Kevin smiled as he stepped out of the car and said, “Okay.”
Noticing the numerous items Kevin had purchased, Donald remarked, “Kevin, in the future, you shouldn’t buy so many things when you visit. Our family doesn’t need anything. If we’re missing anything, it’s actually two people—my two children are still alone.”
Kevin smiled back and replied, “As long as Uncle Queen and Auntie don’t mind, I could help fill one of those vacancies.”
Donald asked, “Are you sure you can do that? Does your family agree?”
Kevin confidently stated, “I’m responsible for my own affairs.”
Donald felt relieved.
The couple had already taken a liking to Kevin and hoped he would become their son-in-law. Their daughter had mentioned that Kevin had a potential wife, which had momentarily disheartened them. However, they were pleasantly surprised when Kevin suddenly began to fervently pursue their daughter, showering her with flowers and gifts every day.
In fact, it had only been two days.
Yet, for the Queen family, those two days of Kevin’s pursuit of Hayden felt like two years.
“Uncle Queen, isn’t Auntie home?”
Kevin asked, noting that Auntie Queen often went out alone.
Additionally, the relationship between the future in-laws was close; if one was out, it was likely the other was not home either.
Donald explained, “Your aunt has a friend’s birthday today and has been invited to a dinner party. Since it’s all women, I didn’t go with her, and she didn’t want me to. She mentioned it was her childhood friend’s birthday party, so there would be plenty for them to discuss.”
As Donald took the gifts from Kevin, he remarked once more on how much money Kevin had spent, cautioning him not to buy so many things next time, or he might not be allowed to enter again.
The two then entered the house together.
Leaning closer, Donald whispered to Kevin:
“Kevin, I believe your aunt and her friends are gathering to discuss us husbands negatively, so they don’t need to involve their husbands. In the past, these women preferred their husbands to be present.”
“If we are so occupied with work that we don’t return home for several days, we might suspect that we are raising our little ones and four children elsewhere. We wish we could turn into pendants and hang them on us husbands. Today seems unusual, and it must be about speaking ill of us.”
Kevin smiled and replied, “Uncle Queen, you’re so kind to Auntie. You’ve never wronged her, and she wouldn’t speak ill of you. She must be praising you to others.”
Reflecting on their decades of marriage and their sensible, capable children, Donald smiled and said, “That’s what I thought too.”
His wife wouldn’t speak poorly of him.
As they entered the room, Mr. Queen asked Kevin, “Would you like some water?”
“No, I’m not thirsty. Uncle Queen, since you’re going fishing, let’s head out early and see if we can catch some big fish for braised fish later.”
Donald appreciated Kevin’s attitude toward him, treating him like family. After putting down his belongings, he went to fetch the fishing gear and handed it to Kevin: “Mine is in my car; this one is for you. I’ve fished in a nearby stream where the water is clear and teeming with fish, though they’re not very big.”
“I’m afraid I can’t make braised fish, but grilled fish is also delicious. I’m quite good at grilling,” he added.
As they walked outside, Kevin boasted, “Uncle Queen, I’ll cook some special dishes for you tonight and invite your daughter Hayden and Hugh for dinner.”
It was time to showcase his culinary skills. He worked in the catering industry, and his cooking was the best among his brothers.
Donald paused and turned his head to gaze at Kevin.
Kevin also halted and returned Donald’s glance.
After a moment, Donald swiftly glanced left and right to ensure there was no one else around. He inquired curiously in a hushed tone, “Kevin, did you just say my Hayden is a woman?”
Kevin replied, “Isn’t she?”