Win My Husband Over to Find My Child -
Chapter 102: The Liveliness of the Xu Family
Chapter 102: The Liveliness of the Xu Family
A slow-moving stream full of colorful koi, dancing flower petals, fluttering tips of grass and rustling leaves accompanied the Xu family during dinner. The garden lights beamed through the air, leaving glitters in its wake.
"Ha~ Nothing beats our chef’s cooking," Harper sighed in happiness, unconsciously doing a little dance, "Your dad and I have tried many cuisines but, still can’t compare to the homecooked ones."
Andrian hummed, sharing the same sentiment as his wife. He happily savored each of the mouth-watering dishes served on the table. This was his second bowl of rice already.
"Eat, eat more," Old Madam Xu kept encouraging her son and daughter-in-law to continue feasting. A huge grin was plastered on her small face, "You won’t taste any of it until your next return."
A bit of loneliness consumed Old Madam Xu when Andrian and Harper were traveling abroad. She was close to both of them. They never got caught up in a big conflict despite living under the same roof for decades.
But, Old Madam Xu still wanted to support what her son and daughter-in-law wished to do. The spouses shared the same hobby of traveling no matter to popular tourist spots or the ones hidden in the countryside or mountains.
Thus, Old Madam Xu simply waited for Andrian and Harper’s return, promising himself to welcome them with open arms. She also always prayed for their safety and well-being.
"Hehe, we’ll surely eat lots, Mother," Harper scooped some fish soup, pouring the broth into Old Madam Xu’s bowl, "Isn’t this your favorite? Mother, eat!"
Old Madam Xu’s countenance softened. Putting down the chopsticks, she reached for a soup spoon.
At the same time, Calix, Vernon, Lucille, Evelyn and Amelia also enjoyed having dinner together. From time to time, the second-born and the youngest of the siblings bickered over the dishes, earning helpless laughter from the others.
"Stop fighting! Mia’s teacher said it’s bad bad! Don’t fight in front of food."
Amelia’s milky voice and angry stare were directed to her second uncle and little aunt. Calix and Evelyn shut their mouths and glared at each other before looking to the opposite sides.
"Even the youngest Mia knows it’s bad manner ah," Old Madam Xu took joy in adding flames to the fire, "Tsk tsk, you two are inferior to a four year old."
"..."
Calix chomped the honey-glazed chicken bite, looking at Amelia with a deadpan look. The little turnip head pouted before ignoring him. The crispy fried chicken wing was more entertaining than her childish second uncle.
’Thank goodness she’s not here.’
Calix subtly glanced around, finding no traces of Leslie laughing at him. She should still be in his bedroom, reading the novels he retrieved from the library. Her boredom led her to ask him ways to kill it.
After everyone finished eating, it was time for dessert. Calix helped himself to some strawberry and dragon fruit pudding. The dragon fruit left a vibrant pink stain on his tongue.
"Calix," Andrian called from the other side of the table, "We’re thinking of meeting your in-laws during this holiday. Are you alright with that?"
"...yes," Calix replied faintly, surprised by the sudden question. He was reminded of Old Madam Li’s wish, "Actually, I wanted to ask that too. How about having dinner together outside?"
Old Madam Li brought the subject up last night[1]. To be frank, Calix wished to limit his meeting with the Li family but, it couldn’t be done.
No matter how much the Li family irked him, Calix was conscious that he was their first son-in-law of this generation. At the very least, both families should have a meal together.
Then, they could pretend the other didn’t exist until the next holiday.
"Just tell them to come here ah," Old Madam Xu responded. Her white brows wrinkled slightly, "Invite the necessary ones. Your parents-in-law and Charlene’s sister."
Hearing that, Calix raised his brows in amusement, "Grandma, you don’t want to invite my grandmother-in-law? Shouldn’t you form a friendship with her? Who knows, she can join your buddy group."
Old Madam Xu rolled her eyes, not hiding her displeasure at all. Calix snickered, aware of how much Old Madam Li’s existence annoyed her grandmother.
"Grandma, forget about the past ah," Calix chuckled, intending to rile Old Madam Xu up, "She only tried to butter up to you. Not that she snatched any of the antiques you had your eyes on."
When Old Madam Li had just married the heir of the Li family decades ago, she was so eager to make friends with people of higher prestige. Her brown-nosing act irked Old Madam Xu who kept being her target.
"Finish your pudding," Old Madam Xu scowled, holding back from pinching her annoying grandson, "Fine, invite her too lest she say I’m too petty."
Throwing his head back, Calix guffawed at Old Madam Xu’s remark. He ignored the piercing glare coming from his grandmother.
Harper shook her head in helplessness, unable to do anything with her second son. Calix loved annoying his grandmother and younger sister the most.
"Let’s invite them to our home. On the fifth. We can’t do it on the sixth because you’re going to Rome on the next day, right?"
Andrian spoke for the first time, taking the mediator role between his elderly mother and mischievous son. He also kept in mind Calix’s business plan right after the holiday ended.
"Yeah, I’ll depart on the seventh," Calix nodded. His tone still carried some traces of his laughter, "The fifth is okay."
"Then, it’s decided," Harper clapped her hands once, agreeing with her husband. Looking at Calix, she said, "Inform them. Ah! No, no! Let us contact your parents-in-law. We haven’t talked to them."
"Sounds good," Andrian nodded, thinking of the basic courtesy they should do as the groom’s parents, "Calix, give me your father-in-law’s number. His name is Rowan, isn’t it?"
"Yeah. Let me share it," Calix quickly took his phone. With a few taps on the screen, he sent Rowan’s number to Andrian, "Dad, tell me once you’ve talked to him."
Andrian chuckled, "Yes, I know."
After everyone was done with dessert, they didn’t immediately return to the main building. Amelia’s wish to play in the backyard with everyone was easily granted.
Usually, the little turnip head would go to bed before nine. But, Vernon and Lucille allowed their daughter to stay up a bit late considering their big family hadn’t gathered like this in a long time.
"Big Brother! Catch it!"
"Who do you think I am?"
"Waa! Daddy’s so cool!"
Amelia happily cheered for Vernon. Her daddy successfully caught the ball thrown by Andrian. Calix and Evelyn’s chaotic shout earned laughter from Harper, Lucille and Old Madam Xu.
From a distance, Leslie smilingly watched the merriment happening within the family. She was reading a novel on the balcony of Calix’s bedroom. The spot where the Xu family played was perfectly visible from there.
’That looks so fun.’
Seeing them reminded Leslie of the happy families she envied during her childhood. Her jealousy gradually vanished when she met her deceased lover and disappeared completely after having Calliope.
Later, once she was reunited with her precious child, they would be back as a happy family no matter how small it was.
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