CHAPTER 74: EAT IN SILENCE, SLEEP IN SILENCE

"Miss is back, Madam mentioned this morning that you were returning, and specially instructed me to prepare some dishes you love," Aunt Song said with a smile upon seeing Mia Sutton.

Mia Sutton: "Yes, Aunt Song, I’m back."

"You must be busy, Miss, there are still two dishes, it won’t be long now."

Mia Sutton responded, nodded.

Aunt Song turned back to the kitchen, while Mia Sutton glanced at the person sitting on the sofa.

After a couple of seconds, she made a small sprint over, sat beside her, hugged the woman’s arm, and gently leaned her head against her shoulder: "Mom—"

Ashley Vance remained unresponsive with a calm expression.

Mia Sutton repeatedly called out: "Mom~ Ma’am~ Lady Vance..."

Ashley Vance frowned slightly: "Speak properly, don’t be disrespectful."

Mia Sutton immediately straightened up and put on a serious face: "Alright, Mom."

Thanks to her antics, the atmosphere at home eased considerably, and both Simon Sutton and Ashley Vance’s expressions improved.

At least their daughter wasn’t distant from them.

"Mom, about the thing I mentioned the other day..."

Mia Sutton’s words were interrupted by Ashley Vance: "Let’s talk about it after dinner."

When Ashley spoke, her tone was gentle, like a woman from the water towns of Jiangnan, but Mia knew better—it was just her mother’s usual demeanor when calm.

Once she got angry, she’s even scarier than her dad, so Mia instantly behaved.

"Oh, okay, I’m actually hungry, what delicious food do we have?" She leaned closer with bright eyes, asking.

Ashley Vance: "Steamed buns, pickled vegetables."

Mia Sutton shook her arm: "No way, I just heard Aunt Song say there’s food I like."

Ashley Vance: "..." She couldn’t handle the girl at all.

She had a cheerful appearance that was hard to resist.

Yet Ashley Vance still maintained a cold demeanor; Mia had been away for so long, if forgiven easily, she might dare to do it again.

Mia Sutton didn’t mind their cold looks at all; she had been away because Martin Wright hadn’t come home and even threatened to cut ties with the family; it was understandable they were angry.

Just now it was in front of Martin Wright, so her father hadn’t shown it as much, like now, he wouldn’t even give her a proper glance.

It’s not a problem, if they’re angry, she would just cheer them up.

At the dining table, Mia Sutton saw the dishes she loved and felt her eyes tear up for some reason.

"This is so good, Mom, Aunt Song’s skills are really getting better," Mia said after taking a bite of fish, squinting her eyes in praise.

"Speak not while eating, sleep not while sleeping," Simon Sutton said with a cold face, picking a dish.

"Okay," Mia responded.

Then the dining table fell silent for a while, just a little while.

After some time, chopsticks appeared in front of Simon Sutton, followed by a fish ball added to his bowl: "Dad, try this, is it tasty?"

Simon Sutton frowned, turned his head to see Mia Sutton supporting her chin with both hands, looking at him with bright eyes.

Just when Mia thought he would repeat his dining mantra, he slowly picked up his chopsticks, picked it up, and put it in his mouth.

Though he didn’t say a word, he ate it.

Mia’s lips slowly curled into a smile, then she offered dishes to Ashley Vance.

"Mom, this is for you, try it, today’s sweet and sour pork is sweet, I’m sure you’ll like it."

Ashley Vance: "Just focus on eating."

After that, Mia was like a chirping little bird at the table, talking non-stop, sometimes offering dishes to Simon Sutton, sometimes to Ashley Vance, enjoying herself.

......

Contrary to the warm and cheerful scene at Mia Sutton’s home, Martin Wright paused after leaving the community, then got into the car and didn’t leave.