My Youth Began With Him

“I can see that. She’s a very honest woman.”

Sitting on the sofa, Huo Mian picked up an apple and bit into it.

“Mom… had a hard life. My adoptive father died early, leaving her to take care of me and my younger brother alone while being branded as Huo Zhenghai’s other woman.”

“It’s all in the past. Now she’s living a happy life, right?”

The sisters talked about Yang Meirong in low voices while the latter made dumplings for the two girls.

Shortly, white dumplings were dropped into the boiling water.

“They are in the pot now and will be ready in a little while. You must be starving.”

“I’m okay.” Lu Yan smiled.

“Mom, I’m starving,” Huo Mian said playfully.

“Of course, you are. You’re now eating for two people. You can’t starve my grandson…”

“Mom, Zhixin is still working?” Huo Mian asked casually.

“He drove to the countryside with Bella, saying Bella’s maternal grandfather is critically ill.”

“Oh, I see…”

“Girl, sit down and eat some oranges. I bought them this morning in the market; they are very fresh.”

Not remembering Lu Yan’s name, Yang Meirong urged her to eat fruits with warmth.

“Okay. Thank you, Auntie.”

Lu Yan sat on the sofa with Huo Mian and watched the TV.

Soon, the dumplings were ready. Yang Meirong brought three plates of steaming dumplings to the table with several freshly made cold vegetable dishes.

In the cozy environment, Lu Yan found the home-made food very delicious and ate a whole plate of 20 dumplings.

She burped in contentment.

“Auntie, I like food made with flour including dumplings, wontons, and hand-made noodles. I’ve eaten all kinds of dumplings in the past years, but I found your dumplings are the most delicious.”

“Then you must come here often, and I’ll make them for you. The next time you come, I’ll make dumplings filled with pickled vegetables with pork and green onion with beef. They are all delicious.”

Hearing the girl’s praise, Yang Meirong was very happy.

Huo Mian ate many dumplings, too. Then the sisters drove back to South Hill Manor.

“Sis, I’ll take a shower.”

“Okay.”

After a while, Lu Yan called out from the bathroom, “Sis, bring me a bottle of shampoo. This one is empty.”

“Okay.”

Huo Mian went to the closet and took a bottle of shampoo; opening the door of the bathroom, she walked in and handed the bottle to Lu Yan.

Then she froze for a moment as if something struck her.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Yan looked back.

“Nothing. It’s the first time I see you naked and find your chest is as flat as mine.” Huo Mian tried to make a joke.

“Hahaha! Dr. Huo, you’re a bad girl…”

Lu Yan giggled.

Huo Mian walked out and closed the door.

Then, she walked into the study with heavy steps…

Walking upstairs, Qin Chu saw something wrong on Huo Mian’s face and quickened his steps to check up on her.

The moment he pushed open the door to the study, he froze.

Huo Mian sat on the chair with tears on her face.

“Honey… close the door,” afraid others would see her tears, she asked Qin Chu to close the door.

“What’s wrong? Who made our Vice Director Huo cry?”

Hurting inside, Qin Chu strode over and pulled her into his arms.

Leaning her head on Qin Chu’s chest, she cried until tears soaked his black shirt.

“What’s wrong?” Qin Chu caressed her hair lightly.

“Honey, I just brought shampoo to Yan. She’s showering.”

“Then?”

Qin Chu knew Huo Mian must have seen something, or she wouldn’t be crying like this right now.