Iris Hart froze for a second, then looked away. After a long pause, she said softly, "It'll get cold if you don't eat it now. Just eat it. I'll keep some for Gray tomorrow."
"Oh!" Evie answered, staring at the rice ball in her hand. She felt reluctant.
But Iris was right. It wouldn't be good if it got cold. She turned her head and glanced outside. There was no telling when Alexander would finish fixing the TV. She had to eat it.
That evening, Iris stir-fried some mustard greens. The rest of the meal was steamed seafood. She also made a winter melon and scallop soup.
Alexander came back from fixing the TV just in time for dinner.
Iris told them both to eat more.
When she looked at Alexander, her eyes were soft and full of love. It was the same way she looked at her own children.
Alexander first gave Iris some shrimp and sea fish. "Iris, you should eat more!"
"Don't worry about me. You two eat up. Yingzi's father caught these on his fishing boat. They're very fresh. Eat as much as you want!" Iris said with a smile.
"It's delicious!" Evie said, smiling.
"Then eat more! There's still some left. I'll cook it again tomorrow!" Iris put a shrimp in Evie's bowl.
"Thank you, Iris!" Evie said, flattered.
Alexander immediately took the shrimp and put it back in his own bowl. "Why are you taking An'an's food? There's plenty in the dish. You can take your own!" Iris said with a smile.
"It's fine. It tastes better when I steal it from her!" Alexander said with a grin.
He peeled the shrimp, dipped it in the sauce, and naturally placed it in Evie's bowl.
Evie looked nervously at Iris. She was afraid that Alexander's gesture would make Iris dislike her even more.
Alexander continued peeling shrimp as if nothing had happened. He put one in Iris's bowl and said, "Iris, when Evie and I have children, please come and help us take care of them."
"I'm afraid you'll think I'm too old by then!" Iris said, her voice trembling with emotion. She hadn't expected Alexander to say that.
"No, you're still very young. Besides, Evie and I are married now. We'll try our best. Maybe you'll have a grandson by next year. How can you be old?" Alexander replied with a smile.
Evie lowered her head. She didn't have the courage to look up and respond.
"You don't mind, and An'an won't mind either. Besides, I'm used to living on the island. I'm not used to going to big cities!"
Evie was eating too fast. She had shrimp in her mouth and accidentally sprayed it onto the table.
Her eyes went wide. The next second, her face turned bright red. She was so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.
Alexander smiled and put his arm around Evie's shoulder. "Iris, look what you said. You've made An'an so excited she can't even eat!"
Iris laughed too. She said with emotion, "Alright, alright. When you have children, I'll take care of them for you!"
Later, Iris specially brought out her homemade rice wine. She poured a small cup for everyone.
Evie felt a bit awkward.
She was afraid that if she got drunk, she would make a mess.
"It's fine to drink a little. Iris's rice wine is really good!" Alexander comforted her.
Evie nodded awkwardly.
"Iris, I'd like to toast you. Thank you for always taking care of me. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. From now on, Evie and I will honor you!" Alexander stood up, holding his wine glass, his arm still around Evie's shoulder.
Evie stood up too, holding her glass. "Thank you, Iris!"
"Alright, alright!" Iris nodded happily. "I wish you two a long and happy life together!"
"Thank you, Iris!" Alexander said, and drank the glass of wine.
Evie finished hers too.
She wrinkled her face at first. Then she realized it actually tasted good. She couldn't help smacking her lips.
Alexander helped her sit down. He poured a cup for Iris first, then another for Evie.
Iris was clearly in a good mood. She talked about many things from the past. Evie listened intently.
On one hand, the stories were very interesting. On the other hand, they were about Alexander's childhood.
Iris said that Alexander was very weak when he was a child. The doctor said the child was born frail and could only be nursed back to health, but the chances weren't good.
Everyone was at a loss. Even the doctors couldn't do anything. Later, she took Alexander back to Misty Isle. Fortunately, he grew stronger day by day. Now he was so tall, like a gorilla.
When Evie heard that Alexander was like a gorilla, she laughed.
Because the first time she saw him, she thought the same thing. Especially when she wasn't wearing her glasses and everything was blurry.
So she completely agreed with what Iris said.
But she also felt a little sad. She didn't know Alexander had such a difficult past.
Iris also said that once Alexander got healthier, he became very naughty. He often went to the beach to swim, catch fish, and climb mountains to pick fruit. He never listened to her. At that time, she worried about him all day. Fortunately, he never got worse. Otherwise, she wouldn't have wanted him in the first place.
When she said this, Iris smiled. But as she smiled, tears came to her eyes. She said with emotion, "It was really hard for Gray back then!"
"Yes, but it's all over now. And now he's very happy!" Iris raised her head and smiled. Then she took another sip from her glass.
Evie listened attentively, almost without blinking.
"Your child looks so dazed. I don't know what Gray sees in you!" Iris turned to Evie and sighed in confusion.
Evie turned her head and looked at Alexander. She didn't know if it was because she hadn't responded, or if Iris was talking about her.
"Iris, I just like her dazed look. Don't you think she's cute?" Alexander said with a smile.
"That's true. You're so clever and sharp. You need someone slow and steady to balance you out." Iris agreed with Alexander this time.
Evie stared blankly at Alexander. She didn't seem to understand the conversation between him and Iris. It was as if they were talking about someone else.
"Actually, Alexander is stupid sometimes too," Evie suddenly said.
Alexander and Iris both looked at her at the same time.
Evie came back to herself and realized what she had said.
"I mean, sometimes he acts like a child!" Evie explained awkwardly.
Iris laughed and agreed, "He's still a child!"
Alexander smiled for a moment. Then he changed the subject and asked Evie, "Are you full?"
"I'm full. I ate most of the seafood!" Evie nodded.
"Good, I'm glad you liked it!" Iris replied.
Evie and Alexander chatted with Iris for a long time. Finally, dinner was over.
Evie helped Iris wash the dishes and clean the table.
Alexander didn't help because Iris never let him cook.
Even before, she would rather let him play than let him help.
So Alexander just sat in the yard, smoking, looking at the night.
After cleaning up, Evie and Iris came out of the kitchen.
Iris told Evie and Alexander to rest early.
"Iris, you should rest early too!" Alexander said to her.
"I will!" Iris nodded.
Alexander took Evie upstairs after they both took a bath.