Chapter 31: The Welcome Dinner

“Oh dear… Yaqi, you really know how to bring up the wrong topic, haha…”

“This… did I… say something wrong… again?”

Yaqi looked back and forth between the two of them, confused, and instinctively sat up straight. Liu Ya let out an angry “Hmph” and turned away.

“Big chest, no brains…”

“Mmm…”

“Haha!”

“Huh? What did Liu Ya say?”

Uncle Liu hadn’t heard clearly, but Aunt Zhao was already covering her mouth with a sly grin. Yaqi’s face turned bright red at the remark.

“I… it’s not like I chose this! It’s natural, what can I do? Besides, Liu Ya, you’re fine the way you are… no burden at all…”

“Ha! Are you bragging now?”

Liu Ya angrily reached out to grab her, but Yaqi didn’t even react. Fortunately, Aunt Zhao spoke up in time to stop Liu Ya.

“Hey hey! Alright, alright…”

Staring at that wicked, impure thing, Liu Ya let out a jealous, disgusted “Hmph” and reluctantly turned back.

“Yaqi. This time you’re in the wrong. Auntie has to speak up for Liu Ya.”

“Ah… but Liu Ya started it…”

Yaqi pouted and muttered quietly. Aunt Zhao grinned mischievously and whispered in a mock-serious tone.

“Some things, even if they’re true, you just don’t say them!”

“Oh… is that so?”

Yaqi looked as if she had suddenly understood everything. Liu Ya, who had been pretending to be silent, couldn’t sit still any longer.

“Auntie… are you really speaking up for me? That’s even worse…!”

Liu Ya shot her a resentful glance, frowned in dissatisfaction, then looked down at her own flat chest. She curled up and let out a little animal-like “Mmm…”

Seeing this, Aunt Zhao couldn’t suppress her smile, but considering the girl’s self-esteem, she cleared her throat twice, composed herself, and said seriously.

“Don’t be sad, Liu Ya. Don’t worry! You’re the type with future potential! After all, your mother is very beautiful, so you’re definitely not far behind!”

“…Really?”

“Of course! Auntie wouldn’t lie to you!”

(Actually, Mom is really pretty and has a great figure… Then why am I… Am I really her daughter? Hmm…)

(But then again… What if? Right? There’s still hope, isn’t there? Based on genetics…)

(Mm, that’s right! I have future potential!)

“Fine… fine…”

Liu Ya relaxed and gave a slight smile. Uncle Liu, who had no idea what was going on, couldn’t get a word in, but seeing Liu Ya in a better mood, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Excuse me… may I continue serving the dishes?”

Just as they were talking, there was a soft knock on the door, and a quiet voice asked from outside.

“Ah, go ahead.”

With permission, the waiter pushed the door open and replaced the dishes on the table with new ones from the cart.

“Is this… Beef Wellington?”

“Huh? Yaqi, you know it?” Uncle asked with some surprise.

“Mm. I’ve had it before. It’s delicious!”

“But normally you have to order this in advance, right? I didn’t expect to get to eat it…”

“Eh? You have to order it in advance? It just looks like pastry wrapped around meat, doesn’t it?”

Yaqi’s face showed unconcealed excitement. She opened her mouth slightly and let out soft exclamations, admiring it intently.

Liu Ya looked a bit puzzled, staring at the dish from left to right, but it was clear she was looking forward to it, as if she had discovered a new continent.

Uncle Liu smiled warmly, then looked at Liu Ya and said.

“By the way, Liu Ya, give it a try! I ordered this especially for you. See if you like it?”

“…For me?”

“That’s right. Ha… you know, when I think about it, I’m usually so busy with work… I never have time to eat with you. That’s my fault.”

“I heard from Aunt Zhao that you like Western food. So this time, I did some research and picked some representative dishes. I wanted you to experience something new that you don’t usually get to try.”

“Oh…”

Liu Ya twisted a strand of hair around her finger, looking at the exquisite dish on her plate, frowning slightly.

Even though she didn’t want to accept it so easily, the aroma of the steak and the buttery scent of the puff pastry tempted her. She swallowed involuntarily.

“Liu Ya?”

Aunt Zhao called her gently, giving her a meaningful glance toward Uncle Liu. Liu Ya froze for a moment, her face reddening. After a brief silence, she turned away and muttered quietly.

“Um… thanks.”

Aunt Zhao smiled approvingly. Uncle Liu’s expression brightened, and he let out a sigh of relief.

“Haha. It’s nothing! Liu Ya, go ahead and try it. How is it? Oh, do you know how to cut it? Want me to help you?”

“Oh dear, oh dear…”

Uncle Liu got more and more excited and was about to stand up. Aunt Zhao quickly stopped him and pushed him back down.

“That’s enough. Liu Ya is not a child anymore…”

“Exactly! I can do it myself… cut?”

Liu Ya looked down disdainfully, but the next moment, she realized a problem: she really didn’t know how to cut it.

Seeing Liu Ya focused intently, Uncle Liu didn’t dare say more. He sat back down and smiled.

“Well, Yaqi, don’t wait either. See how this place compares to the ones abroad? Haha.”

“Mm. Okay!”

“Good. Let’s eat!”

With that, Aunt Zhao and Yaqi prepared to start. Liu Ya secretly observed Aunt Zhao’s movements. Aunt Zhao slowly placed her hand on the outermost butter knife, then smiled at Liu Ya.

(Oh. I see. So I use this knife. Then the corresponding fork should be… Right! This one!)

Just as Liu Ya was about to pick it up, she suddenly froze. Perhaps driven by a sixth sense, she instinctively glanced toward Yaqi, but saw that Yaqi’s hand was also on that knife. Relieved, she turned back and picked it up as well.

“…”

(Huh? That’s strange…)

She applied force.

(Huh? Why can’t I cut it? Am I not pressing hard enough?)

“Hmm…!”

“Ah…!”

Liu Ya’s grip on the fork tightened. The outermost pastry of the Wellington twisted and separated from the beef. The once exquisite dish quickly turned into a mess, like leftovers.

“Ha! What’s going on?!”

Liu Ya muttered irritably. Her hands were numb from the effort. She put down the knife and fork, leaned back in her chair, and panted slightly.

“Liu Ya… that’s a butter knife. It has no edge and can’t cut meat…” Uncle Liu said with a wry smile.

“What?”

“Pfft!”

“Mmm…!”

Aunt Zhao covered her mouth, chuckling beside her. Yaqi watched Liu Ya’s clumsy effort, wanting to laugh but not daring to. She pressed her lips tightly together, but the corners of her mouth still turned up.

Although it wasn’t nice to see someone embarrassed like this, this was exactly the scene Aunt Zhao and Yaqi had been hoping for! After all, the more perfect someone is, the more curious people are about how they look when they stumble.

“What! But Auntie and Yaqi both had the same… huh?”

Liu Ya looked again at the knife in Aunt Zhao’s hand and froze. It wasn’t the same one. She turned to Yaqi and saw that hers was different too.

“Wha… What?!”

Uncle Liu awkwardly looked away, then turned back to her and said seriously.

“Also, Liu Ya, when using a knife and fork, you shouldn’t hold them like a pen. You should hold them in your palm…”

As he spoke, Uncle Liu raised both hands and demonstrated for Liu Ya.

“I…”

“That’s right, Liu Ya. This is basic! You need to know it!” Aunt Zhao chimed in from the side.

“Huh?”

(Wait… Auntie, whose side are you on? Aren’t you supposed to help me? And I only used that knife because I saw you using it! How did this happen…)

Liu Ya stared at her blankly. Aunt Zhao smiled sweetly, tilted her head, and looked cheerfully at Yaqi.

“Isn’t that right, Yaqi?”

“Hehe… ah? Me? Ahem… I… I think Auntie is right! This is indeed basic… pfft…”

“See!”

Aunt Zhao gave a wink.

“…”

Watching the two exchange glances, Liu Ya sensed something was off. She had to accept the worst outcome: her ally had defected! Aunt Zhao was now Yaqi’s accomplice!

(Ugh… Auntie!! How could you betray me? Didn’t you say you were on my side…)

(This is bad… really bad… I don’t want to be lectured by that old Liu! Someone who doesn’t even care about Mom, what right does he have to say anything about me!)

(But… what can I do now? Auntie is definitely unreliable… Those two are even working together! Damn it…)

(Then now I can only…)

“Hmph… I understand.”

Liu Ya said reluctantly. She switched to the correct knife, adjusted her grip, cut off a small piece, and put it in her mouth.

“Mm. That’s it.”

Uncle smiled at her and cut himself a piece to eat.

Liu Ya shot him a resentful look. But honestly, the dish tasted good. However, the embarrassment quickly pushed the flavor out of her mind.

“Hmph…”

After swallowing, Liu Ya looked up and stared at Aunt Zhao with obvious reproach. But Aunt Zhao pretended not to notice, smiled faintly, and turned to chat with Old Liu.

Seeing that Aunt Zhao was completely unreachable, Liu Ya sighed and immediately adjusted her strategy. With a smile, she turned to Yaqi.

“Sister Yaqi… do you eat Western food often abroad?”

“Mm… not really. Usually only when I go out with friends or eat out. At home, I still eat normal food.”

“Oh~ No wonder you’re so good with a knife and fork!”

“Hehe, not really!”

Yaqi scratched her cheek embarrassedly, a hint of pride on her face. Liu Ya’s smile was strained, her brows furrowed, and the corners of her mouth twitched, but she still tried to maintain her composure.

“Hehe… Liu Ya. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can learn from Yaqi!” Aunt Zhao said from the side.

“…Ha. Sure! I really must… learn, thoroughly!”

With that, Liu Ya quietly slipped off her sandals.

“Hehe… Actually, it’s noth… Huh?”

As she spoke, Yaqi felt something soft pressing on her toes. Because of the hot weather, both Yaqi and Liu Ya were wearing strappy sandals that were easy to put on and take off. This left their toes unprotected and easily hurt.

“Then, Sister Yaqi, if there’s anything I don’t know, I’ll ask you, okay?”

“Uh… sure. Um… Liu Ya… Mmm!”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her toes. Yaqi instinctively pulled her foot back, but Liu Ya’s foot followed precisely and stepped on her again, even harder this time. Yaqi could feel that the more she tried to move, the more pressure was applied.

“Liu… Liu Ya?”

“Hm?”

“Mmm!”

With that, Liu Ya smiled, gripping the table, and twisted her foot forcefully. Yaqi nearly cried out in pain, clamping her mouth shut, her body swaying left and right.

“Yaqi? What’s wrong?”

“Sister Yaqi, do you need to go to the bathroom? Why are you fidgeting?”

“I…”

“Hm?”

This unusual behavior caught Aunt Zhao’s attention. She saw Liu Ya looking strained, and the table was trembling slightly. Curious, she looked under the table and saw a kicked-off sandal and a bare foot firmly pressing down on Yaqi’s toes. She couldn’t help but laugh.

Yaqi blinked at Aunt Zhao, pitiful and helpless. Liu Ya also turned her head, and her look said it all: don’t interfere.

Aunt Zhao hesitated for a moment, looked at the two of them, and then wisely shook her head at Yaqi.

(No! Auntie~)

Yaqi opened her mouth in despair, unable to believe she had been sold out so easily. But before she could wallow in sadness, the pain in her toes made her curl up again.

Liu Ya pressed her advantage, tilting her head and grinning at her.

“Hm? Sister Yaqi, why aren’t you talking? What’s wrong?”

“You… how can I talk when you’re…”

“Hm?”

“Mmm! Fine… fine, Liu Ya! I understand!”

“Oh~ That’s great~”

Satisfied, Liu Ya smiled, sat back, and withdrew her foot. Yaqi finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly took off her shoes and rubbed her feet together.

“Mmm… too much…”

Under Liu Ya’s tyranny, poor Yaqi had no choice but to surrender, muttering softly.

Liu Ya had originally planned that if Yaqi didn’t agree, she would step on her all night! And if that didn’t work, she would make her sleep on the floor.

But if it came to that, she would have nothing to hold at night, and that would be lonely. Fortunately, it didn’t come to that.

After that, whenever a new dish was served, Liu Ya would stare at Yaqi and only eat after Yaqi did. Yaqi thought about resisting, but every time a dish came, Liu Ya immediately placed her foot on Yaqi’s toes as a blatant threat.

After weighing her options, Yaqi decided to obey. After all, even Aunt Zhao had given up. Facing Liu Ya alone, she had no chance of winning.

As the saying goes: A person who achieves great things must assess the situation and not go against the wind.

That might be true, but experiencing it firsthand was a blow to her pride.

Time passed quietly. With the last dessert on the table, Yaqi’s welcome party came to an end.

There were some hiccups along the way, but the overall dinner atmosphere was harmonious. The family chatted and laughed, and both Liu Ya and Yaqi enjoyed themselves.

For Liu Ya, just as that sister had said, it was indeed a wonderful date.

For Yaqi, it was also a chance to regain a sense of belonging to a family.

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