Zhang Xianya beside her spoke apologetically to Xia Yuhuan: “This child suffered too much at his biological mother’s place, so he’s quite fearful of people. Don’t take it to heart, Xiao Huan.”
Xia Yuhuan gently shook her head: “It’s alright, Mom. I understand. We’ll get along gradually with time.”
Zhang Xianya and Chi Shaokang were both grateful for Xia Yuhuan’s understanding, taking turns persuading He Xiaojie.
“Xiao Jie, don’t be afraid. Your new mother is very kind and friendly. You’ll understand once you try getting along with her.”
“Xiao Jie, wouldn’t it be nice to have one more person love you? What are you afraid of?”
Seeing He Xiaojie pitifully twisting his little hands, Xia Yuhuan couldn’t help but frown.
“Dad, Mom, you really don’t need to persuade Xiao Jie like this for my sake.”
“Xiao Jie has been through too much hardship before. It’s normal for him to be wary of strangers. There’s no need to rush him into accepting me immediately.”
“I don’t mind, really!” Xia Yuhuan said with a serious expression.
Hearing this, the elderly couple looked at each other and ultimately smiled wryly.
Chi Shaokang said: “Xiao Huan, you’re a sensible and good child. Xiao Jie is actually very sensible too, but he’s still young and doesn’t warm up to strangers quickly. Be patient – once he discovers how good you are, he’ll definitely accept you.”
Xia Yuhuan nodded: “Yes, so let’s just let things take their natural course. There’s no need for you two to pressure him either. Bonds develop through interaction – we’ll be fine once we spend more time together.”
Seeing that Xia Yuhuan genuinely didn’t mind, Chi Shaokang and Zhang Xianya finally felt relieved.
Zhang Xianya said to He Xiaojie: “Xiao Jie, Grandpa and Grandma need to talk privately. Can you watch TV here and wait for us?”
She deliberately didn’t mention Xia Yuhuan, and He Xiaojie wasn’t triggered, obediently nodding his head.
Zhang Xianya nodded at Xia Yuhuan, then followed Chi Shaokang into the study.
Xia Yuhuan knew that Zhang Xianya likely wanted to discuss Chi Yanzhou’s poisoning with Chi Shaokang.
Chi Yanzhou’s poisoning was a serious matter to begin with, so it was normal for the couple to discuss it together.
She just didn’t know whether Chi Shaokang would trust her like Zhang Xianya did and entrust Chi Yanzhou’s treatment to her?
Setting these thoughts aside, Xia Yuhuan began carefully observing He Xiaojie.
He Xiaojie was truly a very well-behaved child. Since Zhang Xianya told him to sit and watch TV, he sat there obediently watching without moving around at all – almost excessively well-behaved.
The little fellow was also very cute, with a fair and clean little face, big eyes, and long eyelashes – just like a character straight out of a comic book.
Xia Yuhuan’s hands itched with the urge to pinch the little one’s cheeks.
She didn’t dare, afraid of scaring the little fellow.
Noticing some melon seeds and apples placed nearby, Xia Yuhuan thought for a moment before carefully approaching the little one and picking up an apple to peel.
Sure enough, He Xiaojie was immersed in his own world and didn’t notice Xia Yuhuan’s actions at all.
Xia Yuhuan peeled an apple, cut it into small pieces, skewered them with toothpicks, and brought one to He Xiaojie’s mouth.
He Xiaojie subconsciously ate the apple piece.
Watching the little one’s cheeks puffing out as he ate the fruit, Xia Yuhuan’s eyes were full of laughter.
Seeing that he had almost finished eating, she offered him another piece.
And so they continued – one eating, one feeding – until the apple was nearly gone.
When He Xiaojie saw no more apples being handed to him, he instinctively turned his head and found Xia Yuhuan resting her chin in her hand while watching him, causing him to widen his eyes in fright.
He subconsciously shifted away.
But due to his carelessness, he ended up falling to the ground.
Xia Yuhuan was startled and quickly reached out to scoop him up, settling him back onto the chair.
“Don’t be afraid, be careful not to fall. If you don’t agree, I won’t touch you,” Xia Yuhuan hurriedly reassured him.
He Xiaojie was still shaken from the scare, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at Xia Yuhuan.
Xia Yuhuan raised her hand and gently patted his back, soothing him softly, “Don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you.”
He Xiaojie’s eyes were full of resistance, his small body curling backward as he tried to put distance between himself and Xia Yuhuan.
Afraid he might fall again, Xia Yuhuan made a quick decision: “If you promise not to move, I’ll stop touching you. How about that?”
He Xiaojie remained silent and did not communicate verbally, but he understood what others said. Hearing this, he immediately stopped moving and struggling, fixing his clear eyes intently on Xia Yuhuan as if waiting for her to keep her word.
Seeing this, Xia Yuhuan promptly withdrew her hand. “See, I’m not touching you anymore. Don’t move around carelessly, or you might fall again later.”
He Xiaojie watched Xia Yuhuan for a while and, seeing that she made no further moves, quietly turned back to continue watching TV.
The TV programs of that era were quite monotonous, with little in the way of entertainment. Xia Yuhuan wasn’t interested, but seeing how attentively He Xiaojie was watching, she decided not to disturb him and got up to go to the kitchen instead.
Spotting potatoes in the kitchen, Xia Yuhuan thought about making some fries for He Xiaojie.
However, cooking oil was a precious commodity at the time, and Xia Yuhuan wasn’t sure if her liberal use of it would be appropriate.
She asked Aunt Zhao, who was tidying up: “Aunt Zhao, may I use some oil to fry a snack?”
“Of course, young madam. The mistress has said that you’re free to do as you please with everything in the house—no need to ask me,” Aunt Zhao replied.
Hearing that Zhang Xianya had even given instructions about such small matters, Xia Yuhuan’s impression of her improved even more.
Regardless of how things were with her unconscious husband, her mother-in-law was truly the best in the world.
She asked Aunt Zhao, “Aunt Zhao, do we have any sweet potato starch at home?”
“Yes, I’ll find it for you.”
With that, Aunt Zhao retrieved a jar of sweet potato starch from the cupboard for Xia Yuhuan.
Meanwhile, while Aunt Zhao was fetching the starch, Xia Yuhuan selected a few potatoes, washed them, and peeled them.
Watching Xia Yuhuan busy herself, Aunt Zhao asked curiously, “Are you planning to stir-fry potatoes, young madam?”
“I’m making fries. Children usually like them, so I’ll make some for Xiao Jie,” Xia Yuhuan replied casually.
She then cut the potatoes into evenly sized strips, soaked them in clean water, and scrubbed them to remove excess starch.
At the same time, she put water in a pot to boil. By the time the water was boiling, the potatoes had soaked for about five minutes.
She placed the potatoes into the hot water and boiled them until they turned translucent, then removed them and rinsed them in cold water before draining them.
Next, she sprinkled a layer of starch over them, ensuring the potatoes were evenly coated, and began frying the fries in hot oil.
In the oil pot, the potato strips sizzled and turned, releasing a rich, enticing aroma.
As Xia Yuhuan was frying, she felt someone’s gaze on her and looked up.
There was He Xiaojie, peeking in through the doorway with his little head, watching her eagerly.
Xia Yuhuan couldn’t help but smile. “Did you smell the aroma and want to eat?”
Noticing that she had spotted him, He Xiaojie wanted to run away, but the irresistible fragrance of the fries was something a child simply couldn’t resist. He couldn’t bring himself to leave, so he could only stare back at Xia Yuhuan with longing eyes.
Xia Yuhuan felt her heart melting from how adorable He Xiaojie was.
She patiently explained, “You’ll need to wait a little while. These just came out of the fryer and will burn your mouth if you eat them now. Xiao Jie can be patient and wait, right?”