Investing In My Three Crippled Wives Get 10,000x Times Return

Tessa’s father’s expression changed when he tasted the food.

"Boy, where did you learn to cook?"

Dexter smiled. "Just randomly."

Old Lady Lucy finally took her first spoonful, and Dexter watched her. The old woman’s expression didn’t change as she chewed, swallowed, and then took another and another.

Lucy continued eating, but her seemingly casual eyes had become considerably sharper. She could feel the food wasn’t ordinary. Even at this low grade, there was a strange purity within it. The energy was balanced almost perfectly, gentle and nourishing and clean. It didn’t violently force mana into the body. Instead, it seemed to guide the body toward repairing itself.

Lucy said nothing.

Around them, however, reactions were becoming increasingly obvious. Another neighbor tried Dexter’s food. Then another.

"What is this?"

"This tastes incredible."

"Did you cook this yourself?"

"Wait, my shoulder..."

A middle-aged man rotated his arm, and his eyes widened. "It doesn’t hurt as much."

His wife laughed. "You’re imagining things."

"I’m serious."

Another elderly woman took a bite, frowned, then took another before immediately looking toward Dexter. "Can I have more?"

Dexter laughed. "The idea is exchanging food, Grandma."

"I gave you dumplings."

"That doesn’t mean you get half the pot."

The elderly woman narrowed her eyes. "Respect your elders."

Dexter stared, and Old Lady Lucy burst out laughing. "He’s got you there, Martha."

The elderly woman glared at Lucy. "You’ve already eaten twice as much as me."

Within several minutes, the atmosphere around Dexter’s picnic area changed completely. People who had initially approached out of curiosity returned with friends.

"Try the stew."

"No, the rice is better."

"Have you tasted the meat?"

"What seasoning is this?"

"Where did he buy these ingredients?"

"Is he a Food-Smith?"

Dexter’s eyebrows slowly rose. This was getting out of hand, and Tessa noticed too. She leaned toward him. "I told you people would like your food."

"You didn’t say they’d start recruiting others."

A man walked past carrying a bowl, then stopped. "Is this where the special stew is?"

Dexter stared at Tessa, who raised both hands. "That wasn’t me."

Dexter sighed.

Lyra, meanwhile, was watching the entire situation with growing concern. Her eyes followed every bowl leaving the containers and h er expression became progressively more tragic.

Dexter noticed and leaned toward her. "Relax." Lyra looked at him. "I kept yours separately."

Her eyes instantly brightened. "Really?"

Dexter smiled as he nodded his head. "You three are my priority. Of course I made yours separately and even more tasty.

Lyra smil widened and she was immediately excited.

---

The meal exchange continued, and soon Dexter and his wives had received enough food from other families to fill half their mats. Mira tried a spicy roasted meat dish. Selene preferred a soft honey pastry. Lyra tried almost everything, and Dexter eventually stopped counting.

For a while, they simply ate and talked. It was strangely peaceful. Neighbors introduced themselves. Children ran past. People argued about recipes. Tessa’s father became involved in an increasingly serious discussion with one elderly man about bread fermentation.

Dexter leaned backward on his hands. This wasn’t bad at all.

Then Old Lady Lucy’s gaze moved toward his wives, and Dexter should have recognized the danger. He didn’t.

Lucy looked first at Mira, then Lyra, then Selene, and finally toward Dexter. A peculiar smile appeared. "So."

Mira immediately became suspicious. "What?"

Old Lady Lucy pointed toward the four of them. "You’ve been married for a quite a while now."

Dexter blinked. "Yes?"

Lucy continued. "Your wives should have started showing already. "

Silence. Complete silence.

Dexter blinked his eyes as he tasted a barbequed chicken and replied, a but puzzled. "Showing what?"

Old Lucy smiled as she glanced at Dexter. "Signs of pregnancy of course."

Everything went pin drop silent!

Mira froze, Selene stopped halfway through lifting her cup and Lyra’s cheeks puffed slightly because her mouth was full.

Dexter’s widened, clearly stunned.

Lucy waved her hand. "Stop acting shy."

Mira’s face began turning red. Selene slowly lowered her cup but even her pale face can do nothing to hide the embarrasment in her face.

Lyra swallowed so quickly she nearly choked.

Dexter coughed. "Grandma Lucy..."

"What?"

"That’s..."

"What?"

Dexter looked toward his wives and he saw Mira was extremely red, Selene’s cheeks had turned pink, and she had suddenly become fascinated by the grass while Lyra’s entire face was rapidly changing color.

Old Lady Lucy continued mercilessly. "This neighborhood needs more children."

One elderly man nodded. "She’s right."

Tessa’s father coughed into his fist, desperately suppressing laughter, and Lucy pointed toward Dexter. "Young man has three beautiful wives and still no little feet running around his house."

Dexter’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Lucy shook her head. "Young people these days."

Mira finally found her voice. "We..." She stopped as everyone looked at her, and she immediately regretted speaking.

Lucy smiled. "You what?"

Mira’s face became even redder. "We’re still..." She glanced toward Dexter, who was watching her, and that made everything worse. Mira looked away. "We haven’t discussed anything like that."

Lucy waved dismissively. "Then discuss it vigorously tonight."

Tessa choked and her father burst out laughing. One elderly woman slapped her knee. Selene’s face became crimson, and Lyra covered her face with both hands.

Dexter stared at Old Lady Lucy. This old woman was dangerous.

Lucy wasn’t finished as she muttered. "Three wives!"

Dexter rubbed his forehead. "Yes, Grandma Lucy. I’m aware."

"Each of them with at least twins. Making six children. Can’t wait."

The elderly man beside her laughed. "Lucy, leave the boy alone."

"The boy?" Lucy scoffed. "He has three wives. He’s not a boy anymore."

That sent everyone laughing again.

Dexter looked toward his wives. Mira was trying to maintain her dignity.

Selene was practically hiding behind her cup. Lyra refused to uncover her face. A chuckle escaped Dexter.

Mira’s head immediately snapped toward him, her crimson eyes locking onto his.

Dexter stopped, and the smile vanished from his face with supernatural speed. Mira continued staring, so Dexter picked up his cup and took a slow drink, his expression becoming incredibly serious.

Mira narrowed her eyes. "You were laughing."

Dexter lowered the cup. "Me?"

"Yes."

"You must be mistaken."

"Dexter."

He looked toward Tessa’s father. "This food is excellent."

Tessa’s father immediately understood what was happening and laughed harder. Mira glared, but Dexter pretended not to notice.

Old Lady Lucy slapped her thigh. "Oh, I like this family."

Selene finally laughed softly, and Lyra uncovered her face. Her cheeks were still bright red, but her mental voice reached Dexter. ’Naughty!’

[A/N: Gimme Golden Tickets! 😌 🎫 ]