Lena chuckled softly before picking up the phone call. After a brief conversation with Alexander, she returned to sit
across from Chris, savoring the meal he had prepared.
"Was it Alexander? What did he say?" Chris asked.
Lena smiled, not directly addressing his question. "What do you think a boy his age worries about?"
"Hmm..." Chris pondered. "When I was his age, I had endless classes every day."
"Really?"
"Yes, the Hamertons were quite strict with us kids. My parents were somewhat more lenient, but Zuko and Toph had
it even tougher."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEspecially Zuko, groomed as the future heir to the entire Hamerton Group. The elders had big expectations, and he
had been meticulous from a young age. Such an upbringing shaped a highly qualified heir but robbed him of
childhood joys.
"You gain some, you lose some," Chris mused. "Life can't always be perfect, and not every moment is delightful.
We're quite fortunate, really. Many people can never hope to reach our starting point in their entire lives. Life won't
be too bad if we stay on our paths."
"You seem content," Lena said, smiling. "I mentioned a young boy's thoughts, and you launched into deep
reflection."
"True, let's get back to the topic!" Chris grinned. "So, what did Alexander tell you?"
"It's nothing special, really. He just asked why Nala hasn't been talking to him lately."
Chris was initially surprised but then broke into a knowing smile. "Honestly, if it weren't for Alexander, Nala might
have been in trouble this time."
Lena nodded. "You're right."
"So, this young lad is Nala's savior."
"To be fair, children's feelings are always pure," Lena mused. "He still remembers that I looked after him for a few
years when he was younger."
"Lenny, don't you think... they get along well?"
"Huh?" Lena didn't catch on at first, but when she met his eyes, she found his playful smile amusing and
exasperating.
"What's on your mind? They're still so young!"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Nala is young, but Alexander isn't that young anymore. He's already 12."
"Oh..." Lena eyed him with a mischievous gleam. "When you were 12, did you also notice pretty girls?"
Chris was taken aback. How did a discussion about Alexander end up putting him on the spot?
"Do you think it's lovely that they're growing up as childhood friends?"
"Uh..."
Lena seriously said, "Chris, did you ever have a childhood friend?"
Chris regretted his earlier thoughtless words even more as Lena added, "Does Bianca count?"
Chris widened his eyes in surprise.