I Need Wives For My Gacha System

The next day, at the breakfast table, Aunt Mei asked Rex.

"Have you gone to the festival yet, Rex"

"Yes, so many things have changed"

"I have been busy with somethings that I wasn't able to accompany you"

"It's fine, aunt Mei"

"Laura-nee showed me"

"It's not good, festive environments are to be enjoyed with family and I haven't been able to enjoy it with you two"

She sighed with her hand on her chin. She wasn't usually busy during festival times like these nor did she go out to the village. She usually spent her time at home with her daughters. 

"How about I join you when you two go to the festival"

"We need to come back before the lantern release, I have already prepared a big lantern at the backyard"

Both of them didn't speak but had a bit of a wry expression on their face. 

'How should I explain this to Clarissa'

Laura thought. 

__ __ __

Waking up to the sound of her alarm, Clarissa woke up refreshed. This was the last day of the festival as well as the day she can spend her time alone with Rex. Being childhood friends who grew up together, she loved him to say the least. 

She hummed and went down to the restaurant floor or also called the bar at night. They didn't offer rooms for rent but the other building they owned just in front of the street did. Since it was a festival many people from the city whether it be relatives or just curious people also came to visit and it sold well but the reason for her happiness and joy that was present on her face was because of another matter. Clarissa went out of the tavern quickly. 

"Old Six, have you ever seen young miss this happy"

"Ohh, you didn't know"

"Right, you were out that time so you didn't know"

"The childhood sweetheart of young miss just came back last week"

"You mean that fifth son of the Grimes"

"Yes, who else except for him"

"What happened for him to come back"

"It hasn't been long so the news haven't escalated yet it seems"

Old Six talked about what happened,

"I see"

"Quite an unfortunate fellow"

"He had quite the potential"

"Old Five, don't talk about it in front of the master"

"He seems pissed whenever he hears about it"

__ __ __

Evening arrived and Clarissa in her room could be seen choosing one hanfu after another from her drawer. 

"Maybe this one"

"Or maybe this one"

After settling on her choice, Clarissa rushed out to find Rex, eager to meet him at the mansion. But as she walked down the road, her steps faltered when she saw the group of three approaching Laura, Rex, and Aunt Mei.

Laura had an apologetic expression on her face, and Clarissa immediately understood that something should have happened. Though still a bit upset, she kept her composure. She approached Aunt Mei with a polite smile.

"Aunt Mei, what brings you here?"

To Clarissa's question, Aunt Mei smiled warmly.

"I came to spend the festival with these two here,"

Clarissa nodded, though she couldn't help the sour feeling in her heart. This was supposed to be her day with Rex. She was meant to have him all to herself, but now… everything was different.

"Why don't you join us? The more the better"

__ __ __

Walking through the village, Rex showed aunt Mei around the place as she had never really been too fond of crowded places and most of the time didn't come to these festivals. Behind the two was the girls Laura and Clarissa who were following them having a conversation quietly.

"So, that was what happened"

She nodded and understood but she couldn't help the sour feeling in her heart. It was supposed to be her day.

"You didn't do this intentionally did you"

"Of course not, even I didn't expect mom who is a hobbit during festivals to suddenly come out because of Rex"

The group continued to walk around the festival with Rex explaining one after another of what stalls what was to his aunt. The group wandered into a section of the festival featuring games and activities.

Aunt Mei's competitive spirit surfaced when she spotted a ring toss booth.

"Let's see if I still have my touch," she said, rolling up her sleeves.

To everyone's surprise, she landed three rings in a row, earning cheers from onlookers. The booth attendant handed her a small stuffed rabbit as a prize, which she immediately gave to Rex.

"For you, dear. A little memento," 

Aunt Mei said, her voice full of affection. Laura started whispering with Clarissa.

"Between Rex and me, at times I wonder if I am an illegitimate daughter"

__ __ __

As the sun dipped below the horizon,

"Okay, let's go back now"

"Clarissa dear, you should also come back with us"

"We are going to release a big lantern, we might need more people"

She nodded and a group of four people returned to the mansion where the garden was transformed into a glowing wonderland. Lanterns of all sizes and colours were scattered around, their soft light creating a warm ambiance. In the center of the garden stood the large lantern Aunt Mei had mentioned, its surface decorated with hand-painted flowers and symbols.

"Such a huge lantern"

"So beautiful"

Aside from the lantern, A large table had been set up, with empty plates stacked together as well as heaters for keeping the heat of the grilled meat and other items as well.

"Mom, are we going to eat barbeque"

"Yes"

Laura trotted over to the grill and upon seeing it, her forehead sweated a bit as she asked.

"Mom, isn't this the latest model"

"Yes"

"Are you sure you have read the manuals to this"

"No, why"

"I don't think you can handle it mom"

"Why don't you use the old grill"

"I bought it just for this sake, it would be a waste not to use it"

Madeleine's shoulders drooped down as Laura said it. Laura said this because she knew her mother with electronics. It took quite a while for her and her two sisters to teach their mother how to even use the ones in the kitchen. Before they had to use primitive means. Then a hand touched her shoulder,

"How about you let me do the barbequing, Aunt Mei"

"Hmm, are you sure you can handle it, Rex"

"Have you really recovered?"

She touched his face and said,

"Yes, Aunt Mei"

"Then… I will let you handle the barbequing for now"

It was only for now as she will learn it by bothering her daughter though it might take a while. Madeleine, Clarissa, Laura sat at the table while Rex started with he barbeque and a sizzling aroma started to come out soon after.

After a full meal, Rex leaned back, his stomach pleasantly full. He ate the most since he didn't want to waste the food he cooked himself. 

"I am gonna go for a walk, Aunt Mei, Laura-nee"

"I want to tag along"

Laura blurted out when he stood up and said that he was going to go for a walk. As for Clarissa, she went to the bathroom.

"Ok, both of you be careful going out"

In front of the mansion near the lake, Laura and Rex could be seen. The two figures were very close or rather Laura got closer to Rex. They chatted cheerfully under the moonlight,

"When you were away, I tried to send you messages but you only answered after a few months"

"That was because I was busy"

"But what about the time when you didn't answer for a year straight before coming here"

"That's because my phone got destroyed, you already know about it, Laura-nee"

"Exactly how?"

"How about I tell you about it slowly later, Laura-nee"

"Of course, it can be just like the bed time stories you always used to tell"

"I miss them"

"If you like to, I could still tell them"

She showed a bright smile upon hearing it. Sitting down on the bench, Laura motioned him to sit beside her.

"Do you want to know what I send during the time?"

"What did you send me"

"Laura-nee"

He asked but no answer came so Rex looked towards her but what he didn't expect was the soft feeling on his lips and the pretty face of Laura which was very close.