The young girl blushed, explaining a bit nervously, “Children don’t know any better, please don’t take offense.”

“Hehe… what are you saying? Alice Green is just worried about you, how could it be that she doesn’t know any better?” William Carter shook his head with a smile and said, “Let’s go.”

“I… my name is Lillian Reed…”

The girl picked up Alice Green and followed William Carter for a few steps, then suddenly spoke in a low voice.

“Lillian Reed… what a nice name, it really sounds lovely.” William Carter complimented casually, unable to think of anything more appropriate to say for the moment.

Normally, any man would get excited and chatty in front of a pretty girl, maybe even try to flirt a little; but with little Alice Green present, William Carter clearly couldn’t get excited, and even felt that saying those kinds of teasing words in front of such a girl would be a disgrace to men— even Grace Bennett wouldn’t have the heart to do it.

Lillian Reed walked behind William Carter with her head down, holding Alice Green and not saying a word, while little Alice Green just wouldn’t settle down, constantly asking William Carter all sorts of tricky, strange, and even embarrassing questions, always steering the conversation—intentionally or not—toward her little aunt’s affairs.

What could William Carter say to this except to sigh at how remarkable kids are these days? This little rascal doesn’t even look three years old yet—when she grows up, won’t she have a whole crowd of little boys falling for her?

Amid little Alice Green’s endless chatter, they finally made it downstairs. Lillian Reed seemed as if she was finally freed, quickly set down the little imp, snatched the bag from William Carter’s hand, and said with a flushed face, “I can put it on the e-bike myself, thank you, Big Brother Carter…”

“Life isn’t easy…”

Looking at Lillian Reed’s slender back on the electric tricycle and little Alice Green still waving at him nonstop, William Carter suddenly felt a bit of tender affection, but soon shook his head with a smile. After just a brief encounter, he was already having such thoughts about a stranger—how could he have the face to lecture Grace Bennett in the future?

This is just too melodramatic, not my style at all.

After musing for a while, William Carter walked to the community’s public phone. As soon as he dialed, his dad started scolding him furiously: “Little Will, are you trying to make me die of anger! Little Grace already told me, it was so hard to get you that university lecturer job, and you messed it up again!”

“Dad, listen to me…”

“I don’t want to hear it! Little Grace made dinner plans with you tonight, right? Get over there immediately! From now on, while I’m not in the country, you have to listen to Little Grace!”

Grace Bennett!

William Carter gritted his teeth. Good job, you even tattled all the way to France? Fine, when I see ‘Blossom’, if I don’t spill all your romantic escapades, I’ll change my name to Daisy Bennett!

‘Blossom’ is actually Grace Bennett’s wife, Claire Bennett, but none of the guys ever call her sister-in-law; they always refer to her in this quirky way.

But with the old man still fuming over in Europe, William Carter had to play along, repeatedly promising to have dinner with comrade Little Grace that evening. Only then did his dad finally calm down.

After hanging up the public phone, William Carter immediately picked up his cell and dialed: “Well done, Grace Bennett, you really went for it, huh? Not worried about the cost of international calls?”

“Third bro, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t me! The old man called and I accidentally let it slip, okay? What kind of person is your Grace Bennett? Would I ever sell out a brother?”

The chubby guy sounded quite aggrieved.

“Alright, as if you haven’t sold me out enough times? Just wait, I’m coming over now.”

William Carter cursed him out loud, but inside he still felt warm. No matter if the chubby guy had a mischievous streak, at least he cared about his affairs. This friend was definitely worth having.

Chapter 5: [Grace Bennett’s ‘Flower’]

Grace Bennett’s real name is Arthur Bennett. Although he’s not as domineering as Long Aotian, making countless heroes bow before him, just by virtue of his height of 1.85 meters, weight of 260 jin, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a square face, even the pickiest troublemaker has to admit he’s a true northern man.

Though this northern man is a little stingy, and a bit effeminate.

The nickname Little Grace, if you trace its origins, actually comes from the affectionate way female comrades address him. Whether it was female classmates in college, female colleagues at work, or even his female boss, all had nothing but praise for this ‘Little Gracie’.

Because comrade Little Grace is just too loving. What female comrades want is what he wants; their problems are his problems; their difficulties are his difficulties; their lovers… well, those still belong to the female comrades.

It’s no exaggeration to say that, back in school, half the girls in the dorm had asked comrade Little Grace to help get their meals; after starting work, it was even more so. If any female comrade forgot to have breakfast, just give comrade Little Grace a call and he’d have it ready in no time. That’s the warmth of spring, the spirit of Uncle Lei Feng.

“To see all the beauties in the world, go to the cafeteria often.”

That’s what Grace Bennett says. And when he says it, he’s so proud. William Carter and the guys really can’t help but admire him. He’s so loving outside, yet still manages to keep the prickly ‘Blossom’ at home completely devoted, praising her Little Grace to everyone as a good comrade, a good husband, and surely a good father in the future.