Chapter 20: A Family Bliss Never Experienced Before

Lin Jianyue was too lazy to pay her any attention and slightly turned her body, presenting her shoulder to her.

Siyue deliberately played dumb, picking up one end of the scarf and wrapping it around her neck.

“Wow, it’s so warm, thank you, Mom!”

Lin Jianyue frowned, took the scarf off Siyue’s neck, and disdainfully patted it.

“It’s dirty. I’ll toss it in the washing machine later.”

Siyue: “...”

Was she being looked down upon?

Siyue pursed her thin lips tightly into a straight line.

It’s just a scarf; who cares?

Taking advantage of Lin Jianyue’s distraction, Siyue rolled her eyes.

When she noticed Lin Jianyue looking her way, she immediately switched back to a charming, pleasing smile.

“Mom, what are we having for lunch? Your cooking must be amazing. Can I stay by your side and learn?”

“Cook for yourself if you want to eat!”

Lin Jianyue threw the words at her, her bright red tongue curling around Siyue’s body and flicking her away.

This kid was really annoying; her own Duoduo was still the cutest!

After facing repeated rejection, Siyue’s anger and jealousy surged to their peak in an instant.

No matter what she did, she was better than Duoduo.

So why did all the adults who came to the orphanage pick Duoduo and never choose her?

Now, in the eerie forest, all these strange beings circled around Duoduo one by one, but treated her like worthless rags?

Why? What made her inferior to Duoduo?

The eerie forest only distinguished day from night, with no precise time.

Xu Hetang knew Duoduo had woken up late today and hadn’t had breakfast.

He first prepared a cup of milk for her, then went into the kitchen to cook.

When he was alive, he had always lived alone.

Naturally, he knew how to cook.

He efficiently chopped and prepared the vegetables, then heated the oil.

Though it had been a long time since he last cooked, he showed no sign of rustiness.

After finishing her milk, Duoduo held the glass and pattered into the kitchen.

She wanted to wash the glass herself, but the sink was too high for her to reach.

She tiptoed to place the glass down, then ran out to get a stool.

By the time she brought the stool back, Xu Hetang had already cleaned the glass.

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

Duoduo obediently thanked Xu Hetang.

“Grandpa, are you cooking? Is there anything I can help with?”

Standing on the stool, she was just a bit taller than the countertop.

She looked up at Xu Hetang with hopeful eyes.

Grandpa helped her with the milk and cleaned her glass; she should help him too!

“No need, the food’s almost ready. You wait outside, okay?”

Busy flipping the pan, Xu Hetang didn’t turn around.

Duoduo pursed her lips, feeling a little disappointed.

She was so little and couldn’t help Grandpa at all; she felt useless!

The food in the pan was done.

Xu Hetang lifted the pot and served the food onto plates.

Seeing Duoduo still there, wearing a disappointed expression, he pondered for a moment and suddenly understood.

“Duoduo, can you help Grandpa go call Grandma to eat?”

“Okay! I’ll go call Grandma right now!”

Her big round eyes brightened with joy at finally having something to help with.

Happily carrying the stool, she ran out of the kitchen.

Xu Hetang watched her small figure leave and smiled gently.

So having a child around is such a wonderful thing!

Unfortunately, he hadn’t cared about this while alive and never enjoyed family happiness.

Now that he had died, a lovely child was by his side.

Thinking this way, the eerie forest wasn’t so bad to him after all.

At least it let him experience the joy of family after death!

Duoduo ran out of the kitchen, put the stool back in place, and then pattered to Xie Fangyun’s bedroom door.

The door was slightly ajar. Duoduo gently knocked and then pushed it open a crack.

“Grandma, it’s time to get up and eat!”

She peeked her small head through the door, looking at Xie Fangyun lying in bed.

Xie Fangyun stirred, feeling much better all over.

The fractures caused by the little one this morning had all healed.

“Grandma, are you awake?”

Duoduo lowered her voice a bit, afraid of disturbing Xie Fangyun’s rest.

Xie Fangyun slowly sat up and replied, “I’m coming!”

“Then Grandma, hurry up!”

Duoduo giggled and turned to run out.

Seeing Xu Hetang carrying the dishes out of the kitchen, she raised both hands toward him.

“Grandpa, can I help you?”

“The plates are hot; you better sit down first.”

“All right!”

Duoduo obediently nodded and pattered toward the dining table.

Instead of sitting immediately, she summoned all her strength and dragged out three chairs.

The chairs were heavy, and she gasped for breath.

Turning around, she saw Xie Fangyun coming out of the room.

She greeted her cheerfully, causing Xie Fangyun to step back in fright.

Her bones had just healed; she couldn’t endure another injury!

Noticing Xie Fangyun’s reaction, Duoduo took two steps back and waved her over.

“Grandma, come sit here quickly!”

“All right, all right, you sit first.”

Xie Fangyun was scared of her.

Ghosts in the eerie forest didn’t fear pain unless it was fatal.

Her fatal injury was having multiple bones broken all over her body from being beaten by her children.

Her resentment was so strong that she could have qualified as an S-level spirit.

But because her old bones shattered so easily, she ultimately missed that rank.

She was usually very careful to protect herself.

Today, seeing the child was so young, she let her guard down.

Who could have guessed this little bundle looked small but was much stronger than children her age!

It was truly a miscalculation!

Xie Fangyun sat down at the table, and Xu Hetang brought two more dishes over.

He placed them on the table and then sat down beside Xie Fangyun.

“Duoduo, come try Grandpa’s cooking!”

Xu Hetang smiled warmly at Duoduo, his eyes full of anticipation.

It had been a long time since he last cooked; he wondered if his skills had returned.

Duoduo nodded and picked up her chopsticks, first taking a piece of meat for Xu Hetang and Xie Fangyun each.

This was a habit she developed at the orphanage.

Whenever they ate, the children would offer the first bite to others.

The orphanage director said that only by cultivating such habits would families like them when they went to their new homes.

Xu Hetang and Xie Fangyun looked at the meat in their bowls, then exchanged a glance.

This child was more sensible than they had imagined.

“Mm, delicious! Grandpa, Grandma, you eat too!”

Duoduo chewed happily, smiling silly at the two elders opposite her.

She was so happy—she had found her parents and brother, and now she had grandparents too.

Grandpa’s and Mom’s cooking was so tasty.

Much better than the food in the orphanage canteen!

“Duoduo, please don’t leave. Stay and be our granddaughter!”

“No way!”