turned awkward again.
Ding Mengya lowered her head. “I’ll read the news. I’ve not been on Weibo for a while.”
After she said this, she picked up her iPad and started scrolling.
Zhuang Nainai’s eyes met Si Zhengting’s gaze. The couple spoke in hushed tones to each other. Then they heard Ding Mengya mutter something in confusion.
Both Zhuang Nainai and Si Zhengting were taken aback. They turned to look at her in unison. Ding Mengya jerked her head up and, after meeting Zhuang Nainai’s gaze, she hurriedly said, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”
Zhuang Nainai acknowledged what she said, then picked up her phone, intending to use it. At that moment, Ding Mengya rushed over to her. “About that, Nainai, let me use your phone for a moment!”
Zhuang Nainai was speechless with shock!! Were they on such intimate terms?
Ding Mengya’s voice was distressed as she said, “My phone’s out of battery and I’m too lazy to go up and retrieve my charger. Please lend me yours instead.”
Zhuang Nainai could only hand over her phone to Ding Mengya. Then Ding Mengya took her iPad and all the laptops in the room. She walked toward the balcony next to the first floor while shooting Si Zhengting a look.
What… was the matter?
Without asking what the matter was, Zhuang Nainai decided to watch some television.
Si Zhengting patted her hand, then followed Ding Mengya to the balcony.
Zhuang Nainai sat in the room, watching as the two talked at length. Then, Si Zhengting’s phone rang. Ji Chen was calling.
