Cyrus stomped his foot angrily. "Sis, can you control Edward? He's about to turn the world upside down!"
Heidi winked at me. "Honey, if Cyrus says so, just do as he says. You could save a lot of money if you listen to him."
"Save a lot of money? Sure, but it all goes into someone else's pocket. If your eyes hurt from watching, put in some eye drops—stop squinting and grumbling," I snapped.
Heidi tugged at me anxiously, lowering her voice. "What's the point of agreeing with him? Kids like this can be appeased easily."
"He's twenty, not two. And even if I agree with him, what do I do when he tells me to transfer money? Give it or not?" I huffed angrily.
"Of course, give it! We're family—money belongs to all of us anyway."
I shoved Heidi away. "You're going too far!"
Just then, my in-laws returned from their walk. Cyrus immediately ran to tattle on me.
My mother-in-law rushed over, scolding me without a pause.
"Edward, I really don't mean to nag. But why buy your brother such an expensive watch? He's not even part of our family!"
"Since you married into our Ramos family, you're part of it now. In ancient times, if you were our son-in-law, your ties to the Phillips family would be cut!"
"Mom, what are you saying? I didn't marry into your family as a son-in-law. And if we follow your logic, Cyrus will get married too—does that mean he's no longer part of the Ramos family?"
"That's different! When Cyrus gets married, his wife must follow the three obediences and four virtues. Our Cyrus will provide the house and the dowry—he won't be disrespected!"
I pinched my chin. "Oh? Then if I provide both the house and the dowry, does that mean Heidi has to follow the three obediences and four virtues toward me?"
"Nonsense!" My father-in-law bellowed, red-faced. "My daughter would never be subservient in her husband's house!"
Heidi nudged me gently, then smiled. "What time is it? Aren't you hungry? I'm starving. I'll cook, honey—you help me crush the garlic."
My mother-in-law stomped her foot. "Cook? Forget cooking!"
She jabbed Heidi on the temple with her finger. "You, you—why does a pretty wife always cook? Cooking is a man’s job! Let your husband do it!"
"He's spoiled by you, eating and lazing around all day, spending money recklessly!"
"Mom, Edward doesn't know how to cook," Heidi replied.
"Then he should learn! In the future, you're not allowed to serve him—he cooks, and if he can't, he goes hungry! Don't spoil him!"
Cyrus suddenly grinned. "Brother-in-law, if you don't want to cook, that's fine too. As long as you meet my demands, my sister can make you cook."
"Right, sis?"
Heidi caught the hint and immediately came over to mediate.
"Honey, peace in the family brings prosperity. Let's both compromise, okay?"
"Compromise? I laughed softly.
“How exactly? Do you want me to serve your entire family from now on, or do you want me to hand over all the money I earn to your brother?”
“Heidi,” I said coldly, “have you completely lost your mind?”
“I earn the money. I do the housework. And I still have to serve your whole family.”
“So what—if I married you, all you’re giving me is that thing down there?”
“Do you think I need that thing from you?”
Heidi's face darkened instantly. “Edward, you’re speaking way too harshly!”
"Harsh? Compared to your whole family's greed, I'm already being polite!" I thundered.
I come from a privileged family in Los Angeles.
Heidi and I were college classmates. Her family was from a small county in a fifth-tier city.
After graduation, she chose low-paying temp work for a measly two thousand dollars a month.
I chose to start a business, seized the trend of the times, made a fortune, and now own my own company.
