Evan sighed, "Mom, what are you doing?"
Mrs. Starr smiled enigmatically, framing her face with her hands like a sunflower, her eyes wide with feigned innocence, as if saying, "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Evan, exasperated by his mother's antics, covered his eyes and leaned back dramatically, as if facing some great disaster.
Mrs. Starr looked confused, "What are you doing?"
Evan, trying to maintain a serious tone, said, "Protecting my eyesight, it's everyone's responsibility."
"You cheeky boy!" Mrs. Starr exclaimed, demonstrating agility unusual for someone her age as she reached forward and grabbed the drawstring of Evan's hoodie, "Feeling restless, huh? Oh, look at Stella carrying so many things by herself. Evan, go help her!"
Freed from his mother's grasp, Evan obediently took the tray from his sister-in-law, feeling his future standing in the family might be increasingly precarious.
"Thank you," Stella said, glancing at Evan's crumpled hoodie in confusion. "What were you two just doing?" She had seen Mrs. Starr tugging on Evan's collar, looking rather animated.
"Nothing, nothing," Mrs. Starr waved her hand dismissively, gazing at Evan with a maternal fondness, "This boy spilled sauce on his clothes while eating and was worried about getting scolded by his mom, so I helped him clean up."
Evan: "…"
Ruining my reputation, damaging my image, truly a mother's touch.
Stella: "…"
There it was again, that feeling that something was off.
Ignoring her son's questioning look, Mrs. Starr turned her focus back to Stella, "Wow, this dessert looks delicious! I've never had it before, but can the two of us finish three bowls?"
"Um," Stella glanced at the silent Evan, "I ordered an extra one for Evan."
Evan immediately put down his chopsticks, quickly took his bowl of yam and grass jelly, and sincerely said, "Thanks, sis-in-law." —I really feel the warmth of family.
"Ah… you're welcome." Stella looked around and, seeing no one was paying attention, felt relieved.
Evan had previously mentioned not wanting to break his public image at school, and Stella, known as the wealthy wife, naturally kept their familial relationship under wraps. Hearing him call her "sis-in-law" in public caught her off guard. Mrs. Starr, however, seemed unbothered by the term, suggesting she didn't mind such details.
After lunch, Stella said goodbye to the two at the cafeteria entrance.
Watching Stella's figure disappear down the tree-lined path, Mrs. Starr grabbed Evan's arm and dragged him into their waiting car nearby.
"Don't tell your brother!"
"I'm telling my brother."
Though they spoke different words, their intent was clear.
Evan sighed, "Mom, the reason my brother didn't mention his marriage was to avoid the family rushing to meet her and overwhelming her. They're newlyweds, and it's good for them to build their relationship first. Why are you stirring things up?"
Mrs. Starr widened her eyes, "Stir things up? Do you think I don't know your brother's thoughts? If I wanted to stir things up, I'd have barged into their place ages ago. Do you think I'd go through all this trouble?" She kicked off her high heels and relaxed into the seat, "I didn't even dare to ask for Stella's schedule. I roamed around fifteen classrooms this morning before finding her, and I had to sit through two hours of literary theory. I'm exhausted…"
Evan chuckled and handed her a pillow, "Why the rush? My brother already married her, so you'll see her sooner or later."
"Can I not be in a rush?" Mrs. Starr rolled her eyes, "I've waited over twenty years for a beautiful, smart, and understanding daughter-in-law, and now I can't even see her." Her tone grew more plaintive, making Evan shiver, "I've made a list of '100 Things to Do with My Daughter-in-Law' and redecorated your brother's room to suit newlyweds. Now everything is ready, just waiting for her to come home. How can I not be anxious?"
"What?" Evan couldn't believe it, "A list of '100 Things to Do with My Daughter-in-Law'? That's outrageous!"
Mrs. Starr explained, "It's based on the online list '100 Things to Do with My Boyfriend.' I just made a few adjustments."
"…You're amazing." Evan's smile was strained, thinking his brother would likely never bring his wife home if he knew about this.
Mrs. Starr patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, when you get married, I'll make a list for your wife too. No repeats."
"I believe you," Evan maintained his smile, "but it's not necessary."
Mrs. Starr ignored him, excitedly pulling out her phone, "Even though we didn't officially meet as in-laws, I added Stella as a friend. It wasn't a wasted trip!"
"Mom, how did you find out my brother was married?" Evan suddenly thought of something, "Was it because of the forum incident?"
"Yes, I initially heard it from my students and didn't pay much attention," Mrs. Starr replied, "Then I happened to see a picture of your brother's car in the forum post, and when I saw the marriage certificate Stella posted, I realized I had a daughter-in-law!"
Evan continued to question, "So, what's with the 'Ms. Xia' act?"
Mrs. Starr shrugged innocently, "Well, that's not on me. I never claimed to be from the education department. But when the teachers greeted me with such respect, I couldn't just correct them and hurt their feelings, could I? Anyway, you can't tell your brother about this!"
"No way," Evan pulled out his phone, "If I don't report this, I'll be in serious trouble."
Mrs. Starr quickly pressed down on his hand, threatening, "If you dare to snitch, I'll post those photos of you in a wig and dress from when you were a kid on your school forum!"
Evan sighed, "You always use that. Aren't you tired of it? Can't you think of something new?"
Mrs. Starr spread her hands, "It's effective, that's all that matters."
"…Fine, you win."
Leo Starr was in the middle of a multinational meeting when he received a message from Evan. Since the incident on the forum, Leo hadn't handed over his phone to his assistant during meetings, keeping it close instead.
[lzx1024: >> True Love Never Dies, Classic Returns >> Click to Claim Package]
[Leo: ?]
[lzx1024: It's a prize I won, gifting it to you.]
[Leo: What is it?]
[lzx1024: Movie package.]
[lzx1024: Titanic re-release, tickets are hard to get.]
[lzx1024: Don't mention it.]
Leo clicked the link. It was indeed tickets to "Titanic," a top-tier couple's private screening package that included drinks, snacks, and ice cream. The seating chart revealed no chairs, just a double bed facing the screen.
Leo raised an eyebrow.
Not bad.
[Leo: Thanks.]
[Leo: But I remember you never enter prize draws.]
[lzx1024: For my brother and sister-in-law's happiness, I can make an exception.]
[lzx1024: 💋]
[Leo: …]
[Leo: Are you hiding something from me?]
Evan, already feeling guilty, sat up with a start, "Damn! How can he be so sharp?"
[lzx1024: Of course not!]
[lzx1024: …Well, maybe one thing.]
[Leo: ?]
[lzx1024: This VIP couple's suite at the theater has no cameras and includes a private bathroom.]
[lzx1024: So, you don't need to hold back, relax.]
[Leo: …]
[Leo: Anything else?]
[lzx1024: 🙇♂️]
[Leo: Better not be, or I'll post your dress photos on the school forum.]
[lzx1024: ...…]
After the project manager finished their report, the meeting paused, and Leo called for his assistant, "Book a reservation at the popular hotpot place on Yanjiang Road for six tonight."
Then he sent Stella a message:
[Leo: Want to go to the movies tonight?]
[Leo: (movie poster)]
[Stella: Yes, yes, yes, yes!]