Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Having just arrived at the Mo Family, Wen Xinya was eager to plan for the future. Thus, in the afternoon, she stayed in her room, drawing, and writing, thinking and thinking as time flew by.
It was only because Uncle Zhang came personally to call for her that she even knew it was time for dinner.
The Mo Family’s dining hall and kitchen were only partitioned by a wall, separating the rooms from the great hall. This detail followed the specialty of the ancient architectural style.
Upon arriving at the dining hall, Grampy was sitting at a long table made of Nanmu wood. Two servants sat at the table too, approximately at the 50 years old mark. Wen Xinya recognized them at a glance. That was Mother He and Mother Jiang; they were both old servants of the Wen Family. They had served Granny in the past, then they brought up Mother safely. Grandpa was grateful to them, so he never once treated them like servants.
In her past life, when she came to the Mo Family, these two Mothers were extremely kind to her. But at the time, she was arrogant and viewed herself highly, thus looking down on them. She did not even want to eat at the same table as them. Grampy was beyond angry at her attitude, but they had never truly gotten mad at her, always letting her have her way and endured her temperament. Subsequently, because of her attitude towards them, Grampy felt guilty and embarrassed. He gave each of them a sum of money and requested them to return to their home villages. That was the reason why Grampy had such a miserable ending.
In this life, seeing them again, Wen Xinya was very pleased, because that means that in this life there were two more people to love her!
“Little… Little Miss!” Mother He and Mother Jiang saw Wen Xinya staring at them, and for a moment, they did not know what they should do or how they should act. They were scared and immediately stood up. They knew it was not the norm for servants and masters to eat at the same table. However, after all these years, their lonely old Master ate alone, so when he asked them to join him they did not refuse.
Since Little Miss is back, Old Master has someone to eat with. Naturally, he would not require their presence.
Old Master Mo raised his brows toward Wen Xinya as an introduction. “This is Mother He and Mother Jiang. Back in the day, they served your Granny. Thanks to them, your mother grew up well, thus they are not strangers. The Mo Family does not have so many rules.”
Wen Xinya smiled at them. “Mother He, Mother Jiang, hello! Please sit!”
Mother He and Mother Jiang’s eyes were as wide as saucers, feeling flattered. “Little Miss, hurry and sit. We don’t know what you like to eat so we intended to ask Old Zhang, but he said you were busy the whole afternoon. Hence, we did not disturb you and simply made some of our signature dishes, but we are not sure if it is to your liking.”
Little did they know that the Little Miss was so approachable and did not mind the status of servants, just like their Missy. She was not like Wen Ruya, that thought herself too highly to even eat at the same table as them.
Wen Xinya looked at the nine dishes and the soup on the table and smiled. Every dish was exquisite. “The dinner is luxurious. I’m sure it will be delicious.”
It was indeed sumptuous, despite only having nine dishes and a soup. However, these were the eight signature dishes of Country Z. Furthermore, the dishes complemented one another, showing the effort put into making the whole dinner.
Attaining affirmation, Mother He and Mother Jiang happily took up their chopsticks and starting piling Wen Xinya’s bowl with food. “Little Miss, you have to eat a lot. You have gone through a lot of hardships outside. Look at how skinny you are! Though girls look good when they are skinny, you are still going through puberty. You must not ruin your body just to look pretty or you will not be able to fix it next time.”
Wen Xinya looked at her bowl which was filled with a mountain of food and felt her eyes water, holding back her tears stubbornly. She took a pile of vegetables and served it into Grampy’s bowl. “Grampy, you eat too.”
“Mother He, Mother Jiang, don’t just serve me food, you eat too!” Having that said, she also served food into their bowls.
Old Man Mo and Uncle Zhang were beyond happy.
Cough cough! Uncle Zhang looked at the empty bowl before him and softly coughed twice.
Wen Xinya smiled, still in tears, and served him a piece of pork. “Uncle Zhang, you eat too. This slice of pork is not only rich in vitamins, but it can also beautify you. Do eat more.”
Mother He laughed. “Look at that flowery face of his. If he eats any more pork, it will only be a waste.”
Mother Jiang agreed. “I’d rather keep it for Little Miss to eat. She will definitely grow up to be a fair lady.”
With words like that, Uncle Zhang’s reputation was no more. “Great, all of you just make fun of me.”
The whole house was filled with sounds of happiness and laughter, making Old Man Mo feel whole again. “It’s been so long since the house was this lively.”
Old Man Mo’s words quietened the atmosphere.
Wen Xinya smiled. “Everyone, let’s dig in. The food is getting cold. Grampy, let’s eat.”
The way Wen Xinya ate was somewhat elegant. She did not need to hide in the Mo Family.
Old Man Mo watched her every move as she ate, surprised at her grace and elegance. He sure was surprised, but it allowed him to dwell in quiet understanding that Wen Xinya was not the shallow person the magazines described.
Uncle Zhang also had a fleeting moment of surprise.
Only Mother He and Mother Jiang did not think much of it because, in their hearts, Missy was as such, so Little Miss naturally was as such.
Very soon, Old Man Mo and the rest soon learned of Wen Xinya’s eating behavior. They looked at the remaining vegetables and the empty platter of meat and felt their hearts swell tremendously.
Wen Xinya helped herself to another bowl of rice. Mother He and Mother Jiang could not eat anymore and gently placed their chopsticks down. This was Little Miss’ third bowl of rice. Every bowl was filled to the brim and when she was done eating, there was not a single grain of rice left.
It was not known when it started to be a trend for the ladies in the established households to leave half a bowl of rice, as though it showed how rich and classy they were. There was no missus who was like their Little Miss.
Old Man Mo held the chopsticks in his hand, trembling just a bit, unable to take in any more food.
Uncle Zhang stared at Wen Xinya. Once she started eating, it was as though she was deep in concentration. His heart swelled uncomfortably.
Wen Xinya was eating happily until she felt everyone’s gaze upon her. She lifted her head and said, “Why has everyone stopped eating? Don’t just stare at me eat!”
Mother Jiang forced a smile. “We are simply happy to see that you enjoyed the dishes we made.”
Wen Xinya vaguely understood why they were being like that and smiled shyly. “The dishes that Mother He and Mother Jiang made are delicious. I have never eaten something this delicious before. At the Wen Family, I did not dare to openly eat to my heart’s content. My appetite is larger than most, so I usually only feel satisfied after three bowls…” Nearing the end, she felt guilty. At this age, which family’s daughter would have such a big appetite?
Old Man Mo was not happy. “Just eat what you want. The Mo Family has enough to feed your appetite. We at the Mo Family are not as pretentious as the Wen Family.” After saying that, he looked towards Uncle Zhang, then to Mother He and Mother Jiang. “You all as well. Whoever does not eat three bowls worth of rice will not be allowed to leave the table.”
Wen Xinya did not know whether to laugh or cry. This is the feeling of a family! Wen Xinya felt comfortable, unknowingly letting down her walls and showing them her truest self.
