Toph nodded silently, his energy seemingly drained, as he followed Zuko.
The two brothers drove to the outskirts.
The sky was already getting dark. The colors of sunset gradually faded, leaving behind a deep indigo evening sky.
Zuko set up the camping tent and called Toph over for dinner.
The outskirts were calm, and soon, the night sky sparkled with countless stars.
Toph paused, realizing it was just the two of them. It felt like they were back in their childhood.
In their youth, they would enjoy carefree moments together in a private garden within Irwin Manor, often camping
there. Back then, the night sky had been filled with stars and abundant fireflies.
Toph's mood gradually improved, and he appeared to be smiling.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtZuko said gently, "Toph, it's just us now. I want to ask you something honestly."
"Yeah?"
"Can you and Renee still make it work?"
Toph hesitated, his expression changing once more. His voice quivered as he replied, "Zuko, I..."
Seeing him like this, Zuko understood everything. "If it's not working out, it's best to cut your losses. Even though
there's an investment already made, it's better than continually trying to fill a never-ending hole."
Toph understood the logic but couldn't bring himself to act on it. "If it were Pammy, would you find it as easy to say
the same thing?"
"That 'if' doesn't exist in the first place," Zuko stated firmly, looking at him. "Because Pammy hasn't changed!"
Toph fell silent for a moment. "I can't forget the first time I saw Renee at the Thompsons... Melvin told us she was
Pammy, and she timidly served us tea. Her voice was soft and gentle... but why has she changed so much now?"
Zuko did not know how to answer his question. After a moment, he replied, "People change."
"Why did it have to be her who changed?" Toph covered his face in pain. "Zuko, I'm actually a little scared of her...
I've been having nightmares lately. I dream that she's saying I'm no good, that I lack ambition, and that she wants
me to compete with you for the Hamerton Group. I can't take it anymore!"
Zuko gently patted the back of his head.
When Toph cried as a child, Zuko used to comfort him that way, and then he would stop crying. Back then, Zuko
believed he was invincible and could comfort his little brother forever.
Now, he felt powerless in the face of his brother's pain. "Toph, if you can make a firm decision, our whole family will
stand by your side."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmToph gazed up at him with a look of helplessness Zuko had never witnessed before. It was like watching someone
drowning, desperately reaching for their last hope.
"Really?"
"Really." Zuko nodded firmly. "Our entire family, and one more person... She'll also support you unconditionally."
Toph frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled.
Was he talking about Renee?
Zuko smiled. "Get some rest. I'll take you somewhere tomorrow."
Toph tossed and turned all night. The next morning, he woke up groggily, feeling like he was walking on cotton.
Zuko drove him back to the city, and he fell asleep in the car.
When the car suddenly stopped, Toph's eyes snapped open. He realized that the place Zuko had mentioned was
none other than the building where Arya's studio was located!