and Diana roll their eyes and giggle.
“Heh… I’m just giving Aunt Lydia and Sis equal treatment, right?” Watching the black bastard scratch his head in fake confusion and then hearing him use an even more inappropriate idiom, I stared at him in speechless annoyance.
“If you can’t use it properly, don’t use it.
You’re just making people laugh at you.” Here my pen pauses again.
Back then I never imagined that one day this depraved black devil would literally make both the women I love most and who love me kneel at his feet and “share his favor” equally… “Nick, I appreciate you helping with Harry’s training.
I watched the footage yesterday and the effect was impressive.
But those heels don’t fit my status.
I appreciate the thought, but when you bring Harry back, take them with you.” My mother wanted to explain further, but that damned black man cut her off, looking obviously displeased.
“Aunt Lydia, it’s one thing if you won’t give me any perks, but at least accept my gift.
Please?” “Hey, sis, why are you elbowing me?” Those unfiltered words made me furious, and even calm Diana’s face chilled instantly.
She stopped, raised her jade arm, and jabbed her elbow into his stomach, her delicate oval face frosty.
“Nick, think before you speak.
What do you mean by ‘perks’?
If others hear that, they’ll laugh at our family.” “Anyway, what did you prepare for Dad’s birthday?
You came empty‑handed?” Nick rubbed his stomach theatrically, then smiled sheepishly.
“I didn’t use the money Mom prepared.
I got something myself.
I promise Dad will like it.” As I led my mother to her main guest seat, my ears stayed tuned to the conversation behind me between Diana and Nick.
“Nick, these past few days at home, you haven’t been picking fights with Mom like before, have you?” “No, Sis.
I was young and stupid then.
I really regret it now.” “Mm.
It’s good you’ve grown up.” “Sis, let me tell you, these days Mom always listens to me… no, no… I mean, I always listen to Mom… heh…” As I was mocking Nick’s lousy Chinese in my head, Derek and his wife saw my mother walking to the main table and immediately stood from their side seats.
Derek started to reach out a hand but thought better of it, awkwardly withdrawing and wiping his palm on his pants instead.
“Secretary Lydia, you… you look beautiful!” I rolled my eyes at my friend in exasperation.
He really didn’t know how to talk.
His wife, Nicole, was far more adept.
She nudged him with her elbow, stepped forward, and grabbed my mother’s hand.
Her delicately made‑up, adorable little face tilted up in an intimate smile.
“Aunt Lydia, don’t be mad.
Derek just has a clumsy mouth.
Don’t mind him.” “We’ve recently developed several hot spring resorts in Huashan.
Aunt Lydia, you must come when you have time.” My mother wore a formulaic social smile and was about to refuse when Nicole leaned into her ear, lowering her voice mysteriously.
“Aunt Lydia, Huashan’s hot springs are really famous and make wonderful health retreats.
There are plates from many provinces and even from other countries.
I’ll send you the details on WeChat.” “Don’t worry, I know what kind of people I can arrange to meet you and which ones I can’t.
They’re all society ladies coming for beauty and wellness.” Seeing a flicker of interest cross my mother’s face, Nicole raised her jade hand to whisper more in her ear.
I watched as my mother nodded slightly, focusing intently, then smiled and patted Nicole’s hand.
I knew that this woman, who judged people by status, had once again seized a rare opportunity to climb another step.
Derek, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about political maneuvering.
Face glowing with mischief, he leaned in close to me and lowered his voice.
“Wesley, come by tonight.
I’ve got something good to share with you.” “Uh… sure.” Looking at the buddy I’d grown up with, I could already guess what he meant yet another new club, some fresh models or C‑list starlets.
But I guessed wrong.
I let my most trusted friend lure me straight into Nick’s trap.
At the time, none of us knew that this day would mark the beginning of Nick’s dark training plan.
“President Gerald, on behalf of all our colleagues at the Jiangbei branch, I wish you blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a long life like the Southern Mountains.
And here is a brocade “Mountain Grove” scroll as a gift.” As he finished, a branch president stepped up and presented a famous painting.
My father‑in‑law smiled and nodded.
Another business partner followed with a jade sculpture of the three gods of fortune, prosperity, and longevity.
The guests were all players in the business world, and their gifts drew exclamations from the crowd.
I could hear people whispering around me.
“My god, that’s an original?” “That jade carving they used such a huge piece of Hetian jade, incredibly rare!” “Hey, those longevity peaches look great too!” Watching the rare and expensive gifts pile up, my father‑in‑law couldn’t stop smiling.
It wasn’t that he loved material things so much, it was that the face‑saving was immense.
Sitting beside me, Diana watched her father’s joyful expression.
When no one was looking, she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Wesley, thank you for organizing such a wonderful birthday banquet for Dad.
Tonight… my period is gone…” Her initiative surprised me pleasantly, and I grinned.
“Dad treats me like his own son.
It’s my duty as his son‑in‑law to give him a lively birthday feast, right?” “Don’t worry, I’ve also had Derek prepare a little surprise.
It’ll give him even more face.”