The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen into the living room. The two little cousins had been so busy getting ready that morning that they hadn't eaten anything yet.
A quick glance revealed that it was almost noon.
Suddenly, Wen Mo faintly heard a "gurgling" sound. He turned his head and saw that Xia Lian's cheeks had turned red.
Wen Mo immediately understood, a smile playing on his lips, and leaned closer to ask in a low voice, "Are you hungry?"
Xia Lian didn't reply, but simply lowered her head and nodded gently. Her slender white fingers were intertwined under her body, and her fair and rosy cheeks made her look even more adorable at that moment.
"Dad, is there anything to eat? I'll grab a bite to fill my stomach."
He knew his cousin was shy and probably embarrassed to say she was hungry, so he pretended to be very hungry and asked Wen Yiquan for food.
With other things on his mind, Wen Yiquan pointed into the cupboard, glanced at his two cousins sitting on the sofa, and got up to help cook in the kitchen.
"There should be some good food in the cupboard." Wen Mo rubbed his hands together, walked to the cupboard, and opened the drawer.
Wow! This sight was dazzling – a whole array of mooncakes inside, with all sorts of flavors!
“That’s true, mooncakes are probably the one thing we won’t lack for during the Mid-Autumn Festival.” Wen Mo carefully selected some from the cakes.
Every year around this time, there are often a lot of mooncakes left at home that can't be finished. When visiting relatives, sending a box of mooncakes is always a good idea.
Finally, they chose a sweet mooncake and shared it, just to have a small bite before having a proper meal.
"Are the mooncakes delicious?"
"Delicious." Xia Lian carefully tasted the mooncake, and she really liked its sweet flavor.
"As long as it tastes good."
Wen Mo lay contentedly on the sofa, glancing up at Xia Lian's profile. He couldn't quite describe his feelings, only that he felt lightheaded, especially seeing Xia Lian sitting on his sofa, obediently eating mooncakes.
Regardless of whether his father thought it was right or wrong, Wenmo felt great right now and was inexplicably happy.
Not long after finishing the mooncakes, Wen Yiquan brought a plate of hot dishes to the living room. "Dinner is ready. You two go to the bathroom and wash your hands first."
"Okay!"
Upon receiving the instruction, Wen Mo jumped up from the sofa, helped Xia Lian wash her hands first, and then took the initiative to serve the rice.
Xia Lian followed timidly behind him. When she saw Wen Mo start helping to serve the rice, she carried the bowl of rice and obediently placed it on the dining table step by step.
"Oh my, this girl is so good!" Su Juan, who had just come out of the kitchen, saw this scene and quickly took the rice bowl from Xia Lian's hand and led her to the dining table.
Wen Mo picked up his chopsticks, sat down next to Xia Lian, and smiled gently at her.
The atmosphere during a meal is not just 2 plus 2 equals 4, but has a different feel than usual.
The sound of a comedy program came from the TV. Su Juan, sitting opposite Xia Lian, would occasionally look up and glance at her, her smile never fading. The fragrant food and warm atmosphere made Xia Lian, holding her chopsticks, momentarily lose herself in thought.
Perhaps having already heard about Xia Lian's background, Su Juan's eyes held not only joy but also a hint of pity, as if afraid of making the new girl feel uncomfortable. However, she did not show it and treated Xia Lian like a true family member.
Because Su Juan herself is also a mother.
"Come on, try the dishes your aunt made and see if they suit your taste." Her chopsticks never stopped, but she mostly served food to Xia Lian, watching her eat with a smile.
Xia Lian's bowl was piled high with food, and as she looked at her aunt who kept putting food on her plate, a warm feeling gradually filled her heart.
"Eat up, my mom's cooking is amazing." Wen Mo smiled.
Having not experienced this feeling in a long time, Xia Lian simply ate her food obediently, repeatedly saying, "Thank you, Auntie."
"This girl is eating so well, it has to be my cooking." Su Juan looked on with satisfaction.
"But the chicken leg she's eating is one I made."
"Mind your own business!!"
Upon hearing this, Wen Yiquan could only silently shrink back, no longer wanting to provoke trouble.
Wen Mo laughed, and the couple's bickering added a touch of joy to the atmosphere in the house.
Xia Lian witnessed all of this. She had never experienced anything like it before. This girl, who had always depended on her mother, only knew that home was wherever her mother was, and never knew that home could be so warm and cozy.
"What's wrong?" Wen Mo asked softly, noticing Xia Lian's low spirits.
Xia Lian shook her head, unsure how to express her feelings. Already a woman of few words, she spoke even more haltingly.
"Wenmo's home is so warm..."
Upon hearing this, Wen Mo's expression changed slightly, as if he was thinking about something.
The next second, a warm, large hand took Xia Lian's hand under the table.
"well……?"
Seemingly unprepared for this situation, Xia Lian tilted her head slightly, her eyes looking quite confused.
"Didn't you say we can't hold hands...?"
Wen Mo didn't say anything, but took advantage of the moment when her parents were talking to lean close to her and whisper, "But you are very sad, so I want to put your mind at ease."
"Besides, this isn't just my home." Wen Mo smiled gently, and the two hands under the table gradually intertwined, their palms filled with warmth.
"This is our home."
After saying that, Wen Mo let go of her hand and casually helped pick up the food, but the smile on her lips remained as bright as ever.
Across the table, the parents started chatting about other things with the cousins, mostly about how they usually lived and whether they had any questions about anything they weren't used to.
"Xiao Lian, if there's anywhere you're not comfortable staying at, just tell your aunt, and your aunt will help you!" Su Juan waved her hand and patted Wen Yiquan on the back.
"That's right, that's what I think too."
Although Wen Yiquan did think that way, in this situation, it was more like Su Juan was forcing him to say those words.
"Are there any things you two find difficult to get used to? Also, Wenmo, do you usually bully Xiaolian?"
“How could I possibly bully her? Mom, you’re overthinking it.” Wen Mo shrugged.
"Wen Mo didn't bully me." Xia Lian shook her head, having already finished most of the food in her bowl. "Wen Mo is very good to me."
Hearing this, Su Juan nodded in satisfaction, at least knowing that her son treated the maid quite well.
What the cousins didn't know was that Su Juan had secretly glanced at them while they were whispering to each other.
Although she was surprised, she didn't say anything. She just rested her chin on her hand, put down her chopsticks, and added with a hint of happiness, "It seems you two have a good relationship."
“Definitely!” Wen Mo said with a smile.
Xia Lian paused for a few seconds, then obediently nodded her head, her gaze towards Su Juan filled with sincerity.
"Because I like Wenmo."
"Yes, that's right, huh?"
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