[Shout out to Howellsy, ALMIGHT_FLEX, and Abdul!]

Chapter 17

My wife was as shocked as I was when I counted the money. For a lower-middle-class family like ours, having that much cash was surprising.

She smiled, but I knew she was as nervous as I was.

"It's good that you put it in the bank, but I'm shocked that you carried almost PHP 20,000 in your pocket alone! Don't do it again."

"Yes."

I agreed with her. At least I have to make sure the money is safe while I'm in public.

"Looks like I have to prepare our clothes later. We have to go to the province before December 23rd to attend the signing of the contract."

"Hm, I already bought a souvenir for father and mother-in-law."

"Let's think about a business when everything is over. We don't have the money yet, so let's take it slow."

Penelope sighed as she said this. It was a bit sad for her that half of their land would be sold. She had a lot of important memories and was very attached to the place.

She had grown up helping her parents. However, she understood that no one wanted to take over the farm, so selling it was the best option.

Besides, our family needed the money. No, everyone needs money, not just us.

I clenched my fists. When I get rich, I will buy back the land for my wife.

"Hm, let's eat first. Kids, put down your toys and wash your hands, we're going to eat chicken and donuts."

"Donuts?"

"Chicken?"

The two children immediately dropped their toys. They could play with them later, but their stomachs needed nourishment.

They paced to the kitchen and awkwardly washed their little hands.

My wife and I laughed at their excitement as we prepared the dishes.

-Nom nom nom nom.

As we both expected, Sophia and Roman only attack the chicken and the donuts. They never touch the rice or the vegetables.

"Roman, you have to eat pumpkin, and you too, Sophia."

Penelope gave each child a spoonful of pumpkin.

The children obviously hated vegetables, judging by their expressions.

"..."

Roman glared hatefully at the pumpkin. He ate it along with the chicken just to get over the taste.

Stolen story; please report.

Unfortunately, Sophia, the youngest child, threw a tantrum. She almost cried when she saw the vegetables on her plate.

-- sniff sniff...

My little girl looked at me and asked for help. But I couldn't help her because Penelope was staring at me too...

Sorry princess, I don't want to make your mother angry, or else she won't cuddle with me later.

Considering that the food was great, I can say that our lunch was lively.

The kids were giggling/grumbling all over the place. My wife was happy and relaxed as she fed Sophia. She was smiling, thinking about her parents.

After lunch, Penelope left the house. She went to the school cafeteria to tell her manager that she would be gone for the long week's vacation. I'm sure it would be fine.

The school cafeteria would not be busy. The students would also be on vacation.

"Kids, do you want to watch movies?"

I'm the only adult and it's my responsibility to take care of them.

Unfortunately, Roman was busy with his Beyblade. Watching it spin over and over again.

As for Sophia, she was talking to her new Barbie toy, asking if Barbie liked her hair combed.

Sophia was still a baby, so I put her next to me so I could see what she was doing.

"Dajjy, your eyes awe blue just like mine? Why is that?"

"Sweetheart, I'm your father and you inherited the color of my eyes. Look at your brother, his eyes are red just like your Mom."

Finally, I sighed and sat down in front of the big-fat TV. I was still not used to seeing this kind of 'old' television. In 2023, most of the TVs sold were flat screens.

"Anyway, let's see what I can watch... Rambo, Rambo 2, Rambo 3, Rocky, Rocky 2, Rocky 3. Total Recall, Terminator, True Lies. Damn, I guess I like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger a lot, huh".

I could not help it, they were my idols...

"That..."

I was stunned by my own atrocities, most of the videotapes I have are action movies!

Well, action movies are not bad. In my opinion, they are much better than the repetitive superhero movies of the next two decades.

That's right, I became numb from watching superhero movies. I'm tired of Marvel movies.

In the end, I settled on Keanu Reeves' Speed. I like the fast-paced and nerve-wracking explosion scenes... Let's not talk about "Speed 2", Keanu was not the male lead in that movie.

While the kids were busy with their toys, I was watching an action movie. Luckily, there were peanuts to munch on while I was immersed in the movie.

Unbeknownst to me, half an hour had passed and my wife returned.

"How are the kids, honey?"

"Hm, they're fine."

I nodded and turned off the TV. I turned to my wife who was approaching Sophia and checking on the child.

"How was it?"

"The manager agrees. Oh, I already paid Mrs. De Guzman on the way. I told her that we will go to the province."

"I'll help you pack our bags later."

"Thank you. Now... Roman, come here. I have something to say to you and Sophia."

The two children looked at their mother, waiting for her next words.

"Tomorrow we are going to your grandparents, so you have to go to bed early."

"Yea!"

Roman was excited, he knew his grandparents. They love him. He immediately turned around and cleaned his room to pack his things.

"Grandma?"

As for Sophia, she was confused because she never knew her grandparents.

"That's right, sweetie, we're going to meet Grandpa and Grandma. Don't you remember them? Didn't you talk to them last time?"

"Really? Ah! Grandpa and Grandma!"

Sophia had never met them, but she had talked to them on the phone. Even though she was usually shy and didn't talk much.

"That's right, so you need to sleep early tonight so we don't leave you."

"Ah!"

My wife teased, and Sophia looked shocked. She watched Home Alone last month and cried because the boy was pitiful, left alone by his parents.

"Mommy, don't leave me!"

"I promise, sweetheart, but you have to behave."

"Okay!"

She nodded and hugged her mother.

[Hi, I just want to promote my other novels:]

1) MC is not part of the story

- This novel is already finished with 526 chapters.

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-This is my most-read novel for some obvious reasons, ahem.

3) Reincarnated As A Deadbeat Dad

-This is a new novel. A slow progressive slice of life about a deadbeat dad.

4) Hollywood What If

- Mc returned to Hollywood in 1994.

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