Chapter 9 Soren's Home

Although it was only a simple wedding banquet, the couple was thoroughly exhausted by the time they sent off the guests.

Someone picked up Zed and Mia, and they left after telling Soren to take good care of Elsa. The rest of the guests also made their exit. Elsa's aunt, uncle, and cousin Jamie said that they would visit some relatives in Linchuan City. They also left after chatting with Elsa for a while.

Only Jane was left behind. She clutched Elsa's hand and said to her, "Sasa! Remember, call the police if something bad happens! Have 911 on speed dial! Also, set another for my number!"

After all, it was a whirlwind marriage, and she was really worried about Elsa. After grabbing Elsa's mobile phone and pressing a few keys, she scratched her head with satisfaction. "So... I'm already on your speed dial."

"We live in a city with a harmonious society with good peace and order. That's a little too much." Elsa grabbed her phone back and said, "Relax, I got it!"

"Auntie, where are my waffles?" Little Bun asked beside them.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Auntie forgot about them. Let's get waffles next time, okay?" They were so busy this past day that Elsa completely forgot to bring waffles for him.

Little Bun pouted and said, "Auntie, you don't love me anymore..."

Meanwhile, Jane continued with her reminders, "It's always wise to err on the side of caution! Remember, call me tomorrow morning. Don't forget"

"Janie, you are little Bun's mother, not mine." While Elsa was comforting the disgruntled little Bun, she also made fun of Jane.

"Huh! Who would like to have a daughter like you? You'll make my hair turn gray overnight!" Reluctantly, Jane dragged little Bun out of the hotel.

As she went out of the door, a man suddenly rushed in. It was Ron, who threw the car keys to Soren and said while gasping for breath, "Last-minute delivery. I rushed over from 800 kilometers away. Thank God I didn't miss your wedding ceremony. Is there any wine left for me?"

"Nope," Soren said in a flat tone.

Ron complained, "Hey, what's the matter with you? How can you be so heartless?"

Soren turned around and said, "No wine for you, unless you help me get my stuff into the car first."

"Okay!" Ron quickly agreed and then turned to look at Elsa, who was standing next to him. With a playful smile on his handsome face, he greeted, "Hi, sister-in-law!"

Then, he turned toward Johnson and Blanche. "Well, you must be sister-in-law's parents? Elsa is so pretty. I can see that she has inherited her parents' good looks..."

"Ron!" Soren gave him an impatient glare.

Ron quickly walked towards the elevator. Despite his carelessly put-together appearance, he had the good manners to hold the elevator open until everyone had entered. Then, he pressed the "Close" button.

As they went to pack up their things, Soren whispered to Elsa, "Let's go home."

"Home?" The word surprised Elsa.

As it turned out, she was thinking too simply when she planned for the wedding. She hadn't even thought about such things at all. Where were they going to live? Where was "home?" What would happen after tonight? How would she live? Many questions flooded her mind at once. Originally, she was not that reckless. Why did she become a little different from herself after she met him?

"I know that you have booked a room for Mom and Dad here in the hotel, but this afternoon, I overheard Mom saying that Dad needed to undergo a traditional Chinese treatment for his health, and I think it would be inconvenient for them to stay here for that. So, I decided to take them home with us. It's not a very big house, but all four of us could live comfortably there."

"Thank you." Elsa really didn't know what else to say except for such words of gratitude. That was the only thing she could do at the moment.

Soren smiled. He dumped a pile of things into Ron's arms for him to take to the car.

"You don't have to-I'll take them," Elsa said hastily.

One of the hotel staff had luckily found the glasses and sent them to her. As it turned out, the staff forgot to put them in the storage box and instead kept them in his pocket all this time. She could see things clearly now-how could she just stand there and do nothing to help?

"Just let him do it. Yesterday, something happened to his own car because he got into a little accident. So, he borrowed my car for several days and left in a hurry. My keys and wallet were in that car. If he hadn't come back, I would have become homeless." Soren himself lifted several heavy pieces of luggage. These bags were all brought over by Johnson and Blanche and contained quilts, bed sheets, pickled vegetables, sweaters, and so on.

With his words, Elsa reluctantly left them to do their work.

She could go to the front desk to pay the bill. She calculated the room charge and the price for the six-table banquet and came up with an estimate of 3000 dollars, which was a moderate price.

While the receptionist checked the charges to the room on her screen, Elsa took out her credit card.

"Miss, your room and the charge for the banquet have already been paid for."

"What?" Elsa's first thought was that her father had settled the amount. Parents were always like this. They were afraid that their daughter would be mistreated without them, so they would rather inconvenience themselves and save the money than let their daughter suffer.

Then, the receptionist flashed her a smile that was tinged with envy and said, "I believe that your husband has paid for it. Miss, you are so lucky. Not only is your husband tall and handsome, but he is also very considerate."

With a smile on her face, Elsa tucked the card into her purse and turned away. At the same time, Soren drove the car to the hotel driveway. He jumped out of the car and ushered Johnson and Blanche into the vehicle. Then, he opened the door and helped Elsa sit in the passenger seat. With her parents keeping a close eye on her, she slid into the car.

"But my car..." She was thinking about her second-hand Volkswagen Bora.

"I'll come and pick up your car tomorrow."

"Hey, Soren, where is my wine? I'm tired, hungry, and thirsty right now." Ron stood sweating by the driver's seat.

"In a couple of days, Elsa and I will treat you to wine in person." Soren easily slammed the door shut.

"How dare you break your word, Soren! Right now, I am..."

The car pulled away from the driveway, leaving a speechless Ron staring after them. Elsa's lips quirked up in a smile as she saw this comical sight. Such a sight was common between good friends. It usually happened between Janie and her.

In the car, Johnson and Blanche casually chatted with Soren for a while. They were delighted in the face of Soren's sincerity, honesty, and good manners.

Elsa looked out the window at the unfamiliar scenery outside, unsure of how to contribute to the conversation. She had only come to this area for an interview, so she was not too familiar with the place. Besides, she didn't know where Soren lived, so she didn't want to say anything more. She wanted to introduce this place to her parents, but she didn't know where to start.

Meanwhile, Soren gave them a little guided tour as he manned the steering wheel. "Here is the location of the municipal TV tower. Ah, and a new shopping mall has just opened. If Mom and Dad wanted to have a look, Elsa and I will show you around."

"Okay, great." Blanche nodded. Johnson looked at the tall building through the car window.

"That place over there encircled by red lights is the largest swimming pool in Linchuan City. People usually flock over there during the summer. There is also the oceanarium. However, the oceanarium is about to be moved to the suburban area of the city, so Mom and Dad are lucky that you can still visit it one of these days." Elsa also loved the oceanarium, but she hadn't been to see it for a long time." He turned to glance at Elsa and then looked away.

Elsa wondered why he knew that she liked the oceanarium and that she hadn't been to see it for a long time.

Johnson was a simple, honest, and serious man. He was a little nervous in front of this unfamiliar son-in-law, so Blanche smiled and said, "We would like to visit it. However, your father is not feeling very well at the moment, so we plan to go back tomorrow. We will cause you trouble if we stay here. It will be easier for us if we go back home."

Elsa's heart broke a little after he heard those words. "Mom, can't you stay here for a few more days? I'm on marriage leave right now, so I can hang around with you. I can only go back home once a year during the Spring Festival. Besides, it wasn't easy for you to come all the way to the city for my wedding. How can you leave so soon?"

"Sasa, my dear, listen to yourself. A marriage leave is meant for your to enjoy your newly wedded state with your spouse, not your parents."

"Mom, I won't let you go! You are not allowed to leave!" Elsa said petulantly, her lips curled up in a childish pout. She had completely forgotten that Soren was sitting next to her.

"Good girl, listen to your mother!"

From the corner of his eye, Soren caught a glimpse of Elsa's sullen face. She appeared very different when she was with her parents. Her face was very mobile, which was a marked departure from her usual quiet and well-behaved demeanor. She looked... quite cute. He slightly pursed his lips and focused on the road in front of him. "Mom and Dad, please stay here. Our home is also your home. I will be spending a lot of time with Elsa from now on, so I don't mind sharing her these days."

Elsa immediately echoed, "Yes, Mom. It's okay. Please stay with us."

"Ren, my daughter is so naughty and willful. Even as a young woman past the age of twenty, she still insists on going her own way. Please don't mind. Sasa, you need to change your attitude. Don't let Ren put up with your selfishness all the time. You have to pay attention to your husband, too."

"I know, Mom," said Elsa in a chastened voice, biting her lips.

"Yes, mom," Soren answered calmly. With his left hand on the steering wheel, his right hand naturally extended to clasp around Elsa's left hand.

They seemed to be a real couple in love.

Blanche was very delighted. She touched Johnson's hand, and Johnson squeezed her hand reassuringly.

Soon, they arrived at a residential area. Soren pulled into a parking slot and led them to the No.29 room on the 10th floor of the building. He opened the door and turned on the lights, which cast a soft warm glow inside the room. The living room was simple and neat with only some basic furniture and appliances.

Offering each of them a glass of water, Soren said, "I'll take the things out of the car."

Then he turned and headed out. The three of them were left in the living room in silence. He was considerate enough to give her some space. Now, Elsa was given the chance to explain everything to her parents. He clearly knew how embarrassed she had been the whole day.

As expected, as soon as he had left, Blanche immediately asked, "Sasa, where's Greenwood? Why is Soren the bridegroom? I don't believe that you are the one who would make a mistake in the name like that. Don't test my memory."