Fortunate to Have You This Lifetime

Purple Summers was invited to a banquet at the Jameson Family home, greeted at the door by Mrs. Jameson, Henry Jameson, and Zara Jameson.

Marcel Jefferson was also present, his face glowing with elation.

The Jameson Family had invited Aria Jackson, but Officer Jackson wasn’t fond of rowdy gatherings, so only Marcel Jefferson came.

The group entered the courtyard and proceeded to the quaint, antique-styled living room. A mahogany round table was set up in the room, surrounded by friends and relatives who had good relationships with the Jameson Family.

This small family banquet, though not as lavish as the Summers Family’s, emanated the joy and harmony of a Chinese banquet.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was convivial.

Remembering the recent hardships, Mrs. Jameson’s eyes reddened slightly. She substituted tea for alcohol and raised her cup to Purple Summers. “Ms. Summers, you’ve done our family a huge favor. If it wasn’t for your diligent investigation into Henry’s case, our family would still be shouldering an undeserved blame.”

Henry immediately stood up, took the tea cup from Mrs. Jameson, and sincerely said, “Mom, let me do it. Ms. Summers has greatly favored me.”

“The one who ought to be thanked is Zara.” Purple Summers chuckled. “I’m young, and lack influence, if it weren’t for Zara’s strong endorsement, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to help.”

Mr. and Mrs. Jameson laughed upon hearing this.

“Henry, you really should thank your sister!” said Mr. Jameson, laughing heartily.

Zara sat at the table, her complexion rosy and she looked joyously excited.

Henry was also delighted and after raising his cup to Purple Summers, he sincerely toasted his sister as well.

The guests around the table all laughed.

The living room was brightly lit. The old-style rosewood furniture shone with a yellow glow under the lights, revealing its delicate grain. In the center of the hall, a statue of Maitreya Buddha was enshrined, his large belly and constant smile seeming to embody tolerance and freedom from worldly worries.

The whole Jameson Family seemed to be bathed in a festive joy, as if issues had been resolved and difficulties overcome.

The banquet finished at nine o’clock.

Mr. Jameson and Henry saw off the guests, while Mrs. Jameson held Purple Summers back for a chat and ordered the kitchen to serve some tea and snacks.

All the snacks were Chinese style desserts: rose biscuits, red bean pastries, poria cakes, and honey bean pastries.

Purple Summers was eating happily.

Whenever she dropped a few crumbs, a small raven poked its head out of a cross-body bag and pecked them up.

Mrs. Jameson laughed and said, “I wish Zara would eat like this. She spends every day fretting about losing weight and hardly eats enough. How will she grow strong like this?”

Zara blushed and protested, “Mom.”

Purple Summers laughed: “I usually don’t dare to eat so much either. It’s just that Mrs. Jameson’s food is too delicious and I couldn’t resist.”

Mrs. Jameson laughed even more at this.

Zara, sitting on the side, was silently observing Purple Summers.

Purple Summers was very pretty, with finely-shaped features, the sort of beauty both young and old would appreciate. She wasn’t vulgar or artificial. Her clear, sparkling eyes made her look like an adorable, innocent doll. The more one looked, the more one liked her.

But Laura Summers had told her that Purple Summers had an ugly appearance, a heavily made-up face that resembled a black-faced ghost. She was said to be poor, uncultured and disgusting.

Why would Laura make such comments?

Zara thought about Purple Summers’s identity and started to understand.

– – Laura looked down on this fostered daughter of her family, and was also worried that Purple Summers might outshine her, hence she constantly belittled her in her words?

The affairs of the Summers Family were none of Zara’s business, but Zara genuinely liked Purple Summers, because Purple Summers had saved her brother!

“Is this a magpie?” Zara wanted to keep the conversation going with Purple Summers, “My dad also has one. It can speak and loves to show off. Whenever we have guests around the house, it would squawk and squawk non-stop.”

Purple Summers chuckled, “Your bird is very amusing.”

Zara stared at her with her bright almond eyes and said, “You guessed it right, its name literally is ‘Amusing!\'”

Purple Summers couldn’t contain her laughter.

Mrs. Jameson was delighted to see her daughter bonding with Purple Summers. “Zara, Ms. Summers will soon attend Grey as well. You will have to take good care of her.”

Zara nodded, “Don’t worry, mom. I won’t let anyone bully Purple Summers!”

Mentioning the matter of school, Purple Summers hesitated for a moment and then said, “Mrs. Jameson, I have a favor to ask of you..”