With both his mother-in-law and sister-in-law backing him up, Thomas couldn't falter at this critical moment. He turned his head and formally called the two of them, "Mom! Sister-in-law!"
"You all chat first; I'll be right back."
Sophia Wood nodded at Thomas, immediately leaving the living room, though she returned shortly after with a big red envelope in hand.
She walked straight to her eldest son-in-law with the red envelope, "Thomas! This is the money Mom prepared for you for changing how you address me. It was all really rushed, so Mom didn't prepare much; please don't think it's too little."
"Mom! This is..."
"Take it, this is what Mom should give."
Thomas never expected that simply calling her "Mom" would earn him a big red envelope; it was too much of a surprise. He instinctively wanted to refuse, but his mother-in-law stopped him as soon as he opened his mouth.
