"Sometimes, some social obligations are unavoidable."
"I know, but can't they be reduced?"
"I can't promise you, this is just my life."
"I just want you to be healthy."
"What's going on with you today? Why are you suddenly saying all this?" Jayson looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"It's nothing, I've just always wanted to talk to you about it." Sidney opened a drawer and took out a bunch of bottles and jars. Jayson looked closely—they were all digestive aids, stomach tablets, and health supplements for maintaining the stomach and intestines.
"I'm worried your stomach might be upset, so take these to the company and leave them there."
Jayson looked at the five or six jars and immediately softened. His tone became gentler as he replied, "My stomach is fine, don't worry."
Sidney still insisted that he take them, saying it's better to be prepared.
"Come over and have something to eat before you leave!" Sidney made a glass of mixed fruit juice and then served him a bowl of vegetable oatmeal.
Jayson watched the steam rising from the oatmeal, scooped up a little, and took a bite. The taste was familiar.
Sidney's cooking had always been good, but she had put extra effort into recreating his mother's recipes. The steps and seasonings were deliberately the same, and every bite carried the taste of his childhood.
Jayson quickly finished the oatmeal. Seeing that Sidney was almost done with hers, and there was still some left in the pot, he asked her to pack it for him to take to the company.
"I'll pack it in a thermos for you. Will just the oatmeal be enough for lunch?" Sidney asked, concerned.
"I'll have Mr. Smith buy some side dishes for me," he replied.
Sidney nodded and quickly packed the oatmeal into the thermos, reminding him to come home early and not drink too much tonight.
Jayson promised he would come back early. Shortly after he left, Sidney noticed that none of the stomach medicine she had prepared for him were taken from the table in the living room.
Sidney stared blankly at the bottles and jars. The butler, seeing her, spoke up, "Madam, are you worried about the master's stomach?"
"Yes! He drinks like that every day, doesn't get enough sleep, and has to wake up early. I'm really worried his body won't be able to handle it," Sidney said with concern.
"Don't worry, Madam. The master's health is fine. Don't overthink it," the butler reassured her.
"Butler, did you wash the master's shirt from yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Mm." Sidney wanted to ask more, but after thinking about it, she realized there was nothing else to ask, so she let it go.
That evening, Jayson was unable to return to the house for dinner. He called Sidney and told her to eat without him, saying that a VIP had come unexpectedly and he had to entertain them.
Sidney had just urged him earlier that morning, and hearing this response made her upset. She spoke harshly, "Do you really have to entertain them? You're not a hostess!"
Jayson could tell by Sidney's impolite tone that she was angry. Her comment about him being like a hostess mildly irritated him as well.
"Be good, okay? They informed me last minute, and this is an important meeting."
"Can you avoid drinking?"
"I'll drink less, alright? Eat, then go to bed early. I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Got it."
Sidney hung up the phone, feeling dejected. After thinking for a moment, she still felt uneasy. She grabbed the stomach medicine from this morning, prepared some hangover tea, and packed them into jars. She then contacted her bodyguard to take her to Opal Lounge.
The bodyguard assumed that Sidney was just going to deliver some soup to Jayson as usual. He didn't ask any questions and immediately sent her off in the car.
"Don't tell the master yet. I want to surprise him," Sidney said.
