Chapter 11: The Perfect Daughter-in-Law
1231 Words
The most embarrassing thing in the world was not being caught by one’s unfamiliar husband while performing a private bathtub concert.
It was being caught by one’s unfamiliar husband during said private bathtub concert, then having to pretend nothing had happened while asking him to bring underwear.
That single incident caused the entire ride to Southbridge Lane to be unusually silent.
Cedric tried to read a document in the car.
But every time he lowered his eyes to the page, moving subtitles seemed to float through his mind.
Miranda Vale is a goddess.
Goddess. Goddess.
Your fatal type.
Skrrr.
He closed the folder.
Julian, sitting in the front passenger seat, sensed the strange atmosphere and wisely chose not to breathe too loudly.
As for Miranda, she was clearly too embarrassed by herself to speak. She sat by the window with her eyes closed, her head turned away, as if she had already left this world behind.
By the time they arrived near Southbridge Lane, both husband and wife somehow recovered their acting instincts at the same time.
The moment they stepped out of the car, Miranda naturally looped her arm through Cedric’s.
Cedric did not refuse.
Side by side, they walked forward with pleasant smiles, looking every inch like a loving young couple.
Especially Miranda.
After learning that they were going to visit Cedric’s grandparents, she had changed into a simple pale-pink dress she rarely touched. Her lipstick was light, her usual glamorous waves had been temporarily straightened and tied into a soft ponytail, and her whole appearance screamed gentle, obedient, perfect granddaughter-in-law.
The lane was narrow, and cars could not easily stop inside. Cedric and Miranda got out near the entrance and walked in together.
Julian followed behind them carrying gifts.
It had been two years since he last saw this couple switch faces so smoothly in front of elders. For some reason, he almost felt nostalgic.
At the entrance of the old courtyard house, the guard opened the gate and gave them a formal salute.
Miranda’s smile brightened instantly.
“Grandpa! Grandma!”
In front of elders, Miranda had always known how to be sweet.
The moment she entered and saw the family arranging dinner in the pavilion, her eyes curved with warmth.
Old Mrs. Kane smiled the moment she saw her.
“Oh, our little Miranda is here!”
She handed the bowls and chopsticks in her hands to the housekeeper, carefully wiped her hands, and then took Miranda’s hand.
“Lucky girl. I cooked personally today. I made your favorite braised short ribs.”
“You cooked yourself?” Miranda immediately held Grandma Kane’s hand and looked her up and down with concern. “Let me see. Why do you look thinner? How long has it been since I last visited? Are you feeling unwell?”
“What nonsense.” Grandma Kane’s voice was full of energy. “I’m perfectly fine. It’s hot lately, so I’m wearing thinner clothes. That’s why I look slimmer. What do you young people call it again? A visual effect!”
She sounded strong and lively.
Only then did Miranda relax a little.
Since childhood, Miranda had been beautiful, sweet-mouthed, and lively. She was especially good at winning over elders.
Among the older generation in the family compound, almost everyone liked her.
Even people who thought she was spoiled had to admit that when Miranda wanted to please someone, she could make them feel as if they were the most important person in the world.
Cedric stood beside her and watched quietly.
The Miranda in front of his grandparents was completely different from the Miranda in the bathtub earlier.
Or the Miranda who threw pajamas at him.
Or the Miranda who cursed him for being heartless.
Now she was gentle, obedient, and considerate. Her smile was soft enough to melt stone.
If Cedric had not personally witnessed her shouting “I’m a goddess” into a microphone less than an hour ago, he might almost have believed her.
Grandma Kane held Miranda’s hand and would not let go.
“You’ve been away too long. Look at you, you’ve lost weight.”
Miranda immediately leaned closer and said sweetly, “I missed you too. I wanted to come sooner, but Cedric was busy. I didn’t want to disturb him.”
Cedric turned his eyes toward her.
Miranda did not look at him.
Her smile remained innocent.
Grandma Kane instantly glared at Cedric.
“You’re always busy. A man can’t only think about work. You’ve been married for years. You should spend more time with your wife.”
Cedric accepted the criticism calmly.
“You’re right.”
Miranda lowered her head and hid a smile.
Victory.
Small, but satisfying.
Grandpa Kane sat in the pavilion, watching them from behind his teacup. He did not say much, but his gaze lingered on Cedric for a moment.
Cedric understood.
Tonight’s dinner was not simply dinner.
The family had called them here partly because Cedric had officially taken over Aurelia.
And partly because he had returned to Ashbourne after two years away.
Some conversations could not be avoided forever.
Dinner was served in the pavilion.
The courtyard was peaceful beneath the evening sky. Vines climbed along the carved wooden beams, lanterns glowed warmly, and the summer wind carried the scent of food and flowers.
Miranda sat beside Grandma Kane.
Cedric sat opposite his father and grandfather.
At the table, Miranda played her role perfectly.
She praised the ribs.
She served Grandma Kane soup.
She listened carefully when the elders spoke.
She even laughed at jokes that were not funny.
Cedric watched her for a moment.
Miranda sensed his gaze and looked up.
Their eyes met across the table.
Her expression said very clearly: Learn from me.
Cedric slowly looked away.
Grandma Kane noticed none of their silent exchange.
She only looked at the two of them and sighed with satisfaction.
“This is how a young couple should be. Sitting together, eating together, visiting the family together. The house feels lively only when you two come.”
Miranda smiled.
Cedric said mildly, “We’ll come more often.”
Miranda nearly choked on her soup.
More often?
Who agreed to that?
But in front of the elders, she could only lower her eyes shyly and pretend she was pleased.
Grandma Kane became even happier.
After dinner, Grandpa Kane called Cedric, Cedric’s father, and several older male relatives upstairs to talk.
Business matters.
Family matters.
Power matters.
The women and younger relatives stayed in the pavilion, chatting and enjoying the cool night air.
Miranda finally relaxed.
She leaned back slightly, holding a cup of fruit tea, thinking she had survived the evening quite well.
Then Cedric’s aunt, Yvonne Kane, sat beside her.
Yvonne had spent years doing physics research overseas. Her mind was brilliant, but her social instincts were sometimes terrifyingly absent.
She looked at Miranda with interest and suddenly smiled.
“Do you remember how often you came here to play when you were little?”
Miranda’s smile froze slightly.
A bad feeling rose in her heart.
Yvonne continued happily, “You were such a pretty child. But oh, you were also so troublesome.”
Miranda tried to interrupt.
“Aunt Yvonne, would you like some tea?”
Yvonne waved her hand.
“No, no. I suddenly remembered something hilarious.”
Miranda’s bad feeling became worse.
Much worse.
- Writer
