Chapter 4

In the following days, I kept everything from Jack, applying for a passport and visa, preparing for studying abroad.

Because I was so busy, I had almost forgotten about Jack's affairs.

Five days before the wedding countdown, when Jack suddenly said he wanted to take me to meet his parents, I was a bit stunned.

In the past, when Jack said he wanted to take me to meet his parents, I was so nervous that I couldn't sleep all night, constantly worrying about whether they would like me or not.

I even dragged my best friend to the mall for a whole day to choose what to wear when meeting his parents.

But now, I found that I didn't care as much as I had imagined.

I shook my head and said, "I don't want to go."

He grabbed my hand: "Lily, be good, don't make a fuss. This was planned long ago."

"Although my parents don't interfere with my love life, only if they approve of you can we have a proper wedding."

"Don't you want to receive my parents' blessings?"

Not wanting Jack to notice my intention to run away from the wedding, I nodded half-heartedly.

When I was dragged by Jack to his parents' house.

Jack knocked on the door for a long time.

Emily opened the door.

She was wearing pajamas and slippers, casual as if this was her home.

I was stunned, my palms turning cold.

Jack looked at her, his voice gentle: "Why are you here?"

Emily naturally took the gifts we had bought for Jack's parents:

"You're being too distant. We've grown up together since childhood, of course I should come to see what kind of girl your fiancée is!"

She looked at me, pretending to be surprised:

"Isn't this the campus beauty queen from our school? Did she fall for you so easily?"

"How long have you been chasing her? A year? A month?"

Jack said softly, "Not necessary."

Emily suddenly burst out laughing.

She held Jack's hand and said, "Alright, let's not talk about her. Uncle and Auntie have been missing you so much."

Emily linked arms with Jack and went to greet his parents.

It was as if she was Jack's fiancée.

And I was like a mistress peeking at their happiness.

Every time I tried to speak, Emily would eagerly interrupt me.

I was left out in the cold, not knowing whether to stand or sit.

At the dinner table, Emily naturally sat next to Jack.

She casually arranged for me: "Hey you, find a seat yourself."

The only seat left was far away from Jack.

Jack didn't notice my awkwardness, chatting and laughing with Emily.

In the past, I would definitely have made a scene.

But now, looking at him like this, I suddenly felt it was pointless and didn't want to say a word.

During the meal, Jack's parents complimented me on my looks.

Emily unhappily said: "Lily was our school's campus beauty queen in college... When she was in class, quite a few guys would stare at her chest."

Jack's expression gradually became unpleasant.

He chuckled lightly: "What kind of campus beauty queen is she? At home, she just wears T-shirts and sweatshirts, with her hair in a messy bun. She gets tanned every summer, and any random person on the street looks better than her."

"She also likes to eat late-night snacks. After eating, her face swells up the next day. She keeps talking about losing weight while continuing to eat. How is that like a beauty at all?"

"If her former admirers knew what she's really like, their illusions would be shattered."

While saying these things, he lazily leaned back in his chair, slowly peeling shrimp.

After peeling, he naturally put the shrimp in Emily's bowl.

Emily held the bowl, smiling and saying: "Why are you giving it to me? Your fiancée is right here."

The others at the table seemed to remember something and started observing my expression.

Before I could speak, Emily spoke first.

She was grinning.

"Sister-in-law, why do you look so unhappy?"

"Are you angry that Jack peeled shrimp for me?"

"Don't misunderstand, sister-in-law. I've known him since we were kids. Jack is very caring and has been peeling shrimp for me since we were little. We're used to it."

After saying this, she affectionately put her arm around Jack's neck: "Isn't that right?"

I clenched my hands.

Jack had never peeled shrimp for me.

Once during a date, I had my nails done and couldn't peel shrimp easily.

So I acted coquettishly, asking him to peel shrimp for me just once.

But he frowned and refused without hesitation: "Lily, you know I never like peeling shrimp."

After that, I never asked again, even reflecting on whether I was being too demanding.

But it turns out, he would willingly and without complaint peel shrimp for someone else.

Jack noticed my unhappy expression and gave me a slightly reproachful look: "Lily, Emily has never peeled shrimp herself since she was little. Don't compare yourself to her."

Where Jack couldn't see, Emily gave me a challenging smile.

I held back tears: "I haven't said anything yet, why are you in such a hurry?"

Jack's expression became unnatural: "This is just a small matter, don't make a fuss."

"Since you think I'm making a fuss, I'll leave then."

Jack gripped my wrist: "Lily, don't make a scene."

"Do you have to make things so ugly?"

I pushed his hand away: "The one making things ugly is you."

Emily sat there, her eyes slightly red, saying: "Did I make Lily angry?"

Jack sighed lightly:

"Emily, you didn't do anything wrong, no need to apologize."

"Lily, you've made such a big deal out of this. Emily didn't even mind, when will you learn to be as sensible as her?"

My eyes heated up, and I couldn't hold back anymore: "If she's so sensible, why don't you marry her!"

Jack frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about now?"

I shook him off and turned to leave.

Jack quickly tried to follow.

But Emily held onto the hem of his shirt from behind: "Jack, come back."

"You men are so stupid, you don't understand women at all."

"At a time like this, you shouldn't follow her. You'll only make things worse. Women just need some time to calm down on their own."

Jack listened to her words and stood still, looking at me, and really didn't follow.

Sometimes, I really wonder if he's Emily's puppet.

If Emily says something, will he always listen?