The day went by slowly. By the time they were done, it was already evening.
The canopy beside Mrs. Tan’ stall was decorated with balloons and flyers. More benches were brought out from Mrs. Ming’s stall to contain more neighbors.
While Mrs. Lin and Dylan spread the plates of food on the wide table, Little Chen was distributing bottles of cola.
“This Cola is for Pretty Ann. No one is allowed to touch it!” He brought out a bottle of chilled cola from the flask, giving the neighbors a warning look.
“Little Chen.” Dylan pulled him aside. “What were you discussing with my Big Sis? Did you tell her anything?”
“Are you doubting my loyalty?” Chen pushed him away. “Even though I love Pretty Ann to the heavens, I, Master Chen never go back on my promise!”
“What are you two talking about?” Mrs. Lin approached them and placed both hands on her waist, giving the boys a scrutinizing look.
Instantly, Chen sneaked away quietly and Dylan laughed nervously.
“Hehe, Mum. It’s nothing. Chen and I were only discussing stuff. Have you heard about the new video game in town?”
“Cut it out.” Mrs. Lin didn’t seem to be interested. “Chop-chop, hurry upstairs and get your sister. Almost everyone is here.”
“Right away, Mum.” Dylan spun around and skipped inside the apartment building as if running from the woman.
“Hmmm, how I wish my Little Chen was as obedient as Dylan, Mrs. Lin. You are surely lucky.”
“At least, your Little Chen is transparent. Stop acting as if you’re the unluckiest woman in the neighborhood, Mrs. Ming.”
Even if Little Chen wanted to bully someone, he would loudly declare it to the whole neighborhood.
Unlike her son, the boy didn’t sneak around. Mrs. Lin could feel that there was a reason why Chen was hiding whatever he was hiding.
Dylan must have bribed him. Sometimes, she would even doubt if her son’s personality had completely changed.
“Yes, Mrs. Ming. You worry too much about your Chen. Apart from being a stubborn boy, he doesn’t cause trouble always.” A neighbor added.
“Enough talking about Little Chen,” Another neighbor said. “Mrs. Lin, where is our Dear Annie?”
At that moment, Annie appeared with Dylan following behind her. Because Mrs. Lin had forced her to take another bath, she had to take long before getting ready.
“Why didn’t you put on makeup? Where is the makeup set I gave you?” Mrs. Lin walked up to her and asked.
She looked a bit displeased that her daughter didn’t apply any makeup. Apart from selecting a nice cloth for the girl to wear, she also paired it with a makeup set.
Annie’s brows furrowed a bit, staring at the woman. More than anyone, Mrs. Lin knew that her daughter wasn’t a fan of decorating her face.
Annie looked beautiful even without makeup. And Mrs. Lin never forced her to put one even during her graduation.
So she was a bit surprised. “It’s just a celebration, Ma-“
Mrs. Lin didn’t allow her to finish speaking. The woman grabbed her hand and pulled her into the store.
She picked up a makeup set from the shelves and pushed it into Annie’s hands. “I don’t know how you girls do it. Take this Annie, make sure you look more presentable before you come out.”
Mrs. Lin didn’t give the girl any room to argue. After shoving the makeup set into her hands, she hurried out of the store to join the neighbors.
Annie became more confused. She carefully applied the makeup, putting on as minimal amount of powder and lipstick as she could.
When she was done, she closed the makeup set and placed it on the counter. Then she walked out of the store and headed toward the canopy.
“Our Dear Annie never ceases to amaze us with her beauty,” One of the neighbors exclaimed.
“Mrs. Lin, aren’t you the luckiest? Your daughter is very beautiful. Apart from that, she’s the most generous girl I know.”
Annie carefully cut the cakes into slices and placed each slice on an empty plate sitting in front of each neighbor.
“These cakes must have cost a lot. Surely, our Dear Annie is the most beautiful and generous.”
“I wonder if Mrs. Lin has ever considered letting her join the entertainment industry. I am sure she will do well.”
“The entertainment industry is the only place you can make fast money if you’re very beautiful and intelligent. Our dear Annie has all these qualities. I think she deserves to be a model instead of having a white-collar job.”
“You guys are right. I am sure many movie directors will be willing to coach her.”
“Annie is so elegant, one would think she’s of a noble background. Mrs. Lin, if you don’t mind, I have a relative who is a movie director. He will be glad to meet our Dear Annie.”
“What are you guys talking about? Who says she’s going to join the entertainment industry?” Chen arrived with a huge flask containing bottles of cola and he didn’t look happy with the neighbors’ suggestion. “I master Chen is good enough to take care of Pretty Ann. I will not allow it. If you bring this up again, we will stop being friends.”
“Ah! Master Chen, please don’t say that.”
“Isn’t joining the entertainment industry a good thing? It means more money for your Pretty Ann.”
“Bah! I won’t allow it. Pretty Ann and I are comfortable with what we already have. The entertainment industry is filled with predatory men. My Pretty Ann will not step foot there.”
As the chatter went on, it was only Annie who noticed that her mother was acting strange.
Mrs. Lin was sitting beside an elderly man and she would glance now and then at his wristwatch.
“Ma, are you alright?”
“Huh?” Mrs. Lin seemed to be in a daze. “Of course. I’m fine. Everyone, please enjoy.” And she went back to looking at the man’s wristwatch again.
Annie’s confusion heightened, but she didn’t speak further, because one of the elderly men spoke at the same time.
“Mrs. Lin, I have a relative who is pretty well off. His son lives abroad and he’s ready to take a wife. Now the boy prefers to marry a girl of the same origin. If you won’t mind, I would like to introduce him to our Dear Annie.”
It was as if Mrs. Lin didn’t hear the elderly man’s words. Her eyes were fixed on the street as if expecting someone.
Annie wanted to ask what was wrong with her again, but the woman’s expression changed immediately.
Mrs. Lin’s face brightened up, her eyes shining with joy as she looked at the figure of a man who just alighted from a taxi.
The guy approached the canopy and after greeting everyone, his eyes settled on Mrs. Lin.
“Mother-in-law, sorry I’m late.”