Chapter 235

Chloe Sullivan Sullivan beamed as she continued her suggestion.

"Doesn't the third brother and his wife live in that huge mansion? They could easily host all the relatives from back home! Multiple floors, luxurious decor, central air and heating… even sleeping on the floor wouldn't be a hardship!"

"Not just a dozen people, they could fit twice that many! The key point is the back gate of the Lakeside Pearl mansion is so close to the banquet hotel, just a short walk away. They wouldn't even need transportation!"

The more Chloe Sullivan spoke, the more feasible it seemed, and she nodded repeatedly.

She completely ignored that her own home was in the same gated community and equally suitable.

David Sullivan finally found an opportunity to speak.

Several times before, he had tried to interject but either couldn't get a word in or was immediately cut off—

"I originally planned to do just that. Since big brother and second brother aren't in a position to host, Isabella and I discussed it. We'll have all the relatives stay with us."

It was only for three days, after all.

The old lady had made her position clear, and Chloe Sullivan was being slippery. However reluctant Isabella felt, she had to grit her teeth and accept it.

It wasn't that she looked down on country folk. She was currently outlining a new book, had already discussed the synopsis with Stone Macmillan, and was still revising it. She was used to a quiet environment for writing and couldn't help feeling this would be disruptive.

But it wasn't unbearable. Isabella stated, "Mom, don't worry. We will take good care of our relatives and friends."

…

Isabella spoke while driving.

"...The folks from back home are already settled in at the house. Your father is busy hosting and can't get away, so I came to pick you up."

Sophia Sullivan nodded. "Mom, I rarely see you drive. You're pretty good."

She hadn't yet realized the severity of the situation.

Isabella lifted her chin slightly. "Of course! I pick things up quickly!"

…

Lakeside Pearl Mansion.

"David, this house is yours?! My goodness, it's so grand!"

The speaking elder had a face full of wrinkles and graying hair. She looked about the same age as Eleanor Yuan, but by family hierarchy, David had to address her as "Great-Aunt Deborah."

"Oh my! Is this a lamp? Why is it covered in feathers? Plucked from a goose, were they? I have to say, it looks quite unique this way! Where's the switch? Let me turn it on and see... Huh? It's just a regular lamp? I thought the feathers would make it brighter!"

David began to sweat. "No... the feathers are just decoration. They don't do anything..."

"Then why stick a bunch on if they don't do anything?"

"..."

"Ya! There's a vase here... It looks very nice. I remember your grandfather's family also liked displaying calendars and vases, but theirs weren't as pretty as this. It must have cost a bit, right?"

The old lady had lost most of her teeth, and her speech was unclear, but it didn't stop her from touching everything and offering commentary.

"Come here, come here, Wayne, there are snacks here! Weren't you just saying you were hungry? Eat up. Your third cousin lives in such a big house; he surely isn't stingy—" The old lady turned to call her grandson, then smiled at David. "Right, little third son?"

"Yes, yes, make yourself at home. Treat it like your own home."

The old lady usually lived in the countryside. She had come two days early for the banquet and, of course, brought her entire family.

It was all expenses paid, plus a chance to enjoy the city. Only a fool would pass that up!

William Sullivan had been lucky early on, started his own company, made money, and brought his parents to the city to care for them.

Charles Sullivan was also doing well—a secure, respectable job at the power bureau, married the daughter of a leader.

Only David Sullivan was slightly worse off. Heard he graduated from a prestigious university but became a teacher.

It sounded good, but it didn't pay well!

The old lady had muttered more than once: That Eleanor Yuan's sons weren't all born under a lucky star!

But now...

David was actually doing well?!

That Eleanor Yuan really had all the luck...

Great-Aunt Deborah grew more jealous the more she thought about it and just urged her grandson to eat more.

Since they were here, they had to get their money's worth!

Besides Great-Aunt Deborah's family of eight, there was another family, headed by someone addressed as "Auntie Melissa," who had also brought her entire clan.

Auntie Melissa's reaction upon entering was similar to Great-Aunt Deborah's. She looked around in amazement. "David, you've made it big, haven't you?"

"Can teachers earn this much now?" She lowered her voice, probing discreetly. "Is there some... extra income involved here?"

David quickly shook his head and waved his hands. "Absolutely not! I work at a public school. I get a fixed salary every month. There's no 'extra income'."

"Look at you, treating your aunt like an outsider! No extra income, but you can afford such a beautiful mansion?"

You must be joking!

David scratched his head. "I really don't earn much, but my wife and daughter do. This mansion was bought by the two of them. It has nothing to do with me. Me? No real skills, just lucky enough to marry a good wife and have a good daughter."

Auntie Melissa: "..." I asked how you make money, and you told me how happy you are?

Can't you understand the question?!

And you call yourself a teacher!

Auntie Melissa felt the banister, then plopped down on the sofa to test its springiness. Finally, she stopped in front of the vase that had already caught Great-Aunt Deborah's eye—

"David, this is quite pretty. Is it an antique?"

David knew this aunt quite well. What she meant was:

I've taken a liking to this vase, but I won't say it outright. You should offer it to me.

He opened his mouth, about to say the vase was just a thirty-dollar find from the flower and bird market, but Auntie Melissa had already excitedly turned her attention elsewhere—

"My goodness! Wha-what is this stove thing? The one every foreign household has, spitting out little flames..."

David: "A fireplace."

"Yes, yes! This fire-place!"

"..."

"Must have cost a pretty penny to install one of these, right? Oh my, and that over there..."

David watched her running around, shoes still on, leaving yellow mud footprints on the floor as if she'd just come from the fields.

He took a deep breath and maintained his smile.

"Grandma, this TV can play games! I want to play games! Let me play games!" A child bouncing on the sofa waved the remote control, shouting and gesturing.

The voice was piercingly shrill.

David pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a throbbing at his temples.

He turned around inadvertently and saw the jigsaw puzzle he had spent over half a month assembling on the bookshelf. It was now dismantled and scattered, some pieces even missing.

He gave a bitter smile.

What a mess this is...

Looking around, the spacious mansion was almost filled with adults, elders, and children. Some were chatting while cracking sunflower seeds, some were埋头 eating fruit, and children were running around chasing each other, their laughter loud enough to lift the roof.

It was more chaotic than a marketplace.

David thought about having to endure this for two more days, and his eyelid started twitching violently.

…

Although Isabella had given her a heads-up, Sophia was still shocked the moment she stepped through the door.