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However, Angel could only daydream about these little schemes; she didn't dare express her feelings to Grayson.
Sitting across from each other at a stone table in the woods, Grayson set out the meal in front of Angel and thoughtfully handed her a fork.
Taking the fork from Grayson, Angel beamed, "Thank you, Uncle." She added, "Uncle, you haven't eaten yet, right? Let's eat together."
"I already ate at home."
In truth, he hadn't eaten, but he wasn't hungry, so watching her eat was enough for him.
Hearing Grayson's words, Angel's eyes turned into happy crescents as she eagerly dug into her food.
With the heavy burden of her studies, Angel had developed quite an appetite.
Every time she caught Grayson's gaze, she smiled back at him.
Seeing Grayson brightened her mood more than the sun in the sky, making her feel radiant and joyful.
If she could be with him in the future, that would be the happiest thing in the world.
As she savored the sweet and sour pork ribs, Angel found them delicious. She picked up a piece and offered it to Grayson, "Uncle, have a piece! Mrs. Miller's sweet and sour pork ribs are the best."
"You eat it."
"Uncle." At Angel's call, Grayson opened his mouth and took a bite of the rib.
Seeing this, Angel's smile grew even brighter.
Sitting across from her and looking at her, Grayson couldn't help but reflect on how quickly time had passed. The girl was soon to take her college entrance exams, soon to enter university, and in a few years, perhaps get married and have children.
When she first came to the Ledford family, she was barely taller than his legs.
Back then, shortly after her parents had died in a car accident, she was emotionally unstable, always following him around.
In the blink of an eye, she had grown up.
Yet, over all these years, as he watched Angel grow, it seemed to him that he had remained the same, his life unchanged.
With her big eyes fixed on Grayson, Angel touched her mouth and asked, "Uncle, did I get my face dirty while eating?"
Noticing she hadn't wiped her mouth properly, Grayson took a couple of napkins and wiped off the bits of green onion and sauce from the other corner of her mouth.
Grayson's attentiveness made Angel's eyes crinkle into smiles again, "Thank you, Uncle."
At Angel's politeness, Grayson tossed the napkins into a nearby trash can, then said, "Angel, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. You don't have to get into any specific school. What matters most is your happiness."
Angel felt the pressure, Grayson knew. She wanted to make her mother proud and not disappoint the Ledford family after so many years of their support.
But he and his mother didn't want her to feel pressured; they just hoped she could live a simple, happy life.
At Grayson's advice, Angel nodded, "Uncle, I know. I'm not putting too much pressure on myself. As a student, I just want to do my part well and hope for good results."
Angel's words prompted Grayson to brush a strand of hair from her face, "Just don't wear yourself out."
"Okay." Angel nodded and then looked at Grayson, asking, "And you, Uncle? How have you been? Have you been on any dates? Is grandma urging you again?"
Not having seen Grayson for a while made Angel feel as if it had been years since they last met, and she was out of touch with his recent life.
At Angel's question, Grayson said, "You focus on your studies; don't worry about these things."
Grayson treated her like a child, and Angel, holding her utensils, pouted, "We're family. I'm just concerned about you, Uncle. You always treat me like a child, but I'm not that young anymore."
Angel's mild complaint made Grayson finally say, "The company's been busy. I haven't had time to date."
Grayson's admission that he hadn't had time to date made Angel smile, "Maybe Uncle's fate hasn't arrived yet." Then she asked, "So, Uncle, what type are you into?"

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