After dinner, Bria went to the alley to play with the children she had just met.
Since Bria was from the city and she was so adorable with her big, sparkling eyes, looking just like the stars in the sky, the children there liked her very much. With her amiable personality, the locals were happy to let her join them to play together.
As they played and laughed happily in the alley, they put everything behind their backs. Their laughter lifted everyoneâs mood, just like the sound of larks.
Amelie didnât stop Bria from playing with the other children and simply let her be. So, the house was left with three adults.
The lights were lit up. Although it was not bright, it made the atmosphere in the house peaceful.
Since the beginning, there had been no look of disdain on Tobyâs face. In fact, he was actually enjoying this simple but warm place.
âMr. Walsh, can we talk about the plan you mentioned earlier?â Amelie went straight to the point.
Toby nodded with his usual smile and gentle expression. âMr. Dillonâs shoemaking skill is really extraordinary. It will be such a shame if this skill is not passed down. What I mean is thatâ¦â
âHello! All of you are here.â Before he could finish his sentence, he was cut off by a loud voice from the entrance.
The three of them looked over to the door and saw Abby standing there. Her attire was not as casual as previously. She even styled her hair, making her look a lot more put together.
With a basket of fruits in her arms, she walked in casually. âMy son harvested these from the farm just now. I chose the best ones for you guys to have a taste.â She grinned from ear to ear, making it look like she was overdoing it.
Then, she grabbed an orange from the basket and showed it to them. âThis is a grade A navel orange.
Itâs specially used to serve VIPs out there in the city.â
From her buttering-up look, it was apparent that she was afraid that Amelie would ask her for the rent.
payment. She had been renting the house for many years. If Amelie really calculated it, the house rent would go up to tens of thousands.
At this moment, Amelie looked at Abby and thought, Although sheâs nosy and has a big mouth, she still has a helpful side. She was the one who told Amelie that Steven was bringing a knife to find the Alstons, and she even helped her look after Bria for some time.
Amelie was not a cruel person, so of course, she wouldnât really ask her for the house rent.
After she thanked Abby, she accepted the fruits and wanted to pay her back.
However, Abby insisted on not taking her money. As her eyes darted around, her gaze landed on Toby very quickly. âOh, is this Amyâs husband? So good-looking.â
Toby was well-dressed and charming, so her gaze was nearly stuck on him. âI was just wondering why Amy brought the child back alone. So, her husband was actually following her behind. Youâre really good to Amy, young man, coming after her so quickly.â Although that was what she said, the nosy gaze from her eyes had never stopped.
From her words, she was actually probing whether something had happened between the two of them since they came back one after another. Women in the suburbs really liked to look into other peopleâs lives, even though they had many things of their own to care about. Most of them had an unhealthy amount of curiosity.
âThatâs not it. You misunderstood. Heâs just a customer who came to see the process of shoemaking.â
Steven stated coldly, knowing that his daughter disliked people probing into her personal life.
Hearing that, Abby hummed in acknowledgment as her gaze at Amelie changed again. In the end, she didnât say anything else and just left.
âIâm sorry, Mr. Walsh. Women in the suburbs really have big mouths.â Steven apologized to Toby after Abby left Toby shook his head, indicating that he didnât mind at all, but his eyes couldnât help but look in the direction of Amelie Just now, when Abby took them as a couple, he didnât dislike it and didnât feel offended either.
*Please continue what you were saying just now, Mr. Walsh.â Amelieâs reminder pulled him back from his thoughts.
Only then did he snap out of his daze and say, âWhat I mean is that I can buy Mr. Dillonâs skill and gather a group of apprentices to learn from him. Of course, we will make some suitable modifications while we ensure the quality.â
âBuy⦠What do you mean? I canât make shoes anymore in the future?â Stevenâs face was a little disgruntled since his only hobby in life was making shoes. If he couldnât do that, his life would be meaningless.
Hearing that, Toby chuckled. âYouâre the expert in traditional shoemaking. If I forbid you from making shoes, our shoes will be worthless.â
He gently bit his lower lip and left his middle-parting, semi-long hair hanging in front of his forehead. At this moment, his exotic aura seemed to be a little stronger.
âBut if there are more apprentices, you might need to spend more time teaching them as an advisor.
So, your time for making shoes will be much less.â
âAdvisor?â Steven didnât have much of an idea about this position.
âAdvisor is about the same as a teacher,â Amelie explained.
Hearing that, Steven hummed in acknowledgment. Since he seldom talked, he felt that doing hands-on things was much more comfortable than talking.
âWith that, many people can learn about your technique, and more people can wear shoes that are made traditionally. Your skills can at least be passed down, and the customers donât need to wait half a month for their shoes. This is the best of both worlds,â Toby concluded.
At this moment, Steven had a serious face, and the wrinkles on his face could be seen to be squeezed together under the soft light. After thinking for quite some time, only then did he answer, âLet me think about.
it.â
Toby didnât force him as well. âOkay. When you make up your mind, you can give me a call anytime.â
With his respectful attitude since the beginning, he put a name card beside Stevenâs hand.
After that, Steven didnât say anything else. He went to the backyard and continued making shoes.
Meanwhile, Amelie looked at her fatherâs back, which was slightly hunched, and sighed softly.
Shoemaking was her fatherâs way of earning money and was also his only hobby. Other than her, it was the love of his life. That was why even when a slight change was brought up, it would have a huge impact on him.
âMr Walsh, are you sure that you want to start a shoe business?â Amelie pocketed her gaze to look at Toby.
âYes.â He nodded.
âBut the Walsh Farnily hasnât stepped into the shoe business before. Donât you think itâs a little risky to suddenly start a shoe business?â
âIt might be risky, but this business is still profitable, isnât it?â He looked at her seriously and could roughly tell what she was thinking, so he explained, âThe reason I suggested buying your fatherâs shoemaking skills is that there were many people who ordered your shoes during your live stream.â
Then, he showed her a list with the data for her stream.
âThere were five million people in your live stream at that time, and the number of orders was 368 within three minutes. This is a really high number.â He flicked the piece of paper and put it in front of her âAfter that, you indicated that youâre not selling shoes anymore, but there are still five percent of the people who still want to buy them. This is a huge business opportunity. As a businessman, itâs impossible for me not to lay my hands.
on this â
With the proof of the data, Tobyâs words were unimpeachable, leaving Amelie speechless.
The next day. Steven went to look for Toby alone and spent a long time talking with him.
Amelie had no idea what they talked about, but when Steven came out, there was a contract in his hand. It was obvious that he agreed to Tobyâs request.
âD-Dad, are you sure?â she asked him worriedly, since she was very cautious on this matter.
However, he nodded happily. âMr. Walsh really has a business mind, and he does things meticulously.
Even when I know nothing about business, I will be satisfied as long as he can pass down my shoe-
making skills.â
When she heard that, she took over the contract to study it closely.
Tobyâs contract was very professional, and there were not many restrictions on Steven.
As she read the contract, she gasped sharply when she saw a sectionâ¦