Chapter 283 - Cranky One (1/2)
Mel who had come downstairs because of the uproar stood silently at the last step of the stairs staring at the chirpy family going back and forth in bickering and teasing each other. Who were the actual kids and who were the parents? No one could possibly know in that chaotic scene before her.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, she had never seen a family this close to each other. Even the bond of Xiu surprised her very much. At first, when Clara had told her that she has an adopted daughter as well, she really didn't expect that Xiu was not just anyone. She was just as Jing Ge told her, she was family without a doubt.
If truth be told, she could finally say that she had no doubt at all in the bond of this family. Every one of them was a masterpiece.
”I hope you all are not planning on keeping this up for the rest of the evening.”
Every head in the dining room turned around to look at Mel who stepped down from the last step fo the stairs and came towards them.
”Aunt, you're awake. I want you to meet someone.”
”Mel, I want you to meet someone.”
Both mother and daughter said it simultaneously and glared at each other while Mel was being amused at their reactions. Taking advantage of his mother and sister's distraction, Jackie got down and held Xiu's finger and dragged her all the way towards Mel. ”Nana, meet my Xiuxiu. She's the best in the whole world. Best sister. Best friend. Best daughter. Best everything.” He introduced Xiu in an exaggerating manner.
While Xiu was feeling awkward with this way of introduction, Mel found it heartwarming and rather adorable. From the moment she came she hadn't seen this grandson of hers talking this much. But now, he was barely keeping his lips sealed. She assumed it was because of the girl before her.
Xiu was facing Mel in an awkward posture. Even after years, she could say that this was her very first interaction with someone of Mel's age at a personal level. She was rather awkward around elder people. But she didn't even realize that the way her inner beauty had lit up her eyes was enough to work as a spellbound on elderly people who loved to read a person's character from their eyes. After all, eyes are the windows to one's soul. Nothing stays hidden in them.
Clara and Nora rushed to Xiu's side and both placed one hand on her shoulder respectively. ”Aunt, I told you about Xiu before. This is my second daughter. Isn't she a beauty?”
”Mom, calling my Xiu'er beauty is an understatement. I tell you she can even beat that so-called goddess Chen Xiu when it comes to appearance.” She took a pause before adding, ”But there is one flaw Mel, my Xiu'er has a cranky personality.” Xiu hit her arm for calling her cranky. And lamented over how Nora was comparing her present looks with her previous self. Was this a joke God wanted to play on her? Why everything ended up on a dead person!?
Even Jackson hit Nora's leg saying, ”Nono, don't you dare use bad words for Xiuxiu. She's better than you. As dad always says, she knows what filial piety is.”
Nora gaped at her little brother in disbelief, ”You little minx, how come you really forget my existence around her?” She pinched her brother's cheeks harshly who whined in return, ”Dad!”
”Nora, stop teasing your little brother,” said Jing Ge while rubbing his forehead. Then he touched Xiu's head and told her, ”Little Xiu, this is Melissa Cartwright. She's your Clara mom's only living relative.”
”Hi! Pleasure to meet you,” said Xiu in a small voice still feeling a bit out of place before Mel.
”Mel, our little Xiu is slightly awkward around strangers. So, don't mind her lack of enthusiasm,” cleared up Jing Ge for Xiu's sake and Xiu even looked up at him gratefully. Even though he was not her father, he really knew her well.
”It's nice to meet you too, Xiu. I've heard a lot about you. Actually, I've heard so much that I was really anticipating this meeting,” stated Mel in all honesty.