Chapter: 2798
When Xiao Changkun heard this, he felt anxious. He wanted to speak up but couldn’t find the right words.
“In this family, I may not act like Ma Lan all the time, but I really haven’t contributed much,” he thought.
“Sure, I made some money from Zhang Ermao with Teng Teng Antique. I thought it would lead to wealth, but then nothing came of it.”
“That guy Zhang Ermao used to be around every time I visited Antique Street, but lately, I can’t find him at all!”
“It’s not just that. I tried to buy some antiques with the hope of making a profit, but I ended up losing a lot of money. I spent thousands on a few items, and when I took them to a professional appraiser, they offered me just a dollar or two for them, which meant I lost almost everything.”
“Then I joined the Calligraphy and Painting Association and got busy with its activities. While I do well there, it’s mostly about reputation and credentials. When it comes to making money, it’s really not that great.”
Thinking about all this made Xiao Changkun realize how unremarkable he felt. “Oh, my good son-in-law Charlie Wade bought me a car, helped me show off, and has been there for me every day. But what have I done for him?”
With guilt weighing on him, he looked at Charlie and awkwardly asked, “Charlie, what do you think I should do in this situation?”
Charlie…
Wade smiled and said, “Dad, don’t you fit in well at the Calligraphy and Painting Association?”
Xiao Changkun sighed and replied, “It’s a nice place, but I still can’t make money.”
Charlie waved his hand dismissively. “You and Mom don’t need to worry about making money. I can support this family along with Churan. You both can relax or do what you love. I think the Calligraphy and Painting Association is great. It matches your interests, helps you grow, and lets you meet new friends.”
Xiao Changkun looked a bit embarrassed. “It feels like I’m just taking advantage of you all, and that makes me sad.”
Ma Lan rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically, “Oh, Xiao Changkun, you’re finally aware that you’re living off others? I didn’t know you had that kind of self-awareness!”
Charlie quickly intervened, “Mom, we’re family. There’s no such thing as living off others. Shouldn’t you and Dad aim to be independent and self-sufficient in the future?”
Ma Lan waved her hand and said, “Oh, my son-in-law, that’s not what I meant. I just think it’s silly that Xiao Changkun doesn’t earn any money and doesn’t help out around the house. It’s like he’s just lounging around…”
Even though Ma Lan wanted to tease Xiao Changkun, she didn’t want to put herself in a tough spot. If Charlie asked her to go out and work, she wouldn’t have the same easy life anymore.
Xiao Changkun quickly added, “From now on, I’ll take care of mopping the floor, sweeping, wiping the table, and taking out the garbage. I’ll handle it all!”
Charlie shook his head, feeling helpless. He wasn’t going to be easy on Xiao Changkun, but he couldn’t help but smile at the banter.
The villa was large, which made cleaning a big task. Charlie Wade wasn’t used to asking for help since he had lived in an orphanage since he was eight. He didn’t have the same worries as someone from a wealthy family, and he wasn’t accustomed to having someone around to take care of him.
When Xiao Changkun offered to handle the housework, Ma Lan felt a bit better and decided not to argue with him anymore. She was eagerly waiting for Chen Zekai to arrive because he had promised to give Charlie Wade a VIP spa card from Buckingham Palace, which was what she was most excited about.
A few minutes later, Xiao Churan finished cooking some noodles. She rinsed them in cold water, placed them in a bowl, and topped them with her own garlic sprout and pork gravy. She handed the bowl to Charlie Wade with chopsticks and smiled, saying, “My husband, how does my cooking taste?”
Charlie Wade took a deep sniff and said, “It smells amazing! It must be delicious!” But when he took a bite, he was disappointed by the taste.