But before she could speak, she heard Yu Daming from behind Wang Youbao say, "Today is the young master’s birthday; in previous years, when the old master was here, he would celebrate for the young master. This year, the young master is by himself, and since he doesn’t wish to celebrate, no arrangements were made in the manor."
Wang Youbao turned around and scolded, "Mind your own business!"
Yu Daming immediately bowed his head, remaining silent. Anyway, he had said all he needed to.
An Jing realized then that the poor fellow had no warmth at home and had come here seeking it.
"Your birthday, ah? Not bad, not bad, finally turned seventeen," An Jing said with a smile, "But my household lacks white flour. Otherwise, I would make you a bowl of longevity noodles."
Wang Youbao chuckled innocently, "No worries, no worries, I just really came for a visit."
I believe you, yeah right.
An Jing laughed to herself, saying that, but her words remained cordial, "Stay for lunch with us. It’s not often you come by; have a meal before you return."
Wang Youbao happily agreed at once, nodding, "Alright."
Wang Youbao was one who did not set foot in the kitchen, and Yu Daming was following behind Wang Youbao tending to him, so by midday it was An Jing and Xiao Changyi bustling about in the kitchen.
One stood in front of the stove cooking, while the other sat by the fire door maintaining the fire.
Finding himself bored sitting in the courtyard, Wang Youbao had Yu Daming move a small stool to the kitchen door, and then, he sat there, chatting with An Jing in the kitchen from time to time.
In fact, he also wanted to chat with Xiao Changyi, but if Xiao Changyi responded once to his ten sentences, he would already be delighted. But he was afraid that Xiao Changyi wouldn’t say a word to him, no, not even a single character.
As for Yu Daming, having grown tired of standing behind Wang Youbao, he squatted down behind him.
Each time An Jing looked toward the door from inside the kitchen, she saw those two at the entrance and found it quite amusing.
However, she refrained from saying anything to mock them.
At mealtime, An Jing asked Yu Daming to sit as well, but he refused, simply picking up a little food with his chopsticks before squatting off to the side to eat, which greatly displeased An Jing.
She, Xiao Changyi, and Wang Youbao were all sitting at the table eating, with only Yu Daming squatting there by himself...
Seeing that Wang Youbao seemed to find this normal, and indeed it was normal—Wang Youbao was the master, Yu Daming the servant; in those times, it was not customary for masters and servants to share a table.
But as a modern person, An Jing couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable, always feeling as though Yu Daming was being treated like a domestic dog rather than a person.
Therefore, An Jing turned to Xiao Changyi for help, "Husband..." She was indeed worried that Wang Youbao wouldn’t listen to her, so it seemed more reliable to ask her husband to deal with Wang Youbao directly.
Xiao Changyi immediately understood and looked at Wang Youbao, "Wang Youbao."
Wang Youbao, who was in the midst of eating, immediately looked up, quite excited, "Changyi, what is it?"
Xiao Changyi didn’t speak but merely gestured for Wang Youbao to look at Yu Daming, who was squatting and eating.
As Wang Youbao followed Xiao Changyi’s gaze toward Yu Daming, he didn’t notice anything amiss and turned back to Xiao Changyi with a face full of puzzlement.
An Jing couldn’t help it and said, "My husband wants you to invite Daming to join us at the table. Both my husband and I are children of farmers; we don’t have so many rules in our home."
It dawned on Wang Youbao then, and he turned to Yu Daming, "Daming, come sit with us."
"Young master..." Yu Daming still seemed timid; he had never before shared a table with his young master for a meal. He hadn’t even sat at the same table before. He was accustomed to this style. His young master’s family had done great favors for him, so he was perfectly content to serve as a slave or servant.