Cruz and Lane suddenly came in, asking James to leave.
They wanted to talk to me.
James took the toy and went to the living room.
"Maria, I was rude just now. I apologize to you."
Cruz looked apologetic.
"I love you too much. I'm afraid of losing you."
"When it came to the sensitive topic of dowry, I lost control."
He took my hand.
"You know about my family's financial situation. Being able to marry you is truly a blessing from heaven."
Cruz, from an ordinary rural family, changed his destiny by taking the SAT.
I come from a wealthy family. My parents owned a company. I had been raised like a princess since I was young.
Lane chimed in, saying, "Maria, even if there is dowry needed, I'm willing to let my son marry you despite losing everything."
...
"We're not interested in your family's wealth. We like you as a person."
The two of them spoke so sincerely that I almost believed it.
I took the initiative to hold Lane's hand.
"Lane, I know what you're thinking."
"It was my fault just now at the dinner table. I shouldn't have contradicted you and embarrassed everyone."
Seeing that I was being so considerate, Lane cried.
She nodded repeatedly to show her agreement.
Cruz was beside us with his eyes slightly red.
After speaking, Lane left, leaving the room to me and Cruz.
He looked at me with a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Maria, you have matured now."
He used to think he was mature. He always couldn't stand my way of doing things.
Cruz, who came from a humble background, always felt that he had more experience than me in doing things.
When there were ambiguities between us, he shook his head mysteriously.
He indicated that I was inexperienced, and I needed more practice to keep up with him.
He was about to leave.
He accidentally glanced at the bag I had bought.
"Didn't I tell you before that one bag is enough? There's no need to buy so many of them."
Cruz was confused about my behavior in buying bags.
But I liked buying bags before I met him.
"Thanks to me, he can now identify the brands of bags."
"This is the latest model in the series. With a purchasing agent's help, it costs about 5,000 dollars."
I casually mentioned the price of the bag.
Cruz was caught off guard.
"Maria, I praised you just now. You disappointed me again."
Looking solemn, he started to educate me.
"Didn't we agree to save money before? Why are you spending money recklessly again?"
"A bag of yours costs as much as my family's food expenses for a year."
He sighed when he saw that I didn't speak.
"Forget it. You're used to being extravagant. It's not your fault."
"Give me the pocket money from your parents, I'll save it for you and give it to you when you need it."
He looked as if he were doing this for my good.
"I don't want your money. I'm saving it. After we get married, won't the money still be yours?"
"Besides, with the money, we should buy a car."
I knew Cruz. The 5,000 dollar's deposit for the car was probably going down the drain.
He should be cursing the seller in his heart.
"With a car, it will be more impressive for us to drive it around. It's worth more than a small bag."
With a few words, he made all the arrangements for me.
I nodded.
"Next month, I'll transfer my pocket money to your card."
Hearing this, he nodded in satisfaction.
As he left, he looked as if he had been greatly wronged despite getting so many benefits.
It was like by managing money for me, he was suffering losses.
I received a message from my best friend on my cell phone.
I told her all that had happened.
She advised me to run away quickly.
"He is interested in your family's assets. He wants you to marry him to support his family."
Of course, I knew it.
I chatted with her while packing my luggage, and preparing to go back to school.
Every time I came to his house, I always asked to sleep in another room.
Because of this, Cruz even fought with me.
I insisted on not sleeping in separate rooms before getting married, and he agreed.
I was about to finish tidying up soon.
I planned to sneak out quietly.
As soon as I arrived at the door, Lane asked me from the kitchen, "Maria, it's so late. Where are you going?"
...
On All Souls' Day, there were some customs in Cruz's family.
In the evening, men would worship their ancestors outside, while women stayed at home and cooked for them before they came home.
...
"Lane, there is something urgent at school. I need to go back quickly."
Lane smiled and shook her head.
"Silly child. You are still too young to understand the importance and urgency."
"The most important thing for women is to focus on the family. The advice that women should prioritize their careers is just a trick for young girls like you."
She educated me with great earnestness.
"Those women who prioritize their careers over their families will end up getting divorced. What good can come out of that?"
Seeing that I was still standing there, she sighed.
"Well, since you're busy, go first."
"Although you are a college student, there are many things you need to learn about family matters. I will teach you patiently later."
I nodded politely to her.
When I was leaving, I asked her, "Lane, do you know about April Fools' Day?"
...
She shook her head in confusion.
Seeing such a situation, I quickly left.
