Transmigration; Married to My Ex-Fiancé's Uncle-Chapter 265; Lu Yuze 17

"Hehe... Here we are!" Shuyin laughed, her cheeks coloring slightly with embarrassment as she gently caressed Yuyan’s hair. "We wouldn’t miss dinner with you two."

The maids began serving the meal, and Shuyin’s eyes lit up as the dishes were placed before her.

This was the first time she was truly enjoying a meal in this house. Her plate was filled with an array of seafood: sea urchins glistening with fresh ocean brine, translucent sea grapes that burst delicately on the tongue, oysters and clams on the half shell, plump mussels and scallops, shrimp and prawns still sweet with the sea, succulent lobster and crab meat, and various types of seaweed and kelp, wakame, nori, kombu, along with other sea vegetables.

Some were raw and fresh, exactly as she preferred them.

She picked up her chopsticks and began eating with evident pleasure, savoring each bite.

Ah Ling and Ah Ying noticed her preference for raw seafood, their expressions remaining neutral, but Shuyin caught the brief flicker of curiosity in their eyes. It wasn’t typical for someone to consume quite so much raw food with such obvious relish.

The children ate their own meals, more conventional dishes of steamed fish, rice, and vegetables, while chatting quietly between themselves.

Lu Yuze ate with his usual composed manner, though his gaze occasionally drifted to Shuyin, watching her enjoyment with something that might have been satisfaction.

After working her way through a generous portion of the seafood spread, Shuyin leaned back in her chair with a contented sigh and let out a soft, satisfied belch.

"Excuse me," she said, not looking particularly embarrassed as she gently patted her belly. "I like it like this. Please remember to prepare meals like this regularly."

Her tone was warm but carried the unmistakable note of someone used to having her preferences accommodated.

The head maid who had been overseeing the service bowed slightly. "Of course, Mistress. We’ll ensure similar dishes are prepared for you."

"Thank you." Shuyin smiled genuinely, clearly pleased.

Yuyan giggled at her stepmother’s unabashed satisfaction. "Momma really likes seafood!"

"I do," Shuyin confirmed, reaching over to squeeze Yuyan’s hand. "There’s nothing quite like fresh ocean fare."

Chen Xiao, who had been quietly observing, spoke up softly. "I’ve never seen anyone eat so much raw fish before."

"Haven’t you?" Shuyin smiled at him. "It’s much better this way, you can taste the ocean in every bite. Perhaps you’d like to try some?"

Chen Xiao looked uncertain, glancing at the raw oysters.

"Start with something mild," she suggested, selecting a piece of fresh tuna sashimi and placing it on his plate. "Try this. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to finish it."

Chen Xiao picked it up carefully with his chopsticks, examined it, and then took a tentative bite. His eyes widened slightly. "It’s... different. But good."

"See?" Shuyin looked pleased. "The ocean has so much to offer."

Lu Yuze watched the interaction, something softening in his expression. "You seem particularly fond of seafood." They were of different races, and he was worried she wouldn’t be able to adapt to her life.

"I am," she replied easily, not elaborating further. "I’ve always preferred it to land-based meats."

Ah Ling and Ah Ying continued eating in their characteristic silence, though Shuyin noticed them observing her with that same quiet, analytical attention. They were filing away information, cataloging details, it was what they were trained to do.

Let them wonder, she thought. They would never guess the truth.

The rest of the meal passed in comfortable companionship, with Yuyan chattering happily and Chen Xiao gradually relaxing into the family dynamic.

And Shuyin, for the first time since arriving in this household, felt genuinely satisfied, not just from the food, but from the warmth of being surrounded by people who were slowly becoming hers.

"Momma, I’m done," Yuyan announced, setting down her chopsticks with a satisfied sigh. "Let’s go, you said you would read me a story."

Chen Xiao nodded quietly, and he also finished his meal.

"All right," Shuyin agreed, standing and offering each child a hand. "Let’s get you two ready for bed."

They headed upstairs together, the children flanking her on either side, their smaller hands warm in hers.

In Yuyan’s bedroom, Chen Xiao hesitated at the doorway until Yuyan patted the bed enthusiastically. "Come on! You can stay in here. There’s plenty of room."

He climbed onto the bed carefully, settling on one side while Yuyan claimed the other. Shuyin settled between them, adjusting the pillows so they could all be comfortable.

"So, what story would you like to hear?" she asked, smoothing the covers over them both.

"A princess story!" Yuyan said immediately.

"I don’t mind," Chen Xiao added softly.

Shuyin smiled. "All right. But I’m not going to read from a book tonight. I’m going to tell you a story instead, one I remember from a long, long time ago."

She began weaving a tale of an ancient undersea kingdom, of a lonely princess who lived in a palace of coral and pearl, who could speak to the creatures of the deep and command the currents themselves. She spoke of adventures through sunken ships and hidden grottos, of friendships with dolphins and sea turtles, of treasures lost and found.

Her voice was soft and melodic, carrying them along on the current of her words. She’d lived for centuries; she had plenty of stories to tell, some embellished, some uncomfortably close to the truth.

Yuyan’s eyes grew heavy first, her breathing evening out as she drifted off mid-sentence about the princess discovering a garden of bioluminescent jellyfish.

Chen Xiao lasted a bit longer, fighting sleep to hear how the story ended, but eventually, he too surrendered, his small body relaxing completely.

Shuyin continued speaking for a few more minutes, her voice dropping to barely a whisper, ensuring they were truly asleep before she fell silent.

She remained where she was, nestled between the two children, feeling the steady rhythm of their breathing. It was peaceful. Comforting, even.