[Shout out to Anakin, Lloyd m, Marcelo M, Yisus88, Dwhateverprof, Andrew S, Aidan d!]

RDD 52

Life in the province was simple and fulfilling, though there was little to do.

Most of the time Penelope and I helped my in-laws with their new business venture.

The chicken and duck coops were completed in 5 days. There were also barriers so it was hard for them to escape. The family also had three dogs to guard the place.

11:30 in the morning. We heard some trumpets here and there. Sometimes there were people shooting firecrackers. They were making noise for the new year.

"Roman, you're getting tan."

"Hm."

Penelope sighed as she looked at her son. Roman's milky white skin was getting darker. Of course her heart ached, she wanted her son to be as handsome as ever.

"Mom, I want to go swimming in the river again." Roman might be quiet most of the time, but he was vocal when he needed something.

"No can do. You already swam yesterday. If you want to swim again, you have to meet my chancla. Do you want the imprints of my flip-flops on your butt?"

"..."

Finally, Roman sighed and approached me in defeat.

Son, if you ask for help, you know I can't help you. I'm also afraid of your mother. Even if I'm right, your mother is always right. Even if I'm wrong, your mother is always right.

"Daddy, can I play with your phone?"

"..."

It was a relief to know that my son would never drag me into the swamp.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Here." I handed him my phone and let him play.

"Roman, stop holding your father's phone and go to sleep. It's New Year's Eve later and you'll fall asleep if you don't rest now!"

With a deep and angry voice, Penelope glared at Roman. She was fanning Sophia who was sleeping.

Since it was the last day of the year, Penelope wanted the children to be asleep so they could welcome the New Year with vigor.

There was a tradition in the Philippines that if you jump on New Year's Eve, you will have a healthy year and grow taller.

But of course, if the children were too sleepy, Penelope would never force them to stay up all night.

"..."

In defeat, Roman handed the phone back to me and collapsed on the wooden bed. There was no mattress for us, only little Sophia had the privilege of a soft bed.

I looked at my wife who was fanning Sophia.

"What are you looking at? Go to sleep too."

"Yes."

She seemed a little irritated. It wasn't her time of the month, so it was kind of weird.

Anyway, since I didn't have anything to do, I decided to sleep.

Later, we still have a bunch of chicken to fry.

"Dajjy! Dajjy! Wake up!"

I weakly opened my eyes when I heard my daughter's soft voice.

"Hm? What's wrong, sweetheart?"

I rubbed my eyes and looked at Sophia who was almost on top of my chest.

"Dajjy! Look! I have a cowowing book!"

"Huh?"

What does that mean? My eyes gradually focused on the thing Sophia was holding.

"Ah, you have a coloring book, sweetie?"

"Yesh!"

I rubbed her head and she giggled as she flipped through the pages. The coloring book was of Disney princesses like Cinderella and Snow White.

"Wow! So bweautiful!"

Sophia happily looked at each picture.

"Sweetheart, these are just pictures. They are not real. I think your mother is much more beautiful than these fakes."

"What did you say?" I suddenly heard my wife's voice and I froze.

"Nothing much, honey. I just said that you are much more beautiful than those unrealistic Disney princesses."

"Here."

I sighed when she didn't say anything bad back. In fact, she blushed slightly.

"What's this?"

"Just open it."

I was confused when she handed me a box. Then I realized that my wife had bought me a Nike: Air Force One.

"Honey?" I was stunned.

"I saw you looking at these shoes the last time we were in town. So I decided to get them for you."

"..."

Nike: Air Force One was a nice pair of shoes. I remembered that I had three pairs of Nike: Air Force One in different colors in my past life.

To be honest, when we went to the city, I thought about buying the shoes. But I decided not to buy them. I think I should earn my own money before I buy things for myself.

"Thanks, honey."

"Eh?"

I unconsciously hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. She was stunned for a second before she pushed me away.

"Keith Castillo! Don't ever do that again!" She gasped and blushed.

"Hehe, sorry~"

I rubbed my head.

Looking to the other side of the room, I noticed that Roman was holding a Rubik's Cube.

I looked at my wife.

"I bought him a toy that can increase his intelligence." She nodded.

Now I realized why Sophia had a coloring book while Roman had a Rubik's Cube. As expected from my wife, she had already planned the best for the children.

"Are you sure he likes it?"

If you ask me, I'd rather play with Gundam than solve a Rubik's cube.

"Can't you see? He's having fun."

I looked at Roman seriously and realized that he was solving the Rubik's Cube with utmost concentration. It was as if the cube absorbed his mind and he had to solve it before he could escape.

He probably inherited this mentality from Penelope and my grandfather. Once something caught his interest, he would focus all his mind on it until he solved it completely.

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