Chapter 492
On the first night after the family division, Ryan Wallace gathered his two younger brothers and parents in the main room. Under the flickering light of a kerosene lamp, he rubbed his hands together and finally voiced the decision he had been contemplating for a long time: "Dad, Mom, I want to bring you to the provincial capital for the New Year."
Old Walter frowned immediately. "No!" He knocked his pipe heavily against the table. "I still have my pride. We didn't treat Luna well before—why go now and invite humiliation?"
"Dad!" Ryan protested urgently. "Luna isn't like that. I promise, if you're uncomfortable there, I'll buy your return tickets immediately."
Old Walter narrowed his eyes and stayed silent. Truthfully, he was itching to go. The villagers all said Ryan had struck it rich in the city, but how? Could running a restaurant really make that much money? Unless...
"Brother," Erxi suddenly interjected, "do people in the provincial capital really love eating that much? Or is Sister-in-law's cooking just that good?"
Sanxi's wife, Laura, discreetly pinched her husband's arm. What kind of question was that?
Ryan couldn't help but laugh. "You're overthinking it. It's a legitimate business. Luna's cooking is good, but the real reason is our hard work."
The room fell silent. Old Walter stared at the flickering flame of the kerosene lamp, his heart in turmoil. He feared his son might be bullied by his wife in the city, yet he also worried the business might not be sustainable. A father's heart was never at ease.
"Brother..." Sanxi suddenly spoke, his voice trembling slightly. "Laura and I talked all night..."
Laura nervously twisted the hem of her shirt, her eyes fixed on the ground.
"Just say it," Ryan said impatiently. He hated hesitation.
Sanxi clenched his teeth. "We want to go with you to the city and work! We can't handle pig farming, but we can do manual labor—no problem!"
Ryan was taken aback. He hadn't expected this from his younger brother. The restaurant was indeed short-handed, but...
"I need to discuss this with Luna first," Ryan said honestly. "We make decisions together about the business. For now, wait here. I'll call you after I talk to her."
Sanxi nodded eagerly, and Laura exhaled in relief. They didn't mind waiting—they just feared an outright rejection.
But Ryan's heart grew heavy. Inviting his parents had already been his own decision. If he added his younger brother and sister-in-law to the mix... would Luna think he was pushing his luck?
Yet, seeing his mother constantly murmuring about little Tangyuan, he couldn't bear to leave his parents solely in his brothers' care. Family was family—this was no easy choice.
The kerosene lamp let out a soft pop as the wick sparked. Old Walter suddenly stood. "Enough. Everyone, get some rest." He walked toward the door, hands behind his back, then paused. "When you buy the tickets... get me a lower berth."
Ryan's eyes lit up. His father had agreed!
The night wind swept through the main room, making the lamp flicker. Watching his father's hunched figure retreat, Ryan felt both joy and unease. With the whole family heading to the city... would Luna accept them?