MY UNKNOWN HUSBAND, VOLUME 2 - Season 5 Episode 20

At New Year’s Day’s dinner party, John was the last person to take a seat at the table.

There were two empty seats, one next to John and the other next to Jessica, which Sam especially reserved for Jason and Nina.

Jessica sat in her seat and stole glances at John from time to time. He was as cold and hard as ever, and he did not even acknowledge her when he took his seat.

The two of them had not spoken for more than half a year since Sam had an accident and Jessica begged John to marry Vivian.

Jessica knew that she was in the wrong. She felt so guilty that she had tried to ease the stiff relationship between her and her brother. Unfortunately, John had been against seeing his sister. Every time she went to meet John, Richard claimed that he was busy.

Her brother refused to see her, but he often took James with him.

After trying to reach out so many times and getting nowhere, Jessica finally stopped disturbing John.

This was the first time that they had seen each other in half a year. Jessica found that John had lost a significant amount of weight. Even if her brother was wearing thick winter clothes, she could see that he no longer had the heft he used to have on his bones. His cheekbones had grown more prominent on his face as well as his jawline. His eyes were sunken, his complexion was sallow, and he was still with his crew cut.

Winter in Lexingport City was cold and brutal. She wondered whether John could still feel the cold outside even with all the layers of clothing he had on.

There was a hint of worry and pity in Jessica’s eyes.

“What have you been doing with your uncle John, James?” Jessica did not dare ask John directly about the things he was up to lately, so she decided to ask James instead.

James pursed his lips and replied, “What else can I do? I just work with Uncle John every day. He didn’t keep his word. He promised me I’d work in the entertainment industry for two years. When I caught a break starring in one of Director Xin’s movies, it’s only been less than half a year. Now he’s telling me to quit acting. It’s so unfair.”

“Hey, how can you say that about your uncle John?” Daniel raised his hand and heavily patted James on the shoulder. James sharply drew breath because of the force and shrank in his seat before his father’s stern eyes. He did not dare say anything more.

Angela added, “Your uncle John knows how to work and take it seriously. You should learn from him. Otherwise, how can you support Emma and your family in the future?”

Emma, who just got mentioned, lowered her eyes and smiled. The truth was, she did not need James to support her. She could support herself. Her future mother-in-law only said that to challenge her son, so Emma played on. “Well, you do have to support our family in the future.”

“I can support my family now. My salary as a movie actor is not low.” James had always wanted to work in the entertainment industry and become the best of the best. But his family didn’t think it was a decent job.

Dora interjected in a low voice, “You’re in your prime now, James. What if you lose your beauty in the future and no one wants to see you in movies anymore?”

James turned around, glared at his sister, and emphasized loudly, “I’m an actor with excellent acting skills. I’m not one of those stars who get paid handsomely just for their appearance.”

“It’s true. In fact, Director Xin praised James for his great acting skills. He’s not just an ordinary actor. He’s amazing at what he does.” When Emma spoke for him, James almost wept with tears of joy.

But before he could, Emma continued, “Many of his fans are fond of his face and tend to ignore the fact that he’s an acting revelation.”

“In that case, once he loses his handsome face, he’s going to lose his fans as well,” Dora commented, and Emma nodded slightly to show her agreement.

James looked at his sister and his future wife. They were right, but he could not help feeling hurt by the truth of what they just said.

Then, Dora leaned in to whisper in her brother’s ear. She said with a smile, “James, you should learn from Uncle John. The next time Emma goes on a business trip, I will come visit you on her behalf. Maybe I can help you.”

“What can you do to help me? Just mind your own business.” James turned away, annoyance apparent in his face. Dora tugged on his sleeve and answered, “I can help you find a brother-in-law.”

“What? Hmm…” James was so shocked that he practically screamed. Everyone whipped their head at him while Dora hurriedly reached out and covered his mouth.

Dora said in a low, panicked voice, “Shh! Keep quiet!”

“What’s the matter with you two?” Jessica asked.

“Nothing.” Dora shook her head violently and let go of her brother. She looked so guilty and acted so defensively that everyone thought she and her brother were hiding something. The entire family looked at her incredulously.

Dora lowered her head and clasped her hands together on her lap. She shot her brother one last pitiful glance, silently begging him not to say anything.

The gesture put James under the illusion that he finally had an advantageous position in the Shi family. For now, he decided to let his sister off the hook.

No wonder the receptionist told him that Dora had been coming to see him lately, but she just wandered around the office and then left. It seemed that she had been using him as an excuse to go to Time Group and visit the person she liked.

‘Is it the new intern from the project investment department?’ James wondered.

“Uncle John, what’s the name of the intern who joined the project investment department last September?” As soon as James asked the question, Dora’s pupils shrank and her whole body tensed.

How did her brother know?

It turned out that she could hide nothing from her brother. Dora always went to his office to see him, but she would leave after saying a few words. This made James skeptical.

It turned out that his sister was in love with someone in the company.

“Roman Cheng.” John clearly remembered the intern. After all, he had given his business card to Roman’s friend in L University’s library.

“Oh, his name is Roman.” James deliberately dragged his voice and smiled meaningfully at his sister.

Dora’s face flushed with shyness. Her brother was teasing her.

Emma, who was close to Dora, did not notice Dora’s shyness. She was slightly surprised to hear the intern’s name. “Roman? Roman from C University?”

“Yes.” John nodded.

James’ face darkened. He had met Roman twice. Although Roman was not as handsome as he was, he was deeply appreciated by the department manager.

He also heard that John personally recruited Roman to join the company.

That said a lot about Roman’s character. After all, John never invited mediocre people to join his company.

“How do you know each other?”

“Do you remember that earthquake in C City where I got trapped in a milk tea shop? He worked there part-time then. We got trapped together. He helped a lot to ease my anxiety,” Emma said with a smile.

Dora’s eyes widened in surprise. She did not know that Emma met Roman during that terrible earthquake.

With a fake smile, James said, “Well, that moment’s passed, and my sister likes Roman.”

James emphasized the word “sister” on purpose, letting Emma know that she should not have anything to do with Roman. His sister had her eye on him.

Emma heard the jealousy in James’ voice. She could not help chuckling. “Okay,” she shrugged.

Dora stood up and scolded James with a red face, “James! You promised not to tell them! What is wrong with you?”

“What? I’m sorry. It just slipped out by accident,” James replied with an awkward smile.

“Humph!” Dora was so angry that her cheeks flared and bulged.

Angela glanced at her husband and said, “Our daughter has fallen in love with someone.”

Daniel nodded. “Anyone who can make John remember should not be bad.”

“Dad, Mom! Stop it!” Dora blushed furiously, but everyone ignored her. “John, when Daniel and I have time, can we go to your office to meet this young man?” Angela asked.

John nodded, “Yes, of course.”

Sam beamed with joy. “This is really good news. Our Dora is all grown up. I’m so lucky to have lived long enough to see it.”

After a while, the redness on Dora’s face gradually dissipated.

“I happen to have something to tell you.” The cheery air at the table slowly faded away as John’s low, serious voice reached everyone’s ears. “I’ll marry Vivian.”