333 The awkward meal (1/2)

This was what she wanted to see. All her child and grandchildren found their partner. She never cared for looking for someone from the same social and economic status as her family for her child and grandchildren. As long as they were in love and happy to be with their partner, she did not care who and how the partner looked.

The butler waited until everyone sat down properly before signalled the maids to start delivering the food. It was Chinese cuisines with four types of meat and three types of vegetables. There were even two soups.

Mika's eyes dimmed seeing the food. All were fattening and her wedding was getting closer. She turned to look at Ryn and was unhappy seeing the sparkle in Ryn's eyes. It was obvious how happy Ryn was seeing the dishes.

Jason, aware with his fiancée's obvious displeasure, took care of picking the dishes for her. He made sure the meat has less or no fat before he put it into her bowl. He also made sure the small cup was never empty of hot tea.

Jeremy did not have to pick anything for Ryn. Her chopsticks were fast and furious. Despite her meekness just now, when facing food especially her kind of food, she lost her shyness and turned into her usual foodie mode.

The dowager smiled in satisfaction watching both the girls eating. Of course, she did narrow her eyes seeing Mika whined at her fiancé for putting more dishes.

”Mika, eat some more. Ryn, have more vegetables,” she said.

Ryn tried to pretend she did not hear it but could not do anything when the elder woman actually put a scoop of bak choy stir fry into her bowl. Her crumbled face did not make the elder's heart softened.

”Eat. You need to eat more vegetables. Jeremy, you put away the meat and bring the vegetables closer to her,” she ordered.

Ryn paused and took a deep breath. Then, she used the chopsticks to push all the bak choy into her mouth and chewed it quickly. Her eyes shut tight but in the end, she swallowed it. It was hard.

No one spoke. They focussed on finishing their food. Once in a while, the silence was disturbed by the dowager's voice ordering one of them eating more. Mostly the targets were Mika and Ryn.

Jeremy and Jason could only give them a sympathetic look but they too were scared of the dowager. No one dared to reply back to her orders, just meekly following her words.

It was an hour after before they were finally done with dinner. Ryn and Mika were the first to stand up when the dowager used her cane to help standing up. They watched as she thumped her way toward the door with her son and daughter-in-law 'escorting' her.

”Next time we can just celebrate at the condo,” Mika said.

”Don't be so mad. Just think of it as a way of her showing her love to you. You are so adorable right now, and beautiful. Of course, she is worried you will get sick if you get skinnier,” Jason coaxed Mika, hugging her close. He even kissed her lips gently a few times.

”Don't you think I look chubby?” Mika asked. She swore her face looked so swollen now, especially after the meal.

”No. You are beautiful,” he chuckled and kissed her cheeks repeatedly before lastly, he pressed his lips against her lips just to stop her from spouting nonsense about her weight.

”If you can maintain your present weight, you will look beautiful during your wedding,” Ryn said quickly after Jeremy nudged her.

He shook his head in bemused. His Ryn could be quite a slow wit sometimes and his little sister would only listen to Ryn. No matter what he and Jason said, Mika only believed in Ryn 100%.

”Are you going back now?” Mika asked Ryn when she saw Ryn reaching for her bag.

”With the dowager here? Of course,” Ryn replied without thinking.

”But... I just met you. I haven't met you for months. You're so busy until you have no time for me,” Mika cried, freeing herself from Jason's embrace and jumped into Ryn's arms.

”Mika, I'm so tired. I just finished my exam and all I can think right now is sleeping. And I want to sleep on my own bed,” Ryn said. She was a bit speechless with how clinging Mika was this time. Why was her best friend seemed to depend on her more than ever today?

”Ryn, I need you to help me. Please don't go yet and help me~” Mika whined.

Ryn looked at Jason and Jeremy but the men just shrugged their shoulders. They too wanted to know what help Mika needed from Ryn.