Chapter 1134 No Free Food

Simon soon left and Helen came over to Iris once Simon was gone. She casually said to Iris, “I think Simon is quite a good man. He’s hardworking and capable. He’s nice to everyone and seems like someone worth entrusting yourself to.” Iris casually looked at Helen and Helen returned her look with a sheepish smile. “I’m just saying. After all, he’s gone.” ‘Oh well, Simon had left and would not be able to hear anything mom said, so it doesn’t affect much, does it? Adults are always like that, so I’ll just let her talk whatever she wants. After all, it’s not going to affect me.’ Over the next few days, Iris was still looking lifeless until Lil Millet came over to visit her at the shop before she could force a smile, and spoke a bit with Lil Millet, but she soon resumed being deflated. “Aunt Iris, since the restaurant isn’t too busy today, would you like to accompany me to go out and play?” Lil Millet pleaded cutely as he tugged and swung Iris’s hand. Iris was stunned for a moment and looked at Lil Millet. “Where do you want to play?” “The theme park.” ‘Theme park?’ Lil Millet had never enjoyed going to the theme park. He never enjoyed the games that other children enjoyed even when Iris dragged him along with her to the theme park. Whenever they rode the roller coaster or pirate ship, Iris would scream from the exhilaration but Lil Millet would look at her in disdain. “Aunt Iris, you’re already an adult, can you stop being so childish? Why do you keep going on these children's rides?” Iris would then twist his ears and reprimanded him. “What do you mean by saying that I keep going on children’s rides? These entertainment facilities are here for people to unwind, okay? Didn’t you see that there are many adults around as well?” Lil Millet would smack her hand because of the pain and said, “Aunt Iris, you’re so mean. They are here to accompany their children.” “Me too!” “But I don’t want to come. You can come by yourself next time if you continue to pull my ears!” Iris would finally release her hand and change her attitude by soothing Lil Millet’s ears. “Oh, I’m sorry Lil Millet. I hurt you by twisting too hard, did I? Let me blow your ears for you. Come with me again next time, okay?” “Hmph! I want it twice!” These memories felt so fresh as if they just happened yesterday. Iris regained her senses because Lil Millet had tugged on her sleeves. “Aunt Iris, do you want to go with me?” “Sure.” Iris nodded her head. ‘Lil Millet is so thoughtful. He must have noticed that I’m unhappy. That's why he wants to bring me to the theme park to play so that I’d be happier.’ Iris informed Helen before bringing Lil Millet out. They went to the nearest theme park and played till it was late at night before they got home. Iris lay on the sofa in exhaustion the moment they arrived home and she closed her eyes to sleep. Lil Millet went into the bathroom to fetch a basin of hot water for Iris to wash her face. He was washing halfway when Helen walked out of her room and she quickly hurried over to him. “Oh dear, Lil Millet, just leave it there. I’ll do it.” Lil Millet kindly cleaned Iris’s face before he was led by Helen into his room to sleep. When she came out of his room, she saw Iris flipping around and was precariously dangling from the sofa looking as if she was going to fall any second. Helen’s expression changed and wanted to go to Iris’s rescue. However, the quietly sleeping Iris turned again and plopped onto the cold floor with a thud. That dull sound felt rather painful even to the one who heard it and Iris was indeed jolted awake from the pain. She rubbed the painful part that hit the ground and appeared dumbfounded. “Are you awake? That’s just nice. Go to your room to sleep. I wouldn’t know how to drag you to your room if you fell asleep here. As you know, you’re a grown woman now and I don’t have the strength to carry you anymore.” Iris blinked her eyes as she looked at Helen and thought about what happened during the day. She then silently nodded her head, got up, and returned to her room. She was frighteningly obedient. Her current behavior made Helen more worried. Helen had witnessed how heartbroken Iris was that night but these few days, Iris had been so obedient. She was lifeless but she did not cry or throw any tantrums. It was as if she had suppressed all her emotions inside her heart. Helen was worried that Iris would develop any illnesses from keeping all that emotions and stress to herself. The next day. It was a Sunday and business was usually excellent on Sundays. No matter how lifeless Iris felt, she still had to up her game to keep the shop running. She was just done with the work inside the kitchen when she came out to see Helen speaking with their neighbor, Mrs. Sheet. ‘Mrs. Sheet? ‘Why is she here?’ Iris was still feeling bewildered when Mrs. Sheet saw her and dashed over. Helen could not stop Mrs. Sheet on time and appeared frustrated as she quickly caught up. “It’s Rissie. Rissie, you’re so capable and could operate a ramen shop at such a young age. I can see that business is quite good eh?” It made sense to never slap someone who was smiling. Furthermore, that woman was in her shop. The corner of Iris’s lips tugged as she smiled at Mrs. Sheet. “Mrs. Sheet, thanks for the praise. Why are you free to pay a visit today? Do you want me to treat you to a bowl of ramen?” Mrs. Sheet sheepishly rubbed her hands together. “Well, thank you then, I shall not hold back then.” “Have a seat then. I’ll bring a bowl out for you.” “Sure, sure.” Iris just entered the kitchen when Helen followed her in. “Why are you letting her stay? Do you know why she is here today?” “... Why?” Iris said as a matter of factly, “She has got nothing to do, hasn’t she? Other than loitering around and gossiping around.” Helen knew that Iris was unaware of the situation judging from her nonchalant attitude, thus she told Iris the truth. “She’s here to find you a match.” Iris’s hand froze mid-air. “Find me a match?” “If not? Our house isn’t exactly very near to the shop. Do you think she came here just to have a bowl of ramen? Do you think you’re selling some legendary ramen that’s so delicious?” “... It is legendary ramen, you should know since you’ve eaten it before.” Helen was rendered speechless at that moment. She had to admit that her daughter was indeed talented in cooking and very good at creating flavors. The same condiments, when mixed in different amounts, could produce different flavors, thus her noodles tasted better and she had better business compared to her competitors. “You’re right. Then what if she finds it delicious and wants to eat here every day?” Iris looked at Helen peculiarly. “Mom, what are you saying? Isn’t it good if she comes to eat here every day?” “Are you kidding me? Which part of that is good?” “Which part isn’t?” “What if she doesn’t pay for her food?” Iris spoke, “... There’s no free food here. She can forget about eating here if she refuses to pay for her meals.” Iris then carried a bowl of ramen out.