Things went smoothly for Aurelia and Neil.It was said that Noah went to the palace with gifts to propose their marriage the next day.Alexander was close with the Harrises to start with, so he very much approved of the union.Helene was still not in her right mind, but she no longer harbored the usual hostility toward Neil this time. When everyone discussed the details of the marriage in the hall, she sat quietly by the side, carrying her pillow, her sunken eyes watching all of them curiously yet timidly.Later, she softly added, "Don't bully my baby. You can't bully her!"Neil was startled to find that Helene was staring at him. Suddenly, a complex feeling rushed to his heart."Auntie, don't worry." Alexander walked over and gave her a gentle hug. "Neil's a very good person. I promise he'll be loyal to Aurelia."Helene seemed to have understood the discussion about the marriage just now, but she seemed to not understand it again now as she rocked, holding her pillow and hummin
Five years later…Zuko was now an elementary school student. No longer having the baby fat he had when he was younger, he was a little taller than his peers and more athletic compared to regular children.His physical abilities were not the only thing developed, but his brain worked fast as well. He showed an amazing talent for logic and memory at a young age. He followed his academic prodigy of an aunt's study plan strictly as well, growing to be an acknowledged academic overachiever in school too.He was the pride of Cordelia and Zephyr and the future hope of the Hamertons.Furthermore, he was admired by his younger Zuko, Toph Hamerton, like an idol.Yeap, that was right… A younger Zuko.Five years ago, Zuko thought that he would have a younger sister. But when the adults at home hurried to the hospital one day, leaving him and Helen at home, he saw her tinkering with a deck of tarot cards mysteriously and smiling cryptically as she told him, "Looks like your father will be dis
The atmosphere between the father and his two sons was a bit cold... Toph could not help sneezing.After a moment of silence, Zephyr said in a low voice, "Go get changed. We're going out later.""Huh?" Zuko was surprised. "Dad, I still have extra tutoring...""I've already asked your teacher for a leave."The little boy was a bit confused. "What could be more important than me going to class?""Zuko Hamerton!" Zephyr raised his voice. "Do what I tell you to do. Where did this nonsense come from!?""Oh..." Zuko shrank into himself silently.Zephyr put his hands behind his back and walked away after giving them both a stern look.Only after Zephyr was far away did Toph dare to stick his head out and ask his brother in a low voice, "What's wrong with dad today?""Sigh." Zuko shook his head. "Maybe he's annoyed about his pocket money!""That makes sense." Toph agreed with the statement. "Mom gives us more pocket money every month than she gives him!""Of course! We're mom's real
"There are still some relatives on his side," Linda said softly. "It's just that they looked down on him during those years he was in a gang and avoided him."Now that they see he's gotten rich and successful as the boss of an entertainment company, they're eager to curry favor with him!"Linda pursed her lips. The Thompson relatives had basically all visited their home in recent years. It was to borrow some money today, find a job the next day, ask to join the board of directors the day after, and demand shares afterward.When Nicholas refused, they guilt-tripped him in his family's name and then threatened to expose that he was once a gang member. Sol Entertainment had always been caught in rumors and scandals mainly due to these absurd relatives' doing.Nicholas had seen more to life and was unfazed by their tricks. His way was tough and firm, too, so he had offended many people along the way.In addition to his previous involvement in the gangs, he had made many enemies. Altho
"Hamerton! I won't let your future daughter-in-law marry into your family if you keep this up!"Zephyr glared at Nicholas, and the two grown men behaved like bickering children.On the other hand, Zuko acted like a mature adult. He walked up to Nicholas and looked at him seriously. "Don't worry, Uncle Nicholas. I'll take good care of her in the future and won't let her get upset!"Nicholas narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Zephyr with a mischievous smile on his lips.He jabbed Zephyr in the chest. "Hey, your son's good, much better than you!"Zephyr smiled and mouthed "f*ck off" at him."Uncle Nicholas, what's her name?" Zuko's voice was clear"She's called..." Nicholas' head stopped working. "Sweetheart, what's her name again?"Linda rolled her eyes several times and quickly arranged for someone to take the man to another room to sober up."Her name's Pamela Thompson," Linda told Zuko with a smile."Can I call her Pammy?""Of course! Her nickname is actually Pammy."
A week went by, and there was still no news regarding Pamela.Toph was young and soon forgot about it, but Zuko remained heavyhearted these days alongside his parents.He was distracted in class for the first time and could not answer his teachers. As a result, a few troublemakers teased him.He wanted to ask his parents where Pammy was, but he swallowed his words when he saw their grimaces.Each time his mother talked to Linda on the phone, she cried. His father was distressed, and Robert came and left hastily all the time. Even Helen was always sighing, and her food did not taste as good anymore.Zuko quietly entered his study. He had his own little study, which was his own private space. He opened the drawer of his writing desk, where a photo of him holding little Pammy was kept deep inside.…It was taken on Pammy's first birthday. The little girl had just learned to stand and walk. She was full of curiosity about the world, but because she could not walk steadily, she could
Sometimes, Zuko would go to the beach alone after school. He would sit by the beach staring at the endless ocean, wondering if Pammy was really sleeping in the sea.He read about The Little Mermaid and imagined a scenario where the king of the ocean found her and transformed her into a mermaid princess.However, his smile quickly faded, and a fleeting moment of sadness crossed his innocent face.He had planned to take Pammy to Southeast Aciatic for her birthday. Why did she end up asleep at the bottom of the sea?Was she cold? Was she scared?Would she still remember a friend like him?He looked down, and a clear tear fell on his cheek. It dispersed in the air as the wind blew.…Many years had passed by. The boy who was at the beach was a man now, but he did not change his habit of staring at the ocean."It's late, sir. Let's go home."Zuko was stunned and raised his head to look at Robert. He glanced at the sunset on the ocean unwillingly before getting up slowly to go with
"Don't be so mean, dad." Zuko was stubborn."Mean?" Zephyr scoffed. "I'm only telling the truth! Zuko, you're the Hamerstons' first son. Are you setting this example for your brother? You want the younger generation to learn this nonsense from you?""Dad!" Zuko took a deep breath, trying to suppress his emotions, and explained properly, "Firstly, I don't know that woman. The annual meeting ended late. I was caught off guard when she threw herself at me!"Secondly, I'm not admitting to any of the scandals in the past!"Zephyr raised his eyebrows. "So, these women were desperate?"Zuko nodded confidently."You—""Dad, I still have a third point." Zuko paused for a moment. A glint of seriousness flashed through his eyes when he looked up again. "E-Even if I really have a girlfriend, it's nothing wrong!""What did you say!?" Zephyr was stunned.Zuko thought he would just say whatever he had been holding back once and for all. "I know you and mom are still holding onto the promise