Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  Xia Cha had grown a little taller and she was wearing a long white dress. Her previously malnourished long hair had been cut short, only reaching her shoulders. It was tied into a ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and beautiful facial features.

  Although her skin was not very white, at least it did not look yellow anymore and she looked healthier.

  In the past, Xia Cha was the most inconspicuous girl in the Xia family. But now, it seemed that she was about to catch up with Furong.

  Xia Cha and her sisters saw Old Master Xia and Xia Zhenli. Although they didn’t like them, they were still polite and respectful. They greeted them before continuing with their work.

  Qiu Zhi greeted them and poured two glasses of water without saying anything else……

  Xia Zhenyuan was chopping up chicken and duck. He handed them to Qiu Zhi, washed his hands, and walked to Old Master Xia. “Dad, come sit in the main room!”


  Before Old Master Xia could say anything, he heard Xia Zhenli say, “Second Brother, did you know that Dad and I were coming and made these to receive us?”


  Hearing this, Xia Cha glanced at Xia Zhenli.

  Shameless people were invincible! Where did they get their confidence from? Was their family obliged to cook for them?

  Old Master Xia glanced at Xia Zhenli. “Your second brother’s family is doing this to welcome their esteemed guest.”


  “Dad, I don’t like what you’re saying. Aren’t you more important than their honored guest?” Xia Zhenli deliberately provoked him.

  Xia Zhenyuan was caught off guard by Xia Zhenli’s words. Just as he was at a loss for words, he heard Xia Cha interjecting, “Third Uncle, of course Grandfather is an honored guest. After all, our family has been separated for so long and you guys came to take a look only now!”


  Xia Cha’s words made Old Master Xia feel ashamed.

  He was Xia Zhenyuan’s father. If he was truly treated as an honored guest, wouldn’t it make it clear that he was only a guest and not family?

  After putting down the meat, Old Master Xia left the kitchen first.

  Xia Zhenyuan received them in the main hall.

  Upon learning that they had guests coming later, Old Master Xia and Xia Zhenli obviously didn’t believe it.

  Why would anyone come here to eat?

  “Zhenyuan, you have been well-behaved since you were young. Don’t be fooled by others. The people who came must be here to eat and drink for free. It’s not easy for your family to raise three daughters. It wasn’t easy for you to raise the chickens and ducks for others. How will your family live in the future?”


  Xia Zhenli chimed in, “Second Brother, what Dad said makes sense. It’s fine to let your own family eat what you’ve made, but wouldn’t it invite gossip if you let outsiders eat it?”


  “Father, Third Brother, the guests will pay after eating.”


  Old Master Xia waved his hand and said, “Zhenyuan, who would be willing to pay for food in your home? Why are you more gullible than before?”


  Xia Zhenyuan knew that Old Master Xia was implying that he was stupid.

  However, he believed in Cha Cha. Since Cha Cha had said that they could earn money by doing this, he would believe her.

  Old Master Xia was worried that Xia Zhenyuan would be deceived, so he did not leave immediately. Xia Zhenli wanted to have some good food, so it was even less likely for him to leave.

  At eleven o’clock, before the guests arrived, Old Master Xia spoke to Xia Zhenyuan again.

  When the clock struck twelve, the guests still hadn’t arrived.

  Qiu Zhi and Xia Zhenyuan were both anxious.

  Xia Cha went to her room and called Sister Wang but her phone was switched off.

  Xia Cha walked to the courtyard. Seeing that no car was coming, she was a little anxious.

  However, after Sister Wang communicated with her that day, she had transferred the deposit over. She believed that she would not lie to her.

  By the time twelve cmae, Father Xia was certain that Xia Zhenyuan had been deceived.

  “Zhenyuan, you’re the head of this family after you split from our family. How could you listen to a little girl?”


  “That’s right, Second Brother. Look at all the chickens and ducks you’ve killed. Wouldn’t it be a waste if the guests didn’t come? Why don’t you just invite me, Mom, and the eldest branch over for dinner!”


  Old Master Xia nodded and said, “Get your mother to bring some money over later. Although Zhenyuan has split from our family, he’s still a Xia. We can’t eat their food for free.”


  Xia Cha walked into the main hall and looked at Old Master Xia who looked like he was giving alms to a beggar. A cold look flashed across her eyes. “Grandpa, we appreciate your kindness, but these dishes are for our honored guests.”


  Xia Zhenli could not stand Xia Cha’s lack of manners. He berated her, “Second Brother, if this was my daughter, I would have given her a slap if she dared to speak to Father like this.”


  Qiu Zhi walked over and shielded Xia Cha behind her. “Third Brother, if you want to educate your children, go home and educate your Xia Guo. Our Cha Cha is right. These dishes are prepared for our esteemed guest.”


  Old Master Xia stood up from the chair in the living room and said angrily, “Zhenyuan, Zhenli and I are doing this for your own good. We don’t want to see you getting cheated!”


  Xia Zhenyuan was about to say something when Xia Xing’s voice came from outside. “Dad, Mom, Big Sister, Cha Cha, the guest’s car has arrived at the foot of the mountain.”


  Xia Zhenyuan, Qiu Zhi, and Xia Cha quickly ran out.

  Sure enough, a bus stopped at the foot of the mountain.

  The guests gradually alighted from the bus.

  “Mom, hurry up and start cooking!” Xia Cha said to Qiu Zhi.

  A look of joy appeared on Qiu Zhi’s face. “Oh, alright!”


  Xia Zhenyuan went into the kitchen to help Qiu Zhi light the fire. Xia Lan was busy cutting the side dishes.

  Xia Cha and Xia Xing prepared tea and fruits.

  Old Master Xia and Xia Zhenli looked at the second branch’s family. They were so busy that they did not have time to bother with them. Both of their expressions did not look too good.

  Old Master Xia frowned. “Where did the second branch find these guests from? Are they really going to make money by doing this?”


  Xia Zhenli was also full of doubts.

  No one believed that there were people in the city who were willing to spend money to come here!

  Soon, Sister Wang and the rest arrived.

  Xia Cha and Xia Xing went forward to welcome her.

  Sister Wang explained, “I dropped my phone and thought I would be there soon, so I didn’t call you again.”


  Xia Cha shook her head with a smile, “It’s okay. Come in!”


  …


  Qiu Zhi used a large pot to cook the dishes, and the aroma of the dishes filled the air.

  At half past one, two tables worth of dishes were served.

  Qiu Zhi also made a few dishes for her family. Xia Zhenyuan asked Old Master Xia and Xia Zhenli to eat in the kitchen. Old Master Xia waved his hand and left with an unhappy expression.

  Xia Zhenli looked at Xia Zhenyuan and his family. It was so lively, and they could earn money just by cooking a meal at a farm. All sorts of feelings filled his heart.

  As he headed down the mountain, he could only console himself that these people were definitely here to freeload. They were not going to pay!

  …


  After the guests finished their lunch, Xia Cha discussed with Sister Wang. Those who were willing to stay in their rooms could do so, while others could go camping and have a barbecue at night.

  Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

  Sister Wang and company finished their lunch and left in satisfaction.

  When Sister Wang left, she gave Xia Cha a red packet.

  Xia Cha took it out and saw ten thousand yuan inside.

  Xia Cha handed the red packet to Qiu Zhi and Xia Zhenyuan. Seeing the money inside, Qiu Zhi and Xia Zhenyuan were dumbfounded.

  Xia Zhenyuan had lived to the age of forty. The money he used to work in the orchards had all gone into the pockets of the Xia household. He had never seen so much money in one go.