Chapter 467 Acting the Boyfriend!
At noon, Ryder had Rex drive him to Lily's hometown, Jakarda City.
Jakarda City, northeast of Houston, was a coastal town with a bustling port and a thriving seafood industry.
Back in middle school, Ryder had visited Jakarda City a few times.
He remembered that some of his classmates from Houston were also from Jakarda City.
Ryder's middle school years were tough. He was often isolated and had only two close friends, Lily and Adam White.
Coincidentally, both Lily and Adam were from Jakarda City.
Adam came from a poor family, and his honest nature made him a lot like Ryder in terms of their situation.
After middle school, Ryder went off to college in New York City.
Adam stayed in Houston for some reason, and they lost touch after that.
As Ryder looked out the window, he murmured, "Adam, will I be able to see you this time?"
After an hour and a half drive, Ryder arrived in Jakarda City.
The car stopped under a willow tree.
As Ryder got out, he saw Lily waiting for him with a big smile on her face.
She ran up to him, grinning, "It's so nice of you to come!"
Today, Lily wasn't in her usual casual clothes. Instead, she wore a hat and old clothes for housework.
Ryder teased, "As your friend, how could I refuse your request?"
Lily playfully punched his chest and reminded him, "From now on, you're my boyfriend!"
Ryder scratched his head, "For real?"
Lily chuckled, "Of course. If it's too much for you, I won't force you. You can go back, and I'll just stay here in Jakarda City, go on blind dates, and end up marrying someone random."
She blinked and squeezed out a few tears, looking pitiful.
Ryder smiled wryly, "Alright, I'll play along as your boyfriend! But let's be clear, we're just pretending!"
"Okay!" Lily nodded eagerly and hugged Ryder's arm.
She leaned against him happily. "Let's go. I'll introduce you to my stubborn relatives!"
She pulled Ryder towards her house.
Rex, left behind, scratched his head, feeling a bit confused.
After a moment, he started the car and followed them at a distance.
Since Jakarda City was relatively developed, more than half the families had built houses and owned cars.
When they arrived at Lily's house, Ryder saw it was just a simple, small house.
The yard was also pretty basic.
Lily stuck out her tongue, "Sorry, my house is a bit shabby."
Ryder shook his head and smiled, "Don't worry about it. My family was poor when I was a kid, too. The house I grew up in was even worse than this! I remember during heavy rain, the roof would leak, and Ava and I would use buckets to catch the rainwater!"
Hearing this, Lily felt a warmth in her heart.
Living in Houston all these years, she had met plenty of people who looked down on the poor and were ashamed of having an average family background.
Even in relationships, the wealthier party would often resent the other's poverty, making many people with average family backgrounds feel inferior.
But Ryder admitted his average family background so openly.
He was honest and sincere, exactly the kind of man Lily had always admired.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman with an apron around her waist walked out of the house.
She came over with a smile and asked Lily, "Is this your boyfriend?"
"Yes!" Lily nodded and pinched Ryder's waist, whispering, "What are you standing there for? This is my mom!"
Ryder smiled awkwardly and greeted, "Nice to meet you, I'm Ryder!"
Mia Martin wiped her hands with her apron and then grabbed Ryder's hand. "Hello! When Lily was in middle school, she often mentioned you. I know you two are close. Come in. I'll wash some fruit for you!"
She warmly pulled Ryder into the house and greeted Rex, who was behind them, inviting him in as well.
So, they all went inside.
Ryder sat on the sofa, feeling a bit uneasy, while Mia went to the kitchen to wash some fruit.
Mia's enthusiasm was a bit unexpected!
Lily noticed Ryder's unease, covered her mouth, and whispered, "Ever since I graduated, my mom has been worrying about my marriage every day, always asking me to bring my boyfriend home. I never did! Now that I've brought one, she's definitely very happy! I can tell she's very satisfied with you!"
Ryder smiled wryly. "But isn't this a bit wrong? What if she finds out we're pretending to be a couple and gets angry?"
A sly look appeared in Lily's eyes. "If you feel soft-hearted and want to make it real, I don't mind!"
Ryder simply shut his mouth!
Soon, Mia finished washing the fruit, placed it on the coffee table, and handed it to Ryder and Rex.
"Thank you!" Ryder took the fruit.
As he was about to eat, Mia sat across from him, subtly probing for information about him—his age, job, family...
Fortunately, on the way here, Lily had already briefed Ryder!
Lily had fabricated an identity for Ryder as a supervisor at a real estate company in Houston, with an annual salary of fifty thousand dollars, a mortgage on a house, and a car, which was definitely better than 80% of people in the same age group in Houston!
Upon hearing this, Mia was very satisfied.
Ryder and Lily seemed like a perfect match!
So, she happily told Ryder that he must stay for dinner tonight, as many relatives would be coming over.
Then she went to the kitchen to cook.
Ryder didn't stay idle either; he and Lily helped Mia with the preparations.
By five o'clock in the evening, twelve dishes were prepared, each with a variety of flavors, filling the table with an array of food.
At the same time, the relatives Mia mentioned also arrived!
However, the moment these relatives walked in, Ryder sensed a strange atmosphere.
Maybe this dinner wouldn't be so simple.
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