Chapter 31: A Heartwarming Scene

“Miss, let me help you.”

Lin Nuo turned towards the voice and saw Lin Mama.

Lin Mama entered the kitchen, her eyes red and swollen from crying earlier. After just tidying herself up, her beautiful appearance was now fully revealed.

Lin Mama had previously been a maid accompanying Lin Nuo’s mother. She had followed her mother since childhood and learned a lot from her, possessing a grace, beauty, eloquence, and knowledge that surpassed many young ladies from wealthy families.

It seemed that she had suffered quite a bit in the past few months; she had lost some weight, and her complexion was a bit sallow. Her hair was meticulously arranged. With kind brows and a gentle smile, she looked warm and inviting.

Lin Nuo smiled tenderly at her and said, “Mama, you must have forgotten. From now on, you should call me ‘Aunt’ and not ‘Miss’ anymore. You should call me Lin Nuo.”

Hearing the term “Aunt,” Lin Mama felt a bit awkward. Although it was a special time now, it still felt somewhat inappropriate for the young lady to address her this way.

Lin Mama slightly trembled her shoulders but quickly adapted to this new identity.

The two then worked together harmoniously to wash, chop, and stir-fry the vegetables.

Lin Nuo had originally wanted to ask Lin Mama why her family had been sold, but thinking it over, she decided to wait until later. She wanted to calm her emotions first, seeing how hard things had been for Lin Mama.

A quarter of an hour later, Lan’er and Uncle Lin also came over.

“Miss!”

“Mother, Ah Xiu!”

The mother and daughter called out to the two people who came toward them.

Lan’er was dressed in a pink cotton dress, with a pair of pink silk flowers pinned in her hair, looking delicate and charming.

Uncle Lin, having been a guard before, was tall and sturdy. Now that he had shaved his beard, he looked quite good, giving off a military vibe.

“Hey.”

The two in the kitchen responded in unison.

By around five in the afternoon, the dishes were all prepared, and they helped to bring everything to the dining table.

Lin Lei had also returned.

Every time school was out, Lin Lei would run home, his voice reaching them before he did.

“Sister, sister, I’m back! It smells so good! What did you cook today? I could smell it from outside!”

The little short legs ran in with a thump.

Hearing Lin Lei’s voice made Lin Mama and the others a bit excited.

After the siblings were sent to the countryside a few months ago, Lin Mama and her husband would secretly check on them from time to time. However, after the lady passed away, Concubine Wen took her place, leaving no room for them in the household.

They were often excluded and bullied. Later, when they heard that Lin Nuo was secretly taking people from the village and that the siblings had perished in a fire, Concubine Wen had no reservations and sold off everyone who had accompanied Lin Nuo’s mother.

Lin Lei rushed into the main room, seeing Lin Mama and the others in a daze. He immediately threw himself into Lin Mama’s arms.

“Lin Mama, I missed you! Wuwuwuwu!”

Lin Lei cried in her embrace, heartbroken.

He remembered how, while in the countryside, Mama would send him some food and ointment. He often went hungry and had to work, frequently getting beaten, with old wounds adding to new ones.

“Hey, hey.”

Lin Mama responded repeatedly.

She held Lin Lei tightly, tears flowing down her face. Yet, she was smiling, tears of joy streaming down. They were finally reunited.

Lin Nuo, turning her head to wipe her tears, felt a little awkward about familial affection since she had been used to independence in the modern world. However, after a few months here, she had experienced the ups and downs of life and quietly shed tears as well.

Lan’er was also crying beside them. Even Uncle Lin, a tough man, couldn’t help but have red-rimmed eyes, secretly wiping away his tears.

After Lin Nuo comforted everyone, the crying finally subsided, and they began to eat happily.

Lin Mama and the others looked at the table filled with fragrant and delicious dishes, the aroma wafting up, making it clear that they would taste wonderful.

Lin Nuo served each person a bowl of chicken soup first.

Seeing Lin Nuo busy serving them, Lin Mama felt reluctant and prepared to get up to take over, but Lin Nuo pressed her back down onto the stool.

Lin Lei spoke up, “Mama, Uncle Lin, Sister Lan’er, you all should drink up. My sister’s cooking is amazing!”

There was a hint of pride in his tone.

“Hey, yes!” the others responded in agreement.

They began to lift their spoons and drink the chicken soup.

After taking a sip, Lin Mama and the others were surprised; it tasted better than what they had at the restaurants in the capital.

“Mama, isn’t my sister’s chicken soup especially delicious?” Lin Lei said proudly.

“Yes, it’s delicious! The chicken soup made by the miss is the best I’ve ever had,” Lin Mama replied.

After saying that, they quietly began to eat.

At the dining table, there were only Lin Lei’s calls and the praises from Lin Mama and the others.

After finishing the meal, Lan’er took over the dishwashing duties.