Chapter 1051: Chapter 1042: Celebrating the New Year (6)
Xia Youbiao was instantly overwhelmed with mixed emotions after hearing just one sentence.
He picked up a plump dumpling and chewed it a few times. Bo Yan’s filling was seasoned quite well, and the dumpling wrapper had a nice firmness to it. The dumplings Xia Siyu had made were round and plump; they were indeed delicious.
Chewing slowly, Xia Youbiao nodded after a long while. “It’s very good.”
He glanced at Xia Siyu again. Xia Siyu’s face was expressionless, but her pace of eating was far from her usual foodie speed. It was obvious her feelings were in turmoil.
Bo Yan also noticed it. Earlier, he had made the decision for her by inviting her father upstairs. Although Xia Siyu appeared outwardly at odds with Xia Youbiao, deep down she still missed her dad. However, when the matter touched on her mom, Bo Yan refrained from saying too much.
He picked up another dumpling and placed it in Xia Siyu’s bowl. “Don’t keep eating just one flavor. Try this one—I think it’s better.”
Xia Siyu paused for a moment, then nodded, placing the dumpling in her mouth and chewing it. She ate a bit too quickly, and the scalding-hot soup inside the dumpling burned the tip of her tongue. She winced from the heat. “Tss~”
Bo Yan immediately handed her the prepared fruit wine. “Take it slow; no one’s rushing you.”
Xia Siyu took a sip of the wine, which had very low alcohol content. Its sweet, slightly tangy flavor instantly soothed her burnt tongue. Once she recovered, she took another bite of the dumpling, and the delicious taste spread across her palate. It felt as though her heart had been scalded as well—hurting a little but also warm. She nodded: “It’s good.”
Bo Yan smiled again, handing her a dumpling of a different flavor. Xia Siyu followed his lead and tried each one. Good food has a way of lifting people’s spirits. No wonder some heartbroken people binge eat when they’re upset. After Bo Yan led her through a round of tasting, her mood indeed calmed down considerably, and she seemed to grow more cheerful.
Watching the pair interact, Xia Youbiao couldn’t help but notice. Bo Yan hadn’t said much, nor had he tried to persuade her. He simply ate and drank with her, without any fancy words or overt gestures, yet managed to soothe her fiery temper—like a wild horse—so effortlessly.
As for Xia Siyu, once she lost her temper, not even nine oxen could pull her back. Yet somehow, she listened to Bo Yan. One was hot-tempered, the other gentle—they complemented each other remarkably well.
Initially, Xia Youbiao had favored Bo Yan over Bo Yi, even playing a part in pushing for Xia Siyu and Bo Yan’s marriage. However, during the first three years of their marriage, it was painfully obvious that they didn’t get along. Xia Youbiao had even doubted whether he had wronged his daughter. Just because he approved of Bo Yan didn’t mean Bo Yan was the right match for her. Love couldn’t be forced.
At one point, he had even prepared himself to support Xia Siyu if she and Bo Yan wanted to divorce. His daughter was so outstanding and beautiful—surely she wouldn’t struggle to find a good partner. And if she truly didn’t want to marry, she could stay single all her life, and he’d be more than capable of supporting her.
But now, seeing them so harmonious, Xia Youbiao felt completely at ease. Even if the two of them were to separate in the future, he trusted Xia Siyu would be able to handle it. In this relationship, it was evident that neither person dominated; they were equals to each other.
That’s good. That’s good.
When they finished the meal, although Xia Youbiao still had worries on his mind, he felt much more relaxed. At the moment of departure, Xia Siyu kept a cold face. When he said, “Dad’s heading out now,” she merely let out an indifferent “Hm” without even moving.
It was Bo Yan who escorted him downstairs. “Dad, I’ll walk you out.”