Soon the food was ready. Seeing Noah sitting alone in the living room, Aunt Mei's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering.
"Ah, this boy! How could he be so rude? It's always those stupid games he's playing!"
Her voice carried up the stairs with a mother's fury.
"He didn't even bother entertaining you while the food was getting ready!"
Here comes the lecture. Poor Ethan.
"ETHAN! GET DOWN HERE!"
The thunderous call could have woken the dead.
Noah winced sympathetically—he remembered being on the receiving end of similar summons from his deceased mother.
Heavy footsteps thumped down the stairs as Ethan appeared, resignation written across his face like a death sentence.
"You didn't even—"
"Where's Uncle Smith?" Noah interrupted smoothly, deflecting Aunt Mei's brewing storm.
"Has he not finished work yet?"
Sorry aunty, but I gotta save him from your fury.
Aunt Mei paused mid-lecture.
"He has. He should be arriving soo—"
