She didn't really expect him to remember a bowl of noodles—after all, just by the way this young man dressed, it was clear he came from a wealthy family.
But he did remember her. Not only that, he came by many times, looking for her again and again.
Later, when they started chatting more, she found herself missing him whenever they didn't meet.
Eventually, like now, every time the restaurant launched a new dish, she'd be the first to buy him a portion—because he liked the food here…
At this moment, the Xie family was enjoying hotpot around a table, staying warm together as heavy rain poured outside.
Hotpot was something Jewel had recently come up with as a new selling point for the restaurant.
What's a summer evening without hotpot?
In her restaurant, there were hotpots for vegetables, all kinds of meats, clear broth, spicy ones, even ones divided into nine sections…
All the soup bases were specially developed under her guidance. Other restaurants could try to copy it, but none could recreate the unique flavor of hers.
There was a gazebo in the Xie family's new courtyard. Jewel sat there with her husband Xavi and Xavia. The three of them sat together, enjoying the sound of rain and the bubbling hotpot from her restaurant's latest creation.
The sound of rain outside and the soup boiling inside blended together, filling the gazebo with steam and warmth.
Jewel kept using shared chopsticks to serve food for Xavia and Xavi, constantly adding more ingredients to the pot. The three of them praised this new way of eating.
They were having the spicy version in the gazebo.
Meanwhile, Xana and her youngest son Nian Nian were also enjoying hotpot at the kitchen table, but since Nian Nian was too young for spicy food, Jewel prepared a clear broth version and also made some sweet porridge that children liked.
"Xavi, if it's too spicy, rinse it with warm water before eating."
Jewel worried the spiciness would upset her husband's stomach, so she poured him a bowl of warm water from the kettle.
She also poured a bowl for Xavia, but he refused.
"I don't want it, I like spicy food. Give it to Xavi, let him rinse his food twice."
He saw that his brother-in-law's lips were already red from the heat and moved the bowl of warm water closer to him.
"Xavi, if it's really too spicy, don't eat it. I'll make something else for you."
Jewel was worried the spiciness might upset his stomach later.
"It's fine, dear. It is spicy, but it's delicious. I like it."
Well, who could say no to hotpot? Even if your lips turn bright red from the spice…
In the kitchen, Xana patiently helped her little son eat. She was content with her current life.
Since coming to the Xie household, she had never seen Jewel being submissive to her father-in-law. In fact, they got along well;
She had never seen anyone in the Xie family get angry at their husbands or elders. They always spoke gently;
Even Xavia had never raised his voice at the younger ones. Everything was done with consideration for Jewel and her husband.
Only now did she realize—there really were families with peaceful father-in-law and son-in-law relationships;
There really were families full of love, harmony, and mutual respect;
There really were families where the male members sat at the table with everyone else, no one cared about the usual rules of female superiority.
Honestly, being a cook in the Xie household was a thousand times more comfortable than her past life as a wife.
She could cook whatever she wanted each day, go out for a walk, or occasionally buy new clothes and toys for her son.
The Xie family wasn't picky with food or drink. They had great tempers. Even though she was technically a servant on paper, none of them ever treated her like one, nor did they ever scold her.
Even when she made mistakes during the first few days, no one blamed her.
Her life now was good. She had enough to eat and wear, a peaceful mind, and could raise her son well.
She asked for nothing more—just to take care of the household in the Xie family.
"Ah wu ah… Papa~"
Little Nian Nian was enjoying the hotpot, babbling happily.
"Good boy."
Xana gently patted her son's head and fed him another spoonful of sweet rice porridge.
☆
He Shi soon found out that her nephew had gone to the restaurant many times but never even got to see Jewel once—and even came back soaking wet.
She rolled her eyes at how useless her nephew was.
So dumb. Already grown, yet not even a tenth as good at charming women as she had been in her day.
"You're really useless. After so many visits, you didn't even manage to see her face?"
He Xiaoshuang, though annoyed inside, still answered respectfully:
"Aunt, please help me one more time."
If he wanted to marry a good woman and secure a good future, he had to swallow his pride and ask again.
If it weren't for the fact that the Xie family was rich and Jewel was known for loving and cherishing her husband, he wouldn't be putting up with this at all.
"Sigh—since you're my nephew, I'll help you one more time. Just don't forget who helped you when you're rich later…"
Listening to Aunt He Dong, He Xiaoshuang rolled his eyes hard on the inside.
If he became a son-in-law of the Xie family like Xavi did, he wouldn't even bother with these blood-sucking relatives.
He knew very well that the more successful he became, the more they'd cling to him. They'd definitely leech off him.
But fine, for now, he needed his aunt's help. He'd play along—once he got what he wanted, they'd be dealt with later…
He Shi decided to ask her wife for help.
Of course, she couldn't say it was to introduce a man to Jewel. Instead, she just wanted to create a chance for Jewel and her nephew to meet.
"Wife, it's been a while since Jewel came to visit. Maybe we should invite her over again?"
She figured she'd have Xiaoshuang come over for the meal too. Then they'd get to spend time together.
Xana, now fully recovered, was feeding chickens beside the coop with a small bowl in her hand.
When she heard He Shi's suggestion, she looked confused.
"Didn't she just visit not long ago? Besides, the Xie family is busy with the restaurant these days. Even Xavi is helping out. I heard they're swamped. Why bother them?"
Xana already knew He Shi liked taking advantage of others. She'd been told before that He Shi was always haggling hard in the market, even for a three-coin item.
She figured He Shi just wanted Jewel to visit more often and bring food and supplies—so they wouldn't have to buy it themselves.
She coughed and added:
"I still need to fetch water later. If you're free, go gather some firewood or wash clothes or something."
So he'd stop wasting time daydreaming.
"Alright."
He Shi forced a smile. Her face was wrinkled like crumpled fabric.
Xana didn't look at her again. She knew He Shi was always scheming, worse than Zhang.
But as long as He Shi didn't stir up real trouble, she wouldn't bother.
At her age, those habits of taking advantage and overthinking were already deeply rooted—no point trying to change them now.
He Shi agreed and went to the yard to get a big basket, preparing to gather firewood.
As soon as she stepped out the door, her expression changed.
She could clearly feel that her words weren't as effective with her wife anymore.
In the past, whatever she said, Xana usually listened.
But now, Xana had started refusing her outright!
When did this change start?
Probably…
After the Xie family had Jewel as their daughter-in-law…
▽
Summer weather was always unpredictable. A few days later, it was raining again—soft and light this time.
The curtains were drawn to watch the rain. Beneath the eaves, the raindrops looked like strings of pearls.
In Xie Family Village, everything was shrouded in mist and water vapor, as if the heavens were mourning for someone.
Along the muddy road into the village, two figures slowly made their way under straw raincoats.
Both of them were middle-aged.
They were:
Jewel's mother, Anru.
And her father, Zheng Yun.
Back in the day, their youngest son Ansu was deeply loved by the An family. Anru and Zheng Yun had been married for many years and were very affectionate.
Ansu was good-looking, praised by everyone far and wide.