Hogg's Mansion.
In the night, the three-story villa was like a huge monster lying dormant.
The villa was ablaze with lights. In the large dining room, there were crystal lamps hanging from the ceiling, which lightened every tiny pattern on the plates. Delicate dishes were placed on the long dining table, and the servants were standing respectfully in the corners.
Gilbert Hogg in Chinese tunic suit was sitting in the center, and Charlie was sitting on the right. He leaned back with no expression on his face.
At this time, two figures came in, one was very young, and the other was senior.
The senior one was the second wife of Gilbert, Ella Felly, who married Gilbert one and a half years ago. The young one was Madge Gray, the daughter of the Gray family that was famous in the east of the city. She had just returned to China for more than a week. Her curly hair was loose. When she smiled, her dimples showed.
Walking to the dining table, the two of them spontaneously walked to Gilbert's side and Charlie's side.
The servant came forward and asked respectfully, "Sir, shall we start the dinner now?"
"Wait a minute." Gilbert raised his hand slightly and looked at his wife.
"I've already made a call!" Ella replied hurriedly, "He said that he wouldn't come back. He was having dinner with a few of his former comrades-in-arms..."
Gilbert nodded and said, "Okay, let's have dinner!"
Only after the master of the family spoke, there was the sound of moving chopsticks. However, the long dining table was still empty, even if it was full of dishes.
Madge had been paying attention to Charlie beside her all the time. At this time, she turned her head and asked softly, "Charlie, don't you have an appetite? You haven't eaten much."
Charlie just glanced at her and didn't say anything.
"This shrimp is not bad. Let me peel one for you, okay?" Madge asked again with a smile.
"No, thanks." Charlie refused in a low voice.
Madge smiled even more gently. She picked up a big shrimp and put it on her plate. She put on gloves and peeled off the shrimp carefully. Then she picked up it carefully with chopsticks and put it in the small plate in front of Charlie. "It's okay. You can have a try, what if you like it!"
Charlie didn't eat it or even look at it. He just held a bowl of rice.
Madge didn't feel embarrassed. But Gilbert was unhappy when he saw this. He frowned and reprimanded, "Charlie! How can you be like this? No matter what, Madge is still our guest. Since you came back, you have been putting a poker face, who are you targeting?" "Uncle Hogg, don't scold Charlie anymore. If you want to blame someone, you should blame yourself!"
"Me?" Gilbert was surprised and asked with a smile, "Madge, tell me, why should I blame myself?"
"It's you who raised Charlie so good that even if he really showed a straight face, I still can't bear to be angry, because I'm fascinated to him!" Madge's last voice rose, and the atmosphere, which was a little stiff, suddenly became active by her words.
Gilbert's face, which had always been serious, showed some smiles.
Madge said with some shyness, "Uncle Hogg and Aunt Ella, don't laugh at me!"
"It's okay, there are no outsiders here!" Ella smiled.
All of sudden, the dining room was full of laughter. Charlie remained silent all the time, as if he was indifferent to everything around him. The hustle and bustle was other people's business, and it had nothing to do with him.
"Madge, you won't leave this time, will you?" Gilbert asked.
"Yes, I'm not leaving!" Madge nodded.
"That's good!" Gilbert also nodded. He looked at his son, smiled and said, "Charlie is 30 years old this year, and he's not young anymore. It's time for you to get the wedding on the schedule. I'll find a time to discuss it with your parents..."
"Squeak-"
Suddenly, there was a piercing sound of a chair rubbing against the ground. Charlie stood up from his seat, and he almost didn't eat anything. "Dad, Aunt Ella, I'm full."
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