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“Lina, I’m not lying to you,” Zuko’s voice was hoarse as he maintained a certain distance, hesitant to approach her.
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll take you to meet someone.”
After a while, Lina calmed down and noticed Zuko preparing to leave. She hurriedly grabbed a jacket and followed
him.
Several cabs were waiting outside the hotel, and one pulled up in front of them. Zuko opened the car door, but he
sat in the passenger seat instead of sitting next to her in the backseat.
From the back seat, Lina observed Zuko’s sharp features, deep and resolute eyes, and broad back through the
rearview mirror. She knew he must be sitting in the front with his arms crossed, just as he always did.
Everything seemed familiar yet different at the same time, evoking indescribable emotions within Lina.
Suddenly, she recalled the words Gia had spoken before. Gia had attended university to find a wealthy heir to date
and marry, claiming that 80% of life’s troubles could be solved with money. Lina had asked what if she didn’t like
the man, to which Gia had replied that life was never perfect and she would choose material wealth over feelings.
Lina shook her head, reaffirming her choice of prioritizing feelings.
Now… it seemed like she had both?
Zuko chuckled as he looked at the bewildered Lina and reached out to hold her hand.
Lina pulled away like a startled deer and moved closer to the car door, avoiding his gaze.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe car came to a stop in front of the hospital. Zuko got out of the car, and Lina followed him.
As Lina looked around, she was taken aback. Wasn’t this the hospital of that kind-hearted middle-aged man?
“Z—” she started to say instinctively but stopped. She wasn’t sure whether to call him Zeke or Zuko.
“Zeke” felt familiar and rolled off the tongue easily, while “Zuko” was a completely unfamiliar name.
Zuko paused and turned to her with a gentle smile. “If you’re not used to it, just call me Zeke.”
Lina lowered her eyes and quietly followed him as they made their way from the hospital entrance to the director’s
office.
Zuko knocked on the director’s office door.
Carter was flipping through some medical records and was slightly surprised to see the two of them. Assuming that
his oldest nephew didn’t want his identity disclosed, he composed himself and warmly greeted Lina, “Ms. Jenner?
What brings you here today? Please have a seat!”
Before Zuko could even greet him as “uncle,” Carter completely ignored him.
Carter maintained his act, looking at Zuko and asking Lina, “And this is?”
“Mr. Irwin?” Lina was surprised. “You don’t know him?”
Carter pretended to adjust his glasses. “I don’t. What’s your name, sir?”
Zuko felt exasperated and helplessly called out, “Uncle!”
“Hey, young man, don’t go turning everyone into your uncle!”
“No, Uncle, I—”
“Who’s your uncle?” Carter interrupted, making faces at Zuko. “Have you mistaken me for someone else?”
Speechless, Zuko decided to bring up his father. “Uncle, my dad mentioned that you were bullied in school, and he
was the one—”
Carter coughed vigorously with widened eyes.
“So, are you my uncle or not?” Zuko smirked.
Carter glanced at him, lips twitching. He asked quietly, “Can I speak freely now?”
“A certain someone will think I’m tricking her otherwise,” replied Zuko.
Zuko lifted his arm and finally wrapped it around Lina’s shoulder. This time, she didn’t push him away. However, he
could sense her body stiffening and her shoulders trembling slightly.
Lina lowered her head and noticed the bangle. It finally dawned on her that Carter had protected her so fiercely
when Violet was brought to the hospital that day because he recognized the bangle.
Indeed, what Zuko had said was true. Every bizarre experience she had in Southeast Aciatic was connected to him.
“Are you feeling unwell, child?” Carter asked with concern. “You don’t look well. Do you want to have an
examination right here?”
Politely declining, Lina replied, “Thank you, there’s no need.”
“We’re family, no need to be so formal.” Carter smiled. “If this rascal bullies you in the future, just tell Uncle Carter
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmor your grandparents-in-law!
“Oh right, Zuko, have you taken Lina to the manor?”
Zuko glanced at Lina. The girl was so quiet, and it pained his heart. He could only hold her tighter, allowing her to
feel his warmth.
Leaving the hospital, the two walked side by side on the road. As the night fell and the lights came on, the liveliness
of Southeast Aciatic was just beginning.
However, Lina had no interest in admiring the night view. Her mind was consumed by thoughts of the differences
between her and Zuko.
His parents were the owners of the Hamerton Group, while her parents owned a small supermarket.
He had received an elite education since childhood, while she had grown up with fewer restraints.
He was a prominent figure in upper-class society, while her life had been plain and simple.
Being together would surely end in tragedy for two people from such different backgrounds, right?
Upon thinking that, Lina’s heart ached, and she felt her nose tingling.
A deep voice came from beside her. “Lina, what are you thinking about?”
She sniffed and whispered, “I’m thinking… a firefly is just a firefly. No matter how high or far it flies, it can never
become one of the stars in the sky.”
Zuko froze, stopped walking, and turned to look at her. “Have you ever thought that the star doesn’t need the
firefly to fly? It will come down and be with the firefly.”
Lina looked up at him and saw stars in his eyes. Amidst the radiance of those stars, she saw herself.