Chapter 39: Old Lady’s Heart

Chapter 39

"Mrs. Zhou, the filling for these dumplings today is cooked very well. When I take a bite, juice comes flowing out. It's much more juicy and tender than the dumplings we've had before. Delicious," Old Master said after taking a bite of a dumpling, his eyes lighting up as he immediately sang praises.

Mrs. Zhou was just bringing some dishes to the table. She said, "Oh, I certainly don't dare take credit for that. The filling for today's dumplings was all made by ZhiXia. Her young uncle helped mix it. I just rolled out the dumpling wrappers. I was lazy about it."

"Then it seems these dumplings weren't wrapped by you either. The technique is completely different," Old Pei chimed in.

Mrs. Zhou just laughed amiably. "You have a keen eye, Old Master."

"Alright, stop working. Come over and eat," Old Madam called out.

Nowadays, things weren't as formal as they used to be. Worried about gossip, Mrs. Zhou usually ate at the table with them.

Only when it was just family and there were too many people to fit at the table, and she was busy cooking, would Mrs. Zhou just quickly grab a bite. But Old Madam would always compensate her afterwards, giving her meat, vegetables, and other things to bring back.

Mrs. Zhou had served them for many years and wasn't one to grumble. Everyone got along harmoniously, which made things even better.

ZhiAng An had bought three bottles of beer, and ZhiXia drank about half a bottle.

She wasn't drunk, just too full, and kept burping, the scent of alcohol emanating from her nose.

Embarrassed about being laughed at, she hurriedly made an excuse to retreat back to her room.

The two old masters drank more and more vigorously. It looked like they wouldn't finish for a while, and ZhiAng and Pei Jing were still keeping them company.

She had only gotten up because Old Madam had.

The room Old Madam had prepared for ZhiXia wasn't right next to theirs, because the two elders were light sleepers. They worried any tossing and turning from ZhiXia would also disturb them.

You had to admit, Old Madam had put a lot of thought into ZhiXia's accommodations.

ZhiXia entered the room. On the big bed, which showed no signs of previous use, a quilt had first been laid out and then a cool mat on top of that, covered by a thin blanket.

"That works too." Mrs. Zhou didn't stand on ceremony. But as she was leaving, she added, "ZhiXia, if you have time in the future, stay for a few days. Even if she's busy, it would make Madam happy in her heart."

Like the past few days, even though Mrs. Zhou was occupied, her whole spirit was clearly different.

The pomegranates didn't actually taste that great compared to ones from her space.

But ZhiXia still ate half of one.

Some things, you didn't eat for the flavor, but for the sentiment.

She wasn't heartless. She knew clearly who had treated her well.

Compared to Zhou Nuan, who was nice to her out of guilt, Old Madam's care came from genuine kindness.

If she treated outsiders this way, let alone someone she had once thought of as her granddaughter.

ZhiXia put the remaining half pomegranate on the table and started looking over the room.

The An family did have some foundation.

The carved wooden bed and wardrobe were quality wood, even lacquered. A full length mirror was inset into the middle of the wardrobe. Standing in front she could see most of herself.

ZhiXia walked up to the wardrobe and opened the doors. On the top shelf were two brand new quilts, while below hung a few empty wooden hangers.

ZhiXia opened her bundle of belongings. Inside were four outfits, one she had bought with Zhou Nuan at the department store, another she was currently wearing. She hadn't had the heart to throw away the one from Zhou ZhiZhi either. Old Madam had bought her two tops she hadn't worn yet.

She hung the clothes in the wardrobe. It looked better with some things inside.

Going to the vanity, she opened the drawers.

The drawers held two keys, probably for the vanity drawers. There was also a watch inside.