CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: GIVING GIFTS AGAIN

"Having a few backups is better than anything." Crystal Dawson shared her Siren wisdom.

Tiana O’Connell lamented, "I’m working 996, where do I find the time for backups? It’s a miracle I’m not dead from anger dealing with those idiots at the company."

I wore an eye mask and rested my eyes, listening to the three of them chat as I drifted off to sleep.

After the plane landed, we took a seaplane to the island. The aerial view along the way was quite beautiful.

"Wow, so beautiful." Finally, we reached the booked overwater villa, and upon seeing the picturesque blue seas and skies, Leah Lane immediately got excited, "I’ve decided, Connor and I will honeymoon here!"

"Diving Queen is here!" Crystal Dawson nonchalantly stripped down to a bikini and dived into the outdoor private pool.

Tiana O’Connell and Leah Lane were not to be outdone, and the three of them happily splashed around.

I lay on a lounge chair playing on my phone, looked at Joel Sutton’s transfer of 8000, hesitated for a moment but accepted it. I didn’t really need the money, but thinking about a male college student’s pride, I couldn’t refuse; that would be too gauche.

Joel Sutton sent a smiley face: Miss Hathaway, I’ll repay the rest as soon as possible.

I replied: No rush.

Speaking of which, Azure Vaughn still owes me 2000, but her part-time job got messed up by Henry Preston, so it’s unlikely she’ll pay me back any time soon. I’m not too bothered by it.

"Zoe, come down and join us, we’re going to eat later!" Leah Lane waved at me from the pool.

I got up and took off my coat, but instead of jumping in the pool, I headed for the water slide, sliding all the way into the water. Swimming made me feel much more invigorated.

Since graduating, the four of us hadn’t gone out like this together, mainly because I got married early and was too focused on my relationship, repeatedly turning down their invitations.

I decided to really make it up to myself, eating and playing to my heart’s content, putting aside all those domestic dramas for now.

Originally, we planned just a three to four days trip, but then we ended up taking a detour to Corali Island. Crystal Dawson talked about wanting to visit Kaeland Town, so we impulsively headed to Kaeland. After experiencing the fairytale village scenery, we finally reluctantly booked our flights back home.

This impromptu trip, without plans, was really fun. We spent half a month simply eating, drinking, and having fun. I even got quite a tan, looking rather healthy.

"Madam is back!" Laura Lawson seemed happy to see me return.

"Auntie Lawson, could you call the other aunties over? I brought you all gifts." I smiled.

Laura Lawson was surprised and quickly went to gather the other women. I gave each of them a silk scarf and a bottle of perfume, each gift worth around 2000.

"Thank you, ma’am!" They were all delighted and kept thanking me.

I smiled, got up, and went upstairs. After taking a shower and changing clothes, I notified Lane to pick me up at Maplewood Gardens as I needed to go to City C.

City A and City C are neighboring, but it still takes several hours to get there. Lane was driving seriously while I rested my eyes in the back seat.

When the car reached the edge of City A, I called for a stop, "Hold on."

Not far away was Azure Vaughn’s old neighborhood, where a crowd was gathered, passionately shouting something. People were holding signs with words like "Protest against unscrupulous merchants" and "No demolition, no relocation."

I calculated the timing; in the previous timeline, when Henry Preston re-planned for the factory demolition and land acquisition, it happened after he chased Azure for about half a year.

Sure enough, after rebirth, some timelines had shifted.

I looked at the gates of the distant chemical factory. Beyond those gates would be an 80,000-square-meter factory that was once famous in City A and employed many workers, boosting the local economy and transforming a deserted area into a suburban city junction.

Besides Henry Preston, no one else would dare to take on something like this. I withdrew my gaze, "Let’s move on."

The car continued, and by evening, I arrived at my in-laws’ house.

"Zoe? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?" My mother-in-law, wearing her reading glasses, was surprised to see me, looking quite pleased.

"I suddenly wanted to see you and Dad. Where’s Dad? He still hasn’t returned from work?" The servant took the gifts I brought, except for a navy blue box that I chose to hold onto myself.

"Not yet; he has engagements and will probably be back late. Have you eaten? Wait a minute, I’ll have someone prepare a meal." My mother-in-law got up and went to the kitchen area.

I sat down on the sofa. The decor around me was quite vintage; my in-laws liked this traditional Chinese style, which seemed unassuming but subtly luxurious.

The servant poured me a cup of tea and respectfully said, "Young madam, please have some tea." I smiled at her and took a sip from the cup.

A few minutes later, my mother-in-law returned and asked, "Why didn’t Henry come back with you?"

"Probably busy. I spent the last half month abroad, so caught up with my friends that I forgot to contact Henry." I replied with a smile.

"I think it’s more like Henry is blind to your needs!" My mother-in-law seemed to grit her teeth at the mention of her son.

I also couldn’t understand why such wonderful in-laws would have a son like Henry Preston?

I didn’t answer my mother-in-law, choosing not to speak ill of Henry in front of her, as it wasn’t necessary. I just handed her the navy blue box, "Found this abroad, Mom. See if you like it."

She opened the box, her eyes immediately lighting up. Inside was a walnut-sized jade pendant, crafted from top-quality old-mine icy jade, engraved with a Guanyin figure, exquisite and valuable.

She was an experienced jade collector, able to discern the quality of the jade at a glance.

"Zoe, is this jade pendant for me?" Her eyes sparkled with joy as she asked.

"Yes, when I saw this pendant, I thought you’d like it, so I bought it for you. Your birthday isn’t too far away; consider it an early birthday present." I said warmly and obediently, hoping to win her favor.

"You’re so thoughtful, spending so much. Henry Preston knows I love jade but has never given me any!" She exclaimed, seemingly a bit disdainful of her son’s lack of attention.

For my dad’s birthday, Henry gave him tea cakes... and the price wasn’t any lower than this jade pendant.

He’s very good at weighing pros and cons; whether or not he gives gifts to his own mother, she will always support him, but a father-in-law is different, especially one who can help him—it’s essential to maintain a good relationship.

Because of this jade pendant, my relationship with my mother-in-law grew closer, chatting happily as we’d never spent time together so intimately before, let alone chatted.