Atiam.
The phone in the pocket of his suit jacket on the hanger kept ringing.
Christina usually didn't check her husband's phone, but it kept ringing, which was annoying.
"Patrick is cooking supper.” She took the phone and said directly.
The person on the other end of the phone paused a second hearing her voice.
That was Charles.
He laughed at her, "Christina, you've been asking Patrick to cook supper for you all day.What a sweet
couple..."
"Charles, don't corrupt him because you are single.He has been very busy recently.Patrick will have a
few meetings tomorrow.He doesn't have time to go out.That's it.Bye!"
Mrs.Dickens hung up the phone.He didn't say anything.
She was so protective of him.
Charles was very depressed.
"If Patrick kept spoiling her like this, she will be king of the world one day"
Chandler sat next to him.
They used to work hard during the day and drink at night to relax.
But recently, Patrick had been staying at home.
"A married man does have a sense of belonging.Charles, hurry up and find someone to marry.Give
birth to a few more children and serve the country” Chandler teased him with a smile.
"You see, Patrick has been in a good mood recently.He has a lovely wife and a pair of cute twins.No
matter how busy he is at work, he feels fulfilled..""
Charles took a sip of half a glass of brandy and complained, "Can Christina be called a lovely wife? I
say she is trouble...Patrick Hopkins’ life went too well, so god appointed Christina to abuse him."
In fact, everyone knew that Patrick cooked supper for Christina first, and then he could have her.
Ha ha ha...
Charles was really depressed by thinking about it.
"Chandler, Patrick is obviously the coldest and unsentimental person.Normally, he should accept his
elders' arrangement to marry a lady from a big family and respect her:"
On the other way around, Patrick was so happy now, as if he had volunteered to serve her.
At first, Charles gloated, but after along time, he realized that it was good to have a wife like Patrick
does, and then he felt a little envious.
"How come can't a handsome, handsome, gentle, and considerate man like me find a wife? It's not
reasonable, isn't it?"
"Don't you have enough girlfriends, Mr.Sherpherd?"
"Those women are different.You don't want to marry them.They are only with me for money..."
When Chandler saw he was half drunk, he felt touched.
He guessed that he was forced to marry by Mrs.Shepherd.It's time to show his brotherhood.
Chandler patted him on the shoulder.
"Next week is Geoffrey's birthday.I'll ask Crystal to introduce you to a few girls..."
Every year, the Stephenson family spent a lot of effort to hold a birthday party for their precious
grandson, and Patrick Hopkins was invited to be there with Christina.
The Stephenson family was a traditional scholarly family.
Outside a simple courtyard, there were many colorful balloons.
It was very festive to have a small party at home.
All the students in Geoffrey's class came, and the whole courtyard was filled with childish laughter.
Christina got out of the car and followed Patrick into the courtyard.
She could not help but smile as she watched kids running around in the yard.
They were all dressed as little princesses and princesses.
They were very cute and lively.
Several people in teddy bear costumes were invited over to greet kids with soda and desserts,
Everyone was very happy.
"Mrs.Hopkins."
Geoffrey, the birthday boy, was wearing a serious black suit and a red tie today.He looked especially
energetic and handsome.
Once he saw Christina, he rushed over.
Christina handed him a large transformer toy.
"Happy birthday"
Geoffrey hugged the gift with his little arms and smiled shyly.
Mr.and Mrs.Stephenson came over.
They greeted Patrick, then looked at Christina and shook her hand.
They smiled warmly.
"Geoffrey always talks about you.He worships you very much...
Thank you so much for saving Geoffrey the last time in Switzerland
"You're welcome." Christina replied with a smile.
Outside the door, a bright voice came.
"Geoffrey, your uncle is here.Come out and welcome me."
It was Charles.
Everyone laughed.
Chandler and Crystal walked in.
Charles was also very generous and brought over several birthday gifts.
"This is from me, and this is from my mother, and this is from my father..."
After saying that, he ruffled Geoffrey's handsome hair.
Everyone looked at his large and small gifts.
Some kids looked at him with sparkling eyes.
Charles had a trump card.He turned to sign the driver to carry a large bucket of chocolate candy and
followed a group of kids to share.
"Charles prepares a bunch of gifts for kids in advance every year.He likes to send gifts like Santa
Claus.Actually, he really was if he wore a red coat and some white beard"
Chandler smiled.
"He bought the chocolate from a special candy factory in Germany..."Christina went to join the fun and
grabbed two pieces of chocolate.
She put it in her mouth and it melted.
As expected, it was expensively delicious.
She handed a piece to Patrick.
Patrick didn't like candy very much.
Seeing that she was so happy, he bit a small piece.It was very sweet.
Charles was busy handing out candies.
Seeing this happy atmosphere, Crystle chuckled.
"Look at him.It’s like Master Shepherd is handing out wedding candies."
Chandler can't miss the chance to make fun of him.
"He just wants to send the wedding candies.Spring is coming and he is in heat."
The group burst into laughter again.
Of the best friends, Charles had the best temper, and he liked children the most.
Strictly speaking, the Shepherd family's upbringing was special.
The kids were playing in the yard, and Patrick and other adults went into the living room to drink tea.
Christina took the chance of Charles’ absence and asked in a low voice, "Are Charles' parents very
strict?"
Chandler answered undirectly, "Mrs.Shepherd is a very interesting person."
As she spoke, Charles hurried to Geoffrey and held the phone to his ear.
It was Mrs.Shepherd who wanted to talk to Geoffrey.
Geoffrey thanked her for the gift that she gave every year.
"Chippy, Geoffrey said he hasn't cut the birthday cake yet.I'm going to go over with your father now..."
Geoffrey handed the phone back to Charles.
When Charles heard this, he immediately became vigilant.
"Mom, it's troublesome for you to come uninvited.You can't let so many people wait for you to cut the
birthday cake."
Mrs.Shepherd thought about it and had no choice but to give up.
"Forget it.I'll go next time"
"Are the Hopkins there? Remember to tell Patrick and his wife the twin babies are related to the
Shepherd family.At least you need to be their godfather and ask Patrick and his wife to bring the twins
to our house sometime."
Mrs.Shepherd was so excited that her voice came out of the phone.
Everyone looked at Charles curiously.
Charles looked embarrassed and agreed, "I see."
The Shepherd family members were simple and clear.
A grandfather, father, mother, eldest brother, second brother, third brother, and Charles were fourth.
The Shepherd family had always been dominated by males.
Charles didn't even have an aunt.
Charles’ mother did not believe it.She insisted to give birth to four kids.
All of them were boys.
She was so angry that she almost wanted to cut her youngest son into a daughter.
"Chip, I can only count on you now."
It could feel her resentment through the phone.
"Your unfilial eldest brother is like a rock.He only knows to work and has business trips all day long.As
for your second brother, he said that he might like men.And your third brother went to Egypt to dig an
ancient tomb and said that he was not interested in women and would rather marry a mummy..."
"Chippy, you are as old as a bottle of wine.When are you going to marry..."
Charles was so angry that he didn't know what to say.Is there a mother who called her son a bottle of
wine?
"Most of your friends have married and had children.If you don't marry this year, I won't be able to
make it.The doctor said I might get depression..."
Charles sighed deeply.
"Morn, it's Geoffrey's birthday today.Let's not talk about such a heavy topic first.I'll hang up."
"Charles, you are so close with your mommy"
When Christina saw him hang up the phone, she immediately laughed at him.
"Chippy, a bottle of wine, hahaha..."
She laughed out loud.
Every family had its own difficulties.
Charles’ nickname for "Chippy" was as cutesy as Christina's nickname for "Chrissi."
Charles was extremely embarrassed and glared at her with a sullen face.
He was the youngest one, so his mother always used to call him Chippy.
Every time Charles heard this nickname, he got goosebumps.
Unfortunately, his repeated protests were ineffective.
However, Charles had a good temper and soon he figured it out that fortunately, he was called Chippy
instead of Dicky which most families would call their fourth kid.
Chandler could not help but laugh when he saw his friend's aggrieved look.
"Charles has been beaten up by his mother since he was a child"
Christina held Patrick's hand and trembled with laughter.
Patrick also smiled.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda