Zuko licked his lips, feeling his throat dry. He was adept at concealing his emotions, never allowing them to show on his face.However, lying was not his strong suit. He had been forbidden from lying since childhood.Now, he found himself struggling to fabricate what might be the biggest lie of his life.Lina's eyes grew increasingly suspicious. "Zeke, a meal at that hotel could cost someone's entire annual income, so...""I did something, but it's not illegal," he replied, his voice deep, avoiding direct eye contact.In the past, he never looked people in the eyes because he simply didn't care. But now, he felt a pang of guilt, hence avoiding her gaze.Her anxiety grew instantly. "What did you do?"Zuko fell into a momentary silence. Immersing himself in the persona of "Zeke," he quickly brainstormed what kind of activity could have yielded such a large sum of money in a short period of time.Then, he remembered his uncle, a renowned actor, in Southeast Asia. Although Zuko wa
If Zuko knew he was going to make up such a lie, he would have pretended to be sick these two days. How could he work so hard!?"Zeke, come over. Let me have a look!" said Lina."What?" Zuko turned back to glare at her. "W-What do you want to look at?""If you're badly injured! We have ointments and stuff at home. I'll apply them for you if your injuries are bad!""No need!" Zuko blurted and put both his hands up in front of him as if Lina was trying to take advantage of him. "Uh… There's really no need. I'm thick-skinned and rugged, used to falling and knocking around. There's no need for ointment!""Zeke Hamerton!" Lina grabbed his T-shirt, ready to yank it up. "Just let me take a look!""Don't come over!""Why are you shouting?""Are you done? Don't touch me!"Zuko glared at Lina, causing her to stand frozen in shock."Zeke, I was just trying to be kind..." Lina softly explained.It would be untrue to say that his reaction didn't hurt her.Melissa couldn't stand to see h
Lina knew she had misspoken and blinked, looking at her mother silently."Silly girl!" Melissa was exasperated, pulled her to the living room, and spoke in a low voice. "Do you have feelings for him?""I do... so what?" Lina lowered her head as if she had done something wrong, but her expression was one of stubbornness. "W-We have a marriage certificate...""Have you lost your mind!?" Melissa poked her with a finger. "That marriage certificate is fake!""Mom, lower your voice!" said Lina."Lina!" Melissa sounded almost mournful.It felt like the beautiful flower she had planted was snatched together with its pot. The daughter she had painstakingly brought up was going to be stolen!"I know what's in your mind. That's why I'm training him!" Melissa lowered her voice and patiently explained to her, "If we train him well now, he'll listen to you in the future, and you two will be happy!""Huh?" Lina was taken aback.Melissa chuckled, adoring and helpless against her daughter. "Ho
Zuko turned to look at the young woman beside him and felt that she was like a cherry blossom, delicate and captivating.At that moment, a subconscious voice suddenly asked him, 'Do you still remember Pammy?'Zuko's hands trembled slightly, and he quickly shoveled food into his mouth to conceal his absent-mindedness. 'Pammy…'Had Pammy still been there, would he have fulfilled the marriage agreement with the Thompsons long ago, gradually taken over the Hamerton Group, and become a good husband and father?Meanwhile, he was now in Jangasas as Zeke Hamerton. He had shed the husk of Zuko, but he knew that he would forever be in Pammy's shadow.Actually, he had told himself many times that Pammy was only five years old when she went missing, and he was just a child. How could a child have such deep feelings? He should not have cared so much.For some reason, every time he saw Lina, her innocent smile, her soft voice, and her pouts when she was teased, he could not help but think of P
Zuko was bewildered. The indecent conversation and crude language stung his eyes.Zuko scoffed. "What's this!?"Jacob told him truthfully, "This is chat records between Violet and a male escort."Zuko was taken aback, his expression changing. "A male escort?""Yes." Jacob chuckled. "The kind of men in nightclubs who are handsome and have hot bodies specifically to entertain wealthy women."Zuko felt a wave of nausea. "Violet has such a fetish?""I didn't believe it at first either." Jacob shrugged, his expression complicated. "She doesn't have a good reputation in the circle, but I couldn't believe she'd stoop so low as to hire male escorts. Then I...""You tried it out yourself?" Zuko's sharp eyes immediately saw through it.Jacob froze, his expression complex as he nodded. Then he explained the whole process to Zuko, "I heard that she likes to hire male escorts, so I registered an account and pretended to be one to chat with her. Unexpectedly, she took the bait! She's been tr
Lina had not just heard them. It was obvious she had also misunderstood—evident from her gaze on Jacob!Zuko could not help but burst into laughter.Jacob panicked and was about to explain, but Zuko interrupted him. "Yeah, Jacob, don't come looking for me anymore! I really can't do that kind of thing you mentioned!"Jacob was at a loss for words.'Damn it!' Jacob widened his eyes, doubtful and exasperated.Lina's heart warmed, and she tightened her grip on Zuko's arm.Zuko smiled at her, then fixed his serious gaze on Jacob. "I know you wanted me to join you in this line of work back when we were in there. But Jacob, what Lina said is right. Being a male escort isn't a long-term thing!""Zu—""Perhaps you should also consider your own future!"Jacob's nostrils flared as he panted heavily.Zuko struggled to contain his laughter, feeling his stomach ache. He confidently led Lina to stroll by the seaside, leaving the shocked Jacob.Not long after they left, Zuko's phone buzzed
Zuko paused and called Jacob. "What happened at home?""It's not your family," Jacob replied in a low voice. "It's the Thompsons.""The Thompsons?""It seems... it's about the little girl betrothed to you in childhood," Jacob said hastily. "I couldn't inquire too much about your family matters. Just make a trip back.""Okay, got it," replied Zuko, agreeing and ending the call.Lina was walking ahead and did not hear him making the call. The night enveloped her joyful figure as she occasionally turned around and waved at him.Zuko spent the next two days contemplating how to take a "leave" from the Jenners. After much consideration, he decided to be honest. "My younger brother called and said there's something going on at home. He wants me to go back for a while. I won't be away for long, just two or three days, and I'll definitely rush back."After speaking, Zuko looked directly at Jesse and Melissa, who were standing in front of him. They both stared at him intently for a momen
Zuko glared at Toph. Before he could say anything, Wendy, the nanny who had been taking care of them since they were little, came over with a smile. "Mr. Toph, this brand is decent. It's cheap and has a large volume. It's economical! I'll use this to fry sometime for you both tonight!""Don't use this one first!" Zuko said in a serious manner."Huh?""Uh, I mean…" Zuko rubbed his nose with an evasive gaze. "Don't use it up too quickly!"Wendy was confused. It was not like the Hamertons could not afford the peanut oil, but she nodded anyway.Zuko watched the servants put the items away, neatly kept in the cabinets according to his request, like he was watching over some treasure, and flashed a pleased smile."I'm going to see our parents," he said and left, leaving Toph and Wendy stunned.Wendy asked, "Mr. Toph, what's gotten into him? When have either of you come into the kitchen and got concerned over how things are kept since you were kids?"Toph had always been smart. In add