Chapter 140: Manchester United X Arsenal

The afternoon passed quietly.

After waking up, Nora spent some time playing with her iPad before Ethan suggested they go downstairs. She immediately slipped her feet into her sandals and followed him out of the apartment.

The compound’s small garden occupied a corner near the building, with several flower beds, potted plants, and a few young trees planted along the fence. Ethan had been meaning to spend more time there, and Nora seemed happy to have an excuse to leave her screen behind.

"Daddy, look! This flower has grown since the last time I saw it." Nora crouched beside a small plant, pointing at a fresh bud.

Ethan stopped beside her and looked down. "You’re right. At this rate, it’ll grow taller than you before long."

Nora straightened immediately. "That’s impossible!"

"Is it? Then I suppose we’ll have to wait and see."

She narrowed her eyes at him before turning back to the flower. Ethan chuckled and continued watering the plants while she inspected the garden, occasionally asking him questions about the different flowers. They stayed outside until the afternoon sun began to soften, then returned upstairs.

Evelyn was already in the kitchen when they entered the apartment. She had changed into comfortable home clothes and tied her hair back, preparing to make dinner.

"You’re back." She glanced at them from the kitchen doorway. "Go and wash your hands. Dinner will be ready soon."

Ethan followed Nora to the bathroom, and they returned a few minutes later. He was about to enter the kitchen when Evelyn turned around with a wooden spoon in her hand.

"What are you coming to do here?"

"Uh... to help you, of course." Ethan blinked, puzzled.

"You don’t have to. I’ve got everything under control." She gently pushed him toward the living room. "Go and sit down with Nora. I’ll call you when the food is ready."

Ethan looked at the spoon, then at her face. "Are you sure? I can chop the vegetables or help with something else."

"No." Evelyn shook her head, standing firmly in the doorway. "I want to do this myself."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

She nodded, adjusting her grip on the spoon. "Yes. Let me cook for my family. I want to do these things myself, like a proper housewife."

For a moment, Ethan simply watched her. Then the corners of his mouth lifted, and he raised both hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. I won’t interfere with the head chef’s work."

Evelyn’s cheeks gained a faint pink tint at his words. She turned back toward the kitchen, though not before shooting him a small smile.

Ethan walked into the living room with Nora, who had already settled on the couch and picked up the remote. She was flipping through the channels when a familiar football match caught her attention.

"Daddy, look! Arsenal is playing Manchester United!" She quickly stopped changing channels and settled against the cushions. "Let’s watch this one."

Ethan glanced at the screen, then sat beside her. "Good choice. Arsenal is playing today, after all."

Nora turned toward him, her eyes widening. "No! I’m supporting Manchester United."

He stared at her for a second before bursting into laughter. "You support Manchester United?"

"Yes! What’s wrong with that?"

"Nothing." Ethan leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "I just didn’t know you had such terrible taste."

"Daddy!" Nora smacked his arm with the remote before quickly returning her attention to the match. "Manchester United is going to win. Just watch!"

Ethan shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. "We’ll see about that."

The match soon drew them into the game. Nora cheered whenever Manchester United advanced toward Arsenal’s goal, while Ethan occasionally clapped when his team made a good play. Their arguments grew louder whenever one side missed an opportunity, and Evelyn called from the kitchen at one point to remind them that she could hear them perfectly well.

Neither of them paid much attention to her warning.

As the match progressed, Arsenal gained the upper hand. Nora’s cheering gradually became less frequent, especially when Manchester United failed to capitalize on a promising attack. Ethan, on the other hand, sat forward with his elbows on his knees, his eyes fixed on the screen.

When Arsenal scored the decisive goal, he sprang upright.

"YES!" He pumped his fist into the air. "That’s what I’m talking about!"

Nora stared at the screen with her mouth hanging open. When the final whistle confirmed Arsenal’s victory and the league title, she slumped against the couch, dropping the remote onto her lap.

"No way," She muttered. "How did they even win?"

Ethan turned toward her, barely containing his grin. He nudged her with his elbow, and when she refused to look at him, he nudged her again.

"Hey, little supporter. Where’s all that confidence you had earlier?"

Nora pushed his elbow away. "Leave me alone!"

"But you said Manchester United would win. You were so sure of yourself, too." He leaned closer, lowering his voice as though sharing an important secret. "Maybe you should consider supporting a better team next season."

She snatched a cushion and hugged it against her chest. "I’m never watching football with you again."

"That’s fine. I’ll enjoy watching Arsenal win without you."

Nora turned her back to him with an exaggerated huff. Ethan laughed, reaching over to ruffle her hair before she could dodge him. She tried to slap his hand away, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her before she could maintain her sulk.

Their argument was interrupted by Evelyn calling them from the dining area.

"Dinner is ready! You two can stop fighting over football and come help me."

Ethan rose from the couch, stretching his arms above his head. "You heard your mother. Come on, little supporter."

Nora slid off the couch and followed him, muttering something about Manchester United being unlucky.

"Of course," Ethan replied, glancing over his shoulder. "Unlucky. That’s what they all say."

"Dad!"

He laughed and entered the dining room before she could retaliate.

The table was already covered with freshly prepared dishes, and the aroma drifting from them made Ethan’s stomach growl. Evelyn was carrying a bowl toward the table when he reached for it.

"Let me help you with that." He took the bowl from her hands and placed it in the middle of the table.

Nora helped arrange the plates and cutlery while Ethan brought over the remaining dishes. Once everything was ready, the three of them sat down to eat.

Ethan took his first bite and paused. He glanced at Evelyn, who was waiting for his reaction while pretending to concentrate on serving Nora.

"This is really good," He said, helping himself to another portion. "I think you’ve outdone yourself today."

Evelyn’s spoon stopped halfway to her plate. A pink flush spread across her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes with a small smile.

"Thank you," She murmured before returning to her food.

Ethan watched her for a moment, then smiled and continued eating. He didn’t tease her about blushing, and Evelyn didn’t try to dismiss his compliment. Instead, she quietly served him some more food, her smile lingering whenever she thought he wasn’t looking.

Nora, who had been busy eating, looked between them before returning to her plate. Whatever thoughts she had about their exchange remained unspoken, and dinner continued without interruption.

After the meal, Evelyn began gathering the dishes. Ethan reached for a couple of plates, but she shook her head.

"I can take care of these. Go and help Nora with her assignments."