Rowan felt a bit confused. He didn't do anything today, so why did it seem like his mom was looking at him with dislike? Was it just his imagination?
"What? I can't go shopping now? You won't take me, and you won't let Sienna take me either?"
After hearing this, Rowan quickly tried to fix the situation. "No, of course not. If you want to go, you can go every day."
"Hmph."
Cuilan picked up her things and went back to her room, not wanting to talk to him anymore.
Rowan saw his mom's reaction and quietly stood aside. He didn't dare say anything else. He knew better than to push her when she was upset.
Once Cuilan went into her room, Rowan quickly went to his own room to find Sienna. As he opened the door, he saw his wife wearing a brand-new outfit. She looked beautiful.
"Wife, did you buy this today? It looks really nice."
"Yes! Husband, you really think so? Cuilan picked it out for me."
Rowan said, "It looks great. It looks even better on you."
"Did you buy anything for me? I saw Cuilan had some stuff too."
"No, we only bought for her. I just got this one outfit for myself. I wanted to buy clothes for her, and she said I should get something for myself too, so we got them together."
Rowan asked, "How much were the clothes?"
"Mine was 38, and hers was 41."
When he heard the prices, Rowan realized why his mom had been upset with him earlier. With such a good daughter-in-law, he really wasn't doing much as a son.
He thought for a moment and said, "Wife, her clothes didn't have to be that expensive. We could've just bought fabric and let her make them herself."
"But the clothes were really pretty. She looked great in them. And they're not expensive."
When she said they weren't expensive, Rowan realized Sienna didn't really understand money. But then again, with her salary, maybe it wasn't a big deal.
"Wife, actually, I have one of the highest salaries. Most people are only making twenty or thirty."
"But I earn a hundred. I can afford to buy things for her."
Rowan stayed quiet. This was the benefit of having an amazing wife—he didn't have to worry about money.
"I also bought shampoo, face cream, and hand cream for her."
He realized now how little he had done. He'd never even thought of buying things like that for his mom.
"Wife, if you treat her so well, I won't have any place in this home! You have to protect me."
"Okay."
After that, Rowan went to the kitchen to cook. That was the only value he had left in this house. If not, he felt like his mom might kick him out.
Once dinner was ready, the whole family sat down to eat. Cuilan kept putting meat into Sienna's bowl. "Sienna, here, eat more."
Rowan took a piece of meat and was about to eat it when his mom slapped his hand. He looked up, confused. What was going on?
"You think you can eat this? It's for Sienna, to help her stay healthy. You already ate before. Are you that greedy? Trying to fight your wife for meat? Shame on you."
Rowan: Am I even their real son? Maybe they picked me up from the trash.
After scolding Rowan, Cuilan turned back to Sienna and started putting more vegetables into her bowl. "Sienna, here, eat more."
Rowan pulled back his chopsticks and quietly ate his rice. Sienna saw it and secretly smiled.
After the meal, the family sat and chatted. Cuilan spoke, "I wonder what your dad is doing. Is he busy? Has he eaten?"
Rowan said, "I'm sure he has. Big Brother and Second Brother will take good care of him. Mom, don't worry too much."
Sienna added, "Mom, ask Dad to come over soon. Then you won't have to worry anymore. You and Dad can stay with us."
Cuilan held Sienna's hand and said, "Sienna really cares about us. But it's fine. We just came here for a visit. We'll spend the New Year with you and then go back."
"We can still work. We don't want to become a burden. Sooner or later, when we can't work anymore, we'll trouble you enough."
Rowan said, "Mom, since you and Dad are here, just stay. Live with us and enjoy your retirement. Actually, it's also helping us. You can see, both Sienna and I are very busy."
"We've been married for a few months already. We'll definitely have kids later. Do you think we'll have time to take care of them? If you and Dad stay and help us with the baby, we can both go to work with peace of mind."
Sienna followed, "Yes. When we have a baby, you can help take care of it. Don't go back. I don't know how to raise a baby."
Their words made Cuilan hesitate. Helping them take care of the baby and sharing the housework didn't sound bad, but staying would also be a financial burden since they couldn't earn any money here.
Seeing that Cuilan was unsure, Rowan added, "Mom, you and Dad can also plant vegetables. There's a small garden nearby. You can grow your own food."
"Alright, I understand. I'll talk it over with your dad. It's getting late. Time to rest." After saying that, she went back to her room.
The next day at noon, Felix came home with Rowan.
"Auntie, Sienna, I came to eat with you," he said as he placed the grain he brought into the kitchen.
Cuilan looked at it and said, "What are you doing? Do you think we can't afford to feed you?"
"Auntie, even if I keep it at my place, I don't know how to cook. It's better if you cook it for me to eat."
"Go sit down. Lunch is ready soon."
While eating, Felix kept praising Cuilan's cooking. "Auntie, your food is amazing."
"You cook so well. Even better than the chefs at our canteen."
Cuilan couldn't stop smiling. "Felix, you really know how to talk. You've flattered me too much."
"I'm just being honest. You're too modest, Auntie."
Hearing this, Cuilan kept telling Felix to eat more, but her hands were busy giving food to Sienna.
After the meal, Felix said, "Auntie, Sienna, I actually came today to ask you to attend my brother's wedding. It's next week. We don't have any elder women in our family."
"I hope you can help take care of the bride during the wedding. My grandpa and I aren't really suitable for that, and my brother will be busy entertaining guests."
Cuilan hesitated, "Is it proper for me to go?"
"Yes. If my grandpa could come, he would've invited you personally."
Cuilan looked at Rowan, unsure whether to agree. Rowan said, "Mom, you and Sienna should go help. I'll be there too."
"Alright then, we'll go."
"Great. I'll pick you up. You can come a day early to my place. Auntie, I'll head back to my dorm now."
"Alright."