While they were talking, suddenly Sophie Carter let out a scream: “Emily姐!” She jumped up and ran toward the door so fast that she startled Eric Carter.

Eric Carter turned his head and saw a beautiful girl walking gracefully into the courtyard, dressed in a black uniform skirt. Her jet-black hair was coiled at the back of her head, adorned with a pretty hairpin. Her skin was as white and delicate as solidified milk, and her whole appearance was so exquisite it looked almost photoshopped—strikingly beautiful.

Sophie Carter warmly accompanied the stunning girl as they walked over. It was obvious that Sophie Carter’s smile carried a hint of flattery, even without any attempt to hide it—an expression rarely seen on this usually sharp-tongued girl.

The refined girl called Emily smiled reservedly and greeted everyone at the table politely: “Third Uncle, Third Aunt”—referring to George Carter and Linda Mason—and “Uncle, Sister-in-law, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law,” addressing William Summers, William Summers’s daughter-in-law Richard Bolton, David Clark, and Anna Lewis.

It was obvious that, whether in dress or demeanor, this beautiful young woman lived in a completely different world from the people in this courtyard. At this moment, everyone at the table stood up early, as if welcoming a princess. Even George Carter wore a broad smile.

When the refined girl’s gaze landed on Eric Carter’s face, she paused slightly. Linda Mason smiled and said, “Emily, you don’t recognize him, do you? Zhenzi, do you still remember?” Then she said to Eric Carter, “Back when Emily’s grandfather was persecuted, she stayed in our village. At that time, she was called Susan Mason. Now she’s really made something of herself—she’s a big star at the city TV station…”

Eric Carter was momentarily stunned. “Landlord’s daughter?” He’d heard a bit about her from Amy Lewis during a chance encounter. Now she was called Emily Tom, had long since moved to the city, her father was a high-ranking official there, and she was thriving—quite famous at the city TV station. When the county TV station was established, the county magistrate personally invited her to train the station’s announcers and hosts. Back then, she was already different from the other village kids—very cosmopolitan, without the local accent—so the children called her “landlord’s daughter,” and she’d almost been criticized by the “Red Movement.”

The words “landlord’s daughter” immediately made George Carter’s expression change, and Sophie Carter scolded, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Eric Carter just smiled and said nothing.

Emily Tom seemed very well-mannered, only smiling as she said, “I remember, Zhenzi, you used to like to fight.” As she spoke, she lifted the plastic bag in her hand and said, “You’re eating, right? Here’s something extra—Zhao Si’s roast chicken!” Zhao Si’s roast chicken was a famous old brand in Guangning. A few years ago, Zhao Si’s descendants revived the brand, opened a small shop selling roast chicken, and became known for never using dead chickens—earning a great reputation.

Sarah Mason, Richard Bolton, and Anna Lewis quickly took the bag and went to the kitchen to cut up the roast chicken. Sophie Carter asked Emily Tom, “Emily姐, have you eaten? Want to have some more?”

Emily Tom replied, “I’ve already eaten.” Then, as if remembering something, she added, “It’s so hot, I’ll just sit for a while.”

Sophie Carter happily arranged a seat for Emily Tom, squeezing Eric Carter and William Summers even further into the corner—William Summers barely had room for his rice bowl.

Emily Tom apologized to William Summers: “Uncle, let’s switch seats. I’ve already eaten, I just want to sit for a bit.”

Eric Carter was stunned—how could that do? Wouldn’t that make all his efforts go to waste? He quickly said, “Let me switch with Uncle Summers.” Without waiting for a reply, he got up and gave his seat to William Summers.

Sophie Carter pouted, “At least you know your place.”

Eric Carter wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt like Emily Tom glared at him.

Once the roast chicken was served, everyone soon started chatting lively again. From the conversation, Eric Carter learned that David Clark and his wife were Emily Tom’s relatives, so she was temporarily staying here. However, she would return to the city tomorrow, and in the future, if she had time on Sundays, she’d come to the county station to share her experience—not as official business, but as a way for a local to give back to her hometown.

While George Carter had toned down his loud voice and started discussing TV programs that interested Emily Tom, Linda Mason suddenly said, “Old Lu, do you think you could help Zhenzi find a job?” After so many years of marriage, Linda Mason knew her husband’s temper. If she asked in private, he’d surely refuse outright. But now, in front of so many people, he cared about his reputation—maybe he’d agree.

George Carter glared at Linda Mason angrily, but only grunted noncommittally. Linda Mason immediately turned to Eric Carter with delight: “Aren’t you going to thank your uncle?” She’d asked about Eric Carter’s situation, and seeing his vague answers, assumed he’d had a rough time and wanted to find him a stable job.

If it had been the old Eric Carter, he would never have yielded to George Carter. But now, thinking back, it all seemed like water under the bridge. To have lived so many years was already fate—life passes in a flash, and how many people do we really connect with?

So Eric Carter smiled, raised his glass, and, for the first time ever, called George Carter: “Uncle.”

George Carter grunted, then raised his glass and clinked it with Eric Carter’s, thinking to himself that the kid had finally grown up—a bit better than before.

Chapter 006 Whose Kitchen Has No Smoke and Fire

After dinner, Eric Carter said to William Summers, “I feel stuffy in my chest, want to go for a walk. Uncle Summers, want to come along?”

After all these years, William Summers hadn’t met anyone willing to chat with him. He had a good impression of this young man, so he readily agreed.