After answering the phone, Director White smiled and said, "After the Chinese New Year, they're going to come and inspect my brother to see if he's qualified. It made me laugh so hard. They even said that if you can't pass, they'll kick you out. Haha!"
Alex laughed along, though he could sense an underlying seriousness behind the humor. To him, the director's friend Eva seemed a bit overbearing.
Sitting nearby, Emily chimed in cheerfully, "Don't be afraid, Uncle. My godmother loves me the most. As long as I want it, she won't fail you. Besides, you're so outstanding, you'll definitely impress her!"
The confidence in her voice brought Alex some comfort, but the whole scenario still felt surreal. He smiled at Emily's innocence and turned to Director White, who gave him an encouraging nod.
"Don't worry," the director said, "Eva is coming to celebrate the New Year because she cares about us. No one can decide whether you pass or fail, except us. As long as you're happy, Emily's happy, and I'm happy, that's all that matters."
Alex felt reassured by their words. "Yes, exactly. Let's not stress over it," he agreed.
"Anyway," Emily said with an excited twinkle in her eye, "let's watch TV!" She grabbed the remote control and turned on the television, filling the room with the lively sound of gongs and drums from the Spring Festival Gala.
The colorful costumes of the performers and the energetic music filled the space, bringing warmth and festivity to the living room. Director White stood up, smoothing her skirt, and announced, "You two enjoy the show. I'm going to make dumplings."
As she headed into the kitchen, Emily, full of playful energy, hopped off the couch and came over to Alex. Without hesitation, she climbed onto his lap, making herself comfortable. Alex chuckled inwardly, realizing how naturally Emily nestled into his arms, just like her mother had earlier.
Emily leaned back against Alex, settling her weight on his leg, shifting slightly every now and then, trying to gauge his reaction. She giggled as the TV played a comedic skit, and Alex joined in, feeling a sense of warmth from her youthful energy. However, as the minutes passed, he began to feel slightly uncomfortable—not from Emily's presence, but from an unfamiliar feeling stirring inside him.
He held Emily gently, trying to focus on the show, but his mind began to wander. Her small body pressed into him, and the light scent of her hair—innocent and sweet—filled his senses. It was a moment of closeness that felt both natural and unsettling at the same time. He didn't want to overthink it, but his hand, which had been resting on her leg, brushed up against the edge of her breast. It was a fleeting touch, but it sent a jolt of nervousness through him.
Feeling an odd mix of guilt and confusion, Alex pulled his hand back slightly, trying to act as if nothing had happened. Emily, however, didn't seem to notice or care. Instead, she leaned even closer, her cheek brushing against his shoulder as she laughed at the TV. Then, with a playful smile, she picked up a pistachio from the table and held it up to Alex's face.
"Uncle Alex, peel this for me!" she demanded.
Alex obliged, peeling the nut and placing it in her mouth. She exaggerated her movements, tilting her head back dramatically as if savoring the pistachio like it was the most delicious thing she'd ever eaten.
"Another!" she commanded, holding out her hand for more.
Alex peeled another pistachio, but as he offered it to her, Emily suddenly bit his hand, catching him by surprise. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she playfully sucked on his fingers for a second before giggling.
Alex's heart raced, not from fear, but from a flutter of emotions he couldn't fully understand. He tried to keep the mood light, laughing along with her. "You're such a little troublemaker, Emily," he said, brushing her hair away from her face.
But as his hand grazed her cheek, Emily leaned back into him, settling her weight even more firmly against him. His body reacted, he felt his crotch getting hard, a wave of embarrassment and confusion washing over him. He froze for a moment, unsure of what to do, feeling as if time had stopped.
Emily noticed the change in the atmosphere and froze too. She felt it between her ass. Her face turned slightly red, but she didn't say anything. After a moment, she quickly let go of his hand, standing up from his lap as if nothing had happened. She smiled nervously, but it was clear she wanted to move on from the awkwardness.
"Mom!" she called out loudly, walking briskly toward the kitchen. "Are the dumplings ready? Uncle Alex and I are getting hungry!"
Alex sat frozen, his face burning with embarrassment. His mind raced, replaying the moment over and over, unsure of how things had escalated so quickly. He felt guilty, as though he had crossed a line, even though nothing serious had happened. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to regain his composure.
How had Emily handled it so smoothly? She had walked away without a second thought, as if nothing had happened. She was smart, quick-witted, and far more aware of situations than he had given her credit for. But now, Alex found himself questioning everything. What if she told her mother? What if she said something, even innocently, that could be misunderstood? How could he explain himself?
His mind swirled with worry as he stared blankly at the TV, though he barely registered the images flickering on the screen. The lively festivities on the television felt distant, a world away from the confusing emotions stirring within him.
Director White called from the kitchen, "The dumplings are almost ready! I hope you two are behaving yourselves!"
Alex's heart skipped a beat at her words. He forced a smile and called back, "Of course! We're just watching the show." But inside, he was anything but calm.