Chapter 6 Visiting on an Electric Bike

Upon hearing Mark mention dinner, the guard immediately grasped its significance. Having someone as legendary as Mark in their family was undoubtedly a matter of pride and honor. However, Mark's current position as a low-ranking leader in the rundown Water and Power Management Center, overseeing fewer than ten employees, seemed inadequate for such a grand gesture at his father-in-law's banquet. All the heroes who returned were bigshots with formidable status; his position would be a joke among them. The guard furrowed his brow, wondering if someone was planning to exploit Mark and embarrass him. If so, they were asking for trouble. "Lord Mark, I'll arrange it right away. I'll ensure all the people from the hero list are present. By the way, some junior officers have returned to Seraphia; should I invite them too?" the guard respectfully inquired. "No need. It's a small gathering. Let's not raise too much attention. Focus on identifying those who may threaten Yantara's energy channel. Keep it discreet," Mark replied in a deep voice. "Understood." With that, the guard left. Mark had just finished organizing old files at the Water and Power Management Center. He stretched and lit a cigarette. Standing by the office window, he looked out at the brightly illuminated Seraphia, with stars twinkling faintly in his eyes. This was his first night back in Seraphia. Instead of staying at a hotel or Laurel's house, he had chosen to sleep in his office. "I really need a place of my own." The next day, Mark made a decision. He couldn't expect Laurel to live in this dilapidated office building with him forever after all. "Lane, help me scout a few houses in Seraphia. Let me know when you find something suitable, and I'll come to check them out," Mark instructed his companion. Lane Erickson, who had stood by Mark through thick and thin, was originally slated for a promotion to general during the reward ceremony in Yantara. However, Lane had declined, expressing his desire to follow Mark for life, and so he had come with him to Seraphia. "Lord Mark, will you be house-hunting with Mrs. Brooks?" Lane asked with a faint smile. Their tight relationship, since they were working together and were brothers-in-arms, allowed Lane to speak more freely than others. "Yes, but keep it between us. From now on, just call me Mark," Mark said as he got up, preparing to formally visit the Claytons. Arriving downstairs, Mark was taken aback to see a brand-new electric bike parked there. "Lane, I asked for a vehicle suitable for my status as a minor official at the Water and Power Management Center. Couldn't you have found me a car at least? Today's my first official visit as a son-in-law to my in-laws' house, and I'm supposed to ride this?" Mark exclaimed in disbelief. "Well, Mark, you said it yourself. Your status as a humble leader determines your accommodations now. The previous head of the Water and Power Management Center used to ride a bicycle every day. Consider yourself lucky," Lane replied with a hint of mockery. Knowing Mark for so long, Lane found a strange satisfaction in seeing Mark in such an awkward situation. Mark chuckled wryly and shook his head. Since he had given the command himself, he had no choice but to accept it. His primary task now was to maintain a low profile. If it got out that a veteran who didn't even make it onto the hero list was making such a show, it could raise suspicions. "And what about the gifts?" Mark asked. "Here they are: two boxes of supplements, a bottle of Macallan, and a pair of crystal bracelets for your mother-in-law. They're tied to the basket of your electric bike." Lane laughed heartily, then waved at Mark after securing the items to the basket. "If the other generals knew that the great Defender looked like this visiting his in-laws, you'd be the joke for years." "What's so funny? Even if I weren't the Defender, wouldn't I still be worthy of marrying into the family? The sentiment behind the gifts matters most, and I refuse to believe I'll be cast aside for arriving like this!" Mark retorted with a grin, then inserted the key into the electric bike and rode off toward Laurel's house. On the way, Mark called Laurel, informing her of his plan to visit. Excitedly, Laurel waited downstairs, fifteen minutes early. The neighborhood where the Claytons lived wasn't particularly opulent, but its residents wielded significant economic influence. Audis and BMWs were a common sight, making Mark's arrival on his electric bike all the more conspicuous. Although Laurel wasn't overly concerned, she feared others might ridicule her husband. After Mark parked the bike, she whispered softly, "I've saved some money over the years. Let's buy a car soon. I don't know how to drive, so I'll depend on you to chauffeur me." Mark glanced at his electric bike, understanding Laurel's gesture. She was as supportive as ever. He knew she had gotten her driver's license during her second year at university; her comment was merely to protect his pride. "Sure, I'll be your dedicated chauffeur from now on, Honey," Mark joked. "Don't call me 'Honey' so casually." Laurel blushed, still adjusting to the title. "Ugh, how embarrassing! Even if he's short on cash, can't he at least rent a decent car? How could he ride this thing ... Does he have no respect for us?" Tamara remarked from the doorway before heading inside to avoid being seen. Eddie sighed, shaking his head. "If he can't even manage to rent a decent car, how will he manage to invite those important figures from the hero list?" "He has to do all it takes to invite them, even if he has to beg them! After last night's bragging, even Dad fell for it and started making calls. If he's so impressive, can't he at least bring a few people over to show off?" Tamara scoffed from the couch, her tone icy. Just then, Mark and Laurel entered the house. "Dad, Mom, Mark's here. These are the gifts he brought for you," Laurel announced, placing the gifts she had taken from Mark's bike onto the table. Tamara glanced at them briefly, rolling her eyes once more. "Are these worth more than 75 dollars combined? You've been away for ten years, and this is what you've become? If I were you, I'd rather not come back at all. Have you lost all sense of dignity?" "Alright, don't be too harsh. We still have things that we need him to do," Eddie signaled to Tamara discreetly, whispering softly. Laurel gave Mark an apologetic smile and whispered, "Don't take it personally. That's just how my mom is." "Don't worry. I've faced worse," Mark replied calmly. "What are you two whispering about?" Tamara interjected coldly. "Mark, give me a clear answer today. We're hosting a banquet tomorrow. Can you bring a few people from the hero list to support you?" "Didn't Laurel tell you what I said?" Mark looked puzzled. "I ... I didn't think it was possible, so I didn't mention it," Laurel admitted awkwardly. "Since you haven't mentioned it, I'll say it now. Tomorrow, everyone from the hero list will be there. Make sure there's enough space. If they show up and there's no room to sit, it'll be quite embarrassing," Mark declared confidently in front of Eddie and Tamara, surprising them both. "Really? You can invite everyone?" Tamara exclaimed a moment later, looking as shocked as if she had seen a ghost.