Chapter 3: The Biased Mother
1037 Words
Saira, who had been pampered all her life, had never suffered such grievances. Dalia couldn't help but feel a bit resentful towards this biological daughter who had just come home.
This child, having grown up outside, had no manners at all. It seemed she needed a good education; otherwise, taking her out would bring disgrace to the Lin family.
Zuri sat in the room, propping her chin with her hands, watching as the servants moved boxes one after another.
Saira looked at the remaining old clothes in the walk-in closet, "Stop."
The servants looked at her in confusion. One of them said, "Miss Saira, Miss Zuri just said we must finish moving everything today."
Miss Zuri?!
The title was truly grating.
Saira looked at the servant gently, "Zuri and I have similar figures. She just arrived and has no clothes to wear. Let her keep these clothes."
Her considerate gesture immediately earned her approving looks from the simple-minded maid.
Saira was very satisfied with this outcome.
When everyone had left, Zuri asked curiously, "Have they finished moving?"
One maid said, "Yes. The remaining things, Miss Saira said to leave for you."
Zuri walked into the spacious walk-in closet, her fingers lightly brushing over the clothes and bags that remained. A slight, sardonic smile appeared on her lips.
In her previous life, her dear sister had used this exact trick to make her lose face in front of everyone.
Back then, she had naively thought her sister was kind and considerate, leaving her clothes and helping her network and make friends in high society, only to find out those clothes were all outdated hand-me-downs.
Her first public appearance as the Lin family's daughter had turned into a laughingstock.
Everyone knew the newly returned biological daughter of the Lin family had taken Saira's second-hand clothes, and they were all outdated.
From then on, she was labeled as "tasteless" and "unsophisticated."
She still remembered the disdain and contempt in people's eyes, and how her mother, upon returning, had pointed at her nose and cursed her as a shallow pauper, something unworthy of high society.
Each word had been like a knife, stabbing her heart.
She still remembered the pain and humiliation.
Now, as Saira tried to use the same trick again, she was ready to play along.
At dinner, the maid led Zuri into the dining room. Saira and Dalia sat side by side, while Zuri was assigned to sit alone opposite them.
After Aaron sat down, the maids began serving the dishes.
Looking at the plates being brought in, all the dishes were Saira's favorites. As for her own preferences, who would care?
"Saira, your favorite sashimi. Mom specifically asked the kitchen to prepare it for you." Dalia placed a piece of raw fish into Saira's bowl.
A faint smile finally appeared on Saira's previously gloomy face, "Thank you, Mom."
Seeing her smile, Dalia was pleased, "Eat more. These dishes are all your favorites."
Watching the mother and daughter across from her share food so affectionately, Zuri lowered her head, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
This was her good mother, whose eyes and heart were filled entirely with Saira.
Had she ever considered whether her biological daughter could get used to the food and adapt to the new home?
No! She had never considered it.
To them, her mere entry into this home was an enjoyment. Why would there be anything she didn't like or wasn't happy with?
Saira glanced at Zuri opposite her and said to Dalia, "Mom, don't keep giving me food. You should eat more."
Saying this, Saira picked up a piece of sashimi and put it into Zuri's bowl, "Zuri, try this. It tastes really good."
Zuri looked at the raw fish in her bowl.
Was this sashimi?
No, it was a declaration of war, telling her that even though she was the biological daughter, it meant nothing. Her mother only saw Saira.
With a "clatter," Zuri put down her chopsticks.
The three people at the table looked at her in surprise, Aaron frowning with displeasure at the noise she made.
Dalia looked at her in confusion.
As for Saira, she was inwardly thrilled.
Go ahead, cause trouble. The more she caused trouble, the less their parents would like her.
"Arianwen, get me a clean bowl."
Zuri took the new bowl from Arianwen and set aside the previous one, eating slowly under the watchful eyes of the three.
Dalia frowned, visibly displeased, "Zuri, what are you doing?"
"Too dirty." Zuri replied calmly with just two words.
Saira was overjoyed inside but put on a sad face, lowering her head in grievance.
Aaron slammed his chopsticks down heavily.
"Zuri, where are your manners?"
The atmosphere at the dining table instantly froze. The surrounding servants were scared to make a sound, but Zuri, the main party involved, calmly swallowed her food and gracefully wiped her mouth with a napkin.
She looked up at Aaron, her expression calm, seemingly unaware of his rising anger, and spoke slowly, "Although sashimi is very nutritious, it also harbors countless bacteria that multiply rapidly."
"Do you know that every minute, bacteria increase by billions? From s*******r to the dining table, how much time does it take? And how many bacteria grow during that time?"
"I said it was dirty. Was I wrong?" Zuri's cold eyes met Aaron's without any fear.
Aaron realized his misunderstanding and cleared his throat uncomfortably, but he had no intention of apologizing to Zuri.
He wanted to pretend nothing had happened, but Zuri wouldn't let him.
Propping her chin with her hands, she spoke with a smile, "I left the orphanage at five, fought with dogs for food, competed with other beggars for a bridge to sleep under, and begged for money. In my life of over ten years, I learned only one thing, to survive."
"What is manners? Can it be exchanged for food, drink, or a worry-free life? If so, I would have excellent manners."
The dining room fell silent.
The more nonchalant she seemed, the more it highlighted the hardship and sorrow behind her words.
Arianwen and the others felt a pang of heartache but also worried that she might upset Mr. Lin.
- Writer
