When he said these words, the atmosphere turned weird again.
Edie stood up immediately, "I can help you."
Seeing Edie standing up, Stuart stood up immediately and held her hands, "All right, I can help her."
Then, he poured a bowl of soup and gave it to Laty, "Edie wants you to eat. So, eat now."
He fixed his frightening eyes on Latyās little body.
Laty felt really dangerous.
Holy crap. He was protecting her. To guard Edie, he didnāt care about her feeling at all.
But Laty would not be handled so easily. She ate the soup and said, "Mom, I want that. I could not reach it. "
When Edie wanted to take it to Laty, Stuart stopped her and took the food to Laty in person.
"Mom, I want the shrimp. Could you shell peas for me?" Laty said.
As Edie wanted to start, Stuart stopped her.
"Mom, too much fishbone on this fish..."
Before she said all the words out, Stuart already started taking all the bones from the fish.
Though it felt weird, everyone knew they loved each other. This was a family in harmony.
Apparently, Edie was the top in her family. As for the other two, they were competing for Edie.
After lunch, Sophieās mother washed the dishes and started preparing to play cards.
Stuart lost a lot at the first four rounds. He didnāt even know how much he has lost.
But after that, Stuart got better and better. No one could win him.
Besides, he never pretended to lose. Though he was the guest, he should save face for the host. But he didnāt.
He didnāt even realize that he ought to do that.
Actually, it didnāt matter whether they lose or win the money. What mattered was the hostās feeling. Didnāt he see Sophieās parents looked angry now?
Edie kept winking at Stuart. But Stuart didnāt understand her. On the contrary, he turned towards her and asked her seriously, "whatās the problem with your eyes?"
"..."Edie wanted to open Stuartās brain to see what the hell was in there.
"Iām fine. I didnāt expect you are so good at this. Why couldnāt you lose? Lose now please. Lose now..."
Edie kept murmuring in a low voice. She wished she could knock on Stuartās head at the moment to remind him.
Finally, Stuart also realized he had won a lot. So, he stopped asking for money.
But that didnāt do anything but made things worse.
Perhaps he was so lucky, or so good at playing cards. He had a gift. He won every time as if he was cheating.
He didnāt want money. But Sophieās father didnāt agree. He gave the money to Edie.
Finally, they lost all the money on the table.
Seeing this, Edie wanted to burst into tears, "it is late. Could we stop here? I still have some work to do."
"No, we need to finish eighteen rounds. We need to play the last round. I donāt believe I couldnāt win at least once." Sophieās father said.
"Yeah, please, one more round." Sophieās mother echoed.
"But..."
Finally, Edie came up with an idea. She held her stomach, pretending to be painful.
Stuart stopped everything immediately and walked to her.
He asked her in an anxious voice, "Are you all right? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
"No. I need to use the washing room. "
Stuart immediately held her to the washing room.
He planned to wait for Edie at the door. But Edie dragged him in quickly.
He got confused, "Are you uncomfortable about using anotherās washing room? Do you need me to stay with you?"
Hearing this, Edie stared at him speechlessly, "So you know here is anotherās home. If you keep winning them, they would feel so embarrassed. Donāt you see they are already angry?"
"No. I am focusing on looking at you. Are you all right? Your eyes." Stuart said honestly.
Hearing this, Edie didnāt know whether to cry or laugh out. Finally, she said, "lose the game on purpose. Please, you have to make them feel respected."
"Okay, understand."
He said and asked her concernedly, "Your stomachache...."
"Foolish. I am pretending. Donāt you see it? You know how to do later, right?" Edie asked nervously.
"Yes," the card newbie Stuart guaranteed Edie seriously.
So, in the following four rounds, Sophieās parents won two rounds. Stuart won one.
Edie thought he had done the best. It was really hard for him to lose on purpose. After all, he never lost any game before.
After packing the card up, Sophieās parents stood together closely to support each other.
"Your husband looked so good at the card."
"Yeah...he is so good at that ...."
Hearing their words, Edie forced a smile and held Stuartās hands, "Thank you for your treat. Thank you very much. We need to go now. I still have so much work to do. Laty, time to go."
She asked Laty.
When they walked downstairs, Edie froze. Where was her car?
As she looked for her car everywhere, the man behind her told her in a slight voice, "Iāve asked someone to drag it away ten minutes ago."
"..."
"Get in my car. It is the rush hour now. You might not be able to get a taxi." he opened the door, leaning against the car, fixing his charming eyes on Edie.
He has already been thirty years old. How could he still be so charming?
Edie looked away immediately and said, "Not necessary. We can take the bus."
"Couldnāt we talk for a while alone? I can send Laty home. We can talk later," Stuart advice sincerely.
Laty held her hands, trying to help Stuart, "Mom, why not? Talk to my dad, okay?"
Hearing Latyās words, Edie finally took a deep breath and said, "Well. Then send Laty back. We can talk."
She stared at the man in front of her. Sheās made the decision.
Whatever happened, she should get rid of him.
For himself, and for Laty.
After sending Laty back home, he found a coffee house.
Edie sat down and said directly, "Edie already died five years ago. I have nothing to do with you now."
"Indeed. My wife passed away five years ago. I missed her so much. When I met a girl assembling her, I really want to chase after her and win her heart,"
He said in a casual voice. His fingers swept the cup, feeling the fragrance of the coffee at the nail.
"Now, do you mind my seeking after you, Miss Jackson?"
Stuart smiled. His smile was immersed in the air mixed with the hot coffee. It was so charming that Edie didnāt want to look away.