Chapter 2

Samuel continued, "Also, here's some advice, Jonathan. We young people should cut back on preserved foods. The nitrite levels in those pickles are way too high, so you'll get sick if you eat too much. Your parents are getting old, though, so it's fine if they gorge on them a bit.

"Jonathan, you and Kate are getting married soon. Eating too much of this stuff isn't good for your health. Even if you don't care about yourself, think about Kate. You have to be in prime condition to have children, so that your parents can get a grandchild soon, right?"

I stood at the side with a cold expression on my face. I was about to fly into a rage when Samuel suddenly walked up to me.

He grinned, holding a paper bag in his hands. "Jonathan, congratulations on your engagement. Here's a little something for you. See if you like it."

The bag held two bottles of men's maca and zinc tablets.

Samuel continued, "Jonathan, we men wear ourselves out at work every day, so these supplements are perfect for you. You should get your body in perfect condition while you can. When Kate gets pregnant later on, the baby will be healthy too, right? Ah, I can't wait to be a godfather!"

I shoved his hand away. "Thanks, but no thanks."

For some reason, the bag in Samuel's hands dropped to the floor, and the two bottles of supplements fell out.

When Kate saw that, her expression instantly turned cold.

Holding Samuel's arm, she stood next to him and spoke up for him as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She looked like she had forgotten that I was her fiance.

She said, "Jonathan, why are you acting like a spoiled brat? Samuel is being nice, isn't he? He specially picked these out for you, and this is how you treat him?"

I stared at the two bottles of supplements on the floor, then let out a chuckle.

I unlocked my phone, then navigated to the neighborhood homeowner's group chat. I tapped open the chat window and slid my phone in front of Kate. "He specially picked these out for me, huh? Isn't that just leftover stock from the pharmacy downstairs that was on sale?"

Looking at the price list the pharmacy staff sent in the chat, I laughed bitterly. "Ten dollars for two bottles, huh? How thoughtful of you, Samuel."

Samuel's face turned pale, and he subconsciously tugged at Kate's sleeve. "Kate, I had no idea…"

Kate seemed a little insulted. "Enough, Jonathan. You're a grown man. Do you have to fuss about every single thing? Samuel's gift may not cost much, but it's the thought that matters. He got you something because he cared.

"Also, what's wrong with ten-dollar supplements? Didn't you literally buy that snack trial pack for Muffin, which cost like a dollar and a half? You've always treated Muffin like your own son, right? If he can eat cheap snacks, why can't you take cheap supplements, too?"

My gaze turned completely cold. I couldn't believe that this woman, who used to care about me so much that she would stay up just to make soup for me when my gastritis was acting up, would say such hurtful things to me.

I took a deep breath, finding the whole thing utterly absurd. "Kate, do you also think I only deserve to take expiring pills that went on sale for ten dollars?"

Kate froze. When she noticed my cold gaze, she instinctively tried to explain. "Jonathan, I don't mean it like that."

The tension was almost palpable. Just then, Muffin jumped out of his enclosure and stopped right beside my feet. He rubbed against my pant leg with worried affection.

Taking out a gift box, Kate opened it and handed it to me. "Jonathan, let's just stop fighting, alright? There are lots of things to settle for the wedding, and I know you're really stressed. That's why I specially picked this out for you while you were on your business trip."

I looked at the exquisite obsidian tie clip lying in the box. I was about to reach out and take it when I lowered my head and noticed something. Samuel was wearing the same tie clip on his shirt, just in a different color.

I said, "Kate, that's very thoughtful of you. You got gifts for both your fiance and your male best friend."