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.

She felt it with her hand. Whether it was the light blanket or the quilt underneath, everything was soft and obviously brand new.

Mrs. Zhou came in from outside holding two pomegranates. "The quilt and blanket on this bed were prepared by Madam after your last visit. There are two thicker ones in the wardrobe she said were for when you come stay in the future, so you'd have everything you need. It's all new cotton from this year. She used up all her cotton ration tickets for those quilts, and even got some more from Old Pei. Pei Jing happened to be there too, so he also gave his cotton ration tickets to Madam. She made quilts and still had lots of cotton left over. She said in a few days she'll make you two thick padded jackets too."

As for the two outfits Old Madam was making now, those were for autumn.

By rights, Mrs. Zhou wasn't that old. Based on how she addressed others, she should be the same generation as ZhiXia. But Pei Jing was of a younger generation, so she didn't fuss over such details and just called him directly by his name.

As for Pei Jing's two older brothers, she still respectfully addressed them as Comrade Pei, because of the age difference. Mrs. Zhou wasn't that close with them.

On the other hand, Pei Jing had run over frequently since he was small, whether brought by Old Pei or on his own, so Mrs. Zhou was very familiar with him. She interacted with him more casually.

"I've caused Grandmother to go to so much trouble," ZhiXia said, very touched.

Perhaps it was because her own daughter had died young, but Old Madam had always been fond of girls. Even the few girls from the Pei family often came over to play, and Old Madam never stinted on giving them any nice things she had.

She treated outsiders this way, let alone An MeiYun, who she had once regarded as her own granddaughter.

It was just that An MeiYun's personality as a child had been very unappealing. Especially after she dashed Old Madam's hopes, Old Madam's feelings for her inevitably cooled.

As an adult, An MeiYun often complained that Old Madam didn't like her, which was indeed true.

But now that Old Madam knew ZhiXia was her real granddaughter, she transferred all her grandmotherly affection onto ZhiXia, wanting to treat her as well as possible.

"It's not really going to any trouble. Madam is getting on in years, ZhiQing rarely comes back even once a year, and though ZhiRen and the others often come visit, they're busy with work too and can never stay long. ZhiAng does come by frequently to keep her company. Old folks that age just long for their grandchildren to be around. If you can give her more things to fuss over, she'll be very happy," said Mrs. Zhou. She handed the pomegranates to ZhiXia. "Old Pei's tree ripened these pomegranates. He brought over half a basket today. Try them and see if you like the flavor. I put the rest in the storeroom if you want more later."

The storeroom was for odds and ends not in immediate use.

"Thank you, Mrs. Zhou." ZhiXia accepted the pomegranates. They had already been cut open, and she easily twisted one apart. Mrs. Zhou brought over a plate for her to put them on. "Rest the rinds here for now. I'll come get them later."

"You don't need to get them. I'll bring them out after I finish eating."

"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.