Chapter 287 - 285: A Good Idea

As they went inside and changed their shoes, Estelle secretly whispered in Cecilia’s ear, "Your brother’s pretty handsome. He doesn’t look much like you, though. You look more like your mom."

Cecilia smiled without a word. She did look more like her mother, while Ethan probably resembled the Fultons more. Though she was reluctant to admit it and had never even seen what her father, Justin Fulton, looked like, her brother bore a striking resemblance to their uncle, Connor Fulton.

"Perfect timing. I just finished cooking. Quick, go wash your hands and get ready to eat."

Jasmine Sterling came out to greet them warmly. Estelle Goodman and Blair both chimed in, "Auntie, we two little gluttons are here to impose on you again!"

"Welcome, welcome! I love it when the house is lively."

Once inside, they lined up to wash their hands. Estelle, being the most extroverted and a charmer, stuck close to Jasmine, peppering her with "Auntie this" and "Auntie that" until she had her laughing nonstop.

When Cecilia reached the dining table and saw the elaborate dinner her mother had prepared, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "This is a huge feast! Mom, you made even more than we did for the New Year."

"Well, we have more people today," Jasmine replied, quickly ushering everyone to sit down and eat.

"Here, Blair, I remember you really liked the soy sauce chicken last time. I made it specially for you today. Go on, try it and see if it tastes as good as you remember."

As soon as they were seated, Jasmine placed a piece of chicken thigh into Blair’s bowl, her gaze filled with a special tenderness and affection.

Blair quickly nodded. "Thank you, Auntie."

Ethan slowly leaned toward his sister and whispered, "Blair? Sis, that roommate of yours has a seriously badass name!"

Cecilia tapped her brother on the head with her chopsticks. "Behave yourself. She’s an heir to the traditions of Cathay Martial Arts. She could knock you out with a single palm strike!"

That single sentence was enough to make Ethan sit bolt upright, his eyes wide with astonishment as he looked at Blair.

’For real?’

Cecilia then turned to her mother and asked with concern, "Mom, how are you settling in these past few days? Have you had a chance to walk around the neighborhood at all?"

"I’m settling in, more or less. It’s just... this house is so big. It feels empty when I’m here by myself," Jasmine admitted. "I went out to the garden this morning to turn over some of the soil, but there’s still a chill in the air, so the ground is a bit hard. I was thinking that once spring arrives, I could plant some flowers in the garden to help pass the time."

"Oh, right, I also found a huge market nearby. They sell all sorts of things, much cheaper than the supermarket, and they have everything. I bought all of today’s ingredients there."

"A market?" Cecilia paused, slightly taken aback. "I didn’t know there was a market near here."

She looked over at Estelle, who also shook her head, indicating she hadn’t heard of it either.

Jasmine explained, "You just walk straight from the east gate of the complex. It’s about a twenty-minute walk."

"Twenty minutes?" Cecilia exclaimed in surprise. "That must be at least two kilometers! You bought all this and carried it back by yourself?"

Jasmine nodded. "I did. Two kilometers isn’t that far!"

Cecilia shook her head with a sigh. "I’ll sign you up for driving lessons. Once you learn, you’ll be able to just drive whenever you need to go out."

"That’s a great idea!" Ethan chimed in, raising his hand in agreement. "Besides, Mom’s bored at home. The weather is warming up, so it’s the perfect time to learn."

Jasmine didn’t object. Learning to drive was a practical skill, and she had wanted to learn before but had never managed to find the time.

At the mention of learning to drive, Estelle just guiltily gnawed on a rib at the side.

She’d attended her lessons religiously but made absolutely no progress. In the end, even her instructor couldn’t take it anymore and advised her to quit.

"Auntie, if you get bored at home, you could go out shopping with my mom!" Estelle’s eyes lit up as she made the suggestion. "My mom has a big circle of friends, all around your age. They’re always going out shopping, to the spa, or for afternoon tea. Sometimes they even play golf to get some exercise. Since you’re new to Lorcain, it would be a great way for you to meet new people."

"Besides, our families live so close. My mom adores Cecilia, so I’m sure she’d love to be friends with you. Who knows, maybe you two could become best friends, just like Cecilia and me."

’Estelle’s suggestion was a really good one. Mom was new to Lorcain, so if she wanted to meet new people and build a social circle, Estelle’s mother next door was the perfect person to connect with.’

Cecilia nodded quickly in agreement. "She’s right, Mom. Mrs. Goodman is really nice; I’m sure you two would get along. I’ll introduce you sometime."

Jasmine wasn’t opposed to the idea. She was fond of Estelle, so getting to know her mother seemed like a good thing. Since they lived so close, they could visit each other more often in the future.

"Okay," Jasmine said with a smile. "You should invite your mom and dad over to be our guests sometime."

Just then, Blair suddenly looked at Jasmine. "Auntie, there’s another great way for you to pass the time."

The moment Blair spoke, Jasmine’s interest was piqued. "Oh? What’s that? I’m all ears."

"Remember how I mentioned my master runs a martial arts school?"

Jasmine nodded.

Blair continued, "The school doesn’t just enroll kids and young adults. A long time ago, my master started an ’Adult Tai Chi Training Class.’ Lots of adults study Tai Chi there. There’s a real depth to Tai Chi; it’s different from other traditional Cathay Martial Arts. It can strengthen the body and cultivate the mind. It’s really something anyone can learn."

"Mom, that’s a great idea! You and Mrs. Goodman could sign up for Tai Chi lessons together," Cecilia said, immediately voicing her support.

Jasmine was clearly very interested in Blair’s suggestion and nodded repeatedly. "That really is a good idea. Back when I was in Veridia, I’d often see seniors practicing Tai Chi together in the park downstairs. They were all in their seventies or eighties, but they looked so full of life and moved with such agility."

Blair smiled and nodded. "As it happens, my master and senior brother are both acquainted with Cecilia. You can just go whenever you’re ready. I’ll give my master a heads-up."

Ethan, listening from the side, blinked in astonishment.

’So this girl really is a martial artist?’

’This is the first time in my whole life I’ve seen a real, live martial artist!’

After dinner, Blair insisted on washing the dishes and went into the kitchen. Estelle, who had eaten an extra bowl of rice, was so stuffed that she was sprawled out on the sofa, unable to even sit up straight.

Ethan took the opportunity to pull his sister aside and tell her what had happened to his bicycle.

"Did you report it to the police?"

Cecilia didn’t blame her brother after hearing his story. ’The bike was deliberately vandalized; he must be the one who’s most heartbroken about it.’

Ethan nodded. "But the police said they probably won’t be able to find who did it."

Cecilia gently stroked her brother’s head. "It’s okay," she said softly. "Right now, your studies are the most important thing. If you hear anything from the police, just let me know, and I’ll take care of it."