Another Life of Lu Xin

When Ryan Clark walked out of the company, almost all his colleagues had already slipped away.

This made Ryan Clark feel quite proud—another day of working overtime until ten o'clock. It seemed like a promotion and a raise were just around the corner. However, as he reached the company entrance and glanced back, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. All the lights in the office area were already off, except for the office of the department supervisor, Linda Brooks, which was still lit. The most famous white-collar elite in the company was probably working overtime like crazy again.

The famously slender, long-legged, and sexy Manager Brooks was a well-known backbone of the company, decisive and highly responsible. She often led her team to tackle difficult projects overnight. Many employees were afraid of her, but also respected her, because when she worked overtime with her team, she truly gave it her all. And when it came time to apply for bonuses or raises for her subordinates, she would really stand up to the boss.

Colleagues often joked about whether she would ever get married, but Ryan Clark never said anything.

After all, he was a good employee, especially well looked after by Manager Brooks. When it came to working overtime, apart from her, he was the most dedicated.

That was also why he had been an exemplary employee for several years in a row, and his salary had increased quickly.

By rights, since the boss was still working overtime, he shouldn't be leaving so early. But, since it was the weekend, he figured he might as well head home as soon as possible.

His parents were probably waiting anxiously, and besides, he had already made plans with his good buddy Ethan to play games together!

Quietly closing the door, Ryan Clark slung his black backpack over his shoulder and left the office building, weaving through the bustling cluster of office towers below, just in time to catch the last subway train.

When he got home, he could smell the aroma of meat before he even opened the door. Ryan Clark smiled as he pushed the door open, knowing there would be a good meal tonight.

Warm light shone on his face as Ryan Clark dropped his backpack, changed into slippers, and heard his father poke his head out of the kitchen, grumbling:

"Why are you working overtime so late again?"

"Hurry up and wash your hands. We agreed to have dinner together tonight."

"..."

With that, he ducked back into the kitchen to keep cooking, still muttering, "It's just this job, just muddle through it. Feels like you live at the company every day."

Ryan Clark smiled sheepishly, quickly changed his shoes, and headed to the dining table.

His father was a chef who loved experimenting with all kinds of dishes, but as his son, Ryan Clark had absolutely no talent for cooking. He'd rather work a nine-to-five office job, which made his father unhappy. He often lamented that all his talent was going to waste and would scold Ryan Clark whenever he had the chance. But after so many years living together, Ryan Clark was long used to his father's sharp tongue and soft heart.

"Alright, Ms. Bolton, it's settled for tomorrow night. We'll go shopping together. I've had my eye on that sweater for a long time."

His mother was leaning by the window, chatting happily on the phone: "I can't play mahjong tonight. Our family agreed to have dinner together."

As she spoke, she hung up, pointed at Ryan Clark, and though she didn't scold him, it was as if she was warning him not to work overtime so late again.

His mother was a university professor specializing in psychology. To others, this family always seemed a bit odd. It was hard to imagine a sensitive, gentle, and caring psychology professor marrying a rough and wild chef. They didn't seem to match in appearance or have much in common, but somehow, they had lived together for many years and shared a kind of tacit understanding that other families couldn't match.

Maybe that's just what family is.

"Is Shiqi still watching TV?"

After being scolded by his father and then pointed at by his mother, Ryan Clark didn't dare talk back and instead turned his attention to his little sister.

He ruffled the little head curled up on the sofa, deliberately picked her up, and set her at the dining table, saying, "Dinner's about to start. Come sit down."

"I don't want to eat, I want to watch TV..."

His sister was still sulking, struggling in Ryan Clark's arms like a little wildcat.

"Don't tease her again, or you'll get scolded..."

His mother went into the kitchen to help his father bring out the dishes, saying as she went.

"Why are you getting scolded again?"

Ryan Clark had already noticed his sister was in a bad mood, but he didn't care. He just picked her up and wouldn't let go. Her arms were too short to reach him.

"She hit a classmate at school and stole his lollipop."

His mother got angry just thinking about it: "That's a bad habit. If it keeps up, who knows what she'll be like when she grows up!"

"He tore my teddy bear first, and then showed off his lollipop..."

Although his sister was venting at Ryan Clark, with her big brother as a shield, she was much bolder and talked back to their mother.

However, when their mother gave them a stern look, the siblings immediately sat down quietly.

"Alright, alright, let's eat. Eating is the most important thing."

Their father had to smooth things over, filling the table with dishes and even bringing out a bottle of wine. But before opening it, he sneaked a glance at their mother.

Despite his big build and fierce looks, he was actually quite afraid of their mother.