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“She’s my coworker, Emma!”
Emma smiled softly, tucking her hair behind her ear to reveal her beautiful face: “Hello everyone, I’m Jack’s coworker. Jack is very kind and always takes care of me. I see him as an older brother.”
Hearing this, Lily’s expression grew even more unpleasant. She moved closer to me.
The food came quickly.
Ryan clearly knew Lily well, placing her favorite dishes in front of her and even carefully cutting her steak for her.
Emma was having some trouble cutting hers, so I swapped my already–cut steak with hers. She smiled at me in thanks.
Lily tugged at my hand: “Honey, can you pour me some water?”
I picked up the pitcher and poured some for her, then also topped off Emma’s glass.
Ryan held up his glass: “I’m good, thanks.”
Lily’s hostility towards Emma was obvious: “Miss Emma, Jack is just a nice guy. He’s considerate to everyone. People often misunderstand him because of it.”
She gave me a reproachful look: “He’s a
always being misunderstood.”
Emma responded calmly: “That just shows how charismatic Jack is! All the young women in the office love him. They say he’s handsome, capable, and a good family man.”
This made me blush.
Lily forced a smile: “Is that so?”
Emma pointed towards Ryan: “Of course. But compared to the gentleman next to you, Jack obviously falls short. Look at him, his eyes haven’t left you all meal.”
Her words were too blunt. Ryan coughed awkwardly: “You’re exaggerating.”
The meal was filled with tension.
Afterwards, Emma left first.
Ryan offered to drive us home, but I jingled my car keys to show I had driven.
He then asked Lily: “It’s still early. Want to go for another round?”
Lily hesitated, looking at me.
I avoided her gaze, not wanting to give an opinion.
Ryan understood and invited me along; “Jack, why don’t you come too? We’re all childhood friends of Lily’s.”
<
He didn’t really want me to go, but had to put on a show of being generous.
My in–laws, oblivious to the undercurrents, smiled and said: “You young people should go out and have fun.”
Ryan affectionately put his arms around them, joking: “Uncle, Auntie, you’re still young too. Why don’t you come with us?”
They laughed heartily at his words.
I watched this scene – they were all so friendly, like one big happy family.
And I was the outsider who didn’t know his place.
I stood up: “You guys go ahead. I’m a bit tired, I’ll head home first.”
“Honey!” Lily called out to me.
I turned back. She bit her lip, then said: “Drive safely. I’ll be home early.”
Hah, of course.
I smiled and left.
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