Beauty and the Beasts

After Bai Qingqing and Winston went out, Daddy Bai and Mommy Bai sighed in unison, not making any effort to hold themselves back in Curtis’s presence.

Curtis had already resumed his usual aloofness and calmness and started comforting them. “Qingqing is only 16 now. Females get married at 20 at least. There are still four more years to go. Who knows if they’ll make it to that stage.”

Mommy Bai nodded. “That’s right. But…”

But a girl’s reputation was still very important. If this matter were to get out, it wouldn’t be easy for Qingqing to find a marriage partner in the future!

Though Mommy Bai trusted Curtis, he was a man, after all. Hence, she didn’t say this to him and merely transformed all the words bottled up inside her into a sigh.

Curtis asked, “But what?”

Mommy Bai’s gaze flickered, but she refused to say it.

Daddy Bai said impatiently, “Wishy-washy. Just speak your mind. Is Ke Di an outsider?”

Only then did Mommy Bai voice her concern. Curtis first paused, before laughing. When he spoke, he sounded more modern than Bai Qingqing’s parents.

“What era is this? She won’t be left on the shelf because of this. If the guy disdains Qingqing for this, she shouldn’t want that guy either. In that case, she might as well marry Winston,” said Curtis.

Mommy Bai relaxed at his words and regained the strength to muster a smile. She cast an amused look at him and said, “That won’t do. No matter who she marries, she can’t marry him. I don’t want my daughter to come to her parents’ home and complain every day in the future.”

Curtis said half-jokingly, “If she really gets left on the shelf, just let her marry me. I don’t mind it at all.”

“Geez, child. You have a girlfriend, don’t you? If you say things like this, your partner is going to get angry.” Mommy Bai couldn’t help but laugh.

Curtis merely smiled and said nothing.

Bai Qingqing and Winston only returned after buying a lot of groceries. When she reached the door, Bai Qingqing held Winston’s hand which was carrying the plastic bags, and said, “Time reveals a man’s heart. You’re wonderful. My parents will accept you sooner or later.”

Winston inhaled deeply and nodded. “Mm.”

Bai Qingqing patted the back of his hand before retrieving her keys to open the door.

After the two of them entered, the trio inside who shared a common hatred of the enemy stopped speaking. The atmosphere instantly turned from harmonious to oppressive and gloomy.

“Dad, Mom, we’re back.” Bai Qingqing tried to soothe the atmosphere but clearly failed.

Daddy Bai and Mommy Bai tacitly turned their heads away. Mommy Bai dragged Curtis to the center of the living room, a world of difference in the way she treated him and Winston.

“Come, Little Ke, let’s talk while waiting for them to cook,” Mommy Bai said while walking. Those who didn’t know better might think they were mother and son.

Curtis didn’t stand on ceremony, either. After casting a mocking sideways glance at Winston, he played along with her. “Sure, I get to eat for free again.”

“No need to stand on ceremony in our home. You’re welcome to come to eat with us every day.” After this incident, Mommy Bai really treated Curtis as half a son. She was sincere in her invitation.

The three of them sat on the sofa and chatted merrily. From time to time, Winston would glance at them from the kitchen. Though he never snatched or vied for anything, such a contrast made him feel awful.

There were still a few hours until dinner, so there was no hurry to cook. Bai Qingqing opened the bag of vegetables and dragged Winston to squat down and pick out the vegetables with her.

“It’ll get better,” Bai Qingqing said softly as she looked up at him.

Upon hearing this, Winston looked towards his spouse. Their gazes met.

Seeing the encouraging look in his mate’s eyes, Winston felt as though a gentle hand was caressing his heart, and the imbalance suddenly vanished.

Winston smiled and said, “I’ve made you worry. I’m fine. I even implicated you. Does your waist still ache?”

Bai Qingqing let out an exhale and smiled. “Doesn’t ache anymore. It’s fine as long as you’re not unhappy.”

Their gazes met, and a tacit smile appeared on their faces.