Aiden Thompson came home the next day just in time for dinner.
Vera Thompson wasn't home, and only Rex Thompson and Mabel Thompson were there.
He washed his hands and sat down at the table. Rex Thompson looked very upset, like a volcano ready to erupt.
Sure enough, Rex spoke in a tense voice, "Where did you go after dinner yesterday? You just disappeared."
Aiden calmly picked up his chopsticks and replied, "I was bored, so I just walked around the neighborhood."
"Don't lie to me!" Rex shot back, shaking his head. "With your situation, how could you lose your mind over a woman five years older than you? You really think I'm that naive?"
Mabel quickly intervened, sensing the tension. "Okay, okay, let's just eat. No more arguing."
But Rex wasn't having it. He snorted loudly. "No sense of commitment. How are you going to handle big responsibilities in the future?"
Aiden paused and glanced at Rex before saying, "Let's eat first, we can talk afterward."
Rex huffed, "What's the point of eating if you're already upset?"
Aiden didn't respond, just continued eating. Mabel quietly served Rex more food, trying to calm him down, "Just eat, please. Let's keep it quiet for now."
The meal was unusually silent for the three of them.
Afterward, Rex stood up and walked toward the tea room. "Come here," he called.
Aiden followed. While eating, he had already sent a message to Dr. Johnson, their family doctor, asking him to come over in half an hour to check on his father's health. It was just an excuse—he wanted Dr. Johnson there, just in case.
Mabel seemed worried that the argument would escalate, so she followed them into the tea room.
Rex made the tea himself. Though his health had improved, he still looked far from his usual self. His face had grown more haggard, and his hair had more gray than before.
He placed the tea in front of Aiden and said, "Speak your mind."
Aiden took a sip from his cup and said, "I'm planning to list Silverstone Group on the Nasdaq this year and expand our overseas operations by opening new branches."
Rex didn't expect Aiden to talk about business. He raised an eyebrow. "So, you just wanted to discuss the company's future?"
Aiden nodded, then added, "But that's not all. If I manage to do this, I'm going to marry Grace Li."
Rex slammed the teapot down onto the table, the sound loud enough to make the tea nearly spill.
He couldn't control his anger anymore. "So, you're telling me you don't care about the company's future at all? It's all about that woman?"
Aiden remained calm. "Of course, I care about the company. I just want to make it clear—if I can grow the company on my own, why do you have to use my marriage as leverage for business gain?"
Rex's face turned dark. "Is that how you've always felt?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
The two stared at each other across the tea table. Rex clenched his teeth, and Mabel, seeing things about to escalate, quickly interrupted. "Aiden, your father and I just want what's best for you. We want you to find someone who's right for you, do you understand?"
Aiden sighed, speaking evenly. "Mom, you keep saying you're doing what's best for me, but where's the proof? I met a woman I really love, and I want to spend my life with her. You both keep stopping me. Is this really for my good?"
Mabel replied, "But she's older than you, and not from a family with the same background. You think you like her now, but in time, you might realize how different you two are. Look at your sister—didn't you learn anything from that?"
Aiden disagreed. "You don't understand her. You haven't really gotten to know her, and yet you judge her. You want me to break up with her. That's not for my good, that's just making my life harder. Mom, I'm 26 now, I can think for myself and know what I want. I know who I want to be with. You keep saying it's for my good, but it's just your own opinion. You haven't even tried to understand what I want or why I'm making this choice. Even if I make a mistake, I'll take responsibility for it."
After he said that, both Rex and Mabel fell silent, exchanging a glance. They were both thinking about what he had just said.
As parents, they wanted the best for their son, but what was really "best"? When parents and children have different views, whose opinion should they follow? It seemed there was no clear answer to bridging the generation gap.
Mabel finally spoke. "So tell me, what's so great about this girl?"
Aiden smiled gently. "To me, she's perfect. When I'm with her, I feel at ease and truly myself." He added with a bit of self-mockery, "Honestly, sometimes I feel a little weak next to her."
Mabel's heart ached when she heard him speak so humbly about himself. "No one should say that about themselves," she said.
Aiden shrugged. "I made her a promise, but I can't keep it. I can't even see her without sneaking around. She could have chosen someone who would love her more and whose parents would accept her, but she's been stuck with me, walking this tough road. The reason I feel weak is because I don't want to fight against you both, especially when Dad's health isn't great."
Rex sneered, "So, you're hoping I die sooner so you don't have to worry about me, huh?"
Aiden didn't hesitate. "Of course not. As your son, I want you both to stay healthy and live a long life. That will never change."
"I just want you to truly accept my love for her, that's all."
Rex slammed his hand on the table. "I've already made a compromise. You have another year and a half. If you're still with her after that, I won't stop you, but you're the one breaking our agreement."
"Dad, I never agreed to anything with you. That was just me considering your health," Aiden responded. "In my opinion, the real agreement is for me to make the company stronger, without sacrificing my marriage for business interests, and for you to allow me the freedom to choose who I marry."
Rex scoffed, "You're just a kid fresh out of the gate. You think you can make Silverstone Group strong? You're dreaming."
Aiden met his gaze with determination. "Whether or not I succeed is one thing, but I'll try. That's the only way I can fight for my happiness."
Mabel's eyes started to tear up. As a mother, she wanted her son to be happy, but it seemed they had become the biggest obstacles in his path, making things so difficult for him.
After the conversation ended, Aiden returned to his room, while Mabel and Rex remained in the tea room. Both of them were reflecting on their actions over the past six months.
Mabel finally spoke, "Rex, do you think we really went too far this time?"
Rex was about to defend their actions, but he couldn't find the right words. What did "for his own good" really mean? All their decisions were based on their own views.
He sighed and said, "It doesn't matter whether we went too far. His marriage involves two families, and we have every right to give our opinion."
Mabel, still curious, said, "You've seen the girl, but I haven't. What's she like?"
Rex picked up his cup, took a sip, and said, "I've only met her once. She's articulate and clearly smart. If it were business, she'd be a tough competitor."
Mabel raised an eyebrow. "We're not talking business here, Rex, we're talking about her being a potential daughter-in-law."
Rex shrugged. "Well, she's a career-focused person. What else is there to say?"
Mabel sighed, "It's been over half a year. Aiden's been considerate of your health, not wanting to upset you. Maybe we, as parents, should consider how he feels too. What do you think?"
Rex lowered his gaze, then replied, "Do what you want."