Today is New Year's Eve, and after a simple breakfast, everyone began preparing for the most important festival of the year. But for adults, there isn't much fun in celebrating New Year's; the main thing is just to have a family reunion.
Mrs. Lopez said to Gina Lopez, "Gina, this morning, the malls should still be open. You should go buy some clothes for Little Lee. It's customary to wear new things for the New Year – from inside out, everything should be new."
Gina hummed in agreement, seeing this as the perfect opportunity to limit James Brown's interaction with the family and prevent him from spouting any nonsense.
"I'm coming too," Emily Lopez immediately shouted and then ran into the bedroom to change her clothes.
Gina frowned slightly, but she couldn't deter her sister and could only wait with James Brown for Emily to finish changing before leaving together.
Once in the elevator, James Brown stood to one side, while Gina and Emily stood on the other. Emily glanced at the two and then, squinting her eyes, said, "You know, sister, you don't seem to be very close to your brother-in-law?"
Gina's heart tightened, but she still responded indifferently, "How are we not close?"
"Look at you two, not even standing together. That doesn't show any couple's intimacy."
James Brown chuckled and said, "That's just how your sister is. At the office, no one knows about our relationship. Haven't you seen us there? If we happen to meet at work, we seem more like a superior and subordinate."
Emily laughed and said, "What's there to hide? It's not illegal to be in a relationship."
James looked at Gina and said with a wry smile, "It's not your sister's fault. I didn't want to make it public. Your sister is now a big manager at the company, and I'm just a security guard. If others found out, wouldn't they gossip about your sister?"
"Wow, you're a security guard, and my sister is a manager – that's like a classic Cinderella story! Brother-in-law, how did you manage that? It's just so legendary."
James Brown revealed a proud smile and said, "You should ask your sister about that later."
Emily immediately turned and grabbed Gina's arm, eagerly asking, "Sister, you have to tell me, this is too fun."
At that moment, James secretly winked at Gina, looking quite pleased with himself.
Gina was displeased that James had thrown her the difficult question, yet she kept her composure and said coolly, "There's nothing much to say. I liked him, so I chose him. You know me – I'm not the type to love for money."
"I know, but this seems like something that only happens in novels. It's hard to believe it happened to you," she turned to glance at James and suddenly covered her mouth, saying, "Hey, older sis, you didn't bring him along just as a shield, did you?"
Gina was genuinely frightened by her sister's spot-on guess, revealing their actual relationship, but she certainly wouldn't admit it. She snorted and said, "Have you been reading too many novels or watching too many dramas? If we were pretending, could we share a room at night?"
"Oh, so you slept together last night, haha, big sis, you've lost your virtue."
"Get lost, spout nonsense like that again, and you're going home."
"I won't say it anymore," Emily chuckled, her gaze turning ambiguous as she looked at James. With her eyes darting around, who knew what she was really thinking.
Gina gave James a warning look, a signal he understood well: to be careful not to give anything away.
When the elevator reached the underground garage, the Lopez family was well off. Although Jonathan Lopez didn't drive, he had bought a red Volkswagen Bora for Emily.
"Get in, I'll be your chauffeur today," Emily said as she unlocked the car doors with the remote, then slid into the driver's seat.
Gina Lopez absentmindedly thought about sitting in the front, but James Brown yanked her arm, and she immediately snapped to her senses and sat with him in the back.
Emily Lopez glanced back at the two, smiling and said, "Now that looks more like it."
"It's always you chattering on, who's dating here anyway, you or me?" Gina replied, irritated.
Emily giggled and said, "I think your brother-in-law is really not bad at all. Why don't you let me have him, then I could be the one dating."
Gina pushed her sister and said angrily, "Keep talking nonsense, and we'll be walking there."
"Giggle, all right, I'll stop. I wouldn't compete with you for him, it's so boring." Laughing heartily, Emily started the car.
James Brown found Emily to be even more amusing; if he actually had such a little niece, life would be full of fun. Yet, unfortunately, this was all fake.
The festive atmosphere in ASCS City was strong, with people bustling through the streets to buy New Year's goods. Everyone had a joyous look on their faces. Although adults feel that the New Year's celebration is becoming less interesting with each passing year, it's undeniable that the majority of people still take this festival very seriously.
Once they arrived at the mall and parked the car, James was about to walk ahead when his arm was suddenly grabbed, and then an arm was looped through his. Turning his head, he saw Gina with a sweet smile on her face.
"Act natural, don't let the sister find out," Gina whispered in James's ear.
James immediately understood and nodded. Being escorted by Gina was indeed a great pleasure. Even though they were both bundled up in thick clothes, missing some of the delightful physical touch, Gina was the company's CEO, the well-known Ice Lady. Having her link arms with him would surely bring a great sense of achievement and satisfaction to any man.
Emily caught up to them, grinning and said, "That looks more like it, huh?" and then took her place beside Gina before winking at James.
James returned with a smile and then entered the mall with the two women. It had been many years since he'd enjoyed the pleasures of the New Year like this. Browsing the dazzling array of items in the mall, picking out this and that, was indeed quite enjoyable.
Emily Lopez sidled up to James and said with a grin, "Brother-in-law, I never would've guessed you liked to shop."
James chuckled and replied, "Well, I have no choice. Your sister doesn't like to shop, so I have to do it when I'm free."
"Giggle, a man should be in charge of the interior while the woman takes care of what's outside," Emily winked at James again.
James put down an ornament he had picked up and said with a laugh, "To me, this is also a pleasure."
"Awesome, awesome. Men who love shopping are really rare, but then again, women like my sister, who don't like shopping, are also quite scarce."
Gina was already getting impatient. She didn't need to buy these things, and felt it was a waste of time to linger here. More importantly, she had to link arms with James, which made her extremely uncomfortable. She was eager to end this ordeal as soon as possible and said, "You know I don't like shopping. Can't you two hurry up so we can just buy what we need?"
Emily laughed and said, "Come on, sis, it's the holiday and you've got nothing pressing to handle. Why the rush? Enjoy a leisurely stroll, you might find something you want to buy."
James also said with a smile, "Yeah, we rarely come back here, so let's keep my sister company on her spree."
Emily gave James a thumbs up and said, "Brother-in-law, you're impressive, using me as a scapegoat so quickly."
"Ha-ha, I wouldn't dare use you as a scapegoat. Think of it as you guiding us around," he replied.
"That's more like it. Let's go, let's continue on ahead." Saying that, she tugged on James's arm and they moved forward.