Chapter 232 The Place Where I Lived Since Childhood
"Wow, Nicholas, so many fish!" Madison looked at the half-filled basin and said, "We won't be able to finish them all in one meal. Let's make a pan-fried dish for lunch and save some for dinner."
"Alright, you're the chef, you decide," Nicholas said with a smile. "What were you laughing about just now?"
Madison bit her lip, feeling caught. She glanced at Rachel and Hank, who were working diligently by the pond. Nicholas followed her gaze but could only see Rachel washing vegetables while Madison's brother awkwardly peeled potatoes. He was a little confused.
"Nicholas, what do you think of Rachel?" Madison asked, smiling.
Nicholas was taken aback. He looked at Madison, not understanding why she was asking. Did Madison already know about him and Rachel?
Coming back to his senses, Nicholas replied softly, "Rachel is great." No one noticed his ears turning red when he said that.
Madison continued, "What about my brother? What do you think of him?"
Nicholas's expression became even more puzzled. Today was the first time he had met Hank, but even in their brief encounter, he could sense that Hank was a loyal and generous person, upright and just. Madison had mentioned that he was a policeman, and Nicholas could indeed feel that sense of integrity in him. "Your brother is also great," Nicholas said.
Clapping her hands together, Madison exclaimed, "I knew they would be perfect together! Nicholas, what do you think about them being a couple?"
Nicholas froze in place, completely dumbfounded.
"Let's just let things happen naturally when it comes to relationships. Who knows...maybe Rachel already has someone she likes," Madison said, smiling.
"If Rachel likes someone, she would definitely tell me. But I'm just creating opportunities; whether they work out or not depends on them," Madison said with a smile on her face.
"Maybe...she just can't bring herself to tell you," Nicholas mumbled softly. Madison didn't hear clearly and asked, "What did you say, Nicholas?"
Before Nicholas could respond, the rest of the group returned. Quentin and Hannah ran to the front, shouting, "Mom, Nicholas!" The two children were wearing swimsuits and had wet hair. Matthew followed behind them, entering the house and walking over to Madison's side. Nicholas greeted the two children and then walked away while holding a fish, not wanting to disturb the family of four.
Matthew looked at the kitchen counter filled with plates that had already been washed and prepared for cooking.
"Wife, you've worked hard," Matthew said, planting a kiss on Madison's cheek. "I'll take them back to the room and dry their hair."
Madison blushed and glanced at him shyly. She saw the two adorable children covering their eyes with their hands and saying, "Mom, we didn't see anything."
"Yes, Mom, my brother, and I didn't see Dad kiss you," the children added.
Madison burst into laughter, and Matthew also smiled, his lips curling up. Madison laughed and crouched down, saying, "Go back to the room with Dad, take a shower, change clothes, and dry your hair. Then we can go downstairs for dinner."
"Okay, Mom."
Matthew then held one child's hand and went upstairs while the others went upstairs to shower and change clothes. Mitchell and Liam stayed downstairs, setting up tables and chairs in the front yard and preparing for lunch. Madison started cooking, and Nicholas also helped. They used two pans simultaneously, working quickly.
Rachel watched Nicholas wearing an apron, taking charge of the stove, and felt a bit stunned. She had always seen him in formal suits or occasionally in casual and refreshing attire. This was the first time she saw him dressed in a T-shirt and shorts paired with flip-flops. Nicholas, wearing an apron and cooking, looked like her dad. Her dad used to dress like this when he cooked for her.
Nicholas had a modest upbringing. He was known as Big Bro and had a younger sister. His parents were farmers, so they were always busy, especially during the autumn harvest season. Nicholas was a well-behaved child from a young age. Not only did he excel in his studies, but he also took on the responsibility of cooking and taking care of his sister when his parents were busy. So cooking became second nature to him.
They say that children from low-income families grow up quickly, and among this group, those who can cook are mostly those who grew up in less fortunate circumstances. Some skills are simply a result of one's environment, learned unconsciously and mastered skillfully.
Willow and Daniel changed into their clothes and came downstairs. As soon as they entered the living room, they smelled the aroma of chicken soup. "It smells so good. Just the scent of food makes me hungry," Daniel said, rubbing his stomach with a smile.
Mitchell and Liam had just finished setting up the tables and chairs and came in from outside. "Is Ophelia not coming down yet?" Liam asked, not seeing his own somewhat absent-minded family member.
"Brother Four, Ophelia just finished taking a shower. She'll be down soon," Willow told Liam.
Liam sat on the sofa in the living room for two minutes but didn't see anyone coming down. Unable to resist, he got up and said, "I'll go upstairs and check." Then he headed upstairs.
Daniel watched him go upstairs and couldn't help but whisper to Willow, "Look at Brother Four. He gets worried if he doesn't see Ophelia for even a minute."
Willow smiled. That may be what love is like. When you hold someone in your heart, you care, and that's why there's so much worry. She secretly glanced at Mitchell. He was holding his phone, chatting with someone. Could it be Ella? Ella had yet to come downstairs either. Maybe Mitchell was just as concerned. Willow thought to herself, feeling a little discouraged.
*
Lunch was quickly prepared, and Daniel and Willow helped serve the dishes and set the table. The long table was set up outside as if they were camping. Everyone was busy bringing out the food when the father-in-law and mother-in-law came back. They constantly recommended that everyone take a walk by the lake. It was very peaceful, and they could also go boating, which excited everyone.
By noon, everyone had come downstairs to eat. Over a dozen people sat around the long table, which was filled with a variety of dishes. Patrick raised a cup filled with orange juice and said, "Thank you, Sister, thank you, Rachel, and thank you, Nicholas and Matthew. Thank you for preparing lunch for us. Cheers."
"Well done. Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses, filled with orange juice, watermelon juice, or cola. Since they were going out to play in the afternoon, it was best if nobody drank alcohol.
Quentin and Hannah, rare chicken soup lovers, each enjoyed a big bowl. Fresh ingredients make any simple dish taste delicious. While eating farmhouse food, my Mother-in-law expressed her desire to buy a house and settle down there. She even said to Hank, "Son, why don't you apply for a transfer to Horizon City? We can bring Grandpa and Grandma along, too."
Hank's eye twitched as he glanced at his father-in-law. The meaning couldn't have been clearer. "Aren't you going to take care of your wife?" His father-in-law couldn't help but hold his forehead, looking down and pretending not to have heard Hank's call.
After everyone was full from the meal, Nicholas announced at the table that dinner would be a roast lamb and barbecue. The men and the two kids were excited, while the girls exclaimed that the temptation was too great. There was no way they could diet.
In the afternoon, the group split into two. Madison's family went to a place they used to like, while the others went with Nicholas to a popular water park. After the meal, everyone went their separate ways.
Madison brought Matthew, Quentin, Hannah Garcia, and the in-laws back to the village, returning to their native place. The house was clean, thanks to the neighboring aunt, who helped clean regularly. However, as no one had lived there for a long time, it was a bit damp, giving off a faint mildew smell.
It seemed like no one minded. It was the first time the father-in-law and mother-in-law stepped into the place where their daughter had grown up. Looking at the simple furnishings in the house, they couldn't help but tear up, feeling heartbroken for their daughter, who had suffered so much over the years to acquire such versatile skills. The father-in-law stayed by the mother-in-law's side, also silent and appearing heavy-hearted.
Hank understood them. He had never lacked food or clothing while growing up, despite his family's policy of raising boys in poverty. However, his sister missed out on going to university due to money constraints, and that must have been so regrettable.
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