Chapter 449: Chapter 449 - Four-Hundred and Forty-Nine: Dinner Feast

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Fang Xi was mentally prepared for her mother to demand an exorbitant price from her that night. However, Ms. Xi Yue wasn’t after money this time. She didn’t mention a word about money.

Zhu An and Zhu Li, aka Anna and Lina, greeted Fang Xi very warmly. The daughters of the Zhu family would form their nicknames by adding a “na” to the end of their names, as they thought it sounded more affectionate and elegant.

Fang Xi didn’t have any special feelings for these two non-blood-related older sisters of hers. Back then, her mother treated them far better than she did her. In comparison, her biological mother was more like her stepmother; whatever good things she had, she would give them to the two sisters first.

Perhaps it was because they’d lost their mother when they were young, Anna and Lina were soft, delicate, and timid. They would cry at a touch, and sometimes, they would cry endlessly even without being touched. Fang Xi was often beaten by her mother because of the two sisters’ random crying when she was a kid as Xi Yue had been sure that Fang Xi had bullied the two sisters.

In order to make her stepdaughters have a good impression of her as their stepmother and feel a sense of dependence on her, Xi Yue didn’t hesitate to abuse her own biological daughter; she would beat her, scold her, punish her by forcing her to stand for long periods, withhold her food, and lock her up in a dark room.

On the other hand, the two sisters often secretly brought her food. Fang Xi didn’t hate them—she only hated her mother. As for Zhu Ping and the others who were a few years younger, Fang Xi had just about no impression of them.

Xi Yue introduced them warmly. Fang Xi politely greeted them and nodded lightly. She then sat down with Xi Yue sitting opposite her, Zhu An and Zhu Li on her left and right.

The head waiter came in and asked respectfully, “Miss Fang, can we serve the dishes now?”

Xi Yue didn’t give Fang Xi a chance to speak and interposed, “Serve the dishes. We’re all here, you can serve the dishes now.”

The head waiter smiled politely at Xi Yue, but directed his questioning gaze at Fang Xi. Fang Xi nodded and said gently, “Thank you for your hard work. You can serve the dishes now.” Only then did the head waiter leave.

Xi Yue unhappily pouted. “I guess it’s a given you’ll be given preferential treatment. You’re the Ye family’s young mistress, after all. Looks like you’re doing quite well for yourself in the Ye family. You’re now a member of the gentry that everyone is deferential to. If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid we won’t even be qualified to call them to serve the dishes!”

“Did you not get to know the background of this hotel before you came?” Fang Xi asked calmly. Xi Yue froze momentarily. ‘Why would I need to investigate this hotel’s background?’ Xi Yue thought. ‘Fang Xi’s treating us here, so this must be the Ye family’s hotel!’

Fang Xi began to wipe her hands with a wet towel as she informed her mother, “This hotel is under the Mo Corporation, under Big Brother Mo’s name to be exact.”

Xi Yue was stunned and then displeased. “Why did you arrange for us to come to the Mo family’s hotel?” she scowled. “Doesn’t your Ye family have their own hotels? Oh, I get it! You’re afraid that your mother, I, will embarrass you, right? You don’t want anyone to know about our relationship, do you?” Xi Yue was frowning so hard her eyebrows were nearly drawn together in a straight line.

Fang Xi unhurriedly wiped each and every individual finger as she replied, “Then why do you want to go to the Ye family’s hotel? Do you want all the Ye family’s employees to know I have a mother who’s on her third marriage and came to freeload with her stepsons and stepdaughters?”

Bam! Xi Yue slammed her hands on the table and jumped to her feet. “Who’s freeloading? I came with your brothers and sisters to see you, but this is what my kindness gets me? Fang Xi, do you even have a conscience? I’m your mother! Your biological mother! You are my flesh and blood! I birthed you from my womb! I was the one who brought you into this world!

“It’s all to my credit that you’re where you are today!”/”It’s all thanks to you that I’m where I am today!” Fang Xi and Xi Yue uttered that last sentence at the same time.

Xi Yue choked in anger and Fang Xi stared fixedly at her.

Zhu An quickly tried to smooth things over. “Ma, look what you did. Why do you quarrel with Fang Xi as soon as you guys see each other? Do you hear what you’re saying? You’re breaking Fang Xi’s heart!”

Zhu Li also hurriedly said, “Fang Xi, Ma has a fiery temper. She doesn’t mean it. Please don’t take any of it to heart.”

Zhu Ping quickly dragged Xi Yue back down into her seat and chided, “Ma! How can you say that about Fang Xi? Can you imagine how aggrieved she is today when you say such things? Fang Xi, don’t be mad. Ma just has something on her mind these past few days so she’s been feeling too anxious and temperamental. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Fang Xi ignored them. She only looked at Xi Yue and coldly stated, “Would you like me to borrow a knife to cut out my flesh and blood and return it to you?”

“You—” Xi Yue, who had just sat down, wanted to jump up again in fury, but Zhu Ping held her back and pressed her outstretched hand down.

Xi Yue immediately covered her face as soon as she retracted her hand and cried woefully, “Why is my life so bitter? Even my own daughter hates me. What have I done to deserve this? What’s the point of living for someone like me? I might as well die! Even if I die, I won’t be able to die content!”

So saying, Xi Yue carefully peeked at Fang Xi through her fingers.