Afterwards, we ran out of disposable cups at home. My mom immediately told me to go buy some. I didn't hesitate and went out, but suddenly I realized—I didn't have a single cent on me. I just stood there, frozen in awkwardness, the emptiness in my pockets echoing the quiet dread in my heart.
Rachel Lan quickly walked over and reached out, pushing me on the back.
Ethan, hurry up and go.
After pushing me out the door, I realized I suddenly had a few hundred yuan in my hand. Once the door closed, I stood at the doorway for a long time, feeling incredibly awkward. Looking at the money in my hand, I could only bow deeply to the door.
I hurried back home. As soon as I stepped inside, I saw my dad, Jack Zhang, and my mom sitting on either side of Rachel Lan. Howard Lee and Hugh Thompson were across from them, both with polite smiles. My dad's face was pale, but there was a strange, feverish glow about him, like someone clawing his way back from the edge of death.
Ah, my Ethan is just so honest—never knows what to say to girls. Rachel, you'll have to be patient with him.
I immediately spoke up.
"Mom, can you not say stuff like that?"
Helplessness washed over me. Whenever my parents met a girl I knew, they’d always say things like this—as if their longing for a grandchild had become a kind of obsession, suffocating and relentless.
"Auntie, may I look around?"
My mom immediately took Rachel Lan by the hand and led her into my room. I could only smile helplessly.
"Ethan, since you're assisting the police now, you need to work even harder," my dad suddenly said. Hugh Thompson just smiled.
"Uncle, Ethan is very hardworking, you don't need to worry about his job at all," Rachel Lan said.
"Well then, Hugh, your job over there isn't especially dangerous, is it?" my dad asked.
"Oh, Uncle, not at all. Most days, it's just paperwork. There's no danger," Howard Lee quickly added.
"Oh?" My dad looked at me with suspicion.
Ethan, when did you learn to organize files? I thought you didn't do that kind of work.
"Dad, don't ask. A lot of things are confidential—I can't tell anyone," I said quickly, then shot Howard Lee a fierce glare. He just smiled awkwardly.
My mom came out, saw me, and immediately started making faces. I had no choice but to go over.
"Ethan, this girl is really nice—she's beautiful, gentle, polite, and very considerate. You'd better not miss your chance."