CHAPTER 1866 TAKE A LOOK
Claire heard the door creak and turned to see that it was unexpectedly Charlie who had returned. Overjoyed, she ran towards him and excitedly exclaimed, "Darling, why are you back today? Didn't you say during the video call yesterday that you might have to wait another two days?"
Charlie chuckled, "I wanted to surprise you!"
Claire had been missing him every day and night during his trip to Japan.
Before this, she had rarely experienced such feelings.
Even when Charlie went to Eastcliff, she missed him but not as intensely.
So, when she saw Charlie suddenly back, she couldn't contain her excitement and directly embraced him.
Charlie was surprised that his wife, in front of her parents, hugged him so openly, feeling a mix of joy and embarrassment.
He then said to Claire, "Darling, if you want to hug, let's do it when we get back to our room. After all, Mum and Dad are watching."
Claire snapped back to reality, blushing instantly.
Feeling a bit shy and scared, she said, "We were just watching TV, and it turns out there was a mass murder in Japan a few days ago, with over thirty people dead. It's so terrifying!"
Charlie asked in amazement, "Has it been reported in China?"
"Yes!" Claire nodded repeatedly, saying earnestly, "Several TV stations are broadcasting it, and it seems like the military has been mobilised at the airport to catch the suspects. They've already caught three buses of suspects. The security situation in Japan is really scary. If I had known it was so chaotic there, I wouldn't have let you go!"
Charlie smiled and said, "I had no idea it was that chaotic over there. But it's probably just an isolated incident."
At that moment, Elaine ran over joyfully, saying, "Oh, my good son-in-law, you're finally back! You have no idea how much your Mum missed you while you were in Japan!"
Jacob immediately interjected, trying to stir up trouble, "You weren't missing Charlie, you were just thinking about the things he brought back for you!"
Elaine glared at Jacob and scolded, "Jacob, stop talking nonsense! I genuinely missed Charlie. Even if he didn't bring me anything, I would still miss him!"
After Elaine finished scolding, she turned to Charlie with a smile and asked, "Good son-in-law, did you bring a gift for Mum this time you're back?"
Charlie nodded, "Yes, I brought some gifts."
He then took out the gifts he had bought.
First, he presented the ring he bought for Claire, handing it to his wife and saying, "Darling, this is for you. Open it and take a look!"
Excitedly, Claire asked, "What is it?"
Charlie smiled, "You'll find out once you unwrap it."
Elaine eagerly urged, "Claire, hurry up and open it. Let Mum see what a great son-in-law you have and what gifts he prepared for you!"
CHAPTER 1867 IS IMPECCABLE
As Elaine's excitement was palpable, Charlie placed the suitcase on the ground, ready to open it.
Unable to contain her eagerness, Elaine squatted down and flattered, "Oh, dear son-in-law, how can I let you handle this? Let me help you carry it!"
Charlie smiled helplessly and didn't object.
Elaine opened the suitcase and saw a large boss suit bag on top, couldn't help but comment, "Hmm, this boss must be men's clothing, right?"
Charlie nodded, saying, "This is the suit I picked for Dad. He's now a standing director of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, often attending social events. As a leader, he needs to have a bit of style when going out!"
Jacob was thrilled, "Oh Charlie, you're truly a great son-in-law to Dad! Dad has always wanted a suit he can wear out for tea, but he never took action. I didn't expect you to handle it for him! Dad is so grateful to you!"
Elaine sneered and disdainfully took out the suit bag, tossing it at Jacob's feet, saying, "Do you, this old man, even deserve to wear such a nice suit? Look at your old face, do you even match it?"
Jacob retorted, "Why wouldn't I deserve it? I'm in my fifties and haven't put on weight like you. Unlike you, who's already lost your figure!"
"What did you say?!" Elaine exploded, cursing, "How dare you say I've lost my figure?! Are you tired of living?"
Jacob quickly backed down, saying sheepishly, "I was just joking..."
Elaine glared at him fiercely, then turned to Charlie and said, "Good son-in-law, buying him a boss suit is already generous for this old man. I must say, the fake Rolex you helped him get last time suits this old man just fine!"
Charlie chuckled, "Mum, Dad's suit wasn't expensive, it was on sale. The gift I got for you is much more valuable."
Upon hearing this, Elaine's face lit up, saying joyfully, "Really? Oh! My thoughtful son-in-law! What gift did you get for Mum? Show me!"
Charlie took out two Tiffany boxes and handed the slightly larger one to Elaine.
"Mum, this is for you."
Seeing the Tiffany logo on the packaging, Elaine couldn't contain her excitement and eagerly tore it open.
Inside, she found a gold bracelet encrusted with diamonds, causing her to dance with joy!
"Oh my! I know this bracelet! It sells for tens of thousands domestically! It must be expensive in Japan too, right?"
Charlie replied with a smile, "As long as Mum likes it, the price doesn't matter."
Elaine beamed, "That's why I have the best son-in-law! Your words make my heart flutter with joy!"
She quickly put on the bracelet, admiring it under the light from various angles, exclaiming, "Tiffany's items are truly exquisite! The craftsmanship is impeccable, I can't find any flaws! It complements my style perfectly when worn on my wrist."
Although Jacob sneaked a smirk, he dared not make any sarcastic remarks.
At that moment, Charlie took out another slightly smaller gift box from the suitcase and handed it to his wife, Claire.
CHAPTER 1868 THE MOST ENDURING CONFESSION OF LOVE
"Honey, this is for you. Open it and see if you like it!"
Claire was surprised and said, "You bought something for me too? Darling, you work hard for your money, I never see you spend on yourself, yet whenever we go out, you always buy things for me..."
Beside them, Elaine hurriedly interjected, "Silly girl, Charlie is showing his love, care, and spoiling you. He's the epitome of a good husband! Look at your dad, always so stingy, when has he ever given me something valuable?"
Jacob replied grumpily, "You've always been in charge of the finances at home, I don't even have pocket money, how can I buy you things?"
Elaine scoffed, "Bah! Even if one doesn't have money, a good husband will find ways to give gifts to his wife. What about you? Always making excuses about not having money. After all these years, you never saved any secret money?"
Jacob picked up the suit Charlie had given him, grumbling, "I won't argue with you about these useless things. I'll go try on the suit my good son-in-law bought for me in the room! There's an event at the Calligraphy and Painting Association tomorrow, I'll wear this new suit then!"
Meanwhile, Claire carefully unwrapped the gift box.
When she saw a dazzling diamond ring lying in the jewelry box, she was shocked and covered her mouth in surprise!
Elaine beside her immediately widened her eyes several times and exclaimed, "Oh my goodness! Such a huge diamond?! Must be at least three carats, right?!"
Charlie smiled and said, "You do have a good eye, the main diamond on this ring is 3.2 carats!"
"Wow!!!" Elaine felt a tingling sensation on her scalp and exclaimed, "So big?! This must cost hundreds of thousands?!"
Charlie chuckled, "It's around eighty-something thousand in Chinese Yuan!"
"Just eighty-something thousand?!" Elaine touched her chest and sighed, "Oh my goodness! My son-in-law is really something! An eighty-something thousand diamond ring, and it's just eighty-something thousand, truly generous! Remarkable! Remarkable!"
Claire, by her side, was also astonished and said, "Charlie, you work so hard every day to earn money, why would you still buy such an expensive thing for me... This ring is so precious, I can't even wear it out, isn't that a waste of money..."
Charlie earnestly replied, "Darling, we've been married for so long, and I've never bought you a ring. Consider this ring as my belated wedding ring for you!"
Claire was moved to tears instantly.
She looked at Charlie, choked up, "If you really wanted to buy a wedding ring, a two to three thousand one would have sufficed, you didn't have to buy something this expensive..."
Wiping her tears, she continued, "And look at you... always buying things for me, for your parents, but never for yourself. How can I be at peace with that in my heart..."
Charlie smiled faintly, took out the ring, held his wife's right hand, and said seriously, "Claire, marrying you is my blessing, thank you for standing by me all these years. This ring is my overdue gift to you as a husband, you must accept it!"
"That's right!" Elaine chimed in, "Daughter, look at how good Charlie is, how caring he is towards you! You must live well with Charlie, and having a child soon is the most important!"
Claire, initially touched by Charlie's heartfelt confession, blushed upon hearing this.
At that moment, Charlie carefully placed the ring on her ring finger of the right hand and said with a smile, "Darling, companionship is the most enduring confession of love. Thank you for being by my side all these years!"
CHAPTER 1869 WORTHLESS, A LOSER, TRASH
At this moment, Claire was moved to tears.
Reflecting on the years married to Charlie, she also felt a myriad of emotions deep within.
Back then, her grandfather insisted on her marrying Charlie. She didn't understand, her family strongly opposed it, but her grandfather's authority made her compromise.
However, this forced marriage led her to have a wrong perception of marriage from the start.
After marrying Charlie, she believed that marriage, as per her grandfather's request, meant being Charlie's wife, living together whether it was suitable or not, whether they liked each other or not.
So, for a long time, they treated each other with respect like guests. Despite being married on paper, they were essentially strangers living under the same roof.
Especially in the early days of marriage, Claire faced immense pressure from all sides due to Charlie's status.
At that time, everyone around her kept telling her: Charlie is worthless, a loser, trash. She shouldn't be with him, she should divorce him immediately.
But for her at that time, since she chose to marry him, whether willingly or not, she didn't want to walk the path of divorce.
After all, Charlie had never done anything wrong.
Later on, in their married life, she gradually saw the shining aspects of Charlie and developed some affection.
However, she never quite understood the difference between liking someone and loving them.
Claire had never been in love before, so she was relatively naive and clueless about matters of the heart, leading them to stumble through their relationship till today.
Now, facing Charlie's heartfelt confession, she suddenly felt her heart racing, making her breathless, dizzy, and moved to tears.
Watching this scene, Elaine was genuinely happy.
She now truly believed that Charlie was indeed a good son-in-law who could withstand tests.
Compared to the rich second generations who liked Claire before, hardly any of them could match up to Charlie.
Looking back, despite her mistreatment and insults towards Charlie, he still showed respect to his mother-in-law, always addressing her as mum. Just from this aspect, Charlie was a young man who repaid kindness with kindness.
Moreover, despite her repeatedly causing trouble, Charlie always helped her out, even saving her life more than once, truly embodying repaying kindness with kindness!
Most importantly, Charlie had finally made something of himself.
With a villa worth over a hundred million, two BMW cars that Charlie worked hard to earn, and every time he went out to see Feng Shui for others, he would buy her many expensive gifts.
A son-in-law like him is truly hard to come by, to be honest.
Furthermore, he was genuinely good to their daughter, which was even more rare.
Hence, Elaine hurriedly said to Claire, "Claire, Charlie must be tired from the late flight, both of you hurry back to the room, take a shower together and get some rest!"
"Ah?" Claire was taken aback, her face blushing instantly, and she awkwardly said, "Mum... you... what are you talking about... taking a shower together..."
Elaine earnestly replied, "Isn't it normal for a married couple to shower together? Besides, our mansion has a luxurious bathtub in the bathroom, perfect for two people, you can help Charlie wash his back, isn't that nice..."
Claire was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into the ground.
Although she was already in her twenties, she was still a young girl who had never experienced a proper romantic relationship. Elaine suddenly suggesting that she bathe with Charlie and help him wash his back caught her completely off guard, leaving her feeling both shy and embarrassed.
CHAPTER 1870 A CLIENT'S CALL
Charlie knew his wife was a woman easily embarrassed and lacking experience in that department, so she couldn't handle Elaine's teasing.
In a rush, he said, "Mum, Claire is shy, so please don't tease her."
Elaine chuckled, "Claire, see that? Charlie is really considerate of you!"
With a lazy stretch, she added, "I'm done chatting with you guys. I need to go back and take some good photos of my bracelet. You should rest early too!"
Just then, Jacob emerged from the elevator in a brand new boss suit.
Upon seeing the three, he proudly strutted around the elevator entrance, saying, "Look, Old Jacob still has some style, this suit fits me like it's tailor-made. My physique at fifty is still in good shape, quite rare!"
Charlie knew deep down that Father-in-law Jacob was actually quite lazy and hardly exercised. His good physique was all thanks to Elaine's nagging over the years.
Although Elaine had toned down a lot now, in the past, she was a real she-devil. Anyone with such a wife would be constantly frustrated and uninterested in everything, even losing their appetite and struggling to gain weight.
So, Charlie praised, "Dad, with this look, you seem like you're in your forties, really classy!"
"Right? Hehehe!" Jacob chuckled proudly, "Back in university, Jacob was quite the heartthrob, not inferior to those young idols nowadays!"
Helpless, Claire shook her head, "Dad, when will you be modest? If you say such things, people will laugh at you!"
Jacob smirked, "What's there to fear? Among the old folks, I'm definitely one of the best. To put it in idiom, I stand out from the crowd!"
Watching the stylish Jacob, Elaine couldn't help but feel uneasy.
She thought to herself, "This guy, does clean up quite nicely! As for me, I've been gaining weight over the years, especially during this leg injury recovery period at home, lacking exercise, resulting in continuous weight gain! No, I must lose weight and get back in shape! I can't let Jacob outshine me!"
With a glare at Jacob, Elaine didn't speak to him but told Charlie and Claire, "I'm going back to my room, you two should rest early too."
Blushing, Claire replied, "Okay Mum, you rest first!"
Jacob also said, "Charlie, go back to your room early and rest. After all these tiring days, you must be exhausted. Let Claire prepare a hot bath for you to relax!"
Thinking about her mother's words earlier, Claire couldn't help but feel embarrassed. However, she knew her husband had been working hard, and a bath would help him relax and relieve fatigue.
So, she said to Charlie, "Charlie, chat with dad for a while. I'll go up and prepare the bath for you. You can come up in ten minutes."
Charlie nodded.
After Claire and Elaine took the elevator upstairs, Jacob wanted to make tea for Charlie to refresh him.
As Charlie sat down, his phone buzzed.
Looking down, it was an unfamiliar number from Eastcliff. He stood up and told Jacob, "Dad, I need to take this call."
Jacob suggested, "Why not take the call here instead of going out?"
Charlie nodded, "It's a client's call."
With that, he stepped out of the door.
In the courtyard, Charlie answered the phone, "Hello, who is this?"
A warm female voice came through, "Oh, Little Charlie, it's your aunt! I've missed you so much over the years!"