Just as the atmosphere between the two men in the living room grew increasingly tense, Cady and her mother emerged from the kitchen.
"Dad! How come I didn't know you smoked?" Cady asked, surprised.
Cady's dad jumped, quickly put out his cigarette, and tried to cover it up, "Smoking isn't a good habit. I was just criticizing it..."
As a wildlife biologist, Cady's dad actually didn't smoke at all. This pack of cigarettes was entirely prepared for Mike.
It was meant to label Mike as a "bad boy."
It just looked like his plan had fallen through.
[Biology Experience +100]
Mike beckoned and picked up the glowing orb that Cady's dad had dropped.
The other party now had the expression of a doting father, completely different from his earlier cold demeanor, as if he had transformed into a different person.
"You'd better explain it to Mom~" Cady walked around him and sat next to Mike.
Although she didn't know what had just happened outside, judging by Mike's expression, the two men's time alone together didn't seem to have been pleasant.
Cady's mom also glared at her husband, her eyes conveying a warning.
Then, she placed the sliced beef on the dining table and warmly invited Mike to eat.
With Cady's mom mediating, the atmosphere at the dinner table gradually improved.
Before long, Cady's mom started talking about her family's life in Africa.
Because he had entry-level knowledge of biology, Mike was occasionally able to exchange a few words with Cady's mom, the biology expert.
Next to them, Cady's dad was somewhat surprised by Mike's knowledge, which improved his opinion of him.
By the end of the meal, Mike's relationship with Cady's family seemed much more harmonious.
After clearing the dishes, taking advantage of her mother's intention to make tea, Cady suggested, "Mom, you two go rest. I can handle things here."
She recalled Janis's idea in her mind, wanting to create an opportunity for herself and Mike to be alone.
Looking at her daughter's expectant eyes, Cady's mom understood her intentions.
After all, she had been young once too.
Moreover, she was quite satisfied with Mike, such a handsome young man.
"Alright, it's Mike's first time here, you can take him to see our family's collection." Cady's mom smiled and was about to call her husband to leave.
"I haven't finished reading my newspaper yet." Cady's dad picked up his newspaper, looking like he was going to stay in the living room.
How could Cady's mom not know that her husband wanted to monitor Mike there? So, she turned and stared at him.
"Alright, I'll read in my room." Under his wife's intimidating gaze, Cady's dad stood up and, before leaving, instructed Cady, "Honey, if anything troubles you, be sure to tell your Dad."
Pulled back into the room, Cady's dad's attitude changed again. He paced back and forth agitatedly, "That brat has a pretty boy look about him, and you can tell at a glance he's no good..."
"Calm down~" Cady's mom pressed her husband into a chair and said, "I think Mike is quite good, nothing will happen..."
...
In the living room, after her parents left, Cady became reserved.
Thinking of Janis's idea, Cady softly asked, "Mike, what would you like to drink? Tea or juice?"
"Thank you, I'm not thirsty." Mike sat opposite Cady and replied with a smile.
"Sigh~" The first step of her plan was thwarted, making Cady a little disappointed. Then she could only suggest, "How about I take you to see my parents' collection."
"Cady, instead of the collection, isn't there something you want to say to me?" Mike showed a gentle expression, attempting to break the ice between them.
Perhaps Mike wouldn't usually be so forward, but Cady's dad's earlier subtle targeting had sparked a rebellious streak in him, and a surge of suppressed emotion felt like it was burning in his chest.
And with Cady dressed so charmingly today, her thoughts clearly written on her face, how could Mike not see it?
Being understanding is also a quality of a gentleman.
Cady looked into Mike's captivating eyes and felt as if all the strength had been drained from her body, leaving her light and airy, as if she were walking on clouds.
Just as the atmosphere gradually became ambiguous and pink bubbles seemed to float in the air, a violent coughing sound suddenly reached their ears.
It turned out to be Cady's dad, who, uneasy about his daughter being alone with Mike, had returned to the living room.
'I was careless~' Mike sighed inwardly, the romantic feelings in his heart already fading.
Cady was also a bit embarrassed to be caught red-handed by her Dad. But seeing Mike's evasive movements, her inner frustration outweighed her embarrassment.
She had prepared for so long, wasn't it just to take a step further with Mike? But at the crucial moment, with such an interruption, all the atmosphere was gone.
"What are you doing here?" Teenage Cady was very irritable.
Cady's dad retreated under his daughter's angry glare and made an excuse, "I came out to wash some fruit to eat, do you want some?"
Facing his daughter's speechless expression, Cady's dad knew his excuse was terrible and could only offer a fawning smile.
It truly embodied the saying: every dog has its day.
Subsequently, Cady's dad, under his daughter's disdainful gaze, would occasionally appear before Mike.
His surveillance was no longer even concealed.
And Mike, being watched, felt very uncomfortable. After picking up a few glowing orbs from Cady, he bid them farewell.
Watching Mike's departing back, Cady's entire demeanor lost its sparkle. Clearly, this family invitation, in her opinion, was not a success.
"Are you satisfied now?" Cady turned and glared at her Dad, who was pretending to drink water but was actually a little gleeful.
"That kid had a guilty conscience, it's not my business that he left on his own." Cady's dad tried to explain, and then warned, "Cady, I'm telling you, you should have less contact with those pretty boys in the future, they all have bad intentions..."
Cady's dad intentionally tried to poison Mike's image, but he didn't notice that his daughter wasn't listening to a single word.
"You're the one with bad intentions!" Cady roared and ran back to her room in distress, slamming the door shut with a "bang."
Cady's dad put down his water glass, stunned for a moment, and finally, thinking of his daughter's red eyes when she left, he sighed and was about to go comfort her.
"Alright, let her be quiet for a while." Cady's mom appeared in the living room and stopped her husband.
Cady's dad, who was having a headache, saw his wife arrive and couldn't help but complain, "It was clearly that kid who had bad intentions, how did I end up looking like the bad guy..."
"I told you to interfere less with our daughter's affairs. Are you going to tie her to your side for your whole life?" Cady's mom shook her head, trying to persuade him.
Thinking of his daughter's unusual behavior after seeing Mike, Cady's dad realized that his daughter had truly grown up. Accepting this fact, he finally slumped into a chair, feeling heartbroken.
On the other side, as soon as Mike returned home, he was caught red-handed by Connie, who was drinking in the living room.
"What's wrong, our great Casanova, why are you back so early?" Connie saw that Mike was in low spirits and asked in a teasing tone.
"Nothing." Mike shook his head, unwilling to talk much about his own affairs.
Then, he sat opposite Connie, poured himself a glass of vodka, and started a conversation, "How about you all, did anything interesting happen today?"
Mike knew that wherever Sheldon was, there would always be unexpected events.
Currently, only Sheldon could provide Mike with his main intelligence attribute, and understanding him better would make it easier to gain benefits in the future.
Across from him, Connie, having a drinking buddy, was happy to share with Mike the debate Sheldon had with Pastor Jeff in the church.
Finally, Connie also condemned Pastor Jeff's bullying behavior.