Hey, Aunt Sandra, didn't you borrow $7,000 from my dad last year? And you still haven't
paid a single cent back, right? So why are you borrowing money again? Jaden shut his
mouth and didn't say another word. But Sandra replied, your father and I are siblings. It's
what family does, she sniffed.
And what's gotten into you? You used to be so well-mannered. Is this what they teach
you down at the precinct? To disrespect your elders? Keith took a sip of his Coke and
said lightly, no, this is what you've taught me, Auntie. I'm only imitating your way of
speaking to people.
Sandra's mouth dropped open and Keith carried on. Uncle Mike's been in business all
these years. Are you seriously telling me you and your husband can't afford your own son's tuition fees? Speaking of which, I've been meaning to drop by your place to ask
about the money you already owe us.
You've been borrowing bits here and there for years. I think it's around $40,000 or
$50,000 by now, right? Sandra choked on her soda, but Keith didn't let up. Since you're
here now, I'll ask you straight.
When are you going to return our money? The room was stunned into silence. Compared
to before, Keith seemed like a whole different person. In the past, he was submissive and
obedient, but now, not only was he refusing to give away his money, he was even asking
his aunt to pay back what she owed.
As Sandra gaped at him, she wondered who the hell this new Keith was and what he'd
done with her nephew. As they stared at their son, Keith's parents' eyes grew as big as
dinner plates, but it was Sandra who looked like she might keel over any minute now.
For a moment, no one said a thing.
The scene was incredibly awkward. Keith took another mouthful of soda and continued
to look at Sandra calmly. His aunt had always bullied them.
Keith's father had suffered a lot from her. His parents were honest, and his sister was
still young. Well, Keith wasn't going to let them put up with Sandra's crap any longer.
Sandra was furious this little punk had dared to talk back to her, and now he was
demanding that she pay back the was intolerable. She stood up and angrily addressed
Keith's father. We agreed on this, Sam.
Why are you letting your son change your mind now? Aren't you the man of this house?
Sam took a swig of beer before answering, but when he tried to get up and say
something, he was stopped by Keith. Sam looked down in confusion at the hand on his
shoulder. It had a gentle but irresistible power to it.
Looking at his son's calm, composed expression, a light bulb clicked on in Sam's head.
His son had grown up. The little hands that used to cling to his dad had become strong
and capable.
Sam had worked hard for over half of his life, but he'd still managed to raise his son
properly. The realization made him feel sad and gratified at the same time, and his eyes
grew a little misty. Without saying a word, he lowered his head and took another sip of
beer.
This time, it didn't taste so bitter. Keith spoke up. I don't think you're in a position to ask
who the real man is, Sandra, when you're here asking your brother for more money while
your husband sits at home.
Sandra's face turned ugly. On the other side of her, Keith's other cousin, Travis, stood up
and yelled, You saying my dad isn't a real man? Say it again. I dare you.
Keith slammed his hand on the table and it broke with a sharp crack. The dishes
clattered to the floor. Keith stood up suddenly and said in a cold voice, What? So you can
talk down to people, but no one else is allowed to talk back? Is that it? He stepped up to
Travis and said slowly, Listen carefully.
If you're going to come around here and say my father's not treating his family right, you
better be prepared to hear some home truths in return. Understand? A powerful aura
seemed to crackle in the air around Keith, and the rest of the family felt a chill run down
their spines. Travis was afraid, with a jolt.
He remembered that only a few days ago, Keith had single-handedly dealt with three
armed robbers. Travis started to tremble uncontrollably, looking bad at Keith's terrifying
eyes. He fell to the ground.
Keith looked down at his cousin and then turned to Sandra. When he saw the fear on
their faces, he knew he'd achieved the desired effect. He snorted and said, We're all
family here.
I won't argue with you anymore. But if you dare speak rudely to my parents again, don't
blame me for the consequences. As the saying went, nice guys finish last.
In the Keith would make sure that the situation was reversed. For a moment, no one
dared to speak. Sandra's skirt was still splattered with the knocked-over spaghetti.
Previously, she would probably have been angry about it. But now she looked at Keith in
silence, her face full of fear. Keith said coldly, I will not lend you the money.
Don't ask me again. Sandra was shocked at Keith's blunt words. But she was also
unwilling to give up.
She relied on her fierceness, and her husband was a shrewd businessman. In the past,
she'd always been domineering with relatives. But in this instance, her nephew was even
fiercer than she was.
And what's more, he didn't seem bothered by the thought of falling out with her. His
words were spoken with such decisiveness. At that moment, the systems chimed in
Keith's mind.
You've shattered Sandra's and your cousin's wish to mock you. Attribute point plus one.
You've fulfilled your parents wish to not lend money.
Wish value plus one. System prompt. Respecting one's elders is very important.