After entering the house, Miles threw his backpack on the sofa and ran upstairs. Soon, he came back with a toy gun in one hand and a packaging box in the other, standing at the second-floor railing, pretending to shoot at Henry. The toy gun made various imitation gun sounds, but Miles added his own "rat-tat-tat" and "pew-pew-pew" noises.
After a while, he called out, "Uncle Henry, wait a minute." He ran back in, grabbed another toy gun, and handed it to Henry. Henry noticed the packaging was still intact and asked, "You haven't opened any of these?"
Miles responded with a question, "Is your dad a big shot?"
Henry was puzzled by the question.
Miles continued, "I think my dad is a bit afraid of you."
Henry realized Miles was quite perceptive. He must have observed that adults' interactions were based on their positions, assuming higher positions meant more power. Seeing Henry so young, Miles wondered if his father was a big shot.
Henry asked, "Why do you think that?"
Miles explained, "Yesterday, when I brought the toys home, my dad saw them and got mad at my mom for buying them, almost throwing them all away. But when my mom said you bought them, my dad was stunned. My dad usually acts tough, even the principal and secretary have to consider his mood. But he lost his temper when he heard your name. If your dad isn't a big shot, my dad wouldn't be so scared of you!"
Henry smiled and asked, "Then why didn't you open these toys yesterday?"
"My mom wouldn't let me. She said I had to wait until vacation to play with them."
Henry understood. No wonder Miles rushed home from school. He wanted to play with the toys while his parents weren't home.
"Uncle Henry," Miles said, "when my mom comes back, tell her I want to do my homework, but you told me to play first. Okay?"
Henry patted his head, "Sure."
Miles added, "Then you should come pick me up every day. I can play in the afternoon."
Henry nodded, "As long as I have time, I'll pick you up. But won't your parents mind me coming over every day?"
"They won't!" Miles said, "My mom usually dislikes my dad's friends, but she's nice to you. My dad rarely comes home in the afternoon; he's always out for social events."
"Alright, let's start the game then."
"Okay. I'll go upstairs and defend while you attack!"
Miles ran upstairs, acting like it was real. He placed the toy gun on the railing, inserted it between the railings, and even lay on the ground, constantly shooting at Henry.
Henry, holding a toy gun, moved around, firing back at Miles. Hearing a car outside, Henry knew Avery was back and played even more enthusiastically. He knew that if Miles was happy, Avery would be too.
Avery thanked the security guard at the gate for helping pick up her son and sometimes brought them fruits, snacks, or cigarettes. Today, the guard told her that a man named Henry had also picked up her son. Hearing his name, Avery felt an inexplicable excitement.
Entering the house, she saw Henry and Miles playing happily. Avery felt a warmth, thinking they looked like a happy father and son enjoying family time, something Jason never provided.
"Big sister is back?" Henry stood up and smiled at Avery.
Avery pretended to frown and glared at Henry, "How old are you, playing so seriously with a child?"
Miles immediately said, "Mom, Uncle Henry picked me up today. I was going to do my homework, but he said to play first and brought out the guns from yesterday!"
Avery knew her son was lying but said, "Remember, you can play with Uncle Henry, but you can't play alone at home."
Avery understood her son's cleverness. If Henry visited often, he might tell Jason. Giving him a condition for playing games meant he would eagerly await Henry's visits and wouldn't badmouth him to Jason.
"Got it."
Avery added, "Play for ten more minutes, then do your homework!"
"Yes!"
Henry continued playing with Miles while Avery went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. She had bought a lot of meat earlier and started cooking, busy with frying fish and braising pork.
After ten minutes, Avery called from the kitchen, "Miles, time's up!"
"Okay!"
Reluctantly, Miles agreed, knowing that listening to his mom meant more playtime in the future. After putting away his toys, he went to the study to do his homework, whispering to Henry to go chat with his mom in the kitchen to ensure she welcomed him every day.
Henry entered the kitchen, where Avery, wearing an apron, was busy at the stove. His heart racing, he took a deep breath and approached her, saying, "Smells great! Why so many delicious dishes?"
Avery turned and saw Henry blushing, his chest heaving. She felt nervous too.
"Why don't you watch TV in the living room? The kitchen is messy..."
Before she could finish, Henry hugged her and kissed her.
Avery's body stiffened. Holding a wet cloth, her hands stayed in the air as Henry kissed her.