Chapter 40: Cole Is A Funny Character

Although he seemed a little depressed by his lack of funds, Ethan wasn’t actually bothered. Money wasn’t a fixed resource. It was meant to flow, coming and going like waves at a beach.

He stopped by the market to buy some cooking ingredients they were lacking while Evelyn and Nora went ahead to the house.

Carrying two plastic bags in his hands, he tilted his head when someone familiar almost bumped into him.

"Cassie?"

It was Evelyn’s friend. And to his surprise, her eyes were reddened with tears. His brows furrowed. Why was she crying?

Cassie also seemed startled to meet him, and she hurriedly wiped away her tears, trying to appear composed.

Ethan’s gaze fell on her, and he asked perfunctorily. "Are you alright?"

Cassie nodded stiffly, still sniffing and wiping her tears clumsily.

’Well, since she doesn’t want to talk, I’ll just go.’

He nodded to her, then walked past her.

Cassie froze, turning to look at him in disbelief. Wasn’t that too cold?

’I’m obviously not fine, and he walked away just because I pretended to be fine? Damn it, so he isn’t actually a nice guy. This will be harder.’

Unaware that it was a scheme, Ethan dismissed the matter from his mind, but decided to tell Evelyn just in case.

It didn’t take long before he arrived home, and he was surprised when Cole was the one who opened the door.

"Brother-in-law? I thought you’d be at work," He said to him as he headed to the kitchen.

Cole walked beside him, stretching his arms. "It’s not a full-time job anymore. Ever since I’ve been promoted, I only go to the office when needed. I can’t help but feel grateful to you."

"If you truly feel grateful, you should find some banana leaves and fan me with them." Ethan smirked, placing the ingredients he had bought on the kitchen table.

Cole’s expression turned awkward, and he coughed in embarrassment. "What kind of nonsense are you saying? Young men these days, tsk, tsk."

Ethan chuckled and turned to see Evelyn and Nora coming out of the bedroom after changing into house clothes.

Nora immediately went to the living room and sat down while Evelyn joined her husband and brother in the kitchen.

"Ethan, I’m sorry my brother came unannounced..." She started, but he smiled and waved it off.

"Ah, that? You shouldn’t apologize. He simply came to lend us a hand. Right, brother-in-law?"

Cole frowned. "Lend you a hand in doing what?"

A few minutes later, he stood by the kitchen table, wearing an apron while slicing onions with a grumpy expression and watery eyes.

"Ah... when was the last time I was forced to do this?" He grumbled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

Evelyn stood beside him, looking at him with a judging gaze. "Brother, when was the last time you cooked? Please don’t tell me you’ve always been buying food from restaurants."

Cole pretended he didn’t hear her. "Ah... I didn’t know onions could make your ears ring. This is really something else."

Evelyn shook her head with a smile, then turned to Ethan who was busy cooking.

"Brother, you really need to learn to be like Ethan. Don’t you want to make your wife happy by cooking for her?"

Cole grunted. "Oi, are you trying to rub it in my face? You’ve really become one cheeky sibling, I see."

Evelyn stuck out her tongue cutely. "Hehe, not my fault. I’m being pampered. But seriously, you need to get married. It wouldn’t be funny if Sophie gets married before you."

Cole froze, as he had never actually thought about it. His youngest sister was approaching marriageable age, and he didn’t know when she would get married.

"Wait a minute. Don’t say it like that. Sophie is still young. Do you want to marry her off to someone? Hmph!"

He began cutting the onions with more vigor, only to injure himself with the knife.

"Ow, that hurts..."

Thankfully, the wound wasn’t deep. Evelyn quickly helped him bandage it and completed the slicing of the onions.

"Haa... I really don’t know what to do about you," She said as she shot him a glare and walked over to deliver the onions to Ethan.

Cole pretended to be depressed, but she ignored him completely.

"Your brother is a really funny one, isn’t he?" Ethan chuckled as he began frying the onions.

"What’s funny about him?" She pouted. "He’s just a grown-up man who can’t do anything by himself."

"Hmm, why don’t you link him up with Cassie?" He suggested without turning to her. "He might be her type, you know?"

Evelyn laughed and shook her head. "Cassie actually prefers younger men or people of the same age as her. I don’t think she’ll like my brother. Why did you mention her anyway? I’m still pissed at her for what she did to Nora."

"Hmm..." Ethan paused a little. "I saw her on my way back from the market today. She looked like she had been crying."

"Ah? Why would she be crying? It can’t be because I was a little harsh on her, right?" She asked, concerned.

Ethan shook his head. "No, I don’t think it’s that. It’s more like she was heartbroken and needed comfort or something."

"Oh, okay..." Evelyn nodded, then took out her phone. "I should at least message her and ask."

Ethan nodded and gave her space. Ignored by the couple, Cole occupied himself by teaching Nora how to draw.

The young girl was initially curious about his skills, but quickly became disappointed.

"Uncle Cole, what is this?" She asked, looking at the poorly shaped fish drawn in her book.

"That’s a mermaid!" Cole said energetically. "Isn’t it beautiful?"

Nora hesitated, then nodded. "Uh... sure."

Some time later, they all sat around the dining table and began to eat.

"Brother-in-law, have you worked at a restaurant before? This is really good!" Cole nodded, impressed.

Ethan ignored the obvious flattery and turned to Evelyn.

"I’ve been meaning to tell you, but my parents want us to visit them next week."

"Eh? Your parents?" Evelyn’s eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Yeah." Ethan nodded. "It has been a while since we visited them."

Evelyn hummed in agreement and smiled. "Let’s go on Monday, then. I’m eager to see them too."