Ian Quincy was taken aback.
She actually thought he was hungry and had called him into the kitchen for that reason.
A wave of warmth washed over his heart.
He couldn't help but say, "Having a wife is the best."
Cecilia Adler pursed her lips and smiled. 'Wife this, wife that... He's so shameless.'
Ian Quincy kept putting food onto Cecilia Adler's plate as they ate. They ate just enough to tide them over, and soon enough, all the work in the kitchen was done.
Mrs. Quincy appeared just then. Looking at the sumptuous spread on the table, she was very pleased. "Cecilia, you're so diligent."
"You're too kind."
The family gathered around the table, showering Cecilia Adler with praise for either her skilled hands or her competence.
Being praised for her efforts, Cecilia Adler couldn't stop smiling.
Only Ian Quincy wore a grim expression. 'Just because my wife is capable, does that mean she should have to do everything? Why should she?'
'Why should she have to?'
Christal Russell said, "Ian, you got married today. Why the long face?"
Ian Quincy didn't respond.
Christal Russell felt a little awkward.
Cecilia Adler turned to look at his cool, aloof face, her own eyes filled with confusion. 'He was fine just a moment ago, why is he unhappy again? Does he hate our sister-in-law?'
'He's right to hate her.'
'Our sister-in-law is not a good person.'
Mrs. Quincy teased, "Perhaps it's because Cecilia has to leave soon."
Wanting to get back in Ian Quincy's good graces, Christal Russell said matter-of-factly, "You've registered your marriage, so you're a legal couple. Cecilia should just stay here. Besides, it's already gotten dark. You're a pretty young lady—isn't it dangerous to be out walking at night?"
Cecilia Adler's face reddened again. "Ian will take me home."
Christal Russell thought Cecilia Adler was just putting on a prim and proper act, playing hard to get to keep Ian Quincy on his toes.
...
「After dinner.」
Mrs. Quincy handed the gifts she had prepared to Ian Quincy, telling him to give them to Lucas Lee.
On the way home, Cecilia Adler sat on the back of the bike, holding onto the seat rack with both hands. "Ian, about the house we'll be living in after we're married... when are we arranging to have it cleaned?"
He had given her the keys earlier today.
If she could be sure it was empty, she planned to go there to cut paper decorations for the windows.
That way, she could avoid May Sutton's passive-aggressive comments and Vivian Lee's watchful eyes.
"After the Lunar New Year. Why? Are you planning to decorate it yourself?"
Cecilia Adler laughed evasively. "I'd love to decorate it myself, but I'll be a bit busy during the holiday." She was diligent, yes, but that didn't mean she would do just any and every chore.
Ian Quincy guessed that her venomous stepmother was making her prepare all the holiday supplies.
'She's too compliant.'
'She doesn't know how to fight back.'
'When I get the chance, I'll be sure to teach that venomous stepmother a lesson.'
「About half an hour later.」
Cecilia Adler was home.
The family of three was sitting in the living room, all waiting for her.
When Lucas Lee saw Ian Quincy, his eyes lit up. "Ian, you're here! Have a seat."
Ian Quincy set down the gifts. "Good evening, sir."
"You've already registered your marriage with Cecilia, and you're still calling me 'sir'?" Lucas Lee prompted Ian Quincy to use a more familiar term.
Cecilia Adler jumped in. "Dad, before we registered the marriage today, my father-in-law gave me a huge, *huge* red envelope."
Lucas Lee was speechless. 'You little brat! She's deliberately pointing out that she got the red envelope *before* the registration.'
'She's clearly calling me stingy and ignorant of social etiquette.'
'Couldn't she have just said how much was in it?'
'A huge, *huge* red envelope.'
'How big does mine have to be now?'
'Too much is a waste, but too little is a loss of face.'
'She really knows how to put her old man in a bind.'
His smile was stiff. "Right, a gift for the new title is a must." He turned and went into his room.
May Sutton wanted to follow him, but she was worried. If Lucas Lee prepared a small red envelope, Ian Quincy might go home and tell his parents that she was the one who encouraged him to be stingy. To avoid any blame, she stayed put.
Her gaze landed on the gifts Ian Quincy had brought.
Two boxes of Maotai liquor.
A carton of premium cigarettes.
And a box of ginseng.
'The Quillan family is so generous.'
'All of this should have been for my daughter to enjoy.'
'What a shame.'
Out of sight of Cecilia Adler and Ian Quincy, she jabbed Vivian Lee with her elbow. Suppressing her rage, she hissed through gritted teeth, "Look at what you missed out on."