Of course, that came later. Right now, we were still stuck on naming my son.
Evelyn soon realized naming a child wasn't the hardest part. Naming several of them was.
After a long time, Evelyn gave birth to two boys and one girl. Her second son was named Oliver Sterling. Her youngest daughter was named Emma Sterling.
Why name the eldest son Evan, but the youngest daughter Emma? Alexander's reasoning was that girls had little strength. Their names had to sound pretty and be easy to write. It was a classic case of favoring daughters over sons.
Emma just started learning to write her name. She wrote it as "E M M A," claiming it was faster that way. Later, Emma got a nickname: "Em." Because E-M-M-A was just too long!
Of course, that was still to come. For now, we had settled on our eldest son's name: Evan Sterling.
So at Sterling Manor, you could often hear Evelyn shouting, "Evan, eat!" "Evan, where have you been?" "Evan, don't play in the mud!" "Evan, you little rascal!"
Ethan Sterling also often came to Sterling Manor for dinner. Sometimes he would complain to Evelyn about how tyrannical his little uncle was. But complaining was one thing. He still did what he was told. Sometimes Alexander would overhear and pile on the work.
Well, it was just a different fate.
Evelyn listened to Ethan's complaints with a smile. "Ethan, is there a girl you like?"
Ethan, who was eating, nearly choked on his food. "Auntie, what did you just say?"
"You're old enough to find a girlfriend!" Evelyn said with a smile.
"I'm not old, Auntie. You're joking. I'm not even twenty-five yet. You call that old?" Ethan's eyes widened. He almost thought he was hearing things.
"I didn't ask you to get married right away. You can get to know her first!"
"Auntie, you haven't been infected by my grandmother, have you?"
"What?" Evelyn looked at Ethan, confused.
"My grandmother used to nag my little uncle to get married. Now you're nagging me to find a girlfriend!" Ethan replied.
"Go on, you ungrateful brat. I won't bother with you anymore." Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"Or does my auntie want to introduce someone?" Ethan asked slyly.
"I don't know anyone your age. What if they're a few years older? Would you mind?" Evelyn smiled.
"Yes, haven't you heard the saying, 'An older wife is like a treasure'?" Ethan laughed.
"Forget it. You'd better wait a few years. It's not good to play with other people's feelings!" Evelyn saw that Ethan wasn't serious and changed her tune.
"Auntie, if you don't want to introduce me, fine. But don't attack me! When have I ever played with anyone's feelings?" Ethan immediately protested.
"Just because you haven't before doesn't mean you won't in the future!"
"That's a crime you're making up." Ethan sighed and shook his head helplessly.
Seeing Ethan's act, Evelyn couldn't help but laugh. She looked at the time and asked, "What would you like to eat tonight? I'll cook."
"Auntie, the hot and sour beef soup you made last time was amazing. Let's have that again tonight." Ethan smacked his lips.
"No. Your little uncle's stomach has been acting up lately. I'll make something light!" Evelyn refused directly.
"Little uncle doesn't have to eat just because his stomach is bad. Just cook it for me."
"Let your little uncle watch!" Evelyn said.
"Great idea. He bullies me at the company. Now at home, I'll have my auntie bully him for me!"
"Why would I bully your little uncle for no reason?"
"To avenge me!"
"Go away. I still love my husband!"
Ethan was about to say something when he caught sight of his little uncle just entering the door. He quickly changed his tune and greeted him flatteringly. "Good evening, little uncle!"
"Ethan, you're here!" Alexander changed his shoes, walked into the living room, and replied.
Seeing how fast Ethan could change his face, Evelyn immediately wanted to laugh.
After Alexander handed his briefcase to Lily Thompson, he sat down in the empty seat next to Evelyn and asked, "Where's my son?"
"Sister Yue took him out to play! You two talk. I'll make dinner!" Evelyn replied, then got up and walked toward the kitchen.
Soon, she made two cups of ginseng tea, one for Alexander and one for Ethan.
Ethan took a sip and said with emotion, "I'm only getting this because of my little uncle. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a chance to drink such good tea!"
"When did you start liking tea?" Alexander asked.
"Just now!" Ethan replied with a smile.
Alexander glanced at him. "Come to complain to your auntie again?"
"How could that be!" Ethan immediately denied it without principle.
"It's okay to complain once in a while. After all, I listen to what your auntie says!"
"Really?" Ethan's eyes lit up.
"Of course. What do you want to complain about?" Alexander looked at Ethan with a smile and asked.
"No, my little uncle is so good to me. How could I complain about him! Besides, we're family. Business is business, and personal is personal. I always keep them separate."
"That's good!" Alexander nodded.
Ethan laughed, but he felt like crying.
"I have a personal matter to discuss with you," Alexander said after drinking half a cup of tea.
"What is it?" Ethan had a bad feeling.
"Director Lin's daughter just graduated from university and came back home this year—"
"Little uncle, I just remembered there's a very important case I haven't dealt with yet. I need to go back to the company to handle it first. Tell my auntie I'll eat her hot and sour beef another day! I'm off!" Ethan said, ignoring everything else, and quickly slipped away.
Alexander smirked and leisurely finished his tea. I'm afraid I can't fix you!
After Alexander finished his tea, he got up and went into the kitchen. Evelyn was busy preparing dinner.
"Honey, are we having hot and sour beef tonight?"
"No!" Evelyn replied. "Did Ethan say something?"
"No, I suddenly felt like eating it!" How dare he cheat on him!
"Ethan wanted it too. I told him your stomach wasn't good. I'll cook it in a few days," Evelyn said.
"Honey, you were right to refuse!" Alexander said with a smile.
Evelyn glanced at him. What nerve had this guy gotten into again?
After dinner, Evelyn held her son and coaxed him to sleep. Alexander sat nearby and teased the baby.
Evelyn turned her head and glared at him angrily. "Troublemaker!"
"No, I don't think my son is sleepy yet!"
"Then you take him!" Evelyn finished and handed the baby to Alexander.
As soon as the baby changed hands, he started crying.
Alexander's face darkened. Is this biological? It's too hard on him!