Chapter 2

Chapter 2

[1]

When I got home, my mom was engrossed in her TV drama and didn't even glance at me. After a quick wash, I lay on my bed, feeling utterly defeated.

Kevin seemed different today. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, firm abs, and those V-lines. Ahem, I was getting sidetracked. It was his personality that had changed.

Kevin looked a lot like Matt, with a buzz cut, round eyes, and dimples when he smiled. He used to be my little shadow, always following me around, asking for this and that. So adorable.

As I got busier with work and my studies, I spent less time at home, and he joined the military.

I opened my phone and found his Whatsapp.

"Can we talk?"

No reply.

"Did you take me home last night?"

After a moment's thought, I added, "We're both adults, so... you understand?"

I left it at that, assuming he got the message. He didn't reply for a long time, so I thought he had tacitly agreed.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, a video call came through. My hand slipped, and I answered it.

On the screen, Kevin was shirtless, water droplets still clinging to his hair and trickling down his chest. I was instantly wide awake. Staring any longer would be disrespectful to his physique.

"Are you pretending not to know me now that you're all dressed up? You were praising me last night, you know? And you kissed me all over..."

Oh my, what a calculating man...

I hung up the call and grabbed my tablet, diving into some Korean comics. I chanted to myself: Reject all calculating men, I want a whole world of options.

[2]

It was past 1 AM by the time I finished the surgery. Home was too far away, so I went back to the apartment I rented near the hospital.

There was a figure standing at the corner downstairs, perfectly upright, with a military backpack on his back. I was too exhausted, so I asked him to call home and let them know I was safe, then get some rest.

Kevin obediently called Alexandra, keeping it brief, "I'm at Madelynn's place."

When he called my mom, he put it on speaker, and I could hear her voice clearly through the screen.

"Kevin, tell me what you want to eat, and I'll make it for you tomorrow. Madelynn's bed is the one your uncle and I picked out from IKEA last time. It's really comfortable. Let her sleep on the couch; she's tough..."

I looked up at the ceiling. After 20 years of working at Walmart, my heart had become as cold as my knife.

Ugh, I was being too self-righteous.

Hearing me sigh, Kevin quickly ran over.

"Are you hungry?"

I nodded. After a six-hour surgery, my stomach was feeling a bit off.

He looked thoughtfully at my wound. Then, he brought my fingers close to his lips...

What the heck, had this kid been reading too many old romance novels?

I slapped him on the head. "If you don't get a band-aid soon, the wound will heal on its own."

Kevin rolled his eyes at me, clearly reluctant.

In the end, he made me a bowl of tomato and egg noodles, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious.

[3]

The next day, Kevin and I both went home. My mom had already prepared a table full of dishes. Steamed fish, braised ribs, sweet and sour pork, eggplant with garlic sauce... all of Kevin's favorites.

Case solved, I must have been adopted.

I said, "It's been years since gender equality became a norm, we shouldn't favor boys over girls."

My mom gave me a look and placed Kevin's utensils between hers and my dad's.

At the dining table, my mom kept piling food into Kevin's bowl with her chopsticks. My dad, who rarely drank, brought out a bottle of his favorite liquor and poured Kevin a glass.

"Come, have a drink with your uncle. It's been years, and you've grown into a fine young man."

My mom chimed in, "Yes, have a drink. Your parents aren't home, so if you drink too much, you can sleep here."

Why did this feel like a mother-in-law evaluating her son-in-law?

I must not have slept well last night. I shook my head and focused on eating. Only good food and good company could heal my lonely soul.

At the table, my mom kept talking. One moment she was saying my childhood friend had just had her second child, the next she was mentioning my previous blind date had gotten married. Even our dog, Lucky, had found a mate.

I got it instantly, she was hinting at marriage.

Better her than me.

I pointed at Kevin. "He's grown up too. You can introduce him to someone suitable."

Kevin paused, looking at me with an innocent expression. His face screamed, "Sister, you're bullying me."

I looked down, pretending not to see him.

My mom grabbed Kevin's hand, patting it reassuringly. "Our Kevin is so excellent, I'll definitely find the best girl for you."

Kevin, always obedient to my mom, nodded and said, "I'll listen to Auntie, but I prefer older ones."

Older? What older? Age? Or...?

I glanced down at myself, then looked up to meet Kevin's slightly amused eyes.

Ugh, little rascal, he had learned to be naughty.