Mother?
Meng Jingwei heard about her for the first time from Old Shen Tou.
She didn't even know her birth mother's name, only lamenting the irony of life.
From a young age, she knew she was adopted by Meng Tianhua and his wife. Later, when she met the Li Fu'an couple, she thought they were her birth parents.
Now, she finally knew her birth parents were the daughters of the patriarch of the Hidden Clan.
Unfortunately, Meng Jingwei still didn't know her mother's name, nor did she want to ask.
"She's Meng Jingwei? She looks so much like her mother."
"Hahaha, she inherited her mother's genes, she's truly beautiful."
"She's graceful and dignified, and her demeanor seems a bit cold, just like her mother."
"It's her first time in the Hidden Clan, perhaps she'll have trouble adapting to many things."
...
As a few people chatted, He Xiao Mingjin sat beside Meng Jingwei and translated for her throughout.
Having been deceived by her own kin, Meng Jingwei was wary of everyone.
She even doubted He Xiao Mingjin's translations.
Gurgle—
Meng Jingwei's stomach rumbled, she was feeling hungry.
Looking at the food on the table, it was mostly Chinese cuisine. Among the eight dishes and two soups, there was a dish of fried centipedes.
A dish with a strong flavor, she felt a psychological aversion just by looking at it.
"Eat first if you're hungry. This dish looks scary, but it tastes quite good," Old Shen Tou said to Meng Jingwei with the same amiable expression, as if her betrayal had never happened.
"Actually, this dish is very high in protein and nutrients," He Xiao Mingjin explained to Meng Jingwei. "It's a specialty dish of our Hidden Clan."
Our?
Hearing these words, Meng Jingwei instinctively glanced at He Xiao Mingjin but remained silent.
After a while, she picked up her chopsticks, scooped some rice, and quietly began to eat.
Fortunately, the dishes of the Hidden Clan were also mostly spicy, which suited her taste.
Meng Jingwei ate quietly. The others were chatting, but He Xiao Mingjin didn't continue translating, likely because their conversation was just casual talk.
Ten minutes later, Meng Jingwei put down her chopsticks. "Please enjoy yourselves, I'm full," she said in Mandarin.
He Xiao Mingjin beside her immediately translated for the others.
The group nodded with smiles, their eyes full of affection and satisfaction as they looked at Meng Jingwei.
Then Old Shen Tou said something to He Xiao Mingjin, and He Xiao Mingjin said to Meng Jingwei, "They say it's good that you're full. My grandfather said that since you're new to the Hidden Clan, he wants me to take you around to get acquainted."
"Okay, thank you."
Meng Jingwei readily agreed.
As a newcomer, she was unfamiliar with the Hidden Clan and needed to familiarize herself with it as soon as possible.
She stood up, gave a slight nod to everyone, and turned to walk out. He Xiao Mingjin followed closely behind her.
Standing in the courtyard, the sun had already set. Outside, lights were brilliant and colorful, the prosperity of which was no less than that of Lancheng.
However, the architecture here leaned more towards the Miao ethnic style.
"Actually, the Hidden Clan is very beautiful. I've visited the city where you live once, and honestly, I feel your city is far inferior to the Hidden Clan."
He Xiao Mingjin led Meng Jingwei down the mountain, introducing the place as they walked. "I believe you'll gradually come to love it here too."
From the mountain down, the path was paved with two-meter-long, single-piece bluestone slabs. The sides of the road were lined with various green plants and flowers that she couldn't name.
Halfway up the mountain were scattered stilted houses, two or three stories high, with large red lanterns hanging from the eaves, looking exceptionally beautiful.
Meng Jingwei walked on the stone path, inhaling the fragrance of flowers that wafted towards her, feeling the freshest air. She had to admit it was an ultimate pleasure.