Although the party ended smoothly, the participants felt it was strange.
Because of Erica, the uninvited guest, Christina looked unhappy all the time.
Charles tried to cheer people up, while Crystal tried to look well, but everyone had mixed feelings.
After dinner, they left after drinking some tea.
Chandler's parents realized that although Chandler and Patrick had a good relationship, they both
would be affected by their wife's words, especially Patrick who would always listen to Christina...
Being left behind, Mrs.Stephenson reminded Crystal of something important in a low voice.
"Crystal, we are not so close to the Hopkins family like the Shepherd family.Chandler and Patrick have
been friends since they were young so that he could get close to Patrick.You should be more careful
when speaking with Christina from now on..."
Crystal had been thinking about Erica today.
Now, hearing Mrs.Stephenson's order, she looked up uneasily.
"Mom, actually, Christina.."
Crystal guessed that Mrs.Stephenson disliked Christina's unwillingness and indifference.
"I know you are good friends, but now that you are married.Besides, since we have different
standpoints, we need to think from different perspectives."
Mrs.Stephenson gently instructed Crystal, "I know Christina is kind.She saved Geoffrey before and I
am grateful to her, knowing that she treats us well."
"But she's now the granddaughter-in-law of the Hopkins family.Sometimes it's inevitable for us to have
a conflict.If she says something on impulse, it will have a great impact"
Mrs.Stephenson said it implicitly.
Just now, Mrs.Stephenson found that Patrick denied Christina nothing, letting her lose her temper at
will.
The Hopkins family did not need to please others, while others were careful when dealing with the
Hopkins family.
Plus, the Hopkins family was always united while Christina was direct.
Therefore, people would get in trouble if they say something wrong to offend Christina.
Looking at Mrs.Stephenson, Crystal nodded after a while.
"I see."
Mrs.Stephenson had had two sons, but since the death of her eldest son, Chandler became the real
support of the Stephenson family.
Although it was not good to let Crystal alienate Christina, it was also for their stable life.
"We don't have as many rules as the Hopkins family and the Shepherd family.Our relatives and
ancestors didn't make many achievements, but we have been wealthier than average people.Your
father and I have been teaching and doing research at college for most of our lives.As Chandler's wife,
you don't have to be stressful.We just need to try our best to support him«"
Crystal was relieved to hear Mrs.Stephenson admit that she was Chandler's wife.
Although Crystal had got a marriage certificate with Chandler, she was always uneasy.
The lightning marriage made it like a dream.
Every time Crystal met Chandler's ex-wife, she wasn't confident enough.
It seemed that the Stephenson family was finally satisfied with Crystal, so she was a little relieved.
Mrs.Stephenson patted Crystal on the shoulder.
"Get downstairs to say goodbye to Christina and Charles."
After all, the dinner tonight was to celebrate Geoffrey's birthday, and they had to act decently.
When Crystal trotted there, she saw Chandler on the stairs behind the elevator.
"Here's a check for five million.Take it first.If it's not enough..."
Chandler handed the check over.
"It's enough"
In fact, Crystal didn't mean to eavesdrop.
It sounded that Chandler was talking to Erica.
Hearing it, Crystal unconsciously stood still, wondering what they were talking about.
Chandler and Erica have known each other and married for so many years, and she had given birth to
a son for him.
They indeed were intimate.
Then, Crystal witnessed on the spot that Chandler gave Erica the check with no hesitation, which was
not a small amount for the Stephenson family.
Thinking of Chandler who always stayed up late at work and had a stomachache, Crystal felt that Erica
was too greedy, even asking her ex- husband for money after getting divorced.
"I'll pay you back."
To Crystal's surprise, Erica suddenly said.
Not only Crystal but also Chandler looked a little surprised.
Previously, Erica had been stubborn and arrogant.
After the divorce, she was only to be gentler.
"You don't have to do so."
Chandler was generous to his ex-wife.
Then, the man turned around and was about to leave.
However, staring at his back and watching him walking away, Erica seemed to be emotional, with her
right hand clutching the check.
The next second, she called him.
Hearing Erica's eager voice, Chandler turned around calmly, eyeing her.
"What's the matter?"
Gazing at the man, Erica asked hysterically, "Chandler, tell me, are you happy now?"
Sobbing, the woman uncontrollably raised her voice.
"You're finally divorced from me.Are you happy that you don't have to be responsible for me anymore...
"It was you who asked for a divorce."
Expressionless, Chandler replied and left.
Erica stood there alone, leaning against the wall, and burst into tears regardless of the image.
Hiding in a corner, Crystal was shocked when looking at Erica who was crying sadly.
She had always thought that Erica was so arrogant and domineering that she would never cry so
miserably.
Seeing it, Crystal had mixed emotions.
It seemed that Erica was not a bad woman.
Their strange conversation just now seemed to show that Erica didn't want to leave Chandler at all.
When Crystal took the elevator down to the lobby, Christina and the others had already taken the car
home.
Crystal had no choice but to make a phone call as a courtesy and tell a lie as an excuse.
"Today is Geoffrey's birthday party and Chandler told me yesterday that Erica would come over.After
all, Erica is Geoffrey's biological mother.Chandler asked me for my opinion, and I agreed, but I forgot to
tell you."
Crystal knew Christina was a loyal friend, and she had always been at odds with Erica.
Just now, she had resisted her anger for not troubling the Stephenson family.
As a result, Crystal decided to lie to her.
As expected, after hearing it, Christina seemed to be happier.
"You knew Erica would come? Why are you so generous? We were enjoying ourselves just now and it
was obvious that she wanted to offend you."
Charles who was with her couldn't help saying acidly.
"I've said that you are too nosy and worried."
"Who is too nosy? You?"
"Gentlemen negotiate instead of having a fight.Damn, Patrick, teach your wife to be polite."
Listening to what had happened at the other end of the phone, Crystal couldn't help laughing.
Outsiders said that the Hopkins family and the Shepherd family had many rules, but actually, they
cared less about rules.
"Christina, let me tell you someone else's bad luck to cheer you up.The white LV handbag that Erica
took was produced last year, and although she wore heavy makeup today, the corners of her eyes
exposed her haggardness.It seems that her life is tough recently..." Charles said.
"How did you know it was last year’s LV handbag?"
"I bought a set of four colors for my girlfriend last year..."
"It turns out that you, Mr.Shepherd, don't forget to serve your country and stimulate the economy after
having a girlfriend"
"Don't blame me for that.I've been single for half a year!"
Crystal decided to hang up.
It seemed that Christina and Charles would have a long quarrel.
The elders wanted a dignified and modest daughter-in-law, but Patrick never asked Christina to change
hers, which made her remain forthright.
After going back home in the evening, Crystal took care of Geoffrey as usual.
She helped the little boy brush his teeth, wash his face until the little boy fell asleep in his small room.
The elders had already rested after the busy work.
Turning off the lights in the living room, Crystal returned to her bedroom.
Chandler was writing a new project plan in the study and Crystal made a cup of hot tea before putting it
on Chandler's desk.
They were used to it.
Crystal entered the study, put down the cup of tea quietly, and left without bothering him.
After a hot bath, Crystal lay on the bed, thinking about something.
At the beginning, Crystal had worked as a nanny in the Stephenson family.
After being Chandler's wife, it seemed that she was still a nanny rather than a wife.
Therefore, Crystal was concerned, feeling that she and Chandler lacked the deep emotional foundation
without dating before.
Oh, why would she marry Chandler for no reason? "Not asleep yet?"
The door was opened and Chandler took off his coat as he entered.
The Spring Festival had just passed, and the night in early spring was still a little cold, making it easy
for someone to catch a cold.
Crystal rolled over on the bed and said, "You'd better take off your coat after entering the bathroom.It
took you a week to recover from a cold and fever last time..."
With the coat on his arm, Chandler walked to the bed and looked at her with a faint smile.
"Your husband is fit enough.I had antibodies after the cold last time.At worst, you can serve me for
another week to take Chinese medicine”
If she had heard Chandler say "Husband and wife" before, Crystal would have blushed shyly.
Now, she was used to the man’s occasional teasing.
She also learned to refute.
"You and Geoffrey secretly poured out the medicine that I had cooked for a long time.If you get sick
again, I won't take care of you."
Crystal's voice was soft, making her refutation powerless.
Chandler sat by the bed with a wider smile on his handsome face.
"If you really don't take care of us, Geoffrey will come and ask you tomorrow that if you are going to
abandon us."
Geoffrey really had asked the same question innocently, "Do you abandon me and my dad?"
Thinking of it, Crystal wanted to laugh.
Looking at Chandler who seemed to be a big child, Crystal scolded him coquettishly.
"You've been teaching Geoffrey bad lessons all day.He looks like an adult now."
"Erica was cheated of five million dollars for investing online."
To Crystal's surprise, Chandler initiatively told her what had happened to Erica in a cold voice, "She's
Geoffrey's mother and I have to help her.Plus, She suddenly called me before coming over"
Crystal looked a little surprised and gazed at Chandler silently.
In fact, she didn't expect him to explain to her so much.
Chandler patted her on the head and asked, "Are you angry with Erica's appearance?"
Crystal just shook her head.
Chandler seemed a little disappointed and sighed deliberately.
"How generous you are."
In fact, Crystal was sad and she was not generous either.
She just understood that someone needed to give in to maintain the marriage.
If Erica didn't trouble her, Crystal would try to get along with her peacefully.
"No wonder Charles said you were a good wife.I don't have to worry about the home affair anymore"
After the praise, Chandler stood up and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
After he came out, Crystal quickly got out of bed to get a hairdryer after seeing his wet hair.
"I've told you before.Don't keep your hair wet, or you'll get Toufeng syndrome one day."
Crystal mumbled as she helped Chandler blow his hair.
"OK,"
Chandler sat upright and enjoyed the service.
The couple was chatting when Chandler suddenly asked Crystal, "Have you found a job?"
Crystal paused for a moment with the hairdryer in her hand and looked hesitant.
After a while, she said, "Not yet."
"You don't have to worry about the housework.We'll just hire a nanny.Don't stay at home all day.Go out
and meet more friends.Find a job that's not tiring and learn more, so that you won't be so bored"
Chandler said softly.
In fact, Crystal was worried.
She retorted slowly, "Actually, I used to work outside, but I think a lot of my so-called colleagues aren't
sincere at all, and I cannot make true friends.So I'd better stay at home.."
"You are still so young but sit around at home.Aren't you afraid that if you can't keep up with the times, I
will despise you?"
Chandler was joking with her, but Crystal was more worried after hearing his words.
After Crystal turned off the hairdryer, they lay on the big bed.
Chandler quickly hugged Crystal in his arms, about to do something romantic.
As an introverted girl, she usually blushed and wouldn't cooperate unless the lights were off.
But tonight, she proposed, "Could you not use the condom?"
Chandler was surprised and stopped moving his hand to turn off the light and gazed at Crystal's
blushing face through the dim yellow light.
It seemed that Crystal had mustered up enough courage before saying so.
He leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "We've agreed before that we won't have a child until
Geoffrey grows up.If you're pregnant now, I'm afraid he will hate us-"
Crystal agreed.
In fact, she wanted to say that she didn't want to go to work because she wanted to have her own
baby.
But she was satisfied now.
The Stephenson family treated her well, making her willing to give in.
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