Mrs Hale, I Surrender
Chapter 119 Back to Beijing, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival (3 updates)

Chapter 119: 119 Back to Beijing, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival (3 updates)

Old Sir Hale was busying himself back and forth, one moment tending to the vegetable garden and the next inquiring about dinner preparations, while urging his second son’s family to hurry back.

Brock frowned, "Dad, it’s still early."

"It’s a holiday, they aren’t working, and I don’t know what they’re dragging their feet at home for!"

"Everyone has their commitments; not everyone is idle like you."

"Ever since William took over the company, the second son retired early. What business could he possibly have?"

"He says, since taking over the company, he can’t eat or sleep well, his digestion is poor, and his constitution has deteriorated. He’s suffered a work-related injury and needs to recuperate."

Old Sir Hale scoffed at this.

Recuperate my ass.

He just doesn’t want to spend time with this old man.

"And the third son? Nag him again. Can he make it back for the festival today or not?"

"I’ve already urged him; he says he won’t return."

"What’s he busy with this year?"

"Probably because William is getting married and he, being the younger uncle, fears coming back only to be pressured by you to marry. But he did ask me to convey a message to you."

"What is it?"

"He wishes you and mother a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a long, healthy life."

Old Sir Hale snorted. It was because of such contrary children that he couldn’t be happy, yet the thought of William Hale and Zoe Bell settling in Capital City still brought him joy. Rather than looking forward to his third son getting married, he’d prefer his grandson to put in some effort. Maybe...

he could become a great-grandfather soon.

If that could result in a great-granddaughter, it would be all the more perfect.

As for the third son...

Wherever he goes, may he drop dead there!

Brock simply couldn’t figure out his father, who one moment was angrily gnashing his teeth and the next was grinning from ear to ear.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the western sky was painted a gleaming golden hue.

Old Sir Hale, with his hands clasped behind his back, paced back and forth in the courtyard.

He looked left and right but had been waiting in vain for the car to arrive.

**

By now, Zoe Bell had already woken up. Even though it was the day of the festival, there were still many people on the roads, and especially as they neared Capital City, traffic began to jam, moving in fits and starts, making it almost inevitable for one to feel anxious and irritable.

Night gradually swallowed the light; and as the stars became visible, the moon revealed itself.

"It’s really getting too late. You should call Grandma and tell them to start dinner without us. Make sure they don’t wait," Zoe said, looking at William Hale.

"I know."

"Who knows how long this traffic jam will last?" Zoe rested her chin on her hand as she looked out the window.

The moon had begun to rise amidst a few drifting clouds, casting a subdued light.

When William Hale made the call, she clearly heard Old Lady Hale agreeing to everything, saying they would keep the dinner and reminding them to eat something if they were hungry.

There was a traffic jam on the highway. Once they reached Capital City, they got stuck for nearly another hour.

When the car reached the Old House of the Hale Family, it was almost past nine, nearly four hours later than expected.

Wyatt Hale was the first to rush out, courteously greeting Zoe with a, "Sister-in-law, must have been tough. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, long time no see."

Wyatt Hale scratched his head with a smile, eagerly helping her with the bags.

The big brother had returned to Capital City.

By cozying up to the sister-in-law, if they were eating meat, he might at least get some meat soup.

"Sister-in-law, I’ll take your things; you and big brother hurry inside."

Zoe nodded. Her right leg was still a little inconvenient, and so William Hale naturally took her hand, as they entered the Old House of the Hale Family once more. Since it was Mid-Autumn Festival, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.

Capital City was nothing like Greenland; the night breeze was slightly cool, and it made her tense up.

She walked through the long corridor, the flower hall, and then crossed the front hall.

The indoor lighting dim, all was quiet.

It was not until she turned a corner and entered the main hall that a warm yellow light hit her face, enveloping her completely.

"Zoe’s here, welcome home." Lily Lott was the first to speak.

"Aunt Lott, hello."

"You’re back." The Old Sir Hale was sitting in a corner playing chess, and the middle-aged man he was playing against, whom she had never seen before, looked to be his second uncle.

Brock Hale had a scholarly and elegant demeanor. This second uncle, on the other hand, seemed to have been steeped in the business world for many years, his features deep and sharp.

He had an air of decisiveness and a fierce, intimidating presence.

Zoe Bell politely called out to Old Sir Hale.

The Old Sir’s brows furrowed slightly, his hand shook, and he placed his chess piece in the wrong spot, quickly checkmated by the man across from him, losing the game.

"I moved wrongly just now! It doesn’t count, let’s start over."

"Dad, a move once made cannot be taken back!"

"I’m old already, what’s the big deal with letting me redo just one move?"

"The kids are all here; if you want to act shamelessly in front of them, I don’t mind, it’s not my face that’s being lost."

"..."

If it hadn’t been for Zoe’s presence, the Old Sir, with his explosive temper, would have certainly flipped the chessboard.

"Second uncle." William Hale politely greeted the man, and Zoe followed suit, also politely calling him second uncle.

The Old Sir was even less pleased.

Meeting the second uncle for the first time, she calls him second uncle. Why couldn’t she call him grandpa!

The grandmother, seeing Zoe Bell, was naturally delighted.

She walked over to Zoe, naturally brushed William Hale’s hand aside, and took hold of Zoe’s, "Your hands are so cold, it must be cold outside."

"It’s okay."

"Hurry and wash your hands, we’re about to eat." The grandmother insisted she wash her hands, yet held on without letting go, "We’ve been waiting for you a long time."

"Grandma, you haven’t eaten yet?" Zoe was surprised.

"It’s Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family should dine together." Zoe felt warmth in her heart as she listened. She had always respected and feared the Old Sir.

When he spoke, she didn’t dare to continue talking.

This made the Old Sir’s brows furrow even tighter.

Was he some kind of ferocious beast?

The grandmother let her go to wash her hands, and as soon as Zoe entered the restroom, she could hear Wyatt Hale’s wail outside, "Mom, I’m starving, please just let me have a piece."

"Your sister-in-law hasn’t arrived yet, what are you doing, it’s unseemly," Lily Lott scolded in a low voice.

"We’re all family, there’s no need for so many formalities, my sister-in-law definitely won’t mind."

"..."

"You don’t know, my sister-in-law is very fond of me, she would definitely be heartbroken to know that I’m hungry."

Wyatt Hale talked too much, "Besides, even the family dog has eaten, and I still haven’t."

Brock Hale: "Why do you always compare yourself to a dog?"

Then the sound of Wyatt Hale’s frantic voice could be heard.

Zoe Bell bent her head to wash her hands while outside the moon hung high in the sky.

With many Hale Family members, it was naturally lively.

She listened intently, the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.