[Author's Note: The discount will last until January 22.]
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 127
'Although I admit that the air here is bad, I feel like I'm inhaling smoke all day. At least in the province, the air smells nice and fresh.' Roman thought to himself. He let out a faint sigh. He admitted that he missed the sea breeze and the calm it brought him.
"Sir, we have arrived," the driver announced, and Roman stepped out of the car, adjusting his collar.
Roman had already met his parents and brothers over the past few days. Only his grandparents were the ones he had yet to see.
And today, their grandfather announced that all men in the family should show up at his mansion. No daughters had been born into the family for generations, so the older generation used the term men when referring to their offspring.
Roman took a step forward, looking at the huge mansion. Tall walls, a fountain in front of the entrance, and a garden surrounding the pathway. This was just one of their many properties in Maynila. They owned hotels, subdivisions, restaurants, resorts, and more scattered nationwide. This mansion was the first one his grandfather built and cherished the most, a symbol of the family's beginning and the old man's pride.
On the way in, Roman was greeted by a line of maids and butlers standing. They bowed politely, their uniforms crisp and formal. Their eyes never met his, they were trained servants of the family.
"Good morning, young master Roman. The family is waiting for you in the garden."
Roman nodded at the butler before going inside. His polished shoes clicked against the marble floor, echoing through the grand hallway.
When he reached the garden at the back of the mansion, he realized that he was the last one to arrive. As usual, the family was punctual, a habit ingrained and enforced by the older generations. Roman looked around. Only their grandfather was missing. The old man preferred to show up last, as if reminding everyone who truly commanded the family.
Well, showing up last was like main character energy or something.
"Dad."
"Hm."
Roman greeted his father, and Heneral Alejandro merely nodded at his second son. The brief exchange said enough. They had already met yesterday, and Heneral had been briefed on the situation in the Timog-Kanluran province. Overall, Heneral was satisfied with the business endeavors Roman had undertaken, especially their participation in the development project of Una Town. They had secured many profitable opportunities.
"Uncle."
Roman greeted his uncle.
"Roman, you've arrived. How's your time in Timog-Kanluran?"
"The province is beautiful. The blue ocean and green mountains, such natural scenery. The air is fresh, and you can't help but fall in love with the place," Roman answered with a nostalgic smile, making his uncle, Almirante Alejandro, chuckle.
"I already know that. We lived in the province during our childhood. We know exactly what you're talking about."
Roman kept smiling, though he felt embarrassed. He had forgotten about that fact. He recalled that his father and uncle grew up in Evitac City. They had probably experienced the same beauty of the sea and mountains when they were young.
Roman then looked at his older brother, Alfonso, and greeted him. Alfonso nodded in response and adjusted his eyeglasses calmly. With his beard, the difference between the two brothers was obvious. Roman's face was clean-shaven, and his eyes were far less guarded.
Then Roman turned to his younger brother.
Tonto Alejandro looked dead tired. His hair was messy, his eyes half-lidded, and a faint scent of alcohol clung to his clothes. Just like always, Tonto had stayed up all night partying recklessly with his friends and women.
'... Did he even take a shower?'
Roman inspected his younger brother more closely and felt that Tonto wasn't just drunk. His pupils were dilated, and his movements sluggish.
He might be high on drugs.
"Tonto, you drunk?" Roman asked quietly.
"Huh? Ah, yeah, that's right." Tonto realized someone was talking to him and scratched the back of his neck, forcing a weak grin.
Seeing his reaction, Heneral and Alfonso shook their heads in disappointment. The weight of their silent disapproval was heavy. They had their own share of indulgence, but there were lines they never dared to cross.
The first was drugs. The men of the family had no tolerance for addictive substances. Alcohol was acceptable, drugs were disgusting.
The second was romance. The men in the family were not cheaters by principle. Once they entered a relationship, they remained loyal. Though loyalty alone didn't guarantee a lasting relationship.
Roman himself had dated four women. His current girlfriend was a blonde actress who starred in telenovelas.
Tonto, however, was a notorious playboy, two-timer, perhaps even three-timer. It was a miracle he hadn't gotten anyone pregnant yet. He had always struggled with his lust.
Tonto yawned openly, not even bothering to cover his mouth.
"Tonto, you just finished college. I know you want to have fun, but partying every night is detrimental," Heneral said, fixing his youngest son with a cold, military gaze. Of all his sons, Tonto disappointed him the most. They had provided him with the best education and resources, yet he took everything for granted. He never took life seriously and treated everything like a game.
In fact, he barely passed college. The family had secretly bribed the university and professors just so Tonto could graduate. It was humiliating for Heneral that his son couldn't even earn his diploma without influence. He made sure the matter never leaked, silencing people with envelopes of cash.
"Y-Yes, Dad. I'll keep that in mind," Tonto replied, flinching as if the air itself had grown heavy.
"Sit straight."
"Yes."
Tonto straightened his back stiffly, like a soldier.
"Tell me, you're not on drugs, right?"
"Of course not, Dad. I always keep your words in me and follow them wholeheartedly," Tonto replied too quickly, too eagerly.
Even Almirante and the two cousins shook their heads at Tonto's behavior. The Alejandro family carried prestige and reputation, yet Tonto was the black sheep.
There was a time back in high school when Tonto stabbed a classmate in the eye. The family had covered it up, paying a hefty sum to erase the record.