"Nathaniel dropped you off again, didn't he?" Asher remarked. "I don't need your company. Mommy only has a half-hour video conference, and it's been 15 minutes already. She'll be back soon. Go find Nathaniel."
Adora pouted. "No, no! I want to enjoy durian and pineapple with you. Oh, by the way, Uncle Nate is coming to apologize to you. He's going to kneel on a durian shell!"
She stated Nathaniel's yet-to-be-confirmed plan with confidence.
Asher was taken aback. "He… is going to kneel before me? Did he say that himself?"
"Yes!" Adora confirmed enthusiastically.
Asher was skeptical, eyebrows furrowed in doubt.
Even so, his disdain for Nathaniel remained.
"Daddy said before that I'm too young, and it's wrong for an elder to kneel before me. Is he really going to apologize, or is he just lying to make me forgive him?"
"Well…" Adora's smile faded, not expecting Asher to say that.
"Actually… he just said he's buying durian and pineapple. But it doesn't matter whether he kneels or not… You're sick because of him, and it even hurts sometimes. You could use this opportunity to teach him a lesson! It's okay to make him suffer a bit!"
Asher was surprised. "Adora, you're quite the little double agent."
Adora covered her cheeks, her expression innocent.
"No, I just want Uncle Nate and you to get along with each other. As long as you two can be friends, and I get to duri… I mean... Paying a little price for it to happen is fine."
Asher huffed arrogantly. "Well, be prepared. If I punish him, I'll make sure it hurts!"
It would be bloody!
He only wanted revenge on Nathaniel, not durian and pineapple.
Over ten minutes later, Nathaniel strolled back to the lab with a huge durian and pineapple, unaware of what awaited him.
Nathaniel's gaze softened. "Asher, you're really willing to accept me?"
"Yes." Asher raised his chin slightly, his expression calm and mature beyond his years. "But I have three requests. As long as you can fulfill them, I'll forgive you."
Nathaniel breathed a sigh of relief.
He immediately replied, "Alright. Except for fetching the stars from the sky, as long as it's within my power, I'll do my best to fulfill your wishes.
"Okay, my first request is for you to crack open this durian."
Nathaniel chuckled and went to grab a fruit knife.
"Sure, that's easy."
When he mentioned it was simple, Asher added, "I mean, without using any tools. Just with your hands."
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