"Hes three years old," the child chimed in, answering Edwards question with a cherubic smile that mirrored Noahs features.
"Edward, Im here today because..." Harry hesitated, his expression clouded with uncertainty. He seemed to be on the brink of asking for a favor but was struggling to find the words.
"No need to stand on ceremony with me," Edward reassured him. "If theres anything I can do to help, Im here for you."
Edwards generosity was well-known among his friends. If someone was in trouble, he would always lend a hand without a second thought.
Harry pulled out a manuscript from his bag and placed it on the table. "Take a look at this," he said, adjusting his glasses as he looked at Edward.
Edward picked up the manuscript. "A novel?" he asked, surprised.
During their high school years, the two friends had sat under the schools flagpole, sharing their dreams for the future.
"I want to be a boss," Edward had declared, even back then showing the ambition that would later define his successful career. Throughout university, he had immersed himself in books about entrepreneurship and sought advice from successful business owners. His hard work had paid off, and now he was a well-respected entrepreneur in the city.
Harrys journey had been less fortunate. "I want to be a writer," he had shared, his eyes filled with the same passion Edward remembered. He had dreamed of crafting romantic stories that would touch peoples hearts through his writing.
Since his freshman year of college, Harry had been writing novels. He vividly remembered his first royalty check for 600 dollars, which he had earned solely from a full-attendance award. He had treated his roommates to a meal with that money.
Four years had passed, and he had completed several works, but none had been published. "Has it been published?" Edward inquired, knowing that for those in the literary field, publication was an affirmation of their abilities, offering not only a substantial fee but also increased recognition.
Harry shook his head. "Its complicated," he sighed. He had reached out to Editor Eleanor at Nanfeng Literature Publishing House, but she had rejected his requests. After much persistence, she had finally agreed, but only if he published at his own expense.
His book had eventually been published, and on the day of its release, he had gone to Xinhua Bookstore to see his book tucked away in a corner, selling only one copy a day. The poor sales were disheartening for any author, especially one as passionate as Harry.
Edward could empathize with his friends plight. "Edward, I know youre close with Editor Eleanor. Could you help me..." Harry found himself in a vulnerable position, something he had never anticipated when he had set out to pursue his dream of becoming a writer.
Harry had faced many hardships over the years and was now hoping Edward could assist him. He had been evicted by his landlord for inability to pay rent, and the clothes he wore were the same ones he had scrimped and saved for last year. On the outside, he appeared successful, but inside, his heart was broken.
"Sure, Ill talk to her," Edward said, taking out his phone to make the call. However, Harry stopped him, "Could you not mention my name?" He wanted to preserve his dignity and not have Editor Eleanor look down on him.
Edward agreed and understood how to approach the conversation. He dialed Editor Eleanors number. "Eleanor, whats up? How are you?"
"Not busy at all, not busy at all, what can I do for you?" Editor Eleanor was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Edward. She knew that he didnt call without a reason.
"Nothing much, just missed our chats," Edward said politely.
Harry sat on the sofa, anxious but trusting in Edwards ability to help him. "How about we grab a meal together?" Editor Eleanor invited.
"Another day, I actually need a favor from you today," Edward got straight to the point.
Edward and Editor Eleanor discussed the matter for a few minutes, and Edward managed to secure a dinner meeting for Harry with her. After ending the call, Edward sent the restaurants location to Harrys phone.
"Thank you so much," Harry expressed his gratitude. In his time of need, Edward had come through for him, a debt of gratitude he would never forget.
"Youre welcome," Edward responded, believing that helping others should be done without expecting anything in return.
A few minutes later, Edward checked the time and realized it was almost six oclock. "Harry, could you ask for another favor..." he felt a bit embarrassed to keep imposing on Edward, but he didnt have many options.
"Sure, what is it?" Edward replied, his kind-hearted nature never turning anyone in need away.
"Could you look after my child for me? Its not convenient for me to bring him along," Harry asked, glancing at his son with a gentle caress on his head.
Edward nodded with a smile, "Of course, I love kids."
He had always wanted a child as adorable as Jamie, but he was not yet married, and the prospect of fatherhood seemed distant at the moment.
After Harry left, he repeatedly thanked Edward for his help. Without Edwards assistance, Harry would have continued to struggle.
The little one was very cute and well-behaved, sitting on the sofa without crying or making a fuss, his little eyes blinking cutely.
"Jane, its time to cook," Edward called out, his stomach growling from hunger. It was past six, and Jane was still in the study, deeply engrossed in her CPA materials, showing no signs of preparing dinner.
A few minutes later, the study remained quiet, and there was no response from Jane. She continued to focus on her studies, ignoring Edwards request.
Sitting on the other side of the sofa, little Jamie seemed to find Edwards tone too harsh. "Uncle, youre being very mean," Jamie said, his voice soft but his message clear.
Jamies innocent reprimand made Edward put down his newspaper and look at the child. He pointed at himself and asked, "Are you saying Im mean?"
He realized that his tone might have been too harsh just now.
"Watch this," Jamie said, jumping off the sofa and waltzing into the study. He reached up to open the door and poked his head in. "Sister, its time to cook," he said in a sweet, childish voice that warmed Janes heart.
She turned to see the adorable child and couldnt help but smile. She loved children and their carefree innocence, and Jamies sweet voice was endearing.
"Where did this little one come from?" Jane asked as she closed her课件, put down her pen, and walked to the door. She gently picked up Jamie and held him close.
Edward was a bit upset. If he remembered correctly, Jamie had called him "uncle" but addressed Jane as "sister." Did that mean he seemed older to the child?
However, he didnt take it out on the child, knowing that children often speak without considering the implications.
"What would you like to eat? Sister will make it for you," Jane offered, holding the child and forgetting her study-related stress.
To Edwards annoyance, his request had no effect on Jane, but a simple request from the child had her out of the study and ready to cook.
What did this mean? Did she not take him seriously?
Edward was quite upset and thought to himself, "Just you wait."
Although Jamie was just a little boy, Edward was clearly jealous, a feeling that was unprecedented and intense.
"Brother will take you to have some fruit," Edward said as he thought about entering the kitchen to pick up the boy.
But Jamie was not willing, "No, I want to watch sister cook."
Edward tried to pick him up, "Be good and listen."
The child disagreed, "No, youre a strange uncle with a bad temper."
Before Edward could react, Jane couldnt help but laugh.
Indeed, the child had not spoken out of turn; Edwards temper was indeed peculiar, making him somewhat unpredictable.
"What are you laughing at?" Edward asked, pointing at Jane.
Jane immediately composed herself, and her expression returned to neutrality.
Edward didnt say anything more and left the kitchen, retreating to the sofa.
At the dinner table, Edward was silent, watching as Jane fed the child with great care.
"Take a bite of meat," Jane said, placing a piece of meat into Jamies mouth.
"Have some rice," Jane encouraged, feeding him a bite of rice.
"And now, some vegetables," Jane continued, giving him a bite of vegetables.
Those sounds penetrated Edwards heart, causing a stir within him.
His ears turned a bit red as he wondered if he was indeed jealous over a child.
After dinner, they all sat on the sofa.
Jane held Jamie and told him stories with great dedication, her voice sweet and engaging.
"Sister will tell you the story of Kong Rong lets pear, how does that sound?" Jane asked, her storytelling serious and focused.
Kong Rong, at the age of four, ate pears with his brothers, always choosing the smaller ones for himself...
Janes voice was sweet, and although Edward had heard this old tale many times, he listened carefully.
"Do you know what this story teaches us?" Jane wanted to