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
Zuko lazily leaned back on the sheepskin sofa.The servant had already prepared his usual hand-brewed Yirgacheffe coffee, and the aroma filled his nose, making him feel like he was in a dream.In the dream, he was in Jangasas. Now that he woke up from the dream, he was back in Centrolis."How is it, Zuko?" Cordelia asked with a smile, "Is the cake delicious?"Zuko nodded, pretending that it was tasty. In truth, he did not have much, as he did not enjoy sweet things.He had heard that his father did not like sweets either, but his mother did, so he followed suit. Then his mother started calling him "Bald Meatball".Zuko chuckled. His father had actually aged quite well compared to his peers. The Hamertons had good genes in that regard. Even in his middle age, Zephyr was a tall and handsome middle-aged man with a touch of mature charm.Zuko sat up and asked, "Dad, mom, what happened that I'm needed back so urgently?"Zephyr looked at him and asked in a low voice, "Jacob didn't te
"Zuko? Zuko!" Cordelia called Zuko a few times before he snapped out of his trance. Before he could speak, Zephyr gave his leg a light kick."What are you thinking about?" His father's deep and stern voice echoed. "Your mother's talking to you, and you dare to be distracted!?"Zuko shrank into himself and looked at his mother for help."Our son just came back. Stop nagging him!" Cordelia looked like she was scolding Zephyr, but she hooked her hand over his arm and smiled. "You can't always be so angry, or you'll get more wrinkles!"Zephyr smiled as well as he held a hand over Cordelia's gently.Zuko felt like he was redundant there."Dad, mom, uh, I—""You're not allowed to leave! Your mother isn't done!" Zephyr shot him another glare.Zuko sat still obediently."Zuko, I've discussed it with your father," Cordelia said softly. "Stay a few more days in Centrolis and take some time out to visit the Thompsons to take a look at Pammy.""What?"Zuko was bewildered but quickly und
The fourth floor was Zuko's "observatory deck".When he was young, he loved stargazing, so his father had built this observatory for him.A huge globe was in the center of the room, and a Hubble telescope stood by the window. This was Zuko's private sanctuary.He had sensitive and vulnerable phases during his adolescence too, and when he could not resolve his troubles, he would come to this observatory and entrust his worries to the distant stars.He once again stood in front of the telescope.He had heard that wormholes in space were real and could connect two distant points in time and space. In that case, could he travel through a wormhole and go back to the day when Pammy disappeared? He really wanted to see who had taken her away....It was the weekend. It was drizzling in Centrolis, while Jangasas enjoyed clear skies.Lina stretched lazily, wearing a simple T-shirt and wide-leg pants, as she went downstairs to help Melissa prepare breakfast.Melissa looked her up and do
Melissa had already seen through her daughter's thoughts. As someone who had gone through similar experiences, how could she not understand what the little girl was thinking at this time? But until everything settled and before Zeke was successfully trained, she could not let her daughter get too deeply involved."Alright, alright. Go and call your father and Dave for breakfast!" Melissa said, and Lina obeyed, looking a bit listless. Melissa smiled and whispered, "Since you're missing him so much, take some time to give him a call and ask when he'll be back! Asking him yourself is much more effective than us asking a hundred times.""Mom!" Lina felt a little embarrassed. "What are you saying? I don't miss him!""Alright, if you say so," Melissa said affectionately. "Anyway, I've taught you a way. Whether you do it or not is up to you!"Lina blushed and lowered her head, chuckling softly. Although she denied it verbally, her spirits noticeably lifted. She skipped away to call her fa
It was a clear and sunny weekend, but Zuko was not around, so time felt particularly slow for Lina.She sat at the entryway, feeling bored and absentmindedly nibbling on watermelon. The sound of a car horn broke the silence of the empty alley, its loud honk resonating crisply in the air.Lina was taken aback and quickly ran out to see.A striking red convertible sports car caught Lina's attention at the alley's entrance. Its sleek and dynamic body glistened under the sunlight, emanating a unique radiance.As the car came to a stop, the driver, a person with wavy hair resembling a celebrity, removed her sunglasses and greeted Lina with a beaming smile. "Ready to have some fun today? Hop in!"Lina's surprise and delight were evident as she exclaimed, almost screaming, "Gia? Is that really you?!"This version of Gia was completely different from the one she knew. Until last week, Gia had been a very low-key student, dressing modestly and carrying herself in a reserved manner. Then
"Lina, this bag matches you too!"You should try everything on. I'll wait for you here!"Upon saying that, Gia sat on the sofa in the center of the boutique, and immediately someone served her exquisite-looking pastries.Lina felt like she was dreaming. Several shop assistants followed behind her, each with their hands full and a smile on their faces that only appeared when they saw potential customers.Seeing Lina hesitate to enter the fitting room, Gia walked over and took her hand with a light smile. "Okay, I'll tell you the truth. My parents did come into some money!""What?""It's a few stocks they bought in their early years." Gia's gaze was evasive. "Somehow, they skyrocketed recently to the point where they both start questioning reality! Heh, it's like a windfall, isn't it?"Lina was half skeptical. She occasionally paid attention to the stock market news too. Although she did not understand it well, she could still read charts and trends. In her impression, the stock m