Faced with Mrs. Campell’s enthusiasm, the boy was momentarily dazed. Did she not know that Agnes had a boyfriend? Or perhaps… Mrs. Campell just saw him as a son? Even if Agnes had another boyfriend, would Mrs. Campell still like him? This kind of enthusiasm wasn’t the approval and affection for a future son-in-law, was it? But Ansel knew that Mrs. Campell’s attitude towards him had never changed.
Soon, Mr. Campell came out with two plates of home-cooked dishes. “Ansel is here! Sit down, sit down. We can eat now. Would you like a drink? I have orange juice here.”
“No, thank you, Uncle.” Ansel felt a bit flattered, wishing he could integrate into this family.
Mrs. Campell soon brought out three bowls of rice. She had been in a good mood lately, wanting to quickly arrange her younger daughter Agnes’s marriage after Summer and Spencer got married. This way, her task would be completed, and everyone would have their own happy little family. She also wanted to help her daughters take care of their children while she was still young; she agreed with Spencer that hiring a nanny was not reassuring.
“Come, come, sit down and eat, don’t be shy.”
“Ansel, sit down. Uncle made your favorite sweet and sour ribs.”
Ansel was very touched. “Thank you, Uncle.” He sat down at the dining table.
Mrs. Campell even poured him a drink herself.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“Uncle, Auntie,” Ansel said as he held his bowl in one hand and chopsticks in the other. He tried to ask, “When was the last time Agnes came back?”
“Just…” Mrs. Campell thought for a moment. “Just a few days ago, why?”
“Did she come back alone?” Ansel asked, fearing the answer.
At this point, Mr. Campell answered him, “With her sister and brother-in-law, the three of them.”
Was there a fourth person? Or just two?
“Well…” Ansel thought for a moment and then directly said, “Did you know that Agnes has a boyfriend?”
Mrs. Campell was momentarily stunned and then suddenly her eyes lit up! This reaction left Ansel bewildered; he didn’t understand what it meant.
“When did you two get together? Has it been long?” Mrs. Campell suddenly asked happily. “Has Agnes been keeping it from us because she didn’t want us to know?”
Ansel was stunned and after a while understood something…
He smiled faintly but felt a bit bitter inside. “Her boyfriend is not me.” To avoid awkwardness, he stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth.
Mrs. Campell’s smile froze on her face; Mr. Campell was also stunned, and the air around them seemed to solidify instantly.
The dining table fell silent!
Ansel chewed and swallowed his rice before looking up and smiling at everyone, though he felt uncomfortable inside. “You… didn’t know?” he asked as calmly as possible, though he was more upset than anyone.
Mrs. Campell shook her head and softly asked, “Who is he? What does he do? How long have they been together? Ansel, tell Auntie everything you know! This girl hasn’t mentioned anything!”
Mr. Campell couldn’t help but worry too; worried that his young daughter might be deceived or misjudged someone.
“This Agnes is really something,” Ansel forced a smile despite his heartache. “She’s about to be proposed to but hasn’t let her family vet him first.”
“What? Proposal?!” Mrs. Campell was shocked! She slammed her bowl and chopsticks on the table!
The boy nodded. “Yes, proposal. I met with the guy; he told me himself that he’s going to propose to Agnes.”