"Hey, Anson!"
Lucas Wood flashed a big smile, holding a bouquet in his hands, and opened his arms wide, ready to give Anson a huge hug.
But Anson, looking disgusted, stopped him.
Lucas awkwardly scratched his nose, the smile fading as he returned to his usual cool demeanor. Only then did he remember the bouquet in his hand and extended it to Anson.
Upon closer inspection, he realized—
This wasn't a bouquet of flowers; it was a bouquet made entirely of chips.
Small packets of plain chips were bunched together to form a bouquet.
Anson casually took the bouquet, stepped aside, and invited Lucas in.
"Luca? What are you doing here?"
"Mom? Dad?"
Inside, the room was in chaos again. The three of them were surprised and baffled, exchanging lively conversations, making the living room exceptionally lively.
But what about Anson?
Anson quietly returned to the living room, standing behind the couch, without interrupting the ongoing conversation. He just silently observed—
Something wasn't right.
Once could be an accident; twice could be a coincidence; three times is inevitable.
Although Anson couldn't pinpoint why, he didn't believe everything before him was just a coincidence.
So, what was the reason?
The entire Wood family showed up?
Nora turned to Anson, "Oh my God, how did this happen? Your dad and brother are here too, this is so rare!"
Anson raised his chin slightly but didn't lower it, "It is rare. I'm also very curious how this happened, Mom."
Nora was taken aback, "It's a coincidence."
Anson squinted, "Mom, I'm not a seven-year-old who still believes in Santa Claus. I don't believe the three of you just happened to show up here without any prior discussion. So, what happened?"
"No, nothing happened." Nora shook her head.
Charles chuckled, "Ever since you caught me sneaking presents under the Christmas tree when you were five, you stopped believing in Santa."
"But we're not lying. Nothing happened. Us being here really is just a coincidence."
Charles, with his usual unhurried demeanor, calm and composed, was very convincing, naturally persuading the others with his words.
However, Anson didn't believe it.
"Dad, are you telling me that our family, who can't even get together for Christmas, just happened to all be in my living room by chance?"
"Come on, this isn't a fairy tale."
"Wait, am I dying of some terminal illness, and I don't even know it?"
As soon as he finished, Anson laughed.
Nora scolded him with some exasperation, "Anson."
Anson raised his hands in surrender, then finally noticed the chip bouquet in his hands, "And this, Luca, this definitely wasn't just some random gift, right?"
Nora glared and scolded, "Lucas Wood, how many times have I told you, that's junk food, don't let Anson eat too much of it."
Lucas didn't argue, just quietly accepted the scolding.
Anson paused—
Right, if it had been planned in advance, Lucas would never have brought this gift. Knowing that Nora disapproved, why would he foolishly walk into that?
Could it really all just be a coincidence?
After all, truth is stranger than fiction.
But what about that persistent, nagging feeling that something was off?
Charles gently patted Nora, signaling with his eyes toward Anson. Only then did Nora pause her nagging, and Charles looked at Anson again.
"Since we're all here, it seems like we could plan a family lunch today. How about it? Do you have time to join us?"
"Oh, by the way, you mentioned last time about considering moving, maybe even buying a property. Since we're all here, why not let us help you decide?"
Everything seemed normal.
Charles effortlessly steered the conversation back on track, and you could see the sparkle of anticipation in Nora's eyes, her excitement subtly rising.
All eyes turned to Anson.
However.
Anson looked at Lucas and called out.
"Luca."
Lucas looked up, meeting Anson's clear, bright eyes. He raised his brows slightly, asking with his gaze—more direct and sharper than words.
Lucas sighed softly.
"It was me."
Nora gasped, "Luca!"
Charles covered his face, looking up at the ceiling, "Oh."
Anson, "Aha! I knew something wasn't right. How could it all be such a coincidence! Your acting is so good, I almost fell for it. Now I know where my acting genes come from. Mom, are you sure you don't want to audition for a couple of roles in Hollywood?"
Nora couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Lucas turned to his parents, "Anson figured it out; there's no point in denying it any longer."
So, what was really going on?
Lucas turned back, his usually expressionless face softening, revealing a hint of concern as he looked at Anson.
Anson: Me?
Lucas nodded, "I saw the news on TMZ, all of it."
"Your roommates, Hayden Christensen, and Brad Renfro—did something happen between you? Did they hurt you?"
Anson paused, instinctively denying, "No..."
But Lucas didn't believe it, "So where are they? Where are they now? If they're innocent, if nothing happened between you, then we can meet them."
"Luca, they're my friends. Why should I introduce you?"
"Indeed, if you had to introduce us, that would be a bit odd; but now, since we're here, visiting your place, it's not strange to say hello, right?"
"They... they moved out."
"Why did they move out?"
"Luca, we don't need to question why they moved out."
"Right, I don't care why they moved out. But if they dared to hurt you, let me tell you, this won't end easily."
Suddenly, Anson's heart was struck.
Anson could feel Lucas's anger and anxiety. Beneath those surging emotions was deep concern and worry, hitting him all at once.
Anson was momentarily stunned, "What if it's my fault?"
Lucas shook his head, "I don't care. No one can hurt my brother, no one! So, bring them out. I want to have a heart-to-heart with them."
But Anson felt as if he had been struck by lightning, sitting there in a daze.
It turns out, in this world, there really are people who will stand by you unconditionally, no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances. They'll stand behind you, ready to take on the world with you, without hesitation.
The bitter and scarred memories from his past life rushed over him like a tidal wave, breaking down his defenses, catching him off guard.
Suddenly, his nose tingled.
Nora looked worried, "Anson, what's wrong?"
Anson was flustered.
He realized his eyes were getting warm, quickly took a deep breath, and looked up at the ceiling, "No, nothing's wrong."
"Anson!" Lucas shouted.
But Anson, hearing that call, smiled—a smile that blossomed fully, one of happiness, a joy and contentment that filled his chest.
"Luca, even if something did happen, it's because I bullied them. When did I ever get bullied by someone else? Ah, I'm a bit disappointed you thought I was the victim."
Lucas: Uh, this.
He couldn't help but scratch his head.
Charles and Nora both looked at Lucas, but then turned their gazes back to Anson, their eyes full of concern.
Anson's smile grew wider, "Really, I'm like Darth Vader in Hollywood right now."