Chapter 3The Boyfriend Test

Sure enough, Dad came home early the next afternoon.

He was carrying half a watermelon.

Mom scolded him for wasting money while putting the melon in the fridge.

"Just because you like it!" Dad replied casually, kicking off his shoes and flopping onto the sofa.

Mom didn't respond, but the corners of her mouth turned up, and her spatula moved more cheerfully in the wok.

Dad was a factory worker. He lived at the factory dorms during the week and only came home on weekends.

When there were lots of orders and overtime, he'd be gone for ten days or two weeks at a time.

Mom handled everything at home—the household, the relatives, and me—single-handedly.

Chad was punctual, knocking on the door just before dinner.

Seeing my dad, he shouted with full lung capacity, "Hello, Dad!"

Dad nearly fell off the sofa.

Chad was carrying gifts: a large watermelon and a case of milk.

He had dressed up today. His blond hair was slicked back, shiny and bright. He wore a normal white t-shirt, but paired it with a wild leopard-print vest and ripped jeans.

Very trendy.

I whispered to Chad, "My dad is introverted."

He patted his chest, reassuring me. "We're family now. We'll warm up."

Then he chased after my dad, chatting away. "Dad, I heard you're a senior technician at the factory. What kind of senior?"

"Are the dorm beds big? Is the food good?"

Dad wasn't much of a talker, but he responded with grunts and nods. "Well—"

"Uh—"

"Mm—"

Seeing them chatting so happily, I snuck into the kitchen to check on dinner.

"Mom, Chad is really too good."

"He bought us a whole huge watermelon! And a whole case of milk!"

I chattered in Mom's ear. Suddenly, she slammed the spatula down with a clang and said deeply, "Have I ever starved you?"

I pouted. "Usually we only buy half or a quarter of a melon. Milk is bought one bottle at a time."

"Compared to that, he's really generous!"

Mom's face was dark as she quickly plated the food. "Dinner's ready."

I helped carry the dishes out.

Chad is the best. Always smiling.

On the table, Mom had made four dishes: braised fish, chicken wings, vegetables, and seaweed egg drop soup.

"Wow, a feast!" I exclaimed, picking up my chopsticks.

Usually, when it was just Mom and me, it was one meat and one veggie.

Seeing my excitement, Chad immediately postured. "Next time I'll take the family out to a restaurant. We can order five dishes and a soup."

I was moved. "Chad, you're so good."

I glanced at Mom, wanting her to see how great Chad was.