Third Evans Household Visits
It was settled: Cynthia Wu would spend her confinement at Evans Manor. Mark Hunter was so grateful that he didn’t know what to say—a dignified man, blushing with emotion. He was already planning to bring some of the best supplements from his own herbal shop to thank Lily Evans and her family.
"Madam, you have guests," Belle announced as she entered.
"Oh? Who is it?" Lily Evans was a little surprised. It was New Year’s Day, a time for family visits, but her branch hadn’t kept in touch with the Evans family for ages—so who could it be?
In the hall, Sam Evans perched uneasily on the edge of his chair, rubbing his hands together, looking all sorts of awkward.
Susan Evans cradled Lana Evans in her arms, sizing up the Evans Manor’s main hall.
The Evans Manor’s main hall was much grander than when they’d first built the house and invited everyone for a meal—now it boasted elegant decorations and top-quality furniture.
"Uncle Sam, Aunt Susan?" Lily Evans lifted the curtain and entered, genuinely surprised.
"Lily, we came to wish your family a happy New Year!" Susan Evans and Sam Evans quickly stood up, Susan’s smile a little nervous and eager to please.
"Please, have a seat! Belle, bring tea—and a few plates of pastries for Uncle Sam and Aunt Susan to try." Lily Evans called out.
"No, no, that’s far too generous!" Susan Evans waved her hands, flustered. In the countryside, folks could barely afford tea—guests were usually served plain boiled water, maybe a pinch of sugar if times were good. Tea and pastries at Evans Manor made Susan feel downright pampered.
Truth be told, the Third and Second branches of the Evans family hadn’t interacted in ages.
Belle brought out the tea and pastries, their aroma filling the room. Lana Evans stared longingly at the treats, swallowing hard, but without Susan Evans’s nod, she dared not take one.
"Lana, you must be hungry—have some pastries!" Lily Evans smiled at her. Lana was the least conspicuous little sister in the Evans family, always working hard at Grandma Evans’s bidding, just like her honest father, Sam Evans.
Lily Evans didn’t really mind the Third branch. Sam Evans often secretly helped her and her mother, and Stanley Evans was a straightforward sort—just a hard worker. When Lana was little, she was timid and frail, not at all like May Parker, who was bossy and loved to bully others.
In fact, the Third branch had never bullied Lily Evans and her mother. Only Susan Evans had a sharp tongue, and her barbs were limited to a few snide remarks. Helen Parker, on the other hand, often egged Grandma Evans on to hit them and would even skimp on their food.
Lily Evans wasn’t fond of Susan Evans—she was tough and outspoken. But as an Evans daughter-in-law, you had to be tough or you’d be crushed, like Margaret Evans. So Lily didn’t exactly dislike Susan Evans. That’s why she sent New Year’s gifts to the Third branch and welcomed them with tea and pastries.
With permission, Lana Evans grabbed a pastry and stuffed it in her mouth, ravenous. Stanley Evans also swallowed hard, snuck a few pastries, and then stopped himself—saving the rest for his sister.
"Stanley, help yourself—there’s plenty of pastries at home." Lily Evans asked Belle to bring out a few more plates.
These pastries meant little to the Evans family—no one would miss them if they were tossed out. But for Sam Evans’s family, they were a rare treat. For guests, Lily Evans always made sure there was more than enough to eat.
The way the two youngsters gobbled up the pastries made Sam Evans and Susan Evans feel both heartbroken and ashamed.
"Lily, you gave us such generous New Year’s gifts, but we have little to offer in return. Here’s some Homestyle Pickled Cabbage we made ourselves—don’t mind the humble offering. I still remember, when you were little, you loved my pickled cabbage best." Susan Evans brought out a rustic clay jar, half-filled with homemade pickled cabbage, just like Lily Evans remembered.