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Five years later…
Zuko was now an elementary school student. No longer having the baby fat he had when he was younger, he was a
little taller than his peers and more athletic compared to regular children.
His physical abilities were not the only thing developed, but his brain worked fast as well. He showed an amazing
talent for logic and memory at a young age. He followed his academic prodigy of an aunt’s study plan strictly as
well, growing to be an acknowledged academic overachiever in school too.
He was the pride of Cordelia and Zephyr and the future hope of the Hamertons.
Furthermore, he was admired by his younger Zuko, Toph Hamerton, like an idol.
Yeap, that was right… A younger Zuko.
Five years ago, Zuko thought that he would have a younger sister. But when the adults at home hurried to the
hospital one day, leaving him and Helen at home, he saw her tinkering with a deck of tarot cards mysteriously and
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtsmiling cryptically as she told him, “Looks like your father will be disappointed this time.”
Back then, Zuko was naive and did not know what was going on. He later saw his father bring back a soft and
tender little baby with a complicated expression on his face.
Helen, who had once said that the couple needed to have seven sons before having a daughter quickly, hid in the
kitchen to cook.
The little baby broke into a loud wail when Zuko leaned over to take a look.
…
“Zuko!”
As soon as Zuko stepped out of the door, a crisp shout came from behind, followed by a soccer ball thrown his way.
“Not today!” Zuko put on his big brother act and said seriously, “I have to go to tutoring class!”
“Zuko!” Toph was only a little over four years old and was in his playful and hyperactive phase. He usually clung to
Zuko. When he saw Zuko at home, he would throw aside any picture books or toys and look at his big brother with
eyes full of admiration.
“Zuko, let’s play soccer together! I don’t have class in preschool today. Why do you still have to go to class?”
“You’re in preschool, but I’m already an elementary school student!” Zuko straightened his back and said, “There’s
a difference between an elementary school student like me and a little kid like you. Anyway, I don’t have time today.
You can play by yourself!”
With that, Zuko picked up his school bag and headed out.
Toph held on to him tightly and acted stubborn. “No, no! Daddy said today is the weekend, and we can all rest!”
“What?” Zuko raised his eyebrows and sighed lightly like a little adult. “Alas, you listen to him? He doesn’t even have
any pocket money!”
“Uh…”
Zuko patted Toph’s shoulder. “Toph, if you want to have a good life in the future, you have to work hard!”
He then lowered his voice. “Don’t be like our father who doesn’t even have the money to buy cigarettes…”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmToph widened his eyes. “How do you know?”
“Shh…” Zuko chuckled and hugged his younger brother’s neck. “The other night, I saw dad begging mom, saying
he didn’t have money for cigarettes…”
“And then?”
“And then they both went back to their room!”
Toph was confused and did not understand, while Zuko stroked his chin like a detective and said, “I found cigarettes
in dad’s pocket the next day. I felt it!”
Toph pouted. “I didn’t expect dad to be—”
“Ahem!”
Before they could finish chatting, a heavy cough sounded behind the two little boys. Toph was scared and
immediately hid behind his elder brother. Although Zuko was also afraid, he pretended to be calm and stretched
out a hand to shake Zephyr’s.
“Hello, dad.”
Zephyr stared at the two little troublemakers with a stern face.
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