Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Drinking Juice
Xia Wan felt quite bored alone in the room, so she began to take in her surroundings.
She noticed that the room's color scheme was monotonous, with only black and white tones. Even the bed was pure black. Without a doubt, this had to be Si Yuan's room.
Feeling a bit bored, she decided to wander around, hoping to find something interesting.
However, having just finished eating, she felt a bit drowsy but was too embarrassed to sleep right after a meal.
So, she decided to put on her slippers and head downstairs to find something to drink.
As she reached the first floor, all the maids heard her footsteps descending the stairs.
They immediately stopped what they were doing and greeted her respectfully, "Good afternoon, Madam!"
Xia Wan was startled by the sudden attention. She had always been somewhat invisible at home, never receiving much attention.
This sudden change left her momentarily stunned.
She stood frozen at the staircase for a while before finally snapping out of it.
With a sweet smile, she said to them, "You're all too kind. Please, go back to your work."
The maids responded in unison, "Yes, Madam!" and quickly returned to their tasks.
After all, everyone had witnessed the scene at the dining table earlier. Even those who hadn't seen it firsthand had heard about it.
The servants could tell that the Second Master held Xia Wan in special regard and doted on her. Her status as the young mistress was now firmly established.
Although the Second Master didn't usually tolerate flattery, it seemed that Madam Xia Wan was an exception. She appeared to be kind-hearted and gentle.
Even though the Second Master and Xia Wan had only been together for a few hours, his mood had noticeably improved during that time.
For instance, during lunch, the chef had accidentally prepared too little of one dish.
In the past, such a mistake would have resulted in immediate dismissal and being blacklisted in the capital, never to be hired again.
But this time, thanks to Xia Wan's presence, the Second Master had let it slide.
It seemed that Xia Wan's influence had softened him.
"Ah, Madam is such a good person. I hope she stays with us for a long time, bringing more happiness and joy to the Second Master."
"Yes, I feel like the Second Master has changed too. He seems more gentle and considerate now."
"Then we must take good care of Madam and make her feel our sincerity and warmth."
The servants all agreed to do their best to make Xia Wan feel comfortable and at home.
They understood that Xia Wan wasn't just the Second Master's wife; she was an integral part of the family.
They were willing to wholeheartedly accept her as the true mistress of the household.
For those working in the Huo family, this was undoubtedly great news.
After all, working for the Huo family meant high salaries, generous benefits, and relatively light workloads.
However, the servants were always worried that the slightest mistake could lead to being fired.
Losing this job would be a significant blow to them.
Now, with Madam Xia Wan around, the Second Master's mood would likely remain pleasant, and he might not be so quick to dismiss anyone.
This meant they could continue working for the Huo family with peace of mind.
As Xia Wan slowly descended the stairs, her eyes met an approaching auntie.
The auntie greeted her respectfully with a smile, "Good afternoon, Madam! My surname is Deng. Everyone calls me Auntie Deng. If you need anything in the villa, no matter how small, feel free to ask me. Whether it's food, drinks, or anything you'd like to buy, just let me know."
Xia Wan looked at the kind auntie and replied sweetly, "Hello, Auntie Deng! I'm a bit thirsty and would like some juice."
Auntie Deng, seeing how polite Xia Wan was, smiled and said, "Of course! Please take a seat at the bar, Madam, and I'll get it for you."
Xia Wan sat at the bar and glanced around the first floor. It was spacious, with a decor that was understated yet luxurious.
Her eyes eventually landed on the kitchen, where Auntie Deng was preparing the juice. She felt a warm sensation in her heart.
The kitchen was fully equipped, with several refrigerators. When Auntie Deng opened one, Xia Wan noticed it was filled with fruits.
As Auntie Deng juiced the fruits, she glanced at Xia Wan and said gently, "Oh, Madam, I forgot to ask what you'd like to drink. How about a strawberry juice?"
Xia Wan replied obediently, "That sounds great! I've had strawberries before, but never strawberry juice. Thank you, Auntie Deng."
Auntie Deng smiled and said, "You're welcome, Madam. As long as you like it."
Soon, Auntie Deng handed the freshly made strawberry juice to Xia Wan and said, "Please enjoy, Madam."
Xia Wan took a sip and found it delightfully sweet and tangy. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Auntie Deng. This juice is delicious."
Auntie Deng replied happily, "I'm glad you like it, Madam. If there's anything else you'd like to eat or drink, just let me know."
Xia Wan nodded, feeling grateful and warm inside.
Despite the grandeur of the house, it felt cozy and comfortable.
Here, she felt cared for and cherished.
Auntie Deng observed Xia Wan, noting her beauty and delicate features, and couldn't help but think how lucky the young master was. She then asked, "Madam, would you like some fruit? I can wash some for you."
Xia Wan, who had always loved fruit, brightened up at the suggestion.
"That would be wonderful! I'm feeling a bit hungry now. What fruits do we have, Auntie Deng?"
As she spoke, Auntie Deng quickly prepared the strawberry juice and placed the glass gently in front of Xia Wan. "Here you go, Madam."
Xia Wan politely thanked her and began to enjoy the drink.
Auntie Deng smiled and said, "You don't need to be so polite, Madam. Taking care of you is my duty."
Xia Wan nodded with a smile, expressing her gratitude.
Auntie Deng then asked with concern, "How does it taste? Do you like it?"
Xia Wan looked up, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "It's delicious! I really love the flavor."
Auntie Deng, pleased with the compliment, said, "I'm glad you like it, Madam. I'll try making other types of juice for you to enjoy different flavors."
Xia Wan nodded gratefully and continued to savor the strawberry juice.
Auntie Deng then took out several fruits from the refrigerator, washed them, and placed them on a plate. "Madam, these fruits are from our own orchard or were freshly air-shipped. They're all natural and pesticide-free."
Xia Wan looked at the plate filled with various colorful and uniquely shaped fruits, feeling intrigued.
Each fruit looked incredibly tempting, making her eager to try them.
Auntie Deng introduced them with a smile:
"Madam, this white strawberry is called a pineberry. It's sweet and juicy.
These grapes are Ruby Roman grapes, known for their exquisite taste.
This is a dragon banana, a hybrid of dragon fruit and banana.
And of course, we have the common cherries..."
Xia Wan listened with interest, tasting each fruit as Auntie Deng described them. Each one was delightful.
However, as she drank her juice, she accidentally spilled some on her dress, staining it with red strawberry juice.
Xia Wan looked down at her dress, feeling a pang of guilt as if she had committed a grave mistake.
Auntie Deng, noticing Xia Wan's discomfort, gently reassured her, "It's alright, Madam. Just go upstairs and change. I'll take care of the dress."
Xia Wan looked at Auntie Deng gratefully, nodded, and quickly headed upstairs to change.