naaapseattle Chapter 292: Family Dinner
Chapter 292: Family Dinner
Ian’s hands were firmly on the steering wheel, his fingers long and beautiful, like the coolness of jade.
"So you can drive."
"I used to be too lazy to drive."
He slightly turned his head, looking at her with eyes full of tenderness: "We’re heading to the old house now."
After speaking, he wasn’t assured and leaned down to help Maya tighten her seatbelt.
"Okay." Maya tilted her head slightly, finding a comfortable position: "I’ll sleep for a while first. Call me when we reach the destination."
Without Vincent Summers’ endless chatter, Maya had a rather peaceful nap, and when she woke, her mind was still a bit foggy.
"Are we there?"
Ian bent over to help her unfasten the seatbelt: "Yes, we’re here. Let’s get off the car."
Holding Ian’s hand, Maya got out of the car and said, "Did you prepare a gift for Grandma?"
"It’s ready."
Jessica was already waiting there, and she gave Maya a hug: "Maya, it’s been a while. Grandma has been talking about you and Ian constantly."
Maya gently patted her back: "Jessica, how’s Grandma’s health lately?"
"Grandma is much fitter. She’s been talking about you two since morning. Let’s go inside now."
After walking a few steps, they encountered Eric Rowe approaching them with a bright smile, looking sharp and handsome: "I planned to come down and meet you after tidying up, but I was a bit late."
He tugged on his jacket: "Smell this, Bro. I sprayed my favorite perfume specially. Grandma doesn’t like it, saying it’s too pungent, and asks me to keep it away from her."
Ian commented lightly: "It is indeed pungent."
Eric stepped back incredulously, sniffing his clothes: "Bro, do you even have a sense of taste? How is this pungent? This is manly! This is called man!"
He then cast expectant eyes at Maya, his eyes sparkling: "What do you think, Sister-in-law?"
"I think it’s pretty good."
Eric instantly beamed with joy, giving Maya a thumbs up repeatedly: "Sister-in-law has good taste! You should learn from Sister-in-law more often, Bro."
Ian wasn’t annoyed, showing a slight smile at the corners of his mouth: "Okay."
Maya felt somewhat inexplicably guilty upon hearing this, shifting her feet uneasily as she never considered herself having "taste."
Eric’s eyes shifted as he pondered: "Hey, where’s Vincent? Isn’t he usually your tail?"
"He’s busy with something."
Eric nodded, not asking further.
"Got a scar on your forehead?"
Maya followed Ian’s gaze, noticing a subtle scar at the corner of Eric’s forehead, barely visible without a closer look.
Maya asked: "How did you get that scar on your forehead?"
Eric’s expression soured, he snorted coldly: "Don’t mention it, ran into an idiot on set. It’s bad luck for eight generations."
Jessica giggled, ushering them: "Don’t block the way here, let’s go inside. Hector and the others have arrived."
The group walked in.
Eric persistently questioned Jessica: "How’s Grandma’s mood lately? Has she been getting angry?"
"Why do you ask?"
"She hasn’t been pleased with me recently. I’m worried about upsetting her again."
Jessica sighed: "You’re like a child who hasn’t grown up. Grandma couldn’t possibly truly dislike you. You’re her biological grandson; she might say she’ll break your legs, but in the end, she let you into the entertainment industry."
Eric considered her words thoughtfully.
"Achieve more and prove you have the ability to survive in the entertainment industry, like your sister-in-law. How could Grandma restrict you?"
Eric lowered his head, his expression unclear, his voice softened significantly: "I understand."
Franklin Rowe and Jessica Young came with their whole family, currently chatting happily with Yolanda Sawyer.
"Hector, how’s the gallery coming along?" Yolanda sat at the head seat, her dry hand resting on her leg. Her complexion appeared a bit rosy, her spirits seeming quite good.
Hector had his slightly longer hair tied up, his eyebrows always carried a hint of aloofness, yet his demeanor was exceptionally humble in front of Yolanda as he slightly lowered his head: "It’s almost ready for opening, Grandma."
Yolanda nodded, smiling: "Great, I’ll come and see it when it opens."
Jessica’s voice reached the hall first: "Grandma, Ian and Maya are back."
Yolanda’s expression brightened: "Hurry over here."
Ian and Maya walked in, respectfully greeting Yolanda.
Yolanda held their hands affectionately, much different from before, her smile deepening.
"I hope your work didn’t get delayed. Maya, is shooting keeping you busy?"
Maya shook her head: "Not too busy, for family gatherings, no matter what, we have to be here."
Yolanda nodded, smiling warmly: "Don’t stand there, quickly find a place to sit. If you get tired, Grandma will feel distressed."
"I heard you’ve announced your relationship to the public. This is good. There’s no need to hide it."
Maya nodded from her seat.
"When you’ve got some free time, think about longer-term things, like having a child..."
Ian first gauged Maya’s expression, then replied: "There’s no rush for that."
"You..."
Jessica Young noticed Yolanda’s displeased look and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Mom, I think this matter can’t be rushed, and young people surely have their own plans. Pushing too much would only be a burden. Ian and Maya are both quite young; waiting another year or two wouldn’t be a problem."
Yolanda’s mouth tightened, but she always listened to Jessica Young, sighing this time: "You’re right, and being too insistent doesn’t help."
Fiona Rowe was sitting next to Maya quietly chewing on her candy. She never spoke much at family gatherings, preferring to stay in one place silently.
Suddenly noticing someone looking her way, Fiona looked up, only to see Maya surveying her fingers... no, it was more accurate to say eyeing the candy in her hands.
Fiona paused, slightly flustered: "What do you want...to do?"
Having seen Maya’s fierce side and her calm demeanor, this was the first time feeling Maya’s so focused gaze.
"Can you share a candy from your hand?"
Sitting here all this time was unbearably dull, especially having left in a hurry this time without any snacks.
Fiona was momentarily stunned: "You want candy?"
The other’s gaze was calm and candid, peaceful like a lake, with a hint of pleasing mischief, far from being the former annoyance.