Despite the house not being particularly large, the warm decor gave it a cozy feel. In the dining room, a rectangular table was occupied by four family members.
As Dolores expressed her desire to return to China and her condition of marrying Sampson, a gloomy atmosphere settled over the table due to Jessica’s disagreement.
Only innocent Simona remained oblivious to the tension. Nestled in Dolores’ arms, she asked her mother to feed her.
“Mommy, I want some egg custard.” Simona pointed to the delicate steamed custard with her tiny finger.
Dolores scooped a spoonful of egg custard and fed it to Simona.
Samuel sighed, gazing at his innocent sister with the burdened expression of an adult.
Dolores placed a spoonful of egg custard into Samuel’s bowl. “Children shouldn’t frown.”
“Alas,” Samuel sighed again.
Why did this kid keep sighing despite being advised not to?
“Samuel Flores, mind your attitude.” Although Dolores scolded him, she didn’t speak sternly, not wanting to be too hard on him.
“Why would you have the appetite for a meal?” Samuel dampened the mood.
“If you fail to convince grandma, what will happen to your work?” Samuel worried about this matter more than Dolores did.
“Children shouldn’t be burdened with adult matters. Your job is to eat regularly and focus on your studies,” Jessica served him a bowl of soup. “Eat. You shouldn’t involve yourself in adult matters.”
Samuel was dissatisfied with her words. “I’m also a member of the family, so I have the right to speak. Grandma, Mommy, let’s vote by a show of hands. The minority should defer to the majority.”
“Oh, this kid. Who have you learned that from? You’re quite good at reasoning,” Jessica teased him. This young child had so many ideas.
“Vote by a show of hands,” Samuel repeated resolutely.
“You want to go back so badly?” Dolores saw through her son’s thoughts. It seemed that he really wanted to return to China.
She had assumed that since her children were accustomed to living there, they wouldn’t entertain the idea of moving elsewhere. However, Samuel’s attitude caught her off guard.
“Mommy’s hometown is also my hometown. I just want to see what your hometown looks like, Mommy,” Samuel said with a serious expression.
Although Dolores wanted to return to her home country, she hesitated because of her concerns for Jessica’s feelings.
But Samuel was intelligent, and he understood deep down that if they wanted to go back, they needed Jessica’s agreement, as Dolores held great respect for her.
He put down his spoon, walked over to Jessica, tugged at her sleeve, and swayed gently. “Grandma, my dear grandma, please agree.”
But Jessica still disagreed.
Samuel continued to act cute and pleaded with a soft tone, “Grandma, grandma, my dear grandma.”
“Grandma, grandma, my dear grandma,” Simona joined in.
Samuel and Simona’s sweet, innocent tone melted Jessica’s heart.
She felt that if she didn’t agree with their request, she would feel sorry for the two children.
So, she said, “Let’s vote by a show of hands.”
Samuel was the first to raise his hand. “Who agrees to go back to China, please raise your hand.”
“Mommy.” Seeing Dolores hesitating, Samuel signaled to her. Dolores raised her hand after realizing that Jessica wouldn’t be angry.
“Simona…”
“You can’t bribe her,” Jessica interrupted Samuel.
Samuel pouted and wiggled his raised hands at his younger sister.
Simona found it amusing. Seeing her mother and brother raising their hands, she raised hers too.
Three to one.
Jessica had lost. But she didn’t get angry; instead, she expressed her concern, “I’m not sure if this is a wise decision.”
“Grandma, don’t worry. I will protect my mommy,” Samuel patted his chest and made the promise.
Jessica ruffled her grandson’s hair and let out a deep sigh. After all, what would Samuel know? He was just a child.
But his filial piety was truly precious. “Your mommy risked her life to give birth to both of you. And you didn’t disappoint her.”
Samuel blinked his eyes. He had also heard from Sampson that his mom had endured a lot during their birth.
“I won’t allow anyone to mistreat my mother,” Dolores said firmly, as if she had made up her mind about something.
Jessica suddenly realized that she had spoken too much about this. Samuel was just a child after all. She held him in her arms, placing him on her lap. “Samuel, you’re a man of our family.”
“Of course,” Samuel lifted his chin proudly.
Having convinced Jessica, the atmosphere at the table relaxed. Simona, nestled in Dolores’ arms, grew sleepy and kept dozing off. Dolores lifted her up, but the little girl sensed that Dolores was about to leave the table and opened her eyes. “I want to eat.”
Dolores was at a loss for words.
This child was so sleepy, yet she still wanted to continue eating.
Dolores sank back into her chair, watching as Simona took a few more mouthfuls of food before dozing off. Jessica kindly suggested that Dolores take the child to the bedroom while she cleared the dishes.
Agreeing with Jessica’s suggestion, Dolores nodded. Simona hadn’t taken a bath yet, and Dolores preferred to handle that herself to prevent any potential crying if Simona woke up. Perhaps due to not napping during the day, Simona was now sound asleep. Dolores gently washed her face, hands, and feet, but there was no sign of her waking.
Samuel, overcome with emotion, sighed deeply. “Mommy, I think Simona was born in the Year of the Pig.”
“She’s quite an expert at eating and sleeping,” Dolores retorted, rolling her eyes at him. “But what about you? If your sister was born in the Year of the Pig, tell me when you were born. Don’t forget, you are twins.”
Samuel sat by the bedside and took out his tablet to play a game called ‘Intelligence Box.’ He casually remarked, “I was born in the Year of the Snake. The teacher said that snakes are cold-blooded animals.”
Dolores turned around and admired her son’s delicate profile. With his long, curly eyelashes and his intense focus on the game, Dolores silently thanked his teacher for his influence. However, she couldn’t help but feel that some of the things Samuel’s teacher taught were a bit beyond his age. He shouldn’t be learning such advanced concepts at such a young age.
“Do you like your teacher?” Dolores inquired.
“Of course,” Samuel replied without hesitation.
Dolores affectionately ruffled his hair.
Just then, her phone buzzed on the bedside table. Since Samuel was closer to the phone, he picked it up and handed it to Dolores, saying, “Mommy, it’s your phone.”
Dolores reached out and took the phone, noticing the caller ID displayed as ‘LEO.’
This was Mrs. William’s symbolic caller ID.
Dolores felt grateful to Mrs. William for recognizing her potential and giving her an opportunity in the past. Despite just receiving her graduation certificate at the time and lacking relevant experience, Mrs. William saw a bit of her younger self in Dolores and decided to keep her in the company. It was Mrs. William’s support that paved the way for Dolores’ current success in her career.
Consequently, Dolores held deep respect for Mrs. William.
“I’ve arranged for Theresa to come back to China first. She will take care of everything for you, and you can come back directly,” Mrs. William explained.
“I understand,” Dolores replied, appreciative of the assistance.
Dolores tucked the quilt up around Simona, then walked over to the window and gazed out into the darkness. Although she couldn’t see anything outside, a newfound determination welled up within her.
As Matthew had said, she had already let go of everything, so what did she have to fear now? Straightening her back, Dolores realized that everything was falling into place. She had her own successful career, her children were growing up, and her mother’s health was stable. Moving to a different place wouldn’t be a daunting prospect anymore.
“Dolores, do you hate me?” Mrs. William finally broke the silence with a heavy voice.
“No,” Dolores answered honestly.
Initially, she had been perplexed as to why she was an exception to Mrs. William’s usual behavior. Dolores had never harbored any resentment towards Mrs. William, especially after learning the story behind her relationship with Mr. William.
Mrs. William let out a sigh, as if she wanted to say more, but ultimately ended the call.