Chapter 428
I was taken aback, âThat fast? When did you get to Vista Town?â
âJust this afternoon.â
Mark chuckled, âSo, do you want to grab dinner out or eat at home? Need me to bring anything?â
âHold on a sec.â
I pulled the phone away a bit and asked Ike in a whisper, âHoney, do you want to eat at home tonight, or go out?â
âI wanna eat what Jane makes!â
Ike replied instinctively then seemed to reconsider as if a new thought struck him, and hastily added, âUm, actually, letâs not. I donât feel like going out. Can we order takeout instead? Iâll treat you, Jane!â
I brought the phone closer, smiling, âYou donât need to bring anything, Mark.
Just come over.â
Mark agreed.
After hanging up, I pinched Ikeâs chubby cheeks, âI thought you wanted to eat what I made. Whatâs with the change of heart?â
âUncle warned me.â
âWarned you about what?â
âUncle saidâ¦â Ike mumbled, âNot to bother you too much. If I tire you out, he said heâd go and slay SpiderâMan!â
âSlay SpiderâMan?â
âYup!â Ike nodded his little head, his eyes rolling around, âJane, can you protect SpiderâMan?â
These two, oneâs talking nonsense and the otherâs buying it. Arenât they afraid of leaving some psychological scars on the kid?
Seeing me silent, Ike laid his head on my lap, looking up, âJane, is someone coming over? Who is it?â
09:09
âA friend.â
âA friend??â Some radar in Ike went off, he suddenly perked up, asking, âWhat kind of friend, like my uncle, or like my dad?â
âWhatâs the difference?â
âThe difference between old and not old.â
I couldnât help but laugh. âYour dadâs old?â
âHmm⦠not really old.â Ike answered seriously, âItâs just that mom often calls him a relic, a remnant of feudal times.â
I burst out laughing. I had no idea Edith had such a sharp tongue, on par with Gregory. She didnât hold back when it came to her husband, either.
Ike didnât forget the main question, speaking crisply, âJane, you havenât answered my question!â
âAh, heâs not old, more like your uncle kind of friend.â
Little Ike scrambled off my lap, marching out with his tiny legs, his slippers flying off one foot.
âWhere are you off to?â
âI suddenly need to pee!â
âWe have a bathroom hereâ¦â
âNo, Jane, I⦠Iâ¦..â
I scooped him up, assuming the kid was just shy, âIs it because you canât undo your pants by yourself?â
âNo!â
âThen go ahead, call me if you need help.â
I put him in the bathroom, but his face was the picture of despair. âI⦠I suddenly donât need to pee anymore.â
I was skeptical. âReally?â
âYup! For real!â The little guy walked out of the bathroom, looking up at me with a gloomy expression, âJane, can I play on your phone for a bit?â
Chapter 428
âNo, phones hurt your eyes, they can affect your eyesight.â
âPlease!â He clutched at my skirt, gently tugging, âPlease, just for a little bit?â
My heart melted, and I handed him the phone, âAlright.â
He joyously grabbed the phone and scurried up to the couch, nestling into a corner to play. But his little eyebrows were furrowed in concentration.
Curious, I asked, âWhatâs wrong?â Most kids would dive straight into watching cartoons. But there he was, quietly switching to his own messages.