Just as Charles Bennett poured the finished porridge into a porcelain bowl and helped Steward Evans prepare two kinds of pickles to bring into the inner residence, he suddenly heard someone knocking on the main gate of The Bennett Estate. This made both Charles Bennett and Steward Evans exchange surprised glances. Then Charles Bennett put down the dinner and said to Steward Evans, “I’ll go take a look. I wonder who would come here on such a cold night?”

As Charles Bennett spoke, he turned and left the kitchen. At that moment, the wind had picked up. Although it wasn’t strong, in the damp and cold winter air, it felt bone-chilling. Charles Bennett couldn’t help but shrink his neck and quickened his pace to the front gate. When he opened the door, he found a familiar face standing outside, which left Charles Bennett momentarily stunned.

“Mrs. Reed, what brings you here?” Charles Bennett asked in surprise. Standing outside was a plump woman in her fifties, with rough hands, feet, and neck—clearly someone used to hard work. Her round, chubby face was shiny with oil, looking well-nourished. In fact, the person Charles Bennett called Mrs. Reed was a cook, or more precisely, the former chef of the Bennett family. Her cooking skills were excellent, and she used to be responsible for preparing meals for Charles Bennett, Grace, and the other masters. After the Bennett family fell, Mrs. Reed and a group of servants were dismissed by Charles Bennett.

Outside the door, Mrs. Reed was carrying a food box. Seeing that the young master himself had come to open the door, her eyes reddened as she said, “Young master, I’m now working as a cook for Master Wu in the north of the city. I was worried that you and the two young ladies might not be used to food made by others. Today, there happened to be some extra dishes at the Wu residence, so I brought a few over for you. Don’t worry, these have never been served at the table—they’re absolutely clean!”

Hearing that Mrs. Reed had braved the cold wind just to bring him food, Charles Bennett felt a wave of warmth. He wanted to thank her, but his throat felt choked and he couldn’t get the words out. Finally, he managed to say, “Thank you so much, Mrs. Reed. You’re already at this age—why didn’t you have John Reed or Edward Reed bring it over? Come in quickly and warm up, don’t stay out in the cold!”

Mrs. Reed’s husband had passed away years ago, leaving her with two sons, John Reed and Edward Reed, both a bit older than Charles Bennett. When they were young, they were his playmates, but later Charles Bennett became fond of reading, while John Reed and Edward Reed had to work in the household, so the three gradually drifted apart.

“Young master, you’re being too polite. Back then, when my husband died of illness and I had two children at home clamoring for food, it was thanks to the old master and Mrs. Walker. Not only did the old master pay for my husband’s burial, but he also gave me work, which allowed me to raise my two sons. Now, even though the household is going through hard times, as long as we get through this, things will be fine. As for those two rascals at home, I don’t trust them with their clumsy hands!” Mrs. Reed was an old servant of The Bennett Estate, having lived there for over a decade, so she didn’t stand on ceremony with Charles Bennett. Carrying the food box, she entered the residence. Charles Bennett tried to take the heavy box from her, but Mrs. Reed refused.

Mrs. Reed carried the food box into the kitchen on the right side of the main gate. When Steward Evans learned why Mrs. Reed had come, he praised her for her loyalty and kindness. But when Mrs. Reed saw the dinner Steward Evans had prepared, she couldn’t help but shed a few tears.

Mrs. Reed was a straightforward woman. She quickly wiped away her tears, then removed the lid from the food box and took out several dishes: a plate of steamed fish, a serving of sweet and sour pork, a dish of stir-fried cabbage, and a bowl of mushroom soup. The steamed fish was Grace’s favorite, the sweet and sour pork was loved by both Charles Bennett and Lily, so those portions were the largest. The stir-fried cabbage and mushroom soup were prepared for the vegetarian Mrs. Walker. The food box Mrs. Reed used was the kind reserved for wealthy families, with a compartment at the bottom for hot water to keep the food warm, so the dishes were still steaming when she took them out.

From these dishes, it was clear they weren’t leftovers from the Wu residence, but rather dishes Mrs. Reed had secretly made for them. If the Wu family found out, at best she’d get a scolding, at worst she could lose her job. But she didn’t tell the truth, not wanting Charles Bennett and the others to worry.

Now, Charles Bennett was no longer the bookish, naive young man he once was. Naturally, he could tell from the dishes that Mrs. Reed had lied earlier, which moved him even more.

At this moment, Mrs. Reed placed the dishes on a tray in the kitchen, then moved the pickles aside and said, “Young master, eating too many pickles isn’t good for you. Eat these dishes tonight, and I’ll bring you some more tomorrow evening!”

Hearing that Mrs. Reed planned to bring more food tomorrow, Charles Bennett was touched and quickly tried to dissuade her: “Mrs. Reed, the weather is so cold now, and the north of the city is so far from here. Please don’t bring food again. Steward Evans and I have already figured out a way to earn money, and the family’s situation will soon improve. Maybe we’ll even ask you to come back and cook for us!”

Steward Evans, being a shrewd man, also chimed in, “That’s right, the young master is correct. Mrs. Reed, it’s not easy for you to find work, and there are so many people in the Wu family. If anyone finds out you’re bringing food to your old masters, the Wu family won’t be happy. So please, don’t bring food again!”