"Pack me some buns and soy milk, hot."
"Yes, Young Master Calix."
After telling one of the maids his request, Calix resumed eating. He was having breakfast along with Old Madam Xu, Vernon, Lucille and Amelia.
Leslie waited in the bedroom. She didn't feel the need to stick around Calix during his meal time with his family. He just let her be.
Once Calix finished his breakfast, he would directly go to Xu International with Leslie.
From Phoenix Heights, the journey usually took a little over one hour. Fortunately, his capable assistant Edward had pushed back the schedule for this morning.
"Are you still hungry?" Old Madam Xu shot some suspicious look at her second grandson, "Don't you always eat less during breakfast?"
Since young, Calix didn't eat much in the morning. He opted to have heavy meals during lunch and occasionally, for dinner. Yet, he loved to enjoy various kinds of sweets.
Old Madam Xu remembered nagging Calix for eating too much sweets. Even though she banned him from having them, the mischievous boy knew where to source the sweet desserts and candies.
"What if I get stuck in the traffic jam for hours? I should have some food with me. Treat it as an emergency ration," replied Calix with a cheeky smile. He had just finished the last bite of his small bowl of congee.
"You're talking as if you're going to the other end of the Earth," Old Madam Xu scoffed. Ignoring her silly grandson, she continued having her congee.
Calix and Old Madam Xu's conversation was heard clearly by Vernon, Lucille and Amelia. The little girl was sitting on the high chair due to her short height. Laughter escaped from her lips.
"Second Uncle gets hungry in the car, hehe. Like Dad ah. Dad eats a lot. Right, Mom?"
Lucille and Vernon burst out laughing. The latter lovingly stroked the little one's head.
"Hehe, yes, your dad eats a lot," Lucille placed some shredded chicken into Amelia's pink bunny bowl, "That's why he's strong. Have you seen your dad lost when he fights with your second uncle?"
"No! Never! Second Uncle always loses to Dad. Dad is so strong!"
Lucille's teasing remark made Amelia's laughter grow louder, bouncing off the walls of the dining room.
Vernon grinned foolishly at his wife and daughter, feeling proud to hear they praised his strength. He kept his back straight, seemingly thrusting his sturdy and broad chest forward.
Old Madam Xu joined Amelia in laughing while Calix pretended to glare at his young niece.
The truth was undeniable yet, it still hurt.
"Your dad is bigger than me. It's a given he can defeat me ah."
Amelia covered her mouth, grinning, "Hehe, true, true. If Second Uncle made fun of Mia, Dad would handle Second Uncle. He said that before."
"..."
Even though Calix was experienced in martial arts, his ability was far from Vernon's. His elder brother spent almost two decades in the military, honing his combat skills while getting first-hand experience battling with the enemies.
For sure, he would lose against his elder brother.
Thus, Calix silently finished the last drop of his tea. If he kept bickering with Amelia, Vernon might grab him by the collar before tossing him to the practice hall in the backyard.
Sigh... He still wanted to live long ah.
"When's the dinner with the Li family? At seven?"
Old Madam Xu's question once again reminded Calix of his visiting the bride's maiden home tonight. He snapped out of his silly thoughts.
"Yes, at seven. I'll head there with gifts. Don't worry ah, Grandma," said Calix while putting down the cup.
"I know that you're busy working but, give full focus on the visit," Old Madam Xu warned her troublemaker second grandson, "Let them know you're serious about her marriage with Charlene."
"Yes, yes," replied Calix dispiritedly as he pretended to be sad, "Geez, it's the third day of me being married. But, I still need to slave away at the office. Where's my break?"
Usually, newlyweds would still be on holiday on the third day. Both husband and wife went together to the latter's maiden home to pay a visit as per the tradition.
Yet, his situation was so different than most people.
Not only he had to go alone to his wife's family home but, he still had to spend his day working and facing the annoying department heads.
Old Madam Xu didn't miss the chance to nag at her silly grandson, "Who told you to get married like a lunatic? Serve you right! Don't complain to me. Want me to smear chili paste to your mouth?"
"Hahaha! Grandma scolds Second Uncle~"
Amelia chortled again, amused by the scene happening in front of her very eyes. Lucille and Vernon covered their mouths. The latter masked his suppressed laughter with coughs.
"..."
Calix shrank his neck, wincing. He could tell that his grandmother's nagging would change to something else from now on.
Whether he got married or not, he couldn't escape his grandmother's nagging.
Soon, it was time for Calix to head to the office. Amelia, Vernon and Lucille sent him off to the porch outside. Old Madam Xu also tagged along.
"Bye bye, Second Uncle~" Amelia waved at Calix with both of her short arms.
"Calix, next time come to our house," Vernon reminded his brother, "Your sister-in-law wanna treat you to her homecooked meals."
"Hehe, yes. Tell us when are you free," Lucille nodded, singing the same tune as her husband, "I'll make your favorite strawberry pudding."
"Drive safely," narrowing her eyes, Old Madam Xu reminded Calix, "Don't daydream when you're driving."
Calix's laughter escaped through the open window of the car. He waved at them.
"Bye bye~ Yours truly will come to annoy you again."
Sitting next to Calix, Leslie smilingly looked at how well he interacted with his family. She was glad that he allowed her to come here.
Even though she couldn't physically meet the Xu family, Leslie learned a thing or two about them.
After the car left Phoenix Heights, Calix did something that attracted Leslie's attention. He pulled up by the roadside.
"Do you forget something?" Leslie glanced at Calix.
Without answering Leslie's question, Calix turned his waist around, extending his long arm to grab something from the backseat. A paper bag materialized in his hand.
"Here. Steamed buns and hot soy milk."
Leslie took the paper bag with both hands. She immediately understood the meaning behind Calix's gesture.
"Thank you."
Leslie opened the paper bag. A thermal flask and a box of steamed buns were put inside. Smiling happily, she grabbed one of the buns.
Calix held the steering wheel again. He slowly maneuvered the car to the road once the coast was clear.
Once they entered the expressway, Calix said, "Have I told you we'll reach the company in an hour?"
Leslie answered with a nod. Her cheeks bulged because of the buns.
Calix briefly looked at her. A chuckle escaped his lips. While tapping a finger on the steering wheel, he said, "One hour is perfect for some storytelling. Should we continue from where we left off?"
"...which one?"
About her story or his?
Calix raised his brows, "About me."