Chapter 133

In the east and west wings of the house, both Henry's family and Becky's family were having breakfast.

The atmosphere during meals in the two households was vastly different. Henry's family was large, consisting of Henry's parents, Henry's older brother and sister-in-law, and their two children, totaling six people. Each person's comments made it noisy, and the two children added to the chaos, making it quite lively.

Becky's family, on the other hand, had only four people, and the breakfast table was almost silent. 

When Becky reached for the pickles with her chopsticks and accidentally knocked the plate, her mother, Becky's mom, cleared her throat and reprimanded her for her clumsiness. Becky pouted slightly but picked up the pickle strips with her chopsticks and ate them with her bread.

As she ate, she spoke up, "Summer is really back. I saw her just now when I was washing up."

Becky's mom responded disinterestedly, "You're just finding out today that she was coming back?"

Even though she could tell her mom wasn't interested, Becky continued, "I was just surprised. She's been away in the countryside for almost two years, but instead of looking rough and worn out, she's become prettier."

Becky's mom, who hadn't seen Summer for nearly two years, couldn't even remember what she looked like. From childhood, Summer had always been unremarkable, with an ordinary appearance and personality that never drew attention.

Becky's mom said, "She was born that way. No matter how much she changes, she can't become that beautiful."

Becky looked at her mother and insisted, "She's become exceptionally beautiful. You'll see when you meet her."

Not believing her daughter, Becky's mom admonished, "Talk less during meals. Learn from your brother and mind your own business. Hurry up and eat, and then go to school."

Seeing her mother's firm tone, Becky fell silent. She wanted to finish her meal quickly and leave, so she took bigger bites of her bread. This earned her another scolding from her mom, "I told you to hurry, but not to eat like that. Is that any way to eat?"

Becky reluctantly swallowed her bread and returned to a normal eating pace.

After breakfast, the family of four stood up from the table. Becky's father, Becky's father, grabbed his briefcase and headed to work, while Becky and her brother, Becky's brother, slung their backpacks over their shoulders and left for school. Becky's mom gathered the dishes to wash them in the yard.

As she turned on the faucet to fill the basin, a voice said, "Auntie, you're washing dishes too?"

Becky's mom looked up to see a young woman of eighteen or nineteen with an extraordinarily beautiful face, bright eyes, and an aura that seemed to glow. Becky's mom was momentarily stunned.

Even though nearly two years had passed, making it hard for her to remember what Summer looked like, she recognized her because she had watched her grow up. Recognizing her now, she was left in shocked silence.

Just then, the water in the basin overflowed, and Summer reminded Becky's mom, "Auntie, your basin is full."

Snapping out of her daze, Becky's mom hurriedly turned off the faucet. She then smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Summer, "You're Summer, right? You've changed a lot in these two years in the countryside. I wouldn't recognize you if I saw you on the street."

Summer, who had also come out to wash dishes, turned on the faucet in front of her and smiled, "I have changed a bit after two years in the countryside."

As they spoke, Shaw and Carman came out of the house. They were also heading to work, and they greeted Becky's mom with a smile. After exchanging greetings, Carman told Summer, "Your dad and I won't be riding our bikes to work today. The bikes are parked in the front yard. You can use one later."

Summer replied with a cheerful "Okay," and Shaw and Carman left. Becky's mom, who also had to go to work, quickly finished washing the dishes and left the house.

Summer continued washing dishes at a leisurely pace. After washing another dish, five people emerged from the east wing: Henry's father, Henry's brother Henry's brother, his wife Henry's sister-in-law, and their two children.

The five of them chatted as they came out, making quite a ruckus. Summer saw them first and greeted them politely with a smile, calling out, "Good morning, Uncle, Brother, and Sister-in-law."

Henry's family turned to see Summer and were equally surprised. Henry's brother was the first to speak, "Oh, Summer, you're back! When did you get home last night?"

Summer answered with a polite smile, "I got home quite late, almost eleven."

Henry's brother nodded, "I see. We were already asleep and didn't know when you came back."

After a brief exchange, Henry's sister-in-law couldn't hold back her surprise and said, "Most people come back from the countryside looking worse for wear, but you look like you've taken some magic potion, Summer."

Summer couldn't help but laugh, "It's just the changes that come with growing up."

Henry's sister-in-law continued, "Indeed, you've grown up beautifully."

After a few more pleasantries, the family's attention turned back to Henry. Henry's father asked Summer, "How is that boy Henry doing in the countryside? Every time he writes home, he either says everything is fine or asks for money. With so many mouths to feed here and the kids needing to go to school, we don't have extra money to send him."

Summer, not wanting to delve into the reality of Henry's situation, kept her response vague to avoid further entanglement.