Claire leaned in and whispered to Charlie, "What's wrong with Mom? Why is she in the kitchen cooking?" 1 Charlie laughed and said, "Mom said she wantedto try her cooking. She said she's making tomato and egg with noodles." Claire exclaimed, "Oh my goodness, my mom actually took the initiative to cook. Wonders never cease! I guess she does learn her mistakes and try to correct them." 8 However, Charlie did not share the sopinion. Instead, he felt that this so-called free breakfast was not free. After all, Elaine had to be up to something that she needed his favor for, otherwise, based on her character, she would never have taken the initiative to cook.
Sure enough, at the dining table, as Elaine personally served the noodles for Charlie, she smiled coyly and said, "My dear son-in-law, I have a favor to ask you. I wonder if you will be okay with it?" Charlie replied, "Mom, please say whatever you want. I won't refuse if it is something reasonable and also within my ability." 7 Elaine immediately grinned wider and said attentively, "Well, my dear son-in-law. I realized that I look a little pale lately, and my skin no longer glows like it used to. Look here, not only are there more wrinkles on my face, but the crow's feet also appear to look more pronounced around the eyes. I can literally feel age catching up on me." Then, she looked at Charlie with a wide grin. " Recently, I heard that there are these anti-aging cosmetics made from high-quality caviar that is imported from overseas. It is said that the anti-aging effect is particularly good, so much so many famous celebrities use it to get rid of the signs of aging. I want you to buy a set for me, please." s Upon hearing this, Claire exclaimed out of shock," Mom! The cosmetic set you're talking about costs over a hundred thousand dollars! We don't have that kind of money in the house right now! How can you ask Charlie to buy you such expensive cosmetics?! What about the Estee Lauder products that I bought for you earlier? It cost around several thousand dollars too. Is it not good enough?" 2 Elaine blurted, "Argh, don't talk toabout Estee Lauder. I suspect that my wrinkles are becoming more visible because of that product." 6 Claire huffed indignantly, "Mom! Estee Lauder is good enough! I can't even bring myself to use it! You go to our bathroom and see what I'm using. It's all domestic brands, even if there are important brands, they are of the cheap range. I'm reluctant to spend my money on big brands like Estee Lauder!" 5 Elaine grumbled, "You're young! It's okay for youngsters to not use anything, but I'm old! If I don't take care of my skin, I'll becan ugly shrew. Just look at your dad. He's already starting to despiseand separate from me, he's even talking about divorcing me! If I don't take care of myself, how will any man wantin the future your dad abandons me?" 7 if Claire was rendered speechless.
She was agitated and felt that there was nothing she could say or reason with her mom, so she turned to Charlie and said, "Don't listen to her. Don't even think about buying her the products!" 5 Elaine wailed in frustration, "Oh, my poor soul! Your dad treatsbadly, and your grandmother and the others treateven worse! But I never dreamed that even you, who is my own daughter, would treatbadly too!" 2
Claire huffed, "Mom, how can you say that? How can you say that I treat you badly simply because I don't want to buy you a skincare product that cost's hundreds of thousands of dollars?! This is outrageous!" Elaine continued sobbing. "I don't care! I just want to be younger and stop the signs of aging! I'm already so miserable now. I can't watch myself looking more and more like an ugly witch!" 6 Charlie patted Claire's hand and said softly, "It's okay, dear, don't be mad. What Mom said also makes sense. Everyone wants to look beautiful and flawless, and she definitely has the desire to be pretty too." Elaine nodded profusely and complimented, "Yes! My son-in-law is the best! You knowbest!" 1
Charlie then said, "It just so happens that I have a friend who is in the cosmetic import business. I'll ask him to ask around about the product you're looking for. He wantsto check the feng shui layout for his new store anyway. I'll let him givetwo sets of cosmetics to offset the cost of the feng shui service." 6
Elaine shrieked excitedly upon hearing Charlie's remarks and said, "Really? Oh my God, you're such a good son-in-law! After what I've been through, I've finally realized that my son-in-law is the most reliable person in the world! Mother-in-law, siblings, husband, and even daughter are all useless! They will fall out at critical times!" X