Chapter 73 - Inferiority

In this way, Ashley felt a little sorry for him.

Liam was a little sleepy and irritable, walking at a big and fast pace.

Ashley could only trot after him and said, "He doesn't know you live with your date, and it certainly won't be misunderstood."

Liam was silent.

Ashley added, "You just have to explain a few words to her, or I can explain it for you."

As Liam walked, he took his cell phone out of his pocket and looked down.

"Dad asked you to pick me up."

Ashley didn't feel that she had no reason at all. "Why are you still losing your temper with me?"

Liam glanced at her." How old are you? "

Ashley answered, "Twenty."

"When I was twenty," Liam said, "not only did no one pick me up when I came home during the holiday, but I had to pick you a very annoying kid up from school. Do you remember?"

"Why do you always compare yourself to me?" Ashley was puzzled. "Are you in the same position as me at home?"

Liam didn't bother to talk to her.

He didn't drive over, and when they went out of the airport, Liam went in the direction of the taxi.

Giving the driver an address, he then turned around and put the suitcase in the trunk.

Ashley got on the car before him and sent a message to Jacob. [I arrive. My brother picks me up.]

Soon, Liam got in the car and sat next to her.

The driver started the car.

Ashley casually asked, "Why should I go to your place? I want to go straight home."

Liam didn't answer.

He seemed really sleepy. As soon as he got on the taxi, he closed his eyes and leaned against the back of his seat to sleep.

"Mom and Dad are not at home."

Ashley was also a little hungry and volunteered, "What about you buying me lunch?"

After playing with her mobile phone for a while, Ashley felt bored. "Why don't you talk to me? Is your girlfriend really angry? Just explain it to her. It's just a small thing."

Liam still did not respond at all.

Ashley remembered another thing, "Did you start living with her?"

"What about Olive?" Ashley said curiously. "Didn't you agree that not taking partners home? If you brought your girlfriend back, she will be very embarrassed. Anyway, she is your roommate."

Hearing this, Liam moved his eyelids and looked at her leisurely.

Ashley responded, "Didn't you share a rent with her?"

Liam closed his eyes again, as if dumb, without saying a word.

Ashley found it boring and didn't bother to talk to him again.

The car drove all the way to the community where Liam lived.

Ashley didn't plan to get off with him but planned to let the driver drive home directly after he left.

But Liam pulled her down. He raised her chin, and said, "Go up and call my girlfriend down. We will go out to have lunch."

Ashley was confused." Why don't you go yourself? I don't know her. "

Liam took Ashley's suitcase down and impatiently urged, "Hurry up."

Ashley put up with it. "Oh."

Taking the key from Liam, Ashley entered the building.

This place was not far from her home, and Ashley didn't come here many times, mostly when she was in high school.

She hasn't been here much in the past two years.

When she took the elevator upstairs, Ashley hesitated, but still didn't open the door directly with the key.

She rang the doorbell and waited at the door for a while.

Before long, the door was opened from the inside.

The woman was wearing a simple suit of pajamas with a plain face.

She looked flirtatious, with long hair hanging over her back.

Her tails of the eyes were slightly up, the pupils were bright and clear, and the lips were red. She looked really beautiful.

Ashley paused and greeted, "Hi, Olive."

Maybe she didn't expect that she was the one outside. Olive was obviously stupefied for a moment.

With a pair of chopsticks in her hand, she looked behind Ashley, "Ash, why are you here?"

"My brother asked me to come up."

Ashley came in and took off her shoes. "You still share the house with my brother?"

Olive nodded, went to the coffee table, and poured her a glass of water.

Ashley picked it up and took a sip, lowered her voice, and asked, "Where's my brother's girlfriend? In the room?"

Olive sat back on the sofa, watched the TV with interest, and continued to eat the box lunch on the table.

Hearing this, she casually replied, "It's me."

It seemed that she could not believe what he had heard. Ashley was stupefied for a long time before saying, "Ah."

Olive pulled her hair behind her ear and said softly, "What's wrong?"

Ashley didn't want to make an exaggerated reaction, scratching her head. "Nothing."

When she was about to say something, she suddenly noticed a small note affixed to the box lunch Olive ate, with a long list of words on it, which was what Liam had just relayed to her.

Ashley immediately pointed to the takeout, " Olive, are you angry with my brother because of this?"

Following Ashley's words, Olive also looked at the small note.

Before long, she looked up again, blankly, and directly said, "No, I ate it all."

Ashley breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought you misunderstood my brother for cheating."

Olive was quiet for a few seconds, as if thinking, and quickly said, "Ah, does that mean cheating?"

"I thought he was afraid he wouldn't get up for takeout and made a note on purpose."

Ashley explained, "No"

Olive, "So he really cheated on me?"

Ashley shook her head hurriedly and wanted to explain something, Olive said thoughtfully, "Not to mention cheating, he still dared to report the same address with two girlfriends?"

Olive gave a thumbs up and admired, "Awesome."

Perhaps after waiting too long, Liam called several times to urge her and soon came back in person.

Hearing the doorbell, Ashley trotted to open the door for him, and then went back to the kitchen.

Liam took a glance, "What are you two doing?"

Ashley, "My sister-in-law is cooking noodles for me."

Olive tied up her hair, took a knife, and cut meat on the chopping block.

Hearing this, she tilted her head and gently reminded, "Don't call me that, your brother cheated on me."

Ashley consciously went out of the kitchen and gave them space.

She sat down on the sofa and looked through the glass door of the kitchen. She couldn't hear what they were saying.

After watching the play for a while, Ashley began to chat with Jacob. [Do you know who my brother's girlfriend is?]

Jacob never heard him say it. [Who is it?]

Ashley:[A super beautiful girl.]

Ashley:[my brother's high school classmate. She has been sharing with my brother before. I never thought they would be together. I don't think my brother is worthy at all.]

Jacob:[How beautiful?]

Ashley:[why are you so curious?]

Ashley suddenly regretted what she had just said.

She stared for a long time, adding:[Of course I am more beautiful.]

Ashley felt a little superfluous here.

While listening to Liam and Olive talking, she slowly finished the noodles, and then did not disturb them again and offered to leave.

Olive happened to go out and drove Ashley back.

Ashley sat in the passenger seat and continued to chat with Jacob. [Why did you order takeout for my brother?]

[giving thanks.]

Jacob:[ for picking you up.]

Ashley laughed out loud.

Hearing her movement, Olive asked, "Chatting with your boyfriend?"

Ashley blinked and nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"I heard your brother say that you are dating his college roommate."

"Yes."

"It's good. He is a little older than you, and he can take care of you."

Olive spoke slowly and chatted with her, " I think your brother really trusts him."

Ashley was also happy to hear this and said with a smile.

"But these are not very important. Before, your brother showed me a picture of your date, "then Olive sighed," he looks so handsome. "

"by comparison, your brother…" Olive's voice suddenly stopped. She may have noticed that the client's sister was right in front of her and swallowed back the original words. "is all right."

Ashley didn't know if Liam told Grace about his girlfriend.

She didn't mention it on her own initiative, and she lived a life of doing nothing every day, either eating or sleeping.

It lasted for a few days, and Ashley felt really bored. Under the introduction of her high school classmates, she found a tutor nearby.

She also did not forget that Jacob might come over and mentioned a few words in front of Grace from time to time.

Grace soon understood what she meant, "Jacob is coming to our house for the Spring Festival?"

Ashley nodded nervously, "Is that okay?"

"I'd rather not."

Grace thought for a moment, speaking slowly and gently. "I’m afraid that he will feel uncomfortable spending the New Year in our house. If it's a before marriage visit, it's a little early.

Ashley was quiet for a moment and decided to talk to her seriously. "Mom, have you not listened to what I have said to you these days?"

Grace, "Sure."

"I know you're doing what's best for me, and you're worried that I'm going to have a bad time in the future."

Ashley said seriously, "But you should also know that Jacob’s character. If he is not good, my brother will certainly not accept him."

"He is in good financial condition now. When he was in college, he studied very hard, always got a scholarship, and now he worked very hard. He is not an inactive person. "

Ashley said, "I will study hard now, and then find a good job in the future, and I can make money on my own. I think it will be fine. "

Li Ping listened quietly.

"As for his family stuff, there was a woman who came to see me, but he always protected me. There is no such thing now. "

Ashley pursed her lips and whispered, "He's not happy about it himself, but there's nothing he can do about it. I think he has done a lot of things. "

"Okay."

"I've been telling you so many things before that I just want you not to worry about me and to make you feel better."

Ashley said, "I also want you to know that I am serious. I really feel good, being with him. "

"I get it."

Ashley didn't know if Grace has taken her words in this time.

She felt a little depressed and always felt that what she said really had no effect, but she was afraid that Grace would be annoyed if she said too much, and then she didn't mention it again.

In this case, Ashley did not dare to take Jacob home.

Time went by day by day, and the New year was just around the corner.

A few weeks in advance, Jacob booked tickets for the fourth day of the Lunar New year.

Jacob told her that even the earlier tickets had been booked.

He also told her that he would go to his friend's to celebrate the New year with his family, telling her not to care too much.

But Ashley knew very well that these were just words he used to comfort her.

In the first three days of the New year, Ashley was also busy, accompanying her parents to visit relatives and meeting people she hadn't seen for a long time.

When she got home, after washing, she went back to bed and made a video call with Jacob all night.

She didn't get idle until the fourth year of junior high school.

Jacob arrived in South Star in the afternoon.

Ashley didn't keep it from her parents. After telling them bluntly, she went out to look for him.

Jacob didn't let Ashley go to the airport, so he took a taxi when he got off the plane.

The two met at the gate of Ashley's community.

Ashley accompanied him to the hotel to put things, and then the two went to the nearby commercial circle that was still open.

She accompanied him to dinner outside, and then he sent her home downstairs.

Ashley was about to say goodbye to him when they bumped into Tim and Grace, who had just returned from outside.

Jacob was obviously stupefied.

Soon, he stood upright, smiled at them, and took the initiative to say hello.

There was nothing wrong with Tim's expression. He greeted him politely, asked him a few questions, and then said, "Come on, go up and sit down for a while. I haven't seen you in South Star for such a long time, and I haven't heard much about Liam about your situation. "

Jacob nodded and answered politely.

They reacted as if they didn't know his relationship with Ashley.

Ashley followed them, couldn't help holding Grace's hand, and whispered, "Mom."

Grace thought it was funny, "What? We won’t eat him."

When they got home, the four of them sat on the sofa.

Liam was not at home. He seemed to have gone out to find a friend.

Ashley felt nervous and didn't know what they would say, so she was nervous all the way.

Tim and Grace really didn't say anything.

Their attitude towards him was exactly the same as before.

After sitting for a long time, Grace suddenly got up and said she was going to cut some fruit.

She walked to the kitchen, and after a few steps, she stopped Ashley and said, "Ash, come and help me."

Ashley was stupefied, looked in the direction of Jacob, and stood up vaguely. "Okay."

It didn't take long to cut the fruit. Ashley helped take some fruit out of the refrigerator and turned on the faucet to wash it clean.

Grace didn't let her touch the knife. She stood by and had nothing else to do.

Ashley said, "Then I'll go out first."

Grace, "Give me a plate."

Ashley always shifted her attention out and whispered," All right. "

She stayed in the kitchen for about a few minutes.

When Ashley went out, Tim and Jacob were still chatting, and the atmosphere had not changed much compared with before.

Their expressions were normal, no different from those before she entered the kitchen.

Ashley stared at Jacob for a long time, really felt that there was no problem, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

After another half an hour, Jacob took the initiative and said, "It's a little late. I'll go back today. Another day, we will visit you. "

Both Tim and Grace got up and took him to the door.

It was 9:30 now.

Ashley put on a coat and said, "I'll go with you."

"No, it's not far," Jacob said with a smile.

Grace didn't stop her, saying, "Dress more, it's cold outside."

Ashley put on her shoes. "Let's go."

Jacob said nothing more, reminding her, "Zip up."

Then he looked in the direction of Tim and Grace and gently said, "Happy New year."

The two went out and waited for the elevator.

Ashley finally found a chance to ask, "Did my father say anything to you when I just went to cut the fruit?"

"Nope."

Jacobe said casually, "We were just chatting."

"Really?"

Jacob looked at her and chuckled, "Or what?"

Didn't know why, Ashley always felt a little uneasy, but she felt that there was nothing unusual about his reaction.

Just as the elevator arrived, she went in and murmured, "Nothing."

Jacob didn't let her go with him far, so he let her go back when he got to the gate of the community.

Ashley stood still, then painstakingly took a red envelope out of her pocket and stuffed it into his hand, "Happy New year."

Jacob picked an eyebrow, "To me?"

"Yes," Ashley said, "this is not the red packet I received. It was earned by tutoring."

Jacob opened it.

Ashley smiled and said, "I also drew the red packet by myself. Does it look good?"

With a red background and a Q-print portrait of a man in the middle, with ears and tail painted, it looked particularly lovely.

The following was written in small print, "Jacob’s 2016 Red packet".

Jacob pointed, "This is me?"

"That's right."

Jacob said with a low smile, "Why did you draw a dog's ear?"

Ashley was speechless. "This is the fox's ear."

Jacob returned to the hotel.

He took off his coat and threw it on the bed. Two red envelopes fell out of his pocket and scattered on the white sheets.

One was given by Tim, and the other was just given by Ashley.

A quiet and deserted hotel.

The expression that Jacob has been maintaining gradually faded away, and the smile on his lips slowly converged for a few minutes.

Jacob's Adam's apple slipped down and he suddenly thought of it many years ago.

Because of his mother's illness, for the first time, he called every relative he knew to borrow money.

What he got was either abuse or the mechanical sound of hanging up directly.

Everyone shunned their family.

At that time, there was nothing Jacob could do.

At the last minute, he could ask Liam, who he had only known for a year, for help. Because he knew that the conditions in his family were good.

In fact, Jacob was extremely embarrassed to say, but he pretended to be calm and asked him to borrow money.

Liam, who was still a college student, borrowed him 30,000 dollars.

Liam didn't ask any more questions, only knew that his mother was ill, so he helped him borrow it from Tim.

Before long, Jacob received a phone call from Tim and asked him about the general situation.

After asking clearly, Tim immediately transferred money to his bank account and sent a text message to him saying:[Son, don’t rush to pay back the money. Take good care of your mother first. If you need anything else, you can find me again.]

Jacob will never forget the feeling at that time.

No one wanted to help them, including his relatives.

But the family, who had nothing to do with him, gave him a helping hand without asking for anything in return.

It was a kindness that he could not forget in his life.

Jacob bent down and picked up the red packet sent by Tim.

He also thought of what Tim said to him just after Ashley entered the kitchen.

His tone was no different from that when he was on the phone. He was still calm and would not cause any discomfort.

Tim said a lot of words. Jacob remembered every word, listened carefully to every sentence, and responded to every sentence, but now inexplicably he could only remember one word.

"We do mind a little bit about this situation in your family."

When other people say such things to him, Jacob probably wouldn't feel much.

But this was Ashley's family.

Also, in his most difficult time, the only family, who was willing to help him.

Jacob lowered his eyes, sat down on the bed, and picked up the red envelope painted by Ashley.

His eyes darkened, the corners of his lips straightened, and all the forces he held up disintegrated in an instant.

There was only an extremely strong and powerless sense of inferiority.