The ballet cat drove into the underground garage of the Water’s Edge Garden community.
Jacob and Guan got out of the car together and took out the cigarettes and alcohol they had bought on the way from the trunk.
When acting, one must go all out; it’s important to bring some gifts for a first visit.
But these items were all paid for by Guan; after all, Jacob was just an actor, and it was already good enough that he wasn’t getting paid, so he couldn’t possibly spend his own money.
Although Jacob didn’t care about the money, if he were to pay, it would change the nature of things.
“By the way, Guan, what’s my character setting?” Jacob asked while waiting for the elevator.
“Just be yourself. Answer truthfully to whatever they ask you.”
Guan added, “Uh, if my mom speaks harshly, don’t take it to heart!”
“I suspect she has retirement syndrome; she’s been particularly busy lately!”
Jacob nodded nonchalantly: “Elders can say whatever they want.”
As they spoke, the elevator arrived at the basement level. Guan took a deep breath, lightly waved her pink fist, and muttered to herself: Victory! Victory!
Jacob looked at this childish girl, finding it hard to imagine what her demeanor would be like when treating patients.
Would patients really listen to her?
The elevator stopped on the 20th floor.
The apartment had two units per floor, and Guan’s home was the east unit, 20-1.
“Mr. Jacob, are you nervous?”
Guan asked in a low voice as they exited the elevator.
“Should I be nervous?” Jacob curiously countered.
“Uh, no need!”
“I meant to say, I’m really nervous.”
Guan actually regretted bringing Jacob as a shield because she had never brought a man home before, not even a regular friend.
This big doctor suddenly felt a bit timid.
“How about we break up now?”
Jacob suggested a clear way out; they had initially agreed on five hours, and breaking up now would only be four hours early.
“No way!”
“I can’t bow to evil forces!”
Guan made up her mind and strode confidently to her door, inputting her fingerprint to unlock it.
However, the moment she opened the door, she regretted it.
Because at that moment, not only were her parents home, but also her second aunt and uncle, who were Lina’s parents.
Guan felt overwhelmed; she had overlooked the relationship between her mom and her second aunt. Of course, her second aunt and uncle living in the neighboring community would show up! The situation had escalated from a two-person interrogation to a four-person one.
The difficulty had increased dramatically!
It was a huge test for an actor’s skills.
“Guan, you’re back! Come in quickly.”
As Guan’s mind raced, her parents and her second aunt and uncle had already come forward to greet her.
The four weren’t welcoming her; they were actually following Jacob behind her.
“Hello, Uncle and Aunt.”
Jacob remained calm, politely greeting the four and placing the cigarettes and alcohol Guan bought to the side.
“Please, come in!”
“You’re really tall!”
Daniela warmly welcomed them while sizing up Jacob.
After settling in the living room, Guan introduced both sides.
“Jacob, you’re a friend of our Lina’s boyfriend, right?”
After some small talk, her second aunt Brynlee asked.
“Yeah, I’ve known Guan since we were kids.” Jacob nodded.
“Then who is older, you or Guan?” Brynlee was inquiring about Jacob’s age.
“We’re the same age; my birthday is just a bit earlier.” Jacob replied honestly.
“Same age?”
Brynlee was slightly taken aback: “So you’re also 35?”
“Yeah.” Jacob nodded.
Brynlee raised her eyebrows and exchanged glances with her sister, Daniela, who instinctively frowned.
“Jacob, do you know how old Guan is?” Brynlee asked again.
“I do.”
“We’re in the same zodiac sign!”
On the way here, Jacob had already asked Guan; she was 23 this year, making them exactly a full cycle apart.
“Aunt, what era are we in?”
“Age is just a number, and besides, look at Mr. Jacob; he doesn’t look like a 35-year-old at all!”
Guan chimed in, starting her performance.
In front of Jacob, Brynlee and Daniela couldn’t say much, only managing awkward smiles.
“Jacob, so you’ve never been married?”
Brynlee changed the topic. She had been called over mainly to act as the “interrogator,” since Daniela, the “mother-in-law,” wouldn’t want to dig too deep on the first meeting.
But as an outsider, Brynlee had no such concerns.
“Not really; I was married before, but got divorced!”
Jacob answered honestly.
“Ah?”
Hearing this, the sisters exchanged glances, both looking a bit stunned.
They had thought the “boyfriend” Guan brought back was just a bit older, but they didn’t expect him to be divorced.
However, seeing their expressions, Guan felt quite pleased, her lips involuntarily curling into a smile of triumph.
In her heart, she silently thought: Ms. Brynlee, keep asking, ask him if he has kids. “Jacob, you don’t have any kids, right?”
Perhaps Guan’s silent urging worked, as Brynlee indeed asked this question.
Daniela’s gaze was fixed on Jacob; this was a very important question. In today’s society, the divorce rate is high, and many people are childless after short marriages, which is something many can accept, as it just means having an extra divorce certificate.
