Another car drove through the gate and the headlights flooded her path. The black car slowly rolled to a stop, Cao Xiong's face appearing as the window slid down the back seat.
"Xia Rou, what are you doing?" he asked.
Even the way they questioned her was the same, the only difference was that Cao Xiong's tone was deeper and stricter. Xia Rou felt like laughing.
Thus, she laughed. Translated by The Novelst
This man was the master of the house, the person who changed her life, saving her from a life of homelessness.
Although his tone might sound majestic and most people might find him scary, Xia Rou knew that he was already trying to be as gentle as possible. She knew this because she had already seen the real terrifying aspect of Cao Xiong, ten years into the future.
He held a powerful position and took control of the four provinces in the east. Just a word from him would make people shiver.
At the end of the day, his attitude toward Xia Rou couldn't be seen as close, but he was a little cold to her.
Xia Rou knew that in actuality, he treated her nicely. That time, their relationship – they both had the same shortcomings. They didn't know how to correctly deliver their feelings toward each other.
Xia Rou looked at Cao Xiong inside the car, a sudden thought striking her. She should treat him better.
In the past, she wasn't able to show her gratitude toward the Cao Family. That was her deepest regret before she died. Since she had now rebirthed, she… should do better.
At least, she should let Cao Xiong know that she wasn't a white eyed wolf*. Deep in her heart, she was still thankful to him.
Hence, she felt like laughing, and she did, from the bottom of her heart.
Because when she looked at Cao Xiong again, she ignored the golden stars shining on his epaulet and didn't think about the power he wielded. She put away all those useless thoughts. After a proper look at Cao Xiong… She realized that he was just a kind elder who had fallen in love with her mother. That was why he was trying to be nice to her.
There was actually nothing much to fear when facing this kind elder.
Her face was very beautiful as she chuckled with her lips closed, closely resembling Cheng Wan. Cao Xiong was stunned by the sight.
"Just now brother Cao Yang asked me the same question." Xia Rou explained between giggles. "Even his tone was the same as yours."
Cao Xiong also laughed.
Of all his sons, Cao Yang resembled him the most. His looks, his personality, his temper… he even exceeded his predecessors, his most accomplished son. That was why Cao Xiong liked to hear it when people said that Cao Yang resembled him.
Butler Zhou was surprised to see Xia Rou make Cao Xiong relax through the rearview mirror. It had been a long time since Cao Xiong had laughed like that, ever since Cheng Wan passed away.
He couldn't help but think that Xia Rou had an extraordinary ability. Or could it be that both mother and daughter were destined to be with the Cao Family?
"Tonight I had dinner with everyone else and accidentally ate too much, so I came out to digest my food." Xia Rou said, touching her flat stomach.
Cao Xiong didn't find it odd: "Your appetite is too small, you should eat more."
"Sleep early, it's late now." He continued.
Xia Rou nodded her head, her eyes curving: "Okay, you should rest early too. You drank too much." She rubbed at her nose, trying to disperse the smell of alcohol emanating from the car.
Cao Xiong took a glance at her, having the car drive away.
Ever since the child moved into their house, her attitude toward him had changed. She didn't fear him nor did she avoid him any longer.
She could even reveal a smile like that in front of him.
Cao Xiong didn't know why, but she indeed could lift his mood.
Of course, he could ensure that she would eat her fill and wear warm clothes. That was the least he could do to fulfill his promise to Cheng Wan. But Cao Xiong knew that Cheng Wan wanted him to take good care of Xia Rou, further than just providing food and clothing.
Reminiscing about Cheng Wan, the joyful mood he had just then dispersed into the night breeze. As he walked out of the car to the main building, the sound of his leather shoes against the floor echoed throughout the courtyard.
Xia Rou had almost finished digesting, so she slowly walked back to the side building.
Nobody had turned in for the night yet. They were playing cards inside the public restroom.
"Uncle Zheng." Xia Rou tried to remind him. "Uncle Cao just got back, he seemed to have had a lot to drink."
"Aiyo! He's back?" Uncle Zheng threw his cards down, rushing toward the kitchen.
Every time Cao Xiong had to engage in social activities and returned late, there would always be hot soup prepared in the kitchen. It was an old rule held for many years. The recipe to that soup was even brought by Madam Cao from her maiden family.
"Xia Rou, do you know how to play cards?" one of the house cleaners asked.
There were two house cleaners in the house. One was only in her twenties, and another was almost thirty. Both were married.
Xia Rou picked up Old Zheng's cards to continue playing. She had only played two cards when she heard He Lili's voice. "Uncle Zheng, you can leave this to me. I can deliver it for you and you can continue to play."
Everyone raised their heads from the pile of cards.
"No need, no need! That's inconvenient." Old Zheng grinned, then shouted at the top of his lungs: "Xiao Yang! Xiao Yang! Where did you go?!"
Immediately, Xiao Yang appeared out of nowhere: "I'm here, I'm here! I was watching TV."
Xiao Yang was used to doing all sorts of chores in the house, he could do anything. Wherever they were busy, he would go to lend a hand. Everyone heard his mumbling drift into the wind as he got further.
There was another sound. The stomping of high heels up the stairs disappeared into the second floor.
Both house cleaners exchanged glances of silent understanding, their gazes a little mocking.
Xia Rou lowered her eyes, acting like she didn't know.
But she was sighing in her heart. Translated by The Novelst
She always thought that when the Cao Family was away, Lady Fang could cover the sky with one hand. But it looked like she was wrong.
Now she understood, even Lady Fang was having a hard time.
As for He Lili… She raised her head to look at the ceiling. She could imagine He Lili's ugly expression right now.
Xia Rou actually didn't disdain her like the house cleaners did, because she could understand.
Because of her greed, she insisted on things that didn't match her ability and identity.
Girls especially would become ugly that way.
She clenched the cards in her hands tightly, regretting that she had shown Cao Yang her ugly side in the past. IT had even become his last image of her.
Once Old Zheng returned, she immediately passed the cards over like she had been burned. She then rushed back to her room.
On her bed, she used a towel to cover her face, crying in shame.
Note:
*White eyed wolf: an ungrateful person.
Proofread by: Hannah