chapter 6 Humiliation at the family dinner

Laszlo was somewhat useless, but fortunately, he was honest and raised by Nara Lester herself, so she had some affection for him.
Although marrying him was somewhat unfair to her daughter, what's done was done, she just hoped that they could quickly have a child so that she and her husband could enjoy their grandchild.
"Mom, let's talk about this later," Granada said in a cold voice, her head lowered.
"Talk about it later? Granada, you've been married for nearly two years now," Nara said somewhat anxiously.
Granada did not respond further, changed her shoes, and went into the bedroom.
In the bathroom, Baqir was brushing his shoes while wiping his nosebleed. Thinking about Granada's delicate face and devilish figure, he couldn't help but feel excited.
Probably any man would struggle to restrain himself in front of such perfection. Thus, he was torn, to sleep, or not to sleep with her?
If he did, she was, after all, someone else's wife. If he did not, he was technically her husband now, and without his help, she and Laszlo might never have children.
Thinking back to his life in Queanmond City, where he was a youth known for his heroic deeds, he finally decided to help others for joy!
After finishing his chores, he washed up and entered the bedroom with an uneasy feeling.
Granada was already lying in bed in her pyjamas, and a bedding was laid on the floor.
Baqir was slightly startled, looking at Granada, who was focused on her phone and not offering any explanation. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, realizing why they had been childless for nearly two years – Laszlo had always slept on the floor.
No wonder she was somewhat uncomfortable when he held her hand today; they probably rarely even held hands.
Laszlo was indeed too disappointing!
Baqir sighed regretfully, realizing he couldn't help this time, he had no choice but to walk over and lie down on the bedding.
"Turn off the light," Granada said coldly.
"Okay."
Baqir felt like he was back in his college dormitory.
In the following days, while visiting his mother, Baqir discreetly gathered information about Laszlo through his acquaintances.
He learned that Laszlo was an orphan adopted by Nara at three and later married Granada when he grown up. The reason for Granada's agreement to marry him was unknown.
After checking Laszlo's phone, Baqir found his social circle was very simple, mostly involving two men who dealt in pornographic discs, who mostly had no other friends.
He had been in a coma for two months and lost contact with these two men, but Baqir thought it was better this way, as it saved him a lot of trouble.
Perhaps there's something truly magical about blood relations. Baqir's mother felt exceptionally close to Baqir when in contact with Laszlo's skin, and no longer thought of suicide, accepting him as her godson.
Seeing his mother's mood stabilized, Baqir felt much relieved. Next, he needed to pay back the money to Mr. Hudson, but it was difficult to gather such an amount in a short time.
When Baqir returned from his mother's place in the afternoon, Granada was already home, fixing her makeup in front of the mirror.
His father-in-law and mother-in-law were also at home, and they all changed into a more formal outfit.
"You're late, hurry up and change your clothes. Your uncle's new son-in-law got a promotion and invited us to dinner," his mother-in-law urged.
After Baqir entered the room, Granada was ready, wearing a black lace off-shoulder long dress, her black hair draped on one shoulder, looking sexy yet dignified.
Baqir was somewhat stunned, thinking she must be the epitome of beauty.
"If you don't want to go, you can stay home," Granada said coldly.
"What, afraid I'll embarrass you there?" Baqir laughed self-deprecatingly.
"No," Granada's face changed slightly, and she quickly walked out.
Baqir, not wanting to upset Granada, decided to stay home, but Nara insisted he come, fearing trouble from Granada's uncle's side.
Reluctantly, Baqir followed, but he can see that Granada wasn't pleased.
Fairrock Restaurant was a high-end dining place in Queanmond City, indicating the capabilities of Granada's uncle's son-in-law.
After their arrival, they were led to a large private room upstairs with two round tables, where most of the relatives had already gathered. Whenever Granada greeted someone, Baqir hurriedly followed, appearing very henpecked.
The relatives looked at Baqir with mocking expressions, largely ignoring him.
The one sitting at the main seat at their table were Granada's uncle and aunt, with their son-in-law and daughter on either side. The new son-in-law, Kwint Ziegler, looked fair and square-faced with thick lips and glasses, speaking and behaving like someone from the government system.
"Thank you all, my relatives and elders, brothers and sisters, for gracing this occasion. I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"
After everyone arrived, Kwint raised his glass, spoke a few courteous words, and downed his drink.
"Kwint, don't be so formal. In the future, as your cousin, I'll need to rely on your care as the head of the health bureau," a tall man also stood and followed with a drink.
"So young and already a deputy head, Kwint is truly talented."
"Rising so quickly, becoming a director is just a matter of time."
"Don't forget us poor relatives when that happens."
While laughing and chatting, the relatives complimented him.
"Uncles and aunts, no matter how far I go, I’ll always be your junior. If anything, do not hesitate to inform me, I will definitely do my best to help."
Kwint displayed his bureaucratic demeanour, pleasing the relatives who nodded and praised him.
"Laszlo, now that you're well, you should learn more from your brother-in-law and be more ambitious, not idle around all day."
At this moment, a senior member of the family suddenly shifted the conversation to Baqir.
Granada's face slightly changed, becoming colder. Nara and Mace also appeared somewhat embarrassed, their faces flushing red and then turning pale.
They were both comparing their sons-in-law, lamenting how different Baqir was from the others.
"Yes, indeed, Laszlo, you're still unemployed, right? Why not let your brother-in-law help you find some menial work at the health bureau?" Granada's aunt spoke arrogantly.
She had never thought highly of her niece and her husband, especially since her deceased father-in-law had favored Granada more.
"Mom, I'm afraid I don't have that ability. Not anyone can get into those, even for menial jobs at our health bureau. At the very least, they require an associate degree or higher." Kwint chuckled, "I'm sorry, Laszlo, I really can't help."
Baqir nodded and smiled to himself, thinking that this was typical of someone from the system – killing people without seeing blood.
"But you can't just stay idle at home. You can't always expect your wife to support you. I happen to know a contractor. There's a shortage of laborers for carrying bricks on his construction site. They pay 25 dollars a day. I'll contact him for you."
"Right, our factory also has a job for a gatekeeper. It's an easy job, but the pay is not much."
"With no education and no skills, you can only do these kinds of jobs. Don't be picky."
A group of relatives chimed in, ostensibly out of concern, but in reality, they were mocking him.
Granada's face remained icy as she tried to control her anger. Each remark was obviously made out of mockery. This useless man was embarrassing her.
"Let's eat, let's eat, let's start with the meal!"
Seeing the increasingly ugly expressions on Nara and her husband's faces, Granada's uncle hurriedly intervened, inviting everyone to eat.
Although these words were harsh, Baqir didn’t mind. He ate and drank as usual, knowing that their comments were aimed at Laszlo, not him.
"A loser is always a loser, one who only knows to eat."
"Maybe he became stupid after the fall last time."
"His name is Laszlo, but I think 'Decadent Laszlo' would be more appropriate."
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Several cousins of the same generation also looked at Baqir and whispered mockingly.
Baqir was somewhat angry. It was one thing for the elders to mock him, but it was another for these peers to join in.
"What's the matter, Lester? Didn't you say this private room was booked by me?!"
Just then, an unpleasant voice came from outside the door.
"Oh, Crius, I'm really sorry, it was my oversight. Shall I get you another room?"
"Another room? How can you change it? Is there any other room as good as this one? Do you know who is coming to eat here today? You should quickly tell the people inside to change places."
"This... Crius, to tell you the truth, the people inside are from the health bureau, and I can't afford to offend them."
The boss was referring to Kwint. Although his rank was not high, his restaurant was under the jurisdiction of the health bureau, and they could make things difficult for him.
Hearing this, Kwint suddenly felt more confident. He stood up and yelled outside, "Who dares to disturb my meal!"
With his shout, the relatives in the room also unconsciously felt proud and puffed up their chests.
"I, Crius Lewis, captain of the criminal police."
As soon as he finished speaking, a man in his thirties pushed the door and entered. He glanced around and said, "I'm sorry, everyone. This private room was originally booked by me, but the staff made a mistake. I have some important guests arriving soon, and I hope you can do me a favor and move to another room."
"Why should we? We're halfway through our meal. Why should we move?"
"That's right, what's so great about being a captain of the criminal police?"
"What right do you have to make us do this?"
Granada's cousins immediately objected, full of youthful defiance and not taking the captain of the criminal police seriously.
Originally, Kwint was a bit intimidated by the title of the captain of the criminal police and was planning to give in, but these words made him feel unable to step down. He put on a tough attitude and said, "Yes, Captain Lewis, we are in the middle of a meal. It's not appropriate for you to drive us away."
"Sorry, brother, can you please make an exception?" Crius Lewis knew he was somewhat at fault.
"Sorry, we can’t accommodate that. If you must use this room, then wait until we’re finished."
With no room for negotiation, Kwint directly confronted him, knowing that the captain of the criminal police couldn't interfere with the health bureau.
"Right, if you want this room, wait until we're done."
After Kwint spoke, the other cousins also echoed in support, looking at him with even greater admiration.
"Crius, what's going on? Why is it taking so long to change a room? Your director will be here soon."
Another voice came from outside, and then Powa Dabney stepped in.
"Crius, you've come at the right time. I was trying to get these people to change rooms, but your bigwig from the health bureau won't budge, making us wait here until they are finished," Crius said coldly, glancing at Kwint.
"Powa Dabney?!"
Kwint turned pale with fright and stood up abruptly, even knocking over his bowl and chopsticks.
"Are you from the health bureau? Which department?"
Powa obviously didn't recognize Kwint and coldly glanced at him, clearly displeased.
"Di… Director, I'm Kwint Ziegler from the disease control... department," Kwint stuttered, sweating profusely. Offending the deputy director meant no chance of climbing up the ladder anymore.
"Tonight, I am hosting the director of the public security bureau. Could you please make room for me by vacating this private room?" Powa asked authoritatively.
"Of course, of course."
Kwint nodded repeatedly, then signalled to the relatives around him to pick up their bowls and chopsticks and move to another room.
The relatives, hearing that he was Kwint's director, didn't dare to speak up and begrudgingly began to gather their things to leave.
"Director Powa, this is a bit too much," Baqir said calmly and unhurriedly.