Every word from May Sutton made Cecilia Adler’s nose sting, and a lump formed in her throat.
So that was it.
It wasn’t just May Sutton being cruel; her father had tacitly allowed and condoned the bullying.
She said sullenly, “I’ll do it in a bit.”
‘After all, she was living under their roof.’
May Sutton snorted disdainfully.
“Don’t just say you’ll do it—do it.
Steam the plain buns and meat buns this morning, wash the clothes at noon, and fry the plain buns this afternoon.
If you miss a single task, you’re moving into the Quillan family’s house tomorrow.
When people ask, I’ll just say you insisted on going.
We’ll see who’s embarrassed then.” She left.
Cecilia Adler clenched her fists.
She had already agreed to do the work, so why did May still have to threaten her with the one thing she cared about—her reputation?
This was going too far.
She could risk it all to stand up to the version of Ian Quincy that Vivian Lee had demonized.
So why couldn’t she deal with May Sutton, who provoked her again and again?
After a moment’s thought, she decided to use Ian Quincy to teach May Sutton a harsh lesson.
Once her plan was in place, she got out of bed and rolled up her pant leg.
Her ankle was still red and swollen, but it was much better than yesterday.
She took out the ointment, reapplied it, and tidied herself up before heading into the kitchen.
Inside the cupboard was not only a large piece of pork belly, but also two large silver carp and a whole chicken.
She mixed the dough and minced the pork belly for the filling.
While she was at it, she also scaled and sectioned the fish.
She set aside the two best cuts from the middle and salted the rest to preserve them.
By then, the dough had risen.
She started kneading the dough again, steaming the plain buns and the meat buns.
She was so busy that she didn’t get to eat breakfast until the afternoon.
After eating her fill, Cecilia Adler packed two large steamers of meat buns and the two cuts of fish.
She also put some oil and seasonings into a glass bottle and took a ride to the family housing compound.
Ian Quincy was at home studying.
He was pleasantly surprised to see her.
“Honey,” he said, stepping forward to take her hand.
“Your hands are so cold.
Are you chilly?”
“They’re warming up now.” Cecilia Adler pulled her hand back and rubbed it together.
She took out the meat buns, which were wrapped in a small cotton quilt.
“Have you eaten?
These are still warm.”
“You brought so many buns.” Ian Quincy’s eyes lit up.
‘It’s so wonderful that my wife is always thinking of me.’
He picked up a warm bun and took a bite.
The savory juices and the aroma of the meat slowly filled his senses, lifting his mood.
“Delicious.
This is even better than what they sell at the bun shops.”
“I’ll cook the two pieces of fish for you, too,” Cecilia Adler said, taking small steps toward the kitchen.
She took the pot of boiling water off the stove.
Ian Quincy said, “The buns are more than enough.”
“No, that won’t do.
Studying is mentally draining.
You need to replenish your energy.”
Ian Quincy followed her in and saw a dark-looking bottle in her hand.
“Don’t tell me those are your seasonings.”
“They are.”
Ian Quincy laughed out loud.
“You’re so resourceful.
Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No need.” Cecilia Adler pushed him out of the kitchen.
Suddenly, Ian noticed she wasn’t walking as smoothly as she had been yesterday.
“Honey, what happened to your leg?”
“I twisted my ankle.
I’ve already put some ointment on it.
It’s nothing serious.”
“Let me see.” Ian Quincy pulled her out of the kitchen and had her sit down on a chair.
He lifted her pant leg, revealing a slightly red and swollen ankle.
A pang of protectiveness shot through him.
“It’s this swollen, and you still made buns for me and came all this way.”
‘Was she trying to kill him with worry?’
“Making buns doesn’t require walking, and I took a ride to get here.”
Ian Quincy said, “You’re not going back tonight.”
This was the very sentence Cecilia Adler had been waiting for.
“My toiletries are all at home.”
“We’ll buy new ones.”
“The book you gave me is at home, too.”
Ian Quincy made up his mind to go.
“I’ll go get them.”
Cecilia Adler pointed to the kitchen.
“The fish is almost ready.
I made it especially for you.”
Ian Quincy had no appetite left, but when he thought about how she had made this meal just for him, he knew he couldn’t let her efforts go to waste.
He ate the fish with two large meat buns before he left.
He had just stepped into the Lee family’s courtyard when he heard the sound of May Sutton’s voice.