"Hello, Aunt." Elliana Lyle politely and sweetly greeted, appearing very calm, giving the first impression of being a well-behaved child.
Facing Elliana, Daisy Hue felt somewhat awkward and distant. She didn’t have any familial affection for this girl who suddenly returned, and even treating her as a guest felt uncomfortable.
"It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back," Daisy Hue said perfunctorily, feeling a mix of emotions inside.
Afterward, Elliana followed Grandma Hue into the house. She wasn’t particularly happy; the unfamiliar environment made her feel somewhat uneasy.
In the evening, the Hue Family held a banquet to welcome her home.
The entire Hue Family sat together, except for one person, Uncle’s daughter, Summer Hue, who was still studying abroad, with no clear idea of when she would return.
Besides the seven cousins of her generation, there was also one aunt, an uncle, a grandfather, and a grandmother.
Grandfather looked relatively astute, and his body was rather lean. Her second aunt looked at her with only scrutiny, as if her mood was also quite complex.
The brothers and sisters merely exchanged a few polite words and then stopped talking.
Only her uncle and grandmother chatted with her with cheerful smiles.
"Elliana, drink some pigeon soup, it’s very nourishing. Look how thin you are."
With the dishes served, Uncle Frank Hue directly picked up an empty bowl, ready to serve her soup. Aunt Crystal King quickly took the bowl from him with a smile, naturally served the soup, and handed it to Elliana next to her.
"Your uncle is right, you need to build up your strength. Your face shows no flesh," Crystal King said with a smile, occasionally glancing surreptitiously at the old lady’s expression.
"Thank you, Auntie." Elliana gave her a sweet smile. She was quite familiar with both her uncle and aunt; they were the only ones she knew well at this dining table.
However, she understood the rules, and as long as the elders hadn’t started eating, how could she eat first? The soup in front of her was just placed there.
Grandma Hue spoke, "Everyone, start eating."
Afterward, Grandma Hue didn’t say much, just quietly watching Elliana eat the soup and meal. Who knows what she thought of, as the kindness in her eyes turned to loneliness.
Perhaps through Elliana, she thought of her daughter who she hadn’t seen for many years.
During the meal, the plump and benevolent-looking second aunt asked her many questions about the Lyle family, to which she responded one by one. In contrast, the delicate and quite refined youngest aunt barely spoke, only greeting before the meal and then remaining silent.
The meal did not go very smoothly, with everyone harboring their own thoughts, whether good or bad, making them all feel uneasy.
After dinner, Grandma Hue personally took her to the room that had been prepared for her, and the others dispersed or left.
Uncle and the youngest aunt did not live in the old house.
In the corridor, Daisy Hue called out to Claire Hue, who was about to leave. Only the three sisters remained there.
"Eldest Sister, Second Sister, what’s up?" Claire Hue turned around slowly to face them, almost not needing to think to know what they wanted to say.
Second Sister Hu Mei tightly wrapped her woolen coat that was about to burst, beckoning Claire over.
Acting all secretive, you could tell it was nothing good.
Although Claire didn’t want to get involved, she knew this second sister was being used as a pawn, without knowing what negativity the eldest sister was plotting.
She sighed lightly, shoved her hands into the pockets of her black coat, and walked towards the two, the three of them sitting in a small pavilion nearby.
"What do you think Mom means by bringing back this Elliana girl?" Daisy Hue took the lead in questioning.
As soon as the eldest sister asked this, Hu Mei couldn’t hold back and immediately voiced her thoughts.
"Oh! What else could it mean? Third Sister is dead, and the Lyle family doesn’t seem good at all. This girl is now all alone, right? Mom brought her back, probably to stay for a long time."
"Indeed, the Lyle family is truly out of line; Third Sister died without them even notifying us," Daisy said, somewhat resentful.
After a back-and-forth, they both looked at the most silent and reserved youngest sister, wanting to hear her thoughts.
"Mom bringing Elliana back is reasonable, Eldest Sister, Second Sister, don’t you think?"
With a smile in her eyes and a thin-lipped response, Claire softly retorted, her voice gentle and smooth, without any unpleasant emotion, though slightly mocking.
She had always disliked getting involved in family trivialities, being the only one in the Hue family with an anti-marriage stance, believing these family troubles stem from marriage.
"Of course, but with another family member, doesn’t it mean there will be less inheritance to split..." Hu Mei’s voice faded, glancing around after speaking.
Daisy remained silent after hearing this, looking forward to the youngest’s input, always being the one to start and end things, letting others play the intermediary roles.
"Oh~ So Second Sister cares about this, huh?" Claire nodded, slightly agape, a look of realization, then softly laughed, "Even though we’re all one family, Elliana is a generation apart and can’t directly compete with you, Second Sister, right?"
"Exactly what I meant," Hu Mei nearly expressed, wanting to say "you understand me" with just those three words.
Claire’s tone shifted, continuing, "It’s just procedural, first to Third Sister, then reserved for Elliana, it’s the same thing."
"Right, right, right! Huh? Youngest, what do you mean by that?"
Hu Mei’s smile froze, nearly not realizing it, switching to a grimace, looking puzzled and confused at Claire.
"What do you think, Eldest Sister?" Claire offered a slight smile, asking them without caring about their reactions, checking her watch, "It’s getting late, I must return, my dog is probably hungry."
As the sound of high heels faded, Hu Mei let out a loud snort, "Just like our brother, clueless. This isn’t the time for inheritance yet, all indifferent, thinking they’re all high and mighty. When there’s less to share, they’ll be the ones weeping."
Daisy calmed her, "Don’t you understand the youngest’s character? As the eldest sister, my main concern is for you. My husband at least has a business, not too big or small. But yours, tsk-tsk, not to criticize, but what future is there in day trading, not doing real work? You have three sons! If some were taken by Elliana... what about your three sons?"
After saying this, Daisy couldn’t help but shake her head, filled with regret.
Listening to Daisy, if some were taken by Elliana, wouldn’t that be a disaster? Hu Mei panicked, hurriedly seeking help: "Eldest Sister, you must help me! We’ve been the closest since childhood!"
"Oh dear, why say such things? When haven’t I looked out for you? You need to make this girl back off on her own..."
Night quietly descended, and the pavilion was long deserted.
Elliana lay on a wooden bed, holding a phone, chatting with Norman Bennett. Today was already the 27th of the last lunar month, just a few days until New Year’s Eve.
She recalled eating dumplings handmade by her mother every year, with the mushroom, lime, and beef filling she liked. It seemed she wouldn’t have them this year.