"Dad, I'm really trying. Please give me some more time; I will definitely make progress," Harry said with a helpless smile, trying to compromise.
Faced with his domineering father-in-law, Harry, who hadn't been able to earn much money, couldn't even lift his head confidently to respond.
"Trying? Trying at what? I don't see you trying at all! The last time I talked to you about this, you gave the same excuse. And now? Look at yourself! Do you know what people are saying about you now? They call you a useless son-in-law, a freeloader! My daughter is so outstanding—how did she end up with someone like you?"
The more Warren looked at Harry, the more dissatisfied he became. Fueled by the alcohol, his face slightly flushed, he scolded Harry in front of everyone.
"Dad, stop it! Harry hasn't spent a penny of your money. He might not be making much right now, but he's working hard. Can't you give him some time?" Wanda frowned, speaking up for her husband, clearly upset.
"He hasn't spent my money? Ha! Where do you think the food he eats and the house he lives in come from? If he had to pay for everything himself, do you think his monthly income would be enough to get by? How can you expect to have a good life with someone like him?"
Warren glared at his daughter angrily and continued, "I'm saying this for your own good. Do you even know what the neighbors, relatives, and friends say about him? During the New Year's visits, I couldn't even hold my head high! Their sons and sons-in-law are managers and supervisors, earning tens of thousands every month. Look at him—what does he have to offer you?"
"Dad! Enough already..." Wanda shot Harry a sympathetic look and tried to stop her father.
"Alright, alright! It's rare for the family to gather for a meal; let's not ruin it today!" Hazel, who had developed a slightly better impression of Harry after the earlier incident, spoke up in his defense. "Our Harry isn't so bad—at least he's honest and treats us well."
"Hmph!"
Seeing that Harry remained silent with his head down, Warren lost interest in continuing his scolding. He took another swig of white wine and stopped criticizing him.
Harry didn't say a word, but under the table, his hands were clenched into tight fists.
Over the past year as a live-in son-in-law, Harry had grown accustomed to the biting sarcasm and public scolding that stripped him of any dignity.
As a son-in-law in this situation, he could only endure, pouring all his hopes into his novels. He worked like a madman, day and night, tirelessly striving to prove himself through his writing.
But reality was cruel. His first profitable book didn't do well, and his new attempts were repeatedly rejected for not aligning with "positive energy" themes.
Over the past six months, he achieved nothing. His final savings were nearly depleted.
Without the system, Harry might have surrendered today, agreeing to his father-in-law's demands, giving up his dreams of writing, and resigning himself to a life of mediocrity in a factory job.
But now, things were different.
The system gave Harry hope—a chance to turn the tables, reclaim his dignity, and prove his worth!
Harry silently vowed that every bit of humiliation and ridicule he endured today would one day be repaid doubly to those who belittled him!
"Dad, I have something to discuss with you and Mom..." At this moment, Clara suddenly spoke up.
"I'm about to graduate, and I want to participate in the internal talent show hosted by Tian Media to join their newly formed girl group. But this talent show is by invitation only, so someone has to recommend me. My teacher has agreed to recommend me, but… she's asking for a recommendation fee of 20,000 dollars..."
"What? A recommendation fee of 20,000 dollars? Is your teacher crazy for money? You haven't even been selected yet, and they're already asking for money?"
Hazel slapped the table in shock and scolded Clara angrily.
"No way. Tian Media? A girl group? It all sounds unreliable! I've heard that these so-called stars are just kept women! First, you give them money; later, they'll demand 'favors' from you! No way! I absolutely won't agree!"
"Mom! That's just gossip! Not all stars are like that! Dancing and singing are my dreams! I have to go!" Clara stood up, her eyes blazing as she argued passionately.
"No way! I will never agree to you joining some girl group! It's not that your dad is unwilling to spend the money, but a place like that is not where a decent girl from a good family should go! Do you even know what people call those girl group idols? Prostitutes! If you dare to join a girl group, I'll cut ties with you! I can't afford to lose face like that!"
Warren slammed the table angrily and shouted firmly.
"I don't care!! I'm going no matter what!! If you won't help me, I'll figure it out on my own!!"
Clara's eyes were brimming with tears as she stood up, wiped her face, and stormed upstairs, slamming the door behind her.
"It's so rare for us to have a family meal, yet you all have to ruin it like this... I'm going upstairs to study." Elena stood up in annoyance and went upstairs without waiting for a reply.
Harry, who had completely lost his appetite, politely picked up his plate, muttered, "I'm done eating," then walked to the kitchen to set them down before heading out.
Harry was driving his car, feeling the cool night breeze brush against his face. At times like this, self-pity was useless.
No matter how much he explained himself to others, it would only make them look down on him even more.
Only by spending big money, buying luxury cars, and owning villas could he slap the faces of those who belittled and mocked him.
That was the only way to make everyone change their opinion of him.
Now, a shortcut was right in front of him! As long as he completed the system's task, he could instantly earn a reward worth a million!
The only thing he needed to do was to find a way to win over his wife and convince her to embrace his plans.
"Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"
A sudden ring of his phone interrupted his thoughts.
Taking advantage of the red light, Harry picked up his phone. It was a call from his wife, Wanda.
"Hello, Wanda, what's up?" Harry adjusted his mood and asked gently as he answered the call.
"Harry, I'm sorry. My dad was really out of line today…" A soft, guilty voice came through the phone.
"It's nothing, I'm used to it. As long as you believe in me and support me, Wanda, I don't care who scolds me or questions me. Please trust me, Wanda. I can do it. Just give me one more month, okay? If I still don't make it after a month, I'll go back to work,"
Harry said warmly into the phone.
In the past, Harry might have been impatient and brushed off Wanda's concern casually.
But now, through the system's prompts, he had realized his shortcomings.
To truly win over his wife, he needed to change his attitude.
After all, his wife had endured a lot over the years.
"Of course I trust you, Harry. Are you alright? Do you want me to come out and keep you company?" Wanda asked, her voice still tinged with concern.
"I'm fine. I'll be back soon. Tonight… let's get to bed early… hehe." Harry chuckled mischievously.
"What are you talking about! Really! Are you thinking of some bad idea again?" Wanda replied, her tone little shy.
After hanging up the phone, Harry headed straight to the largest Wanda Mall nearby.
…
When he returned home, everyone in the family had already gone their separate ways, each retreating to their own room in bad moods.
His father-in-law's Audi A6L had already left the house, probably heading out for a game of cards.
Carrying a gift bag with an air of mystery, Harry headed upstairs.
From the second-floor bedroom came the sound of Clara's crying.
Harry was tempted to go in and comfort Clara, using the opportunity to deepen their bond. However, with his mother-in-law and wife still awake late at night, it was clearly not the right time.
After all, Clara was on summer vacation, and there would be plenty of opportunities during the day.
When he returned to his room, Wanda, was sitting alone, working on a piece of embroidery.
Knowing his wife's obsessive cleanliness, Harry went into the bathroom first, turned on the faucet, and started running warm water in the bathtub. He carefully sprinkled petals and bath balls he had specially bought from the mall over the surface.
After setting everything up, he turned and walked into the bedroom.
When Wanda saw Harry return, she immediately smiled and asked, "Harry, where have you been? Acting all secretive…"
As she spoke, her gaze fell on the gift bag in Harry's hand.
"Darling, you've worked so hard during this time. This is a little something to thank you for your support and help. I feel so lucky. Meeting such a wonderful wife like you is the greatest blessing of my life. Wanda, I love you."
Harry seemed like a completely different person today.
In the past, he would never have said such words.
Even during the time he was pursuing Wanda, Harry had never uttered the words "I love you."
Hearing Harry suddenly give her a gift and say such romantic things, Wanda's face immediately turned red. She felt a sweet warmth in her heart, yet she was also slightly at a loss.
For a moment, she wondered if she even recognized this husband she'd been married to for over a year.
"Oh, we've been married for so long… How can you still be so shameless… You don't earn much now… Why are you spending money on gifts for me…"
Although she said no, Wanda's actions betrayed her feelings. She eagerly opened the gift bag.
"Ah!"
As soon as she saw the box inside, Wanda's gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.
"Oh my gosh! No way… Cartier…"
Her hands trembling, Wanda opened the box, her eyes widening in astonishment.
Inside the box was a dazzling Bulgari Blue Balloon watch.
The silver dial, paired with a ceramic white strap—wasn't this the exact watch she had been dreaming of owning?
"Harry! Are you crazy? Where did you get that kind of money? This watch costs over 12,000! How could you…"
"Sweetheart, let me put it on you and see how it looks."
Before Wanda could finish, Harry gently took the watch out of the box and lovingly placed it on her wrist.
"Darling, I know you've always wanted this watch but couldn't bring yourself to buy it. So today, when I got my manuscript fee, I went and bought it for you. Do you like it?"
Looking deeply into her eyes, Harry spoke tenderly, "Honey, you look so beautiful wearing it. It seems like it was made just for you…"
Though his words sounded casual, Harry's heart was bleeding inside.
His savings had been far from enough to buy the watch. To afford it, Harry had not only emptied his savings but had also maxed out his credit cards.