After calming her mother-in-law down, Rong Dai went back to her room.
Huo Shao Ting had already put the lilac flowers in a vase in the room.
"What's wrong with Mom?"
Seeing her come in, he asked after arranging the fresh flowers.
Rong Dai sighed lightly. She didn't really want to get involved in this kind of thing.
Because if it wasn't handled well, it would be very easy to offend her mother-in-law, and their budding relationship would be ruined.
"She said Mei Shu threw a tantrum in her room today, didn't eat dinner, and smashed her piano."
"Is it because she ran into some problem with studying abroad?"
She didn't really understand the difficulties of education in this era. Since she had promised her mother-in-law this matter, she had to follow through.
Huo Shao Ting shook his head: "That's not it. Don't worry too much about this. Mei Shu has always had that temperament, liking to struggle with herself."
Rong Dai really wanted to wash her hands of this!
Although her relationship with her sister-in-law had improved over this period, she didn't think her sister-in-law would be happy to let her intervene in her life.
To her sister-in-law, she was merely a sister-in-law.
The only reason she was so good to Rong Dai was because of Huo Shao Ting.
She was very clear about her position in the Huo family. It had not reached the point of intimacy where she could become one of them.
If she didn't handle this well, she would offend either her sister-in-law or mother-in-law.
She shouldn't have said too much just now. Her careless words had dug a pit for herself.
It was completely different whether Huo Shao Ting or she spoke to Mei Shu.
The human heart was something she didn't dare challenge.
The uncertainty was too great.
If she wasn't Huo Shao Ting's wife, if Huo Shao Ting did this, Mei Shu would definitely feel that this elder brother loved and protected her very much.
But now in terms of blood relationship, she was an outsider to this family.
If Huo Shao Ting still did this, it wouldn't be surprising for Mei Shu to resent her.
"I'll go make her something to eat in a bit, and see if she's run into any problems."
"Or... why don't you come with me? You're her elder brother, your words will be more effective than mine."
She looked up at him as she sat on the sofa, blinking her eyes charmingly and softly, making it impossible to refuse her.
A man as astute as Huo Shao Ting could see through her little scheme in an instant.
He couldn't help feeling a little vexed in his heart, but even more heartache.
She had to be so careful and cautious about so many things in this family.
He felt heartache over her prudence—it meant he hadn't done well enough.
"There are frozen dumplings in the fridge. I'll go cook her a bowl."
"You've done a lot of walking today, rest well first, and don't worry about anything else."
He bent down to steal a kiss on her cheek, speaking to her gently.
Rong Dai laughed helplessly. What kind of elder brother was this? Sending her away with just a bowl of frozen dumplings.
If Mei Shu knew they went to eat French cuisine, and her dear elder brother just gave her a bowl of frozen dumplings, wouldn't she resent Rong Dai?
The human heart was something she didn't dare challenge.
The uncertainty was too great.
With that, the husband and wife went into the kitchen.
Rong Dai intended to cook bird's nest soup, adding a few Chinese wolfberries, and simmering it carefully.
She also made juicy pork dumplings, preparing the ingredients well until the rich soup aroma filled the entire kitchen.
Huo Shao Ting wasn't actually much help beside her. He just couldn't help wanting to eat when he smelled the aroma.
After eating the meals she had cooked a few times, Huo Shao Ting felt that his palate would become even more discerning in the future.
"She can't finish this much." He couldn't help but say.
Rong Dai turned her head to glance at him, unable to hold back a smile. "I see someone's got a craving."
She ladled some into a small bowl for him and put it on the countertop. "Be careful, it's hot. You ate a lot tonight."
"Eating too full at night isn't good for the digestive system. Just try the taste. I'll make it again next time if you want to eat it."
In her previous life, she had learned a lot of cooking skills from the imperial chefs. In the boring and depressing harem, preparing ingredients helped distract her mind, so she got addicted to learning.
She hadn't expected those skills would come in handy now. What she had learned in her previous life, she seldom got to use. But here, it had been a huge help to her.
Huo Shao Ting paid her no mind. He bent over and started eating right there at the countertop.
"That girl is lucky." After a few dumplings, his words were a little sour.
Rong Dai didn't reply. They were just a few dumplings. Was it worth being jealous over?
"Bring some to your mother. She's worried about Mei Shu and probably won't be able to sleep tonight."
She ladled out a bowlful of the bird's nest soup and tasted it with a spoon.
After confirming there were no issues, she placed the soup on a tray along with another clean spoon, instructing him as she did so.
No one else dared order Huo Shao Ting around, but with just this soft word from Rong Dai, he obeyed.
When he went out, Rong Dai ladled out more bird's nest soup and dumplings, waiting for Huo Shao Ting to come back down and bring it up to his sister.
Although her foot injury was mostly healed, she still couldn't walk too strenuously.
Lu Zheng couldn't sleep at all in her room. Hearing the knock, she got up to open the door.
Seeing it was Huo Shao Ting, she was stunned at first, feeling very surprised.
She had tried every way to please and show concern for this eldest son, but he didn't buy it at all. Over time she was at a loss over what to do, and could only anxiously agonize in her heart.
"Rong Dai stewed this. Eat it and sleep early."
Huo Shao Ting only revealed his gentle, warm side in front of Rong Dai. Even with his own mother, he was still as cold as ever.
Lu Zheng stared blankly at the bird's nest soup he had brought in and placed on the table, her eyes instantly turning red.
In all these years, she felt the most guilty towards this eldest son.
It was so rare for him to say a sentence to her usually. Yet today he had taken the initiative to bring her something. She was emotional and conflicted.
Huo Shao Ting pursed his lips tightly. Before coming out, he had paused in his steps.
He tilted his head slightly, the corner of his eye glancing at Lu Zheng. With his back to her he said in a somewhat icy tone: "You don't have to always feel you owe me anything. I'm fine now."
Having said that, he strode downstairs.
Lu Zheng watched his retreating figure blankly, unable to hold back covering her mouth as she wept.
How could she not feel guilty?
In all these years, the conversations between mother and son could be counted on one hand.
He was so cold towards everyone, and it was all her fault!
