Tang Xiao’nan’s lip twitched. She finally understood where Felix Thorne got his catchphrase.

Feeling playful, Tang Xiao’nan couldn’t resist retorting, "You have it, Grandma."

Raina froze, not registering what she’d heard for a moment. But she quickly came to her senses and raised a hand threateningly at Tang Xiao’nan. "You little brat, you dare talk back to me!"

Tang Xiao’nan flinched and scurried away, but not without shouting back, "Grandma, you told me to eat crap, so I’m letting you have it!"

"Still got a smart mouth!"

Raina chased her for a few steps in mock anger but then broke into an exasperated laugh. She shot a fierce glare at the chuckling Byron Thorne and Goldie Thorne before turning back to her cooking, her face covered in smiling wrinkles.

’A home is only lively with children. Before, her granddaughter didn’t come to play, and her grandsons rarely visited. The house felt so cold and empty. Staring at that old man and her good-for-nothing youngest son every day was enough to drive her mad. *This* is what a home should feel like.’

In her excellent mood, Raina had a rare burst of generosity. She made three meat dishes: a bowl of steamed egg custard (with only one egg, of course), a bowl of steamed bamboo shoots with cured pork, and scrambled eggs with chives. She also prepared two large bowls of stir-fried vegetable shoots.

She also prepared a separate bowl of eggs boiled in brown sugar water for Phoebe Thorne. Eating two eggs a day was a must for her. Since they didn’t have enough of their own, Raina had gone to the village to buy more. No matter how much she scrimped and saved, she would never cut corners on food for a pregnant woman. When Phoebe Huxley had been pregnant and in postpartum confinement, Raina had served her just as well. As a result, Phoebe Huxley had blown up like a balloon and never managed to slim down again.

Amanda Chapman glanced enviously at the steamed egg custard. It smelled so good. But she wasn’t greedy for her cousin’s food. Besides, with so many dishes on the table, it was already far better than what she got at home.

Tang Xiao’nan didn’t offer to share the egg custard with her cousin. That would only cause trouble for Amanda Chapman. Raina drew a very clear line between kin and outsiders. Amanda was her maternal granddaughter, and that "maternal" distinction marked her as an outsider. If Amanda hadn’t been so diligent and perceptive, Raina would never have allowed her to stay this long.

But that was as far as it went. Special treatment with the best food was impossible. Amanda was expected to eat with the adults and do her fair share of chores—if not more. As for warmth and affection, that was completely out of the question. Raina simply wasn’t that kind of grandmother.

After the meal, Amanda Chapman began clearing the table without anyone having to ask. Watching her cousin stand on a stool, washing the dishes with practiced ease, Tang Xiao’nan felt a pang of sadness for her.

’At home, she was abused by her paternal grandmother. And life here isn’t much better. Raina might not be abusive, but she isn’t affectionate either. Amanda still has plenty of chores, and she even has to gather pig feed after school. She never gets a moment’s rest.’

Tang Xiao’nan glanced down at her own chubby arms and short legs and abandoned the thought of helping. ’I’d better just stay out of the way,’ she decided. ’I’ll only get my cousin scolded.’

Still, Raina was better than Mrs. Chapman in one regard: she wasn’t as cruel. She only made Amanda do chores within her capabilities, and she was free to play once they were finished. After washing the dishes, Amanda happily played cat’s cradle with Tang Xiao’nan, sucking on a piece of candy her cousin had given her.

"Amanda," Tang Xiao’nan whispered, "do you want to go home?"

"I don’t."

Amanda Chapman shook her head vigorously. She didn’t want to go back at all. Here, she could go to school and eat until she was full. She didn’t have to endure scoldings and beatings, and her cousin even gave her candy and snacks from time to time. Life was much better here than at home. ’Only an idiot would want to go back!’

But she knew that once Phoebe Thorne had her baby, she would have to return home. At the thought, Amanda Chapman’s expression clouded over. When Tang Xiao’nan asked what was wrong, Amanda told her what she was worried about.

"Then don’t go back. Just stay here," Tang Xiao’nan said. She was worried too; if Amanda went back, she might not be able to attend school at all.