Chapter 9: Her Lover, the Deceiver

Jia Hua leaned back in her swivel chair, spinning around a few times to calm her mood.

Then she pulled out a textbook and its corresponding workbook, twirled her pen, and settled her mind to start studying.

Time passed minute by minute. Jia Hua felt hungry, had a craving for something tasty. If she could help it, she didn’t want to deny herself.

After finishing the last problem, Jia Hua put down her pen, stood up, and walked out of her bedroom. In the living room, she found Jia Hui sitting on the sofa watching TV. “Mother, I’m going to make some noodles. Do you and Mom want some?”

Jia Hui shifted her gaze from the television to Jia Hua’s face, surprised. “You’re cooking? Since when do you know how to cook noodles?”

Every time they asked Jia Hua to learn to cook rice noodles or wheat noodles, she always refused. How come she suddenly knew how now?

Jia Hua flashed a standard eight-tooth grin. “Do you want some or not? If not, I’ll just make some for myself and Mom.”

Jia Hui shook her head vehemently. “Don’t. Just make it for yourself. You cook, you eat. Don’t try to poison me and my wife.”

Jia Hua: “…”

At that moment, Song Qiaoyi emerged from the study, wearing a pair of glasses. Clearly, she had been preparing her lessons.

“Mom, I’m making noodles. Do you want some?” Jia Hua repeated her earlier question.

Song Qiaoyi shook her head in distaste. “I don’t eat after dinner.”

Jia Hua shrugged and went into the kitchen to fiddle with her late-night snack.

Jia Hui and Song Qiaoyi stared at the kitchen door, filled with curiosity.

Would Jia Hua really be able to cook noodles?

Soon, an enticing aroma wafted from the kitchen, swirling around their noses. Jia Hui swallowed hard.

Ahem, she was a little hungry too.

The kitchen door opened, and Jia Hua came out carrying a large, heaping bowl of noodles. It was a steaming bowl of beef noodles, topped with slices of beef, green vegetables, scallions, cilantro, and red chili peppers. Red peeking through green, the fragrant smell assaulted their nostrils.

Song Qiaoyi remained on the sofa, observing, but Jia Hui couldn’t control her feet and walked over.

“Ahem, finished cooking? Did you scoop everything out of the pot? Eat as much as you cook; don’t waste it.” Jia Hui entered the kitchen, actually to check if there were any leftovers. She wanted some too. But the pot was scraped clean, not even a drop of soup left.

Jia Hui: …This little brat! Didn’t leave a single bite!

Seated at the dining table, Jia Hua replied through a mouthful, “Got it. There won’t be any leftovers.”

Then she began devouring the fragrant beef noodles, one bite after another.

Jia Hui pulled out a chair and sat directly across from Jia Hua, intending to morally condemn her.

Have you no shame? Your elder hasn’t eaten, and you, a junior, are eating so happily?

She hadn’t expected that what Jia Hua lacked most was morals, and what she possessed in abundance was a thick skin.

Stare all you want. The more you watch, the more deliciously I’ll eat.

That bowl of noodles, enough to feed three people, disappeared into Jia Hua’s stomach without a single strand remaining.

Having watched for so long, Jia Hui was no longer angry, but rather full of admiration. She blinked and asked Jia Hua seriously, “Did you starve to death in a past life? How can you eat so much so late at night?”

Jia Hua finished the noodles, pulled a tissue to wipe her mouth, and laughed at the question. “Well, actually, that’s right. I did starve to death in my last life.”

Died an ugly death too, the whole body nothing but skin and bones, emaciated.

Song Qiaoyi looked at the mother and daughter with disgust. “Late at night, no talk of death or dying.”

She got up and walked toward the study. “From now on, in this house, no eating past nine at night. Honestly, what kind of behavior is this…”

Jia Hui pouted her lips at Jia Hua, pointing fingers accusingly. “She’s talking about you. Eating so much late at night, what kind of behavior is that.”

And you didn’t even give me any! Hmph!

Jia Hua spread her hands helplessly. “Can’t help it, I’m hungry.”

Let the one who starved to death in a past life eat her fill!