The square-faced man waved his hand, looking quite cheerful, “No worries, no worries.” Then he looked at Thelma and Samantha with curiosity, “But which one of you is the big sister-in-law?”
Thelma: “……”
Samantha: “……”
Samantha felt her face heat up. What big sister-in-law? What does that even mean? She glanced at Leon, who was lazily lying on the bed, seemingly unwilling to explain.
Samantha awkwardly said, “Everyone’s misunderstood. I’m Leon’s classmate, and this is my sister. The child is my sister’s kid. I heard Leon was injured, so I came to see him.”
“Oh, so you are the sister-in-law,” the square-faced man smiled and immediately greeted her respectfully, “Hello, sister-in-law.”
The other young men nearby followed suit, greeting, “Hello,sister-in-law.”
Samantha: “……”
What is this… calling me big sister-in-law? It’s so embarrassing.
Samantha looked at Leon, but he ignored her hopeful gaze for him to clarify. He waved at Tyler, who obediently walked over. Leon picked him up and sat him beside him, asking, “Did you finish your candy? If you did, I’ll buy you more.”
Tyler shook his head, “Not yet.”
How could such a big piece of candy be finished so quickly?
“Is Uncle Leon’s injury better?” He had just called him big uncle without thinking, not knowing if Leon was angry. They had agreed that he could only call him big uncle when no one else was around.
Leon wasn’t angry; he patted Tyler’s head and said, “Much better.”
Thelma watched this scene in surprise. When did Tyler and Leon become so close?
Thelma put down the fruits she had brought and said a few polite words, encouraging Leon to rest well. Not long after, Sam Noah called to ask where they were. Thelma explained the situation, and Sam Noah told her to come back early after visiting.
Since she was accompanying her sister, and her sister had arrived, there was no need for her to stay any longer.
“Someone at home called to urge me, so I’m heading back first. Sister, you stay here with Leon for a while before leaving.”
When Samantha heard that she was leaving, she panicked. How could she face a room full of big men alone? She wanted her to stay, but then she thought about how her sister was now a married woman and felt it was inappropriate to say so.
“Then be careful on the way,” Samantha finally reminded her.
Thelma said goodbye to everyone and left with Tyler. The men in the room were quite perceptive, and the square-faced boy exchanged a few glances with the others.
“I just remembered I have a task I haven’t finished, so I’m leaving too.”
After the square-faced man said this, the others echoed, “I have a task too; I’m leaving as well.”
Only one younger boy, who was still eating a bowl of instant noodles, hadn’t finished yet. The square-faced man directly pulled him out, and the boy complained, “What are you doing? I still have a few bites left.”
The square-faced man knocked him on the head and scolded, “What are you eating for? Hurry up!”
Then everyone quickly said goodbye to Leon and left in a hurry, leaving only Samantha and Leon in the hospital room.
The room suddenly fell silent, and Samantha felt an odd sense of awkwardness wash over her. Leon, half-lying on the hospital bed, looked at her, and Samantha felt extremely uncomfortable, “Um… I…”
“I want to eat an apple. Can you help me?”
Samantha had originally wanted to find an opportunity to slip away, but Leon interrupted her.
On the cabinet beside the bed was a bag of apples. Samantha took one out, peeled it with a fruit knife, and handed the peeled fruit to him. Leon took it and took a bite, “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The room fell into an awkward silence again. Although Samantha and Leon had been classmates for several years, they weren’t close, and they belonged to completely different worlds, so she couldn’t find a topic to talk about with him. Plus, Leon was quite aloof, making it particularly awkward between them when there were no others around.
“Um… I have something to do, so I’ll just…”
“Don’t just stand there; sit.” His tone was crisp and decisive.
