Chapter 770: Missed

Phoebe Huxley and Rosalind Green came in carrying baskets. June Lowe was taken aback for a moment, and Tang Xiaonan quickly said, "My mom and Mr. Hawthorne’s mom came especially to see Mad Bai and you."

"Hello, Aunties."

June Lowe greeted them with a poised and polite air, inviting them inside to sit. Mrs. Lowe was very calm. She wasn’t averse to female visitors and was still able to entertain guests graciously.

"Is Mad Bai not around?" Tang Xiaonan asked.

"He went out, but he should be back soon."

June Lowe served hot tea, quietly studying Rosalind Green. ’She’s as beautiful as Mom.’ In fact, Rosalind Green was even prettier than Mrs. Lowe. Even in her prime, Mrs. Lowe couldn’t have compared to Rosalind. But in June’s heart, her own mother was the most beautiful woman in the world.

Rosalind Green and Mrs. Lowe actually hit it off. They were about the same age and both from Tristone, so they had plenty to talk about.

"Oh, you live in the Silvan District? I used to live there, too. My husband’s family home was in that area. My family was from the Norwynn District, in one of the old lane houses."

Rosalind Green had become quite talkative, speaking with an easy confidence. And the more she looked at Mrs. Lowe, the more familiar the woman’s face became. ’I’m sure I’ve seen her somewhere before,’ she thought.

"I’ve lived in the Silvan District since I was a child, until..."

Mrs. Lowe trailed off. She took a green dumpling from the basket and smiled. "I haven’t had one of these in so long. This is the savory kind, right?"

"That’s right, it’s a savory one. The ones coated with glutinous rice are filled with red bean paste," Phoebe Huxley replied.

"I prefer the savory kind."

Mrs. Lowe took a bite, chewing slowly. It was a taste from her memories. Her family used to have a housekeeper from Vessaria who stayed with them for seven or eight years. The woman would make these green dumplings every year before the Qingming Festival, so she had grown accustomed to them.

"It’s delicious."

Mrs. Lowe finished the dumpling, full of praise. Phoebe Huxley grinned. "If you like it, have more. We brought a whole basketful."

"One is enough."

Mrs. Lowe shook her head in refusal. She had a very small appetite; one green dumpling was a substitute for lunch. Any more and she would feel bloated.

They sat for a while longer before Mrs. Lowe went to her room to sleep. Phoebe Huxley and Rosalind Green felt a bit awkward, as they didn’t have much to say to the children.

"We won’t wait for him, then. We’ll come and visit another time."

Phoebe Huxley was the first to stand. She didn’t have the patience for waiting around; for her, dropping off the gifts was enough. Rosalind Green, who tended to follow Phoebe’s lead, certainly wasn’t going to stay either. June Lowe offered a few polite farewells and saw them out.

Tang Xiaonan didn’t want to go shopping, so she asked to stay behind, and Phoebe Huxley agreed. "Don’t go running off. I’ll come get you when I’m done with my errands. Jim, you keep a close eye on your sister."

"Bye, Mom! Bye, Aunt Green!"

Tang Xiaonan waved goodbye. Phoebe Huxley and Rosalind Green quickly departed from the lane. Jim Thorne had wanted to go out and have some fun, but with his mother’s instructions fresh in his mind, he didn’t feel comfortable leaving his sister alone at the Lowe residence. In the end, he decided to help Auntie Zhao with her hoeing instead.

Shortly after Rosalind Green’s party left the lane and turned left, Mad Bai appeared from the path on the right. Will was jogging to keep up behind him, a strange expression on his face. He looked as if he wanted to say something but was holding back. Ultimately, he decided not to tell the boss about what had happened.

’That broad is bad news,’ Will thought. ’She abandoned the boss back then, and now she’s sniffing around again. She’s definitely up to no good. Thank god the boss isn’t in Capria.’ He felt a wave of relief. He even found himself hoping the boss would hurry up and find Rosalind Green. ’Even if she’s secondhand goods, she’s a hundred times better than that other woman.’

Mad Bai was surprised to see the extra zongzi and green dumplings at home. He learned they were from Phoebe Huxley’s group only after June explained. Will unwrapped a zongzi and took a bite, praising it effusively. "This is great! You want one, Boss?"

"No, you have it."

Mad Bai refused flatly. ’Sticky rice gives you a potbelly, and that’s no good for chasing women. Besides, I don’t care for snacks outside of my three square meals. I’m not some dame. A real man just needs his meat.’