Chapter 164
"Me?"
I froze for a moment, then realized what he meant. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."
Jason said, "Let me order takeout for you. You worked hard today, so don't bother cooking."
I declined, "I'm just by myself at home, I'll keep it simple."
After a pause, I added, "I prefer my own cooking to takeout anyway."
Jason acknowledged this and didn't push it. Instead, he said, "Then eat something to fill your stomach first. My second uncle is back, so let's all go to Old Mansion for dinner tonight."
Suddenly hearing an unfamiliar title, I was surprised, "Your second uncle?"
"Yeah, I mentioned him to you before. I have a second uncle."
Jason explained patiently, "His name is George. He's a journalist. He's been abroad and just got back."
I understood immediately, "Okay, then I'll pick up Jessica this afternoon, then come get you after work, and we'll go back together."
Jessica got out of school early.
If Jessica and I went back first, it would feel kind of awkward. Better to go with Jason.
Jason's voice came through the phone, clearly much more cheerful, "Okay, I'll wait for you, babe."
After picking up Jessica, I drove toward Glacier Corp.
I figured it wasn't even five o'clock yet, not quite quitting time, so Jessica and I would probably have to wait a bit.
But from far away, I could see Jason standing by the roadside outside the company building, on the phone.
Seeing us approach, he hung up and got in the passenger seat with a big smile on his face.
I glanced at him in surprise, "What's with you?"
He was smiling so happily.
Jason shook his head, "Nothing."
But the smile at the corner of his lips just wouldn't go away.
Why was he acting so weird today?
Even Jessica couldn't help asking, "Daddy, did you win the lottery?"
Jason turned to look at her, his tone flat, "Jessica, you're my daughter. You need to aim higher. The lottery is nothing. You think I care about that?"
Jessica blinked, "But Lily says the lottery is a lot of money."
She looked at Jason curiously, "Daddy, do you have a lot of money?"
Jason nodded, "Of course."
"How much?"
"If I told you, I'm afraid you'd be scared to death, you sheltered little thing."
Jessica nodded seriously. I thought she was going to argue back, but instead Jessica said earnestly, "Then Daddy, you should be careful with your spending. Don't spend it all. Save it for me."
Jason's mouth twitched, and he said irritably, "Jessica, you need to have some ambition. You can't just plan to live off your parents!"
Jessica shook her head, "What's wrong with living off my parents? Great-grandma says the fortune you and Grandpa built up is for me anyway. Other people want it but can't have it!"
She grinned at Jason, "And Great-grandma also said if anyone criticizes me for living off my parents, it's just because they're jealous of me."
Jason took a deep breath, "Jessica, you can't just listen to everything Great-grandma says. This is a new era. You need to be independent and strong, and be a useful person to society."
Jessica nodded seriously, then added, "That doesn't stop me from living off my parents though."
I was trying hard not to laugh.
Jessica knew exactly how to get under Jason's skin.
Half an hour later, we arrived at Old Mansion.
Kelly and Charles ran out.
As soon as I got out of the car, Kelly immediately hooked her arm through mine warmly, "Sue!"
Charles went to the back seat and lifted Jessica out.
Jessica was familiar with everyone in the family now and was happy to let Charles hold her and play.
But Jason's gaze swept over Kelly with a dark look.
Kelly's smile stiffened a bit, and she awkwardly let go of me, stepping back two paces to create distance.
"Jason, I'm giving Sue back to you."
Only then did Jason nod with satisfaction, taking the initiative to hold my hand as we walked inside.
I shook my head helplessly.
As soon as we entered, I saw a stranger sitting on the sofa.
"Uncle George."
Jason greeted him first, and I followed suit.
George had long hair tied loosely behind his head, dark tanned skin, and was casually wearing a hoodie. He looked especially relaxed and laid-back, not at all like someone in their forties.
George looked up at Jessica and me, pulling out two gift boxes and handing them over.
"First time meeting you, I didn't know what you'd like, so I just put together two gift boxes. Buy whatever you like with them."
I took the gift box and weighed it in my hand. It wasn't heavy, so whatever was inside probably wasn't worth much. Only then did I feel comfortable accepting it.
"Thank you."
Jessica took the gift box with both hands, her smile sweet, "Thank you!"
George pulled Jessica into his arms, saying with a grin, "What a cute little thing, so lovable!"
Tamsin nodded proudly from the side, "Of course! My great-granddaughter is beautiful. You can tell right away she's a Cooper family member."
She paused, her gaze falling darkly on George, "Unlike certain people who were so dark when they first came in the door that they gave me a fright. I thought a Black person had broken into my house."
George's mouth twitched helplessly, "Mom, stop picking on me. I just got back."
Tamsin snorted and said nothing more.
Jessica held the gift box for a while, then climbed out of George's arms and ran to me, "Mommy, can you hold this for me? It's so heavy."
I reached out to take it, and the heavy feel made me gasp.
There was quite a bit in here.
But this was George's gift to Jessica, so I didn't say anything more.
Because George was back, the Cooper family had gathered in full force today.
I noticed Lucy seemed somewhat different, not making cold remarks to me like before.
I didn't know if it was because she'd seen Jason and Jessica's paternity test or because Jason was here.
After everyone had chatted for a while, the conversation turned back to George.
Tamsin's gaze fixed directly on George, "Now that you're back this time, you should settle down, right? When are you planning to get married?"
George grimaced, his tone helpless, "Mom, you already have a great-granddaughter now. Why are you still worried about whether I'm getting married? Don't we already have someone carrying on the family line?"
Tamsin glared at him irritably, "How is that the same? Are you planning to stay single your whole life?"
George avoided Tamsin's gaze, "I'm already so old, who would want to marry me? I'm fine on my own. Just stop fussing."
But Tamsin had no intention of letting him off the hook, saying matter-of-factly, "Young, pretty women definitely won't want you. Don't set your sights so high. Find someone who's been married before."
George gasped.
He stood up, claiming he was tired from just getting back and needed to rest. Ignoring Tamsin talking behind him, he quickened his pace and escaped to his room.
I watched this scene with great amusement.
Kelly sat close beside me, saying excitedly in my ear, "Sue, I'm going to a concert in a couple days. Come with me!"
I was peeling an orange and shook my head when I heard this, "I'll pass."
I wasn't really interested in concerts.
But Kelly hugged my arm and wheedled, "You're the best! Just come with me! We get along so well, it'll be way more fun with you there!"