"Still want to argue?" Zuko didn't even get a chance to speak before his father's stern shout interrupted him.
Toph, wearing a smile on his face, straightened up, no longer resembling a punished elementary school student. He looked like someone who had redeemed himself.
Then the real show began, with their parents taking turns harshly criticizing Zuko.
Cordelia scolded, "You should have spoken up about this long ago!"
Zephyr added, "Yes, why didn't you say anything!?"
Cordelia continued. "This is such a big matter, and you didn't come back to discuss it with us? We could have come up with a plan!"
Zephyr agreed. "Exactly! You caught us off guard!"
Cordelia hissed. "You've become so arrogant, hiding everything!"
Zephyr chimed in. "That's right! Since your wings are so strong, we'll break them for you!"
Zuko remained silent.
Toph had been suppressing his laughter, his face turning red. However, he quickly met his older brother's murderous gaze when he turned his face.
"Y-You! Don't mess around!" Toph immediately hid behind Cordelia, seeking protection. "Why are you so slow with words? And... Zuko Hamerton, don't forget that I'm your favorite little brother!"
Zuko responded with a cracking sound made by his wrist and finger joints, implying, 'I may be slow with words, but my fists are fast!
'As for my favorite little brother... Sorry, you won't be for much longer!'
"Alright, you two, stop messing around!" Zephyr shot them a sharp glance. "Listen to your mother!"
The two sons immediately quieted down and obediently stood to the side.
Cordelia pursed her lips and smiled helplessly, giving each of them a swat.
Cordelia walked to his side with a smile and interlocked her fingers with his.
Even in their 50s, he still exuded the same suaveness as before—he was still the man she admired.
"Alright, that's the plan," Cordelia said, looking at them. "Let's each get to our tasks now!"
...
Toph's task seemed relatively simple for now. It appeared that all he needed to do was to accompany Renee well in the hospital.
On the other hand, Zuko was facing a much more challenging situation.
What troubled him was not simply saying those words but the love that Jesse and Melissa had shown to their non-biological daughter over the past 20 years,s well as the unconditional trust and protection toward his sister from Dave. It was the fact that this family had become irreplaceable in Lina's life.
Sometimes, Zuko thought that he wouldn't be as troubled as he was now if only they had done something that made Lina unhappy, something that made her want to escape from the family.
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