Christmas is over, and spring is coming.
In a few days until the Lunar New Year, the company's employees get a week off. Lunar New Year is the most anticipated time of the year. After a tiring and stressful day at work, it's finally time to take a break.
"What are your plans for this vacation?" David asked.
"I'm going back to my hometown to visit my father, I haven't visited him in a long time since he left the apartment." Ella pursed her lips to answer him.
"I'll be back with you."
David's suggestion stunned Ella. "You don't celebrate the New Year with your family?"
"In previous years, I spent the New Year with my family, this year is special because of you. So, I want to celebrate the new year with you." David quickly decided. "Okay, let's decide."
Ella was speechless. But she has one condition, she will pay for her car fare and money to buy gifts to give to her father.
David smiled in agreement. He has another plan in mind, David thinks he should also buy a present for his father-in-law. Anyway, since marrying Ella, he hasn't said hello to her father.
From city X to town Z - Ella's hometown - it takes about three hours by train.
While waiting for the train to arrive, Ella and David went around the nearby area to buy gifts for her father. She has a tea bag because her father loves to drink tea in the morning. David secretly bought a special gift and he put it in his backpack without Ella knowing.
Spring in Z town is different. Neither cold nor hot. The weather is cool and fresh. As soon as she stepped on the platform, Ella spread her arms and breathed in the air of her hometown. It had been a long time since she had come home, and it had been a long time since she had eaten her father's cooking. It's really to be expected.
Ella and David took a taxi home, she didn't want to waste a single moment of these precious holidays.
The car stopped in front of a small road, they got off. Ella carries a lot of gift bags in her hand. She wants to give gifts to her father, relatives, and neighbors. But she didn't buy anything for herself. David walked behind her, helping her with her luggage.
"Father, your beloved daughter is back."
As soon as she entered the gate, she shouted, she enjoyed the warm atmosphere of the family, loved being hugged by her father, and stroked her hair. Outside of society, Ella is an adult, but back in her father's arms, Ella is also just a child.
Mr. Stephen was cleaning the house when heard her voice, he stopped what he was doing, and went to the gate to welcome her back.
"Ella, you're back. I'm very happy. Are you tired? Into the house."
Ella's smile is sweet, sincere, and sparkling with a childish feel. It had been a long time since she smiled like this. Probably since her mother passed away. Her father gave her all his love. So warm.
David stood beside him, looking at Ella's smile, he felt his heart skip a beat.
Mr. Stephen turned his gaze to David. "May I know who you are?" Ella's father gave David a very malicious look to scare him. Although, Mr. Stephen knew his daughter was reluctantly married, he didn't know David's face.
David was not frightened by Ella's father's sharp gaze. In the business world, he has met a lot of competitors and most of them give him a look twice as sharp as that of Ella's father.
David reached out to shake Mr. Stephen. "I'm David, I'm Ella's husband. I came here to say hello and also to get Ella home safely. I'm sorry I didn't say this sooner. I ask for your understanding and forgiveness. I."
Mr. Stephen has no sympathy for David nor is there any indication that he will shake David's hand. He is angry that David arbitrarily married his daughter without telling him anything. Mr. Stephen thinks that David despises and disrespects him.
A small hand pulled his shirt. "Dad, why don't you shake his hand?"
Mr. Stephen still didn't shake David's hand, he glanced at David and entered the house.
David withdrew his hand. Ella patted him on the back as if to comfort him. Together they entered the house.
In the living room, Mr. Stephen sat on the sofa, not in a good mood.
David took out a box of ginseng from his backpack and set it down on the table. "I have a gift to give you."
Mr. Stephen neither looked nor spoke. He still had a nonchalant expression on his face.
David feels awkward because Ella's father doesn't say anything to him.
Noticing the tension in the air, Ella spoke up. "When did you buy it?"
"When I was on the platform, I purposely didn't tell you because I wanted to create a surprise," David replied.
Ella sat down next to her father. "Dad, this ginseng is good for health. You should make him happy, okay?"
"A gift from the rich, I dare not accept." Mr. Stephen sarcastically upset David.
He changed the subject. "Ella, where is this luggage?" He pointed at Ella's luggage lying on the floor.
"In my bedroom."
When David wanted to take Ella's luggage into her bedroom, Mr. Stephen snatched the luggage from David. "I'll do it. You can't enter my daughter's room."
Mr. Stephen and Ella took their luggage to her bedroom. The luggage was quite heavy, they carried it up the wooden stairs. David stood in the living room, he wanted to help them but thinking of Mr. Stephen, he gave up his intention.
During the meal, the atmosphere seemed stuffy, the three of them silently ate their rice, and no one said anything. Ella breaks the silence by telling her father about her life in X City.
Although the dinner went smoothly, David still had the feeling that Mr. Stephen is being wary of him.
After the meal, Ella was the one washing the dishes. She tells David that her father loves to drink tea, and he can make tea to calm Mr. Stephen.
David made tea and brought it to the small garden, setting the cup of tea down on a table, where Mr. Stephen was reading the newspaper.
Mr. Stephen put the newspaper down on the table and asked. "What is your occupation?"
"I am a businessman. My grandfather is retired and he gave me the right to run the company." David doesn't want to show off his rich background, but he doesn't hide it either. He's just telling the truth.
"So, what products does your company deal in?" The sharp eyes of Mr. Stephen have become a normal gaze. And he is getting to know his son-in-law.
"Alcohol." David is very careful in choosing his words. Not everyone can understand business, so he tried to speak just enough not to upset Ella's father. Then if Mr. Stephen doesn't understand, he can explain.