Chapter 318: Housewarming Meal
In an instant, the anxious look on Mrs. Bai’s face froze.
A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and remained calm. "What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Bai Rao’s gaze swept over her face impassively as she stated calmly, "I just find it strange. Mother, you said Shi Lan and I are twins, so why don’t we look alike? Also, illegally kidnapping a female is a very serious crime. Why have I never heard you mention what happened to the doctor who supposedly stole Shi Lan? You never mentioned this sister when I was growing up, either."
Mrs. Bai sighed helplessly. "That doctor was executed a long time ago. Besides, there are many kinds of twins; it doesn’t mean they have to look identical."
Her eyes reddened as she spoke. "Oh, my child, you have to understand how heartbreaking it is for a mother to lose a daughter. When you were little, your father and the others were all afraid of upsetting me, so the family completely avoided the topic. But who could know that every time I looked at you, I would think of her?"
"I’m sorry, Ruoru. I was just too anxious last time and accidentally said things that hurt you. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just thinking about how your sister has lived a hard life since she was a child, without parents to care for her. And then your father said those things, blaming her... I just spoke without thinking..."
"I didn’t mean anything else. You’ve always been my good daughter. You can feel it, can’t you? The way the family has treated you so well since you were little—that’s all real."
Mrs. Bai hugged Bai Rao, her voice choked with sobs. Hearing this, Bai Rao’s lips parted, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask anything more.
’Right. I must have been overthinking it. Father has doted on me so much since I was a child, yet I’m actually doubting if I’m their daughter?’
She hugged Mrs. Bai back and soothed her. "I’m sorry, Mother. I shouldn’t have said those things."
"It’s okay. I’m not mad at you."
Mrs. Bai shook her head. "It’s my fault, too. I’ve been so focused on acknowledging Shi Lan lately that I’ve neglected you. As long as you’re not mad at me, that’s all that matters."
"I’m not."
Bai Rao pressed her lips together, then added, "Mother, we’ve been visiting Shi Lan’s house too frequently lately. It’s bound to annoy her. If you want her to come back to the family, it might be better to take it slow. Send some gifts, let time reveal your intentions. Maybe after a while, she’ll sense your goodwill and her attitude will soften."
"Oh, right. I heard she’s having a housewarming dinner this Saturday. Our family should send a gift, but we probably shouldn’t go and bother her in person yet."
Even without Bai Rao saying anything, Mrs. Bai had no desire to go. Every time, they were cursed at and driven away in different ways. That shameless Mu Tangfeng even wanted to livestream their disgraceful state. She felt she had completely lost face.
’To think that as a female, everywhere I go, males treat me with the utmost hospitality. But Shi Lan’s Beast Husbands completely ignore the principle of respecting females. Even the Eldest Prince, who used to seem so humble and dignified, has become utterly impolite. What good can come from mixing with a wild child like her?’
With her back to Bai Rao, a flash of disgust crossed Mrs. Bai’s eyes. But Shi Lan and her family all had exceptionally high spiritual power, so she had no choice but to find a way to coax her back.
Mrs. Bai pondered for a moment before accepting Bai Rao’s suggestion. "Alright then, Ruoru. I’ll have to ask you to deliver it. You’re all young, so it might be easier for you."
"Okay."
Even though Bai Rao wasn’t thrilled about the idea of getting the cold shoulder, she couldn’t refuse since it was her own suggestion.
Afterward, Mrs. Bai asked about Mr. Bai’s condition. Bai Rao told her everything, and Mrs. Bai said, relieved, "Alright then. Have your father come over."
"Okay."
Bai Rao went to find Mr. Bai again.
Having just been kicked out by Shi Lan and the others, Mr. Bai knew Mrs. Bai would surely be disgusted with him right now. He had dutifully returned to his own house to avoid being a nuisance, but he was still fond of his wife and was just moping by himself.
When he heard from Bai Rao that Mrs. Bai was asking for him, Mr. Bai’s eyes instantly lit up. He quickly freshened up and hurried to the main house.
Mrs. Bai was waiting for him in the bedroom. As soon as she saw him arrive, she pushed him onto the bed.
The door closed, and Mr. Bai blushed, shyly taking off his own clothes.
’He knew Ruoru must have done something to please his wife, which was why she was showing him affection now.’
’As expected, Ruoru is my favorite daughter.’
***
「Soon, it was Saturday.」
This time, Shi Lan invited Jiang Yan and her two Beast Husbands, as well as the families of her own Beast Husbands and some colleagues from the hospital.
Perhaps because she was pregnant, all the doctors at Zhenxin Hospital, from top to bottom, took great care of Shi Lan. Other females often brought her all sorts of nutritious meals, and people would bring her snacks during her breaks. In any case, everyone on the Dean’s hospital team was very friendly, so Shi Lan invited them.
As for the Dean, she would certainly attend as Ye Ming’s mother. As for the Monarch, considering how busy he was—and since it was just a housewarming dinner—Shi Lan and Ye Ming decided not to invite him.
Although Shi Lan only had five Beast Husbands, with family, colleagues, and friends, they ended up filling seven or eight tables. The atmosphere that day was very lively.
Ye Ming was busy in the kitchen. When the Dean arrived, she glanced at him with a gratified expression. "You truly dote on your wife. Good boy."
Ye Ming was still wearing an apron, and he felt a bit embarrassed to be dressed like that in front of his mother. A touch of awkwardness crossed his face. Fortunately, the Dean wasn’t one to linger in the kitchen and quickly left. Only Lu Dinfeng, who had been following her, stepped forward to help.
"Wife, I’ll stay here and help the Eldest Prince."
"Okay."
The Dean agreed and immediately went to chat with the others.
Jiang Xia’s mother and Mrs. Mu knew each other well. The Dean was much older than them, but they were all from the same circle. Although they hadn’t seen much of each other after her divorce from the Monarch, they were still quite familiar.
As soon as the Dean appeared, the two of them went over. "Dean, long time no see."
The Dean looked at them and smiled sweetly. "Yes, it has been. I never thought our sons would one day marry into the same family."
"Yes, yes, it’s truly fate."
"By the way, why isn’t Admiral Lu with you?"
Mrs. Mu asked. The Dean immediately explained, "Oh, he enjoys cooking, so he’s in the kitchen helping Ming’er."
"My, my, the Eldest Prince is truly impressive—presentable in the hall and proficient in the kitchen. As for my Tang Feng... sigh, we’re just glad he doesn’t cause trouble. We’re lucky Lanlan is such a good child, willing to put up with all his bad habits."
"Isn’t that the truth! My Xiaxia is the same. He’d never set foot in a kitchen before. But I saw him washing vegetables last time, so I suppose that’s some progress."
...
The conversation instantly took off as they talked about their children, and the Dean blended in naturally. While the females gathered, the males naturally gathered to chat as well, and of course, they couldn’t avoid talking about their children either.
Mr. Jiang and Mr. Mu were both rather worried. "My boy can’t even cook a meal. I wonder if Lanlan will get tired of him in the future."
"It’s all my fault for spoiling him too much. He’s not like the Eldest Prince and the others; they all seem much more capable than my boy."
No comparison, no pain.
At that moment, Jiang Xia and Mu Tangfeng had been deemed a hindrance in the kitchen now that Lu Dinfeng was there. With the vegetable washing long finished, they were now bored, squatting in a corner pulling weeds or wandering around looking for Shi Lan.
But Shi Lan was busy chatting with her friends, surrounded by a group of females, so they couldn’t very well go over and get in the way.