Chapter 254: Doting
The breakfast dining hall.
When Vivian and Julian went downstairs, there weren’t many people in the dining hall. Coincidentally, Vivian knew the people sitting at the two tables not far away. It was the Sterlings and the Drakes.
The Sterlings were a family of three: Henry Sterling and his parents. The Drakes had a larger group at their table; the siblings Joy and Hazel Drake, along with their parents and several Drake family elders. Mr. Drake was there too. They sat around a large round table with about a dozen people, making for a lively atmosphere.
However, this liveliness seemed to have nothing to do with Mr. Drake. While the younger generation chatted away beside him, he just minded his own business, eating his rice noodles. Ahem, it was the exact same free-range chicken rice noodles that Vivian had taken a liking to a few days ago. She didn’t expect Mr. Drake to like this too.
Vivian was slightly surprised. As she was thinking this, Mr. Drake seemed to spot her and waved at her. Naturally, his action drew a lot of attention. Following Master Drake’s example, the Drakes all waved at Vivian and Julian.
Vivian wasn’t socially anxious, so she returned their smiles, went over to greet Mrs. Sterling, and then sat down with Julian.
"What do you want to eat today? I see they have freshly baked waffles over there." Julian took a look around and added, "They have rice noodles too. But won’t you get tired of having them every day? There are quite a few delicious options for breakfast here."
Vivian didn’t have any ideas; she really had trouble making choices. At Julian’s suggestion, she simply said, "I’ll leave it up to you then. I have no objections. I’ll eat whatever you arrange."
"Alright. You sit and rest first; I’ll go get the food." With that, Julian temporarily left the table.
Once Julian was gone, Vivian had nothing to do. Just as she was about to play on her phone, Mr. Drake walked over with his bowl of rice noodles and sat diagonally across from her, right in the seat next to Julian’s.
"Vivian, I’d like to sit here. Is that alright?"
Vivian looked up at the sudden question and met the old man’s kindly smile. Without overthinking it, she nodded.
"Thank you, Vivian." Mr. Drake looked delighted. He then asked, "Did that boy Julian go get food for you? What do you feel like eating?"
"I’m not sure either, so I just let Julian decide for me." As soon as she answered, Vivian realized something was off. She noticed that the people at the Drakes’ large round table had gone completely silent and were frequently glancing in her direction. "Mr. Drake, how come you came over to sit with me? I don’t mean that it’s bad for you to sit here, I just find it purely strange..."
Hearing this, Mr. Drake simply said plainly, "I have nothing to say when sitting with them. They’re so noisy, constantly buzzing in my ears like flies. I might as well come over to your side. I’d much rather listen to you and Julian chatting about everyday things!"
Vivian chuckled upon hearing that. Those people in the Drake family were all considered "social elites" after all. If they heard Mr. Drake describe them as "buzzing flies," they would definitely feel suffocated!
Sure enough, no sooner had he spoken than Vivian noticed Joy coming over. She seemed to be holding something—a glass of milk.
Vivian shot Joy a baffled look. Just in case Joy had any ulterior motives, she said, "Sorry, Miss Drake, but this table is full. Eleanor will be joining me for breakfast shortly."
Having her path completely blocked off, Joy glanced at Vivian and said apologetically, "Mrs. Faulkner, I came over... because I wanted to bring this milk to Master Drake. Master Drake, this milk has just been heated. It’s warm and perfect for drinking. Shall I place it here for you?"
Mr. Drake swept a glance over it, unwilling to drink it, and said, "It’s too hot. I don’t want it. Take it back. Alright now, don’t just stand there like a post. Julian is coming back soon. What kind of manners is it for you to stand around while a young couple is trying to talk?"
Looking slightly embarrassed, Joy could only say, "Alright then, Master Drake. If you need anything, just let me know and I’ll help..."
"That won’t be necessary, Miss Drake." Vivian could clearly tell that Mr. Drake was annoyed by Joy, and Joy was truly "buzzing" around here like a fly. She simply stepped in to help the old man by interrupting Joy. "Mr. Drake is with me; I can help him with whatever he needs! We won’t trouble you, so you can go back and finish your breakfast!"
Joy gave Vivian a deep look. Perhaps due to Mr. Drake’s presence, she couldn’t really say anything, so she merely offered a faint smile and walked back.
Vivian watched Joy leave. She could sense that even though Joy was smiling, she was definitely harboring immense resentment and hatred toward her deep inside.
Whatever. Vivian didn’t care. Since her rebirth, she had lost count of how many enemies she’d made, but none of them ever met a good end. Naturally, she wasn’t afraid. Moreover, Vivian already had a pretty clear idea of exactly what kind of person Joy was.
"Vivian," Mr. Drake spoke up first, interrupting her thoughts. His eyes looked a bit complicated, as if he were deeply moved. He suddenly asked, "Are you really willing to help me?"
Seeing the sudden sincerity in Mr. Drake’s eyes, Vivian’s heart skipped a beat. Feeling as if a soft spot in her heart had been touched, she nodded. "Mhm. Mr. Drake, is there anything you need? I’ll go get it for you."
"No need, no need." Mr. Drake looked as if he was about to wipe away tears. "You just sit here comfortably. I was merely asking casually. The fact that you have such kind intentions makes me very happy! There’s no need to trouble yourself! On the contrary, since you’re such a good person, if there’s anything you want to eat, just tell me and I’ll get it for you!"
Vivian was dumbfounded. This world was truly wonderfully bizarre. Joy was desperately trying to curry favor with Mr. Drake, but unfortunately, he didn’t appreciate it at all. Yet here with Vivian, he was offering to do things for her!
Vivian suddenly thought of something. They say that those fierce old patriarchs in families become exceptionally affectionate once they have grandchildren, even letting the kids ride on their shoulders. This was the pampering of an elder toward the younger generation. The snacks that parents forbid, grandparents will always secretly buy for them.
𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
Vivian had never experienced this kind of spoiling before, but now she suddenly felt a taste of it. This was exactly the kind of affection Mr. Drake had for her!
Vivian lowered her head and said softly, "Mr. Drake, you’re very kind too."