No Substitutes for the Bigshots' Dream Girl Anymore!-Chapter 1811: Daily Life After Marriage (39)

"This time, I actually took leave to come hang out with you guys. Even when the gala invited me, I didn’t go. Aren’t I loyal?"

Hayes Edwards arrived and immediately started buddying up with Jack Stewart and Edison Lynch.

Lucy Taylor had also come early and casually exposed Hayes Edwards’ lie, "Oh, that’s not you turning it down; that’s you being too embarrassed to go. Tone-deaf superstar, am I right?"

"Who says I’m tone-deaf!" Hayes retorted indignantly, "I’ll pick a song later, and you all better listen when I sing."

James Landon sat off to the side and adjusted his glasses, "Last time you got drunk and sang, you nearly got us kicked out by the restaurant owner."

Edison Lynch chimed in too, "Exactly, exactly. I still have the video. I’ll show it to everyone later!"

Feeling utterly wounded, Hayes Edwards could only seek comfort from Hannah, but after just two sobs, he spotted Arnold Simmons coming out of the kitchen and quickly changed course.

"Roy! They’re bullying me!"

Roy Yarn was a good-natured gentleman, kind and soft-hearted to the point where people couldn’t bear to lie to him.

So, naturally, he couldn’t lie to others either—Hayes Edwards included.

"To be honest, your singing isn’t very good, but that’s okay. Everyone has something they’re not good at. You could try exploring other things."

Feeling worried that Hayes would take it the wrong way, Roy even added some comforting words.

But Hayes would honestly rather skip the consolation.

Later in the evening, Emily Lynch came over with her boyfriend William Taylor.

William Taylor and Roy Yarn were classmates and close friends, so the two quickly started chatting upon meeting.

Emily Lynch then skipped over to Hannah for a chat, "Big Round and Golden Lotus, guess what I’ve brought for you!"

She grinned like a "weird big sister."

Big Round was simple and sweet, wagging its tail at everyone.

Golden Lotus, on the other hand, was a bit snooty. As soon as it saw Emily carrying a flower-patterned collar, it bolted.

Emily chased after the dog, "Golden Lotus, just try it out, will you? I picked this out especially for you—it’s even pink with flowers!"

Golden Lotus ran even faster.

Big Round, on the other hand, accepted it right away and even proudly strutted around the room showing it off.

Edison Lynch glanced at it and unhesitatingly criticized his sister’s taste, "You’ve been tacky for decades—it’s still the same old thing."

Emily Lynch put her hands on her hips, "Edison Lynch, I’m giving you one last chance to say something nice."

Edison Lynch: "...It’s very nice."

Emily glared at him.

He cleared his throat, set down his game, reached out to pet Big Round’s head, and praised it, "So cute."

Big Round wagged its tail enthusiastically and flashed him a big doggy grin.

Emily Lynch said, "That’s more like it."

She then went off to continue chatting with Hannah.

Edison Lynch let out a sigh of relief, then looked over at William Taylor, sitting off to the side. Curious, he asked, "Do you really like my sister?"

William Taylor, an artsy, outgoing spike-fiddle enthusiast, grabbed the opportunity to profess his sincerity, "Don’t worry, brother-in-law. I’ll take great care of Emily in the future, treat her like a treasure, never let her feel sad..."

"Alright, alright, I get it." Edison quickly cut him off, "You two really are birds of a feather. No wonder you ended up under the same roof."

A while later, Crystal Quach and Alexander Quach arrived with Matthew Quach. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Matthew had grown quite a bit taller since those earlier days and still had his cool, little adult demeanor. He wore a tiny uniform and even gentlemanly brought a gift for Hannah.

It was a handmade assignment from his craft class—a red paper rose.

Hannah accepted it, squatted down, and ruffled his hair, her eyes crinkling into a soft smile.