"It smells so good, Ouma is really making milk tea!"
Xia Wantang sniffed, momentarily forgetting her earlier fear, and curiously peeked into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Ouma was adding grass jelly made into tofu to two cups of milk tea.
The uniformly sized cubes were crystal clear, with faint traces of grass juice still visible within.
The milk tea was brewed by Ouma with milk and a proper amount of tea, with a creamy aroma and a brownish-white color.
"Mom, you're too amazing." Qiao Xinyue walked closer, couldn't help but swallow, "Mom, how come you know how to do everything?"
Ouma looked at her masterpiece with satisfaction and said lightly, "I learned from a tutorial, it's very simple."
She picked up a cup, examined it, and prepared to hand it to Xia Wantang.
Qiao Xinyue waited with great anticipation, thinking it was for her, and had already reached out her hand.
Unexpectedly, Ouma walked right past her and gave it to Xia Wantang, who was standing at the kitchen door.
"Wantang, try it and see how it tastes."
Qiao Xinyue pouted, deliberately feigning annoyance, "Mom, I'm your biological daughter. Ever since Sister Wantang came, you don't love me anymore."
Ouma glanced back at her, "You call out 'Mom, Mom' every day, don't you have hands? Can't you get it yourself?"
Qiao Xinyue pouted in hurt, feeling that there was no love in this world.
She recalled how enthusiastic her mother was when she first returned from vacation, almost feeding her meals herself.
But it had only been a short time, and she had not only lost favor but was completely unloved.
"Thank you, Ouma."
Xia Wantang pursed her lips and chuckled. She could feel that Ouma truly doted on her like a daughter.
The milk tea was warm. A sip filled her mouth with the fragrance of milk and tea.
"Is it good?" Ouma asked a little nervously, as it was her first time making it.
Xia Wantang nodded repeatedly, unable to resist taking another sip.
The homemade drink was made with real ingredients and tasted much better than store-bought. The milk flavor was exceptionally rich, sweet but not cloying, with the refreshing aroma of tea and a slightly bitter, sweet aftertaste.
Ouma smiled with contentment. Her efforts were all for this moment.
Seeing that the child liked what she made made her happy.
Qiao Xinyue and Xia Wantang sat on the sofa, drinking milk tea while watching television.
The TV was showing a variety show, which was very amusing and often made them laugh heartily.
Ouma would occasionally bring them some fruit and snacks. This morning was truly relaxed and pleasant.
By lunchtime, they were so full they couldn't eat anything.
But looking at the table full of delicacies, they couldn't help but finish a bowl of rice each, and were so stuffed they could barely walk.
Xia Wantang slumped on the sofa, groaning, "In a couple of days, Ouma will turn me into a pig."
"I've gained six pounds this summer, I've already given up fighting."
Qiao Xinyue rubbed her belly lazily and said, "But I'll be able to lose it when I go back to school."
Ouma was clearing the table and couldn't help but nag when she saw them sprawled on the sofa, "If you've eaten enough, get up and walk around, don't just lie there."
The two of them were unwilling to move, only wanting to lie down and rest for a while.
The sun outside was so scorching it felt like it would incinerate everything. If not for the air conditioning, one might melt directly from the heat.
The thermometer on the phone showed daily temperatures of thirty-nine degrees, never reaching forty, yet it felt as if they were in a furnace every day.
After a morning of commotion, and with full stomachs, they were reluctant to move.
And early afternoon in summer was precisely when one felt sleepy. The two on the sofa slowly drifted off to sleep.
Ouma came out after washing the dishes and, seeing this, couldn't help but tread lightly and brought them blankets to cover themselves.
— Jiang Family.
Xia Wanfu and Jiang Zexi were having lunch.
The large table was laden with various exquisite dishes, but only the two of them were enjoying them, making it seem exceptionally luxurious.
Jiang Zexi was very attentive, serving Xia Wanfu many dishes.
Even though these were not her favorite foods, she was still delighted and even felt that Jiang Zexi was very gentle and considerate.
At this moment, she was wearing a moon-white, sashed silk dress, a very gentle and ladylike garment.
It was quite different from her usual style.
Xia Wanfu guessed that Jiang Zexi might prefer gentler women.
This was because the clothes, shoes, and bags he sent were all in that style.
As long as he liked it, she didn't mind trying to change.
The meal was eaten quietly, and Jiang Zexi's eyes were always gentle.
However, Xia Wanfu inexplicably felt that the gentleness was somewhat insincere.
After the meal, a servant brought tea.
Jiang Zexi drank his tea with his usual calm demeanor, enjoying himself.
But Xia Wanfu couldn't get used to it, finding it extremely bitter.
"This is West Lake Longjing, picked before the spring rains. Its color is green, its taste is sweet and mellow. What do you think?"
Xia Wanfu wanted to say it wasn't good because she hated drinking tea the most.
But seeing Jiang Zexi's enthusiastic demeanor, she pretended to enjoy it.
"It's very fragrant and sweet on the palate."
So, he liked tea.
Xia Wanfu secretly noted it down in her heart.
Jiang Zexi's lips curved slightly, and the gentleness in his eyes didn't reach their depths.
The atmosphere in the living room was very tranquil.
The coffee table was covered with tea sets, and the aroma of tea filled the air.
Despite drinking tea she didn't like, Xia Wanfu still felt happy as long as she was with the person she liked.
Jiang Zexi slowly savored his tea, a pleased smile on his lips.
He put down his teacup and lounged back on the sofa, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"I've already arranged a manager and an assistant for you. I'll arrange some work for you in a few days, so get ready."
Xia Wanfu looked up at him, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a smile. Gazing into his gentle, peach-blossom eyes, she felt herself sinking deeply.
She hadn't expected Jiang Zexi to arrange things so quickly.
Jiang Zexi beckoned her over with a hook of his finger.
Xia Wanfu looked at his alluringly gentle eyes, lowered her head, and shyly moved a little closer.
The two were very close, her gentle moon-white dress brushing against his suit pants, a scene that was both intimate and harmonious.
Jiang Zexi pulled her into his arms and made her lie down on his lap.
He lifted her chin, his changing eyes appraising her, and slowly leaned down.
Xia Wanfu's heart raced, and she nervously closed her eyes.
When their lips were only a few centimeters apart, Jiang Zexi stopped.
His gaze was clear, and a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.
Xia Wanfu could feel his warm breath on her face, but the gentle affection she was waiting for did not come.
She opened her eyes and met his calm, unruffled gaze.
There was no tenderness, no smile, only an endless abyss, which made her heart skip a beat.
Just then, an abrupt ringtone broke the strange atmosphere between them.
Jiang Zexi released her from his embrace.
Xia Wanfu's heart was still unsettled.
She found her phone, which was ringing incessantly, and saw that the caller was Xia Yichen.
The ringtone sounded like a death knell, urgent and jarring.
She suddenly remembered that today was supposed to be moving day.
Clutching her phone, she said to Jiang Zexi nonchalantly, "I'm going to take a call."