1679 Learning to Cook
However, not only did they not appreciate Xu Lan’s kindness, but they even slandered Xu Lan behind her back, saying that Xu Lan had forgotten about her maternal family after she climbed up the social ladder. Fortunately, all their neighbors were sharp-eyed enough to be able to distinguish truth from lies.
Xu Man stood at the side and looked at them submissively. Qiao Mei wanted to ask her to come over to eat together with them, but Xia He stopped her.
“Don’t bother about her. The more attention you pay to her, the harder her life will be,” Xia He whispered.
“Why is there such a big difference in the treatment between her and Xu Jiao?” Qiao Mei asked curiously.
“Xu Man is an adopted child. Although they say she is adopted, she’s actually the child whom Eldest Uncle-in-law had with another woman. That woman died during childbirth and left behind this poor child. Eldest Uncle-in-law had no choice but to bring her home. Although Eldest Aunt agreed to take Xu Man in, she also made things difficult for the girl. Xu Man has had a very difficult life,” Xia He said as her heart ached.
It was not Xu Man’s fault. The adults were the ones at fault, but it was the children who had to bear the consequences. They did not know how to help Xu Man. The only thing they could do was to restrain the concern in their hearts so that Xu Ju would not bully Xu Man too badly.
“Then doesn’t Eldest Uncle-in-law care at all?” Qiao Mei asked as she felt bad about the situation.
“What can he do? Eldest Uncle-in-law has married into the Xu family. Moreover, the Xu family only listens to Eldest Aunt. We can’t help in this matter, so don’t think about it anymore.” Xia He patted Qiao Mei’s hand and comforted her.
When Qiao Mei saw Xu Man, she felt as if she was looking at the original owner of the body in the past. That was when she did not even have a bite to eat at Qiao Zhuang’s house and was beaten and scolded all the time. In winter, she could only live inside a pigpen wearing thin clothing.
She was lucky that Qiao Qiang had come back in time and saved her life, but she did not know who could save Xu Man’s life.
“Who made all the food today?” Xu Ju asked as she pointed at the shredded potatoes in front of her.
“It’s me,” Qiao Mei said as she looked at Xu Ju.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Your culinary skills are really too poor. You should learn how to cook from Xu Jiao. Everyone who tasted our Xu Jiao’s cooking says that the food is delicious!” Xu Ju said proudly.
Even the most picky He Ning craved for Qiao Mei’s cooking every day. Xu Ju actually dared to say that Qiao Mei’s food tasted bad. Everyone wondered what kind of delicacies Xu Ju ate all the time!
“Then we can let Xu Jiao show off her skills tonight and let us all learn a thing or two from her,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.
Xu Jiao’s face paled. She did not know how to cook at all. Xu Ju was just spouting nonsense. If this group of people from the Xia family really wanted her to cook at night, it would be so embarrassing for her!
“We’re leaving before nightfall. Maybe next time,” Xu Ju said as she rejected tactfully.
“Is that so? But I really want to learn so that I can cook more delicacies for my mother-in-law. Why don’t you give me lessons now!” Qiao Mei looked at Xu Jiao excitedly.
“I… I don’t have time! My hand is injured!” Xu Jiao said.
“Enough! Is my younger sister in such a hurry to eat a meal? Why are you so anxious!” Xu Ju said impatiently.
If not for her mother, Xu Lan would not have tolerated Xu Ju and the rest so much. Xu Lan had been brought up by her mother but the Xu family refused to let Xu Lan to bring her mother to stay with her. Her mother was old and in poor health, so she had no choice but to tolerate the behavior of these beastly people in order to ensure her mother’s safety.
Xia Wen smiled and said, “Eldest Aunt has talked about so many matters. I wonder which one are you talking about?”
Previously, Xu Ju had even joked that since Xia Zhe could not marry Xu Jiao, then Xia Wen could marry Xu Jiao. At Xia Wen’s age, he could already be Xu Jiao’s father! No one knew what Xu Ju was thinking!
“About Xu Jiao going to school!” Xu Ju reminded him.
“Oh, this issue. I’m just wondering if she wants to be admitted next year by taking the examination or using a recommendation letter? There’s a huge difference between these two options!” Xia Wen said.
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