“Hayden, it’s me.” A clear and listenable young guy’s voice was heard from the phone. “I knew it’s you,”
Hayden replied with a gentle voice swiftly, “I saw your name from the incoming call. Why, you said
you’re gonna come back after finishing the performance, so have you confirmed when to come back?”
“Yes.”
“Then what’s the time? I’ve just settled my work here, I can fetch you from the airport if I’m free.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“That’s true.” Hayden smiled. “Why won’t a famous cellist and a popular idol in the country like you
have special transportation wherever you go.”
“But the popular idol is gonna sleep on the streets now, Hayden, what are you gonna do about it?”
“Sleep on the streets?”
“Turn around.”
Having heard that, Hayden turned around in response to his words and looked towards the main
entrance of the ST Hotel. With the enormous water fountain as the backdrop, a guy was standing in
front of the gate while pulling a luggage. He was carrying a huge cello case behind his back and was
staring at her while wearing a big smile. His smile was so pure and innocent. He opened his arms and
shouted, “Surprise!” Hayden was startled and a smile broke upon her lips almost immediately. She
scurried towards him on her ten centimeters high heel shoes and landed a slap on his shoulder, smiling
while complaining, “Damn, when did you come back? Why didn’t you remind me earlier?”
“I’ve flown for more than forty hours, and I’m exhausted now.”
“Let’s eat together later.” Hayden glimpsed at the time and continued, “I’ve just finished my business
today, wait here, I’ll get off work after packing my things.”
“Wait.” He did not let her leave and he suddenly pulled her into his arms. “What are you doing, I’m all
sweaty.” Hayden struggled. The young man laid his head on her shoulder affectionately and shook his
body, he spoke with a listenable voice next to her ear, “Sis, I’m recharging. I’m out of battery now, and I
get to recharge with just a hug.” Hayden could not help but pat his back. “Look how old are you now,
still behaving like a kid.” She always surrendered whenever Freddie called her sis.
“Sis, I’ve just come back, and I have no place to stay.” Freddie put up a pitiful look during their way to
fetch Stella. “Yeah nice try, didn’t your musical band already arrange place for you?”
“I’m no longer in the band now.” Freddie winked. “The work of the band is too easy, and it doesn’t earn
so much money though, so I’ve joined the new company.”
“Your contract with the band has expired?” Hayden frowned. “That’s not right, didn’t you tell me you’re
gonna plan for the concert after returning?”
“Yes, the contract has not expired, and in addition to the loss of the concert, plus paying for the penalty
due to contract breach, until the new company gives me new job, I won’t even have the money to stay
in a hotel. Do let me stay at your place, sis.” He did not sound lying. Freddie was always a person with
his own thought, there must be something happening in the band that he refused to stay there any
longer, even willing to pay such a huge amount of money. “What happened?” Hayden asked with care.
“Nothing.” Freddie waved his hand listlessly and said, “What could have happened to me?”
“Don’t you hide things from me.”
“There’s really nothing, I’m the man who’s fought life and death in the underground boxing arena since
ten, what could have happened to me?” Freddie pulled her arm. He leaned against it and digressed the
topic of conversation, “I’ll take a nap first, wake me up when we’ve arrived.” Seeing him really falling
asleep, his exhausted look made her heart ached. Hayden sighed with grievance and tidied his collar
with her other hand.
Freddie was two years younger than her, and he used to call her sister. He always had a playful look
and liked to cling to her affectionately more than any child. Yet deep down she knew, to him, those
bloody memories in the past would forever accompany him and he would never be able to get off from
them. Smiles were just a fortress in his heart.
“Mommy!” School ended when they had just waited outside the kindergarten for a short while. A
shadow darted out like a rocket and Hayden felt her legs being hugged the next moment. Stella put her
arms around her legs with a delightful look. “Mommy, have you finished work? To actually be free
enough to fetch me.” Hayden nodded. “Yes, I’ve finished work. So starting from today, you’ll come
home with me.”
“What?” Stella was struck by sudden sorrow and she pulled down a long face. She pouted and asked,
“Can’t we keep on staying at Mr. Beckham’s house?”
“Of course not.”
Joseph had just picked up Noah too and Noah was pulling him towards them. Joseph’s expression
froze when he heard her words. “You’re getting busy for the ceremony afterwards, right?” he asked.
Hayden nodded. “Yes, but I won’t be that busy. I suppose I could still get to and get off work on time;
therefore I won’t trouble you any longer. Thank you for taking care of little Stella these half a month
time, I’ll go pack my things which are left in the Beckham’s house this Saturday.” She had still brought
some simple luggage when she moved there back then, therefore she had to take them back.
Knowing Hayden was going to leave, Noah felt unhappy at once. He tugged at Joseph’s lower corner
of the suit and shot him glares. Stella seemed reluctant too and she muttered while grabbing her own
hand. “I still want to play with Noah.” Hayden looked at her and frowned, as she was pretending to be
mad, Freddie’s voice came from behind. “Stella, long time no see.” His clear voice was exceptionally
pleasant to hear and it had reached them through the bustling noise of the crowds. Stella’s eyes
gleamed at once and she pounded into Freddie’s arms after letting out a scream. “Freddie!”
“Did you miss me?”
“I did! I’ve missed you to death!”
“To death? That’s not good. I’ve brought you some presents; don’t you want to have a look?”
“Yes!”
Freddie laughed and carried her up, making her giggled. Freddie was a young guy in his twenties.
Locks of his hair on his forehead were blown by the wind. With his casual style clothes, the white T-
shirt and black pants, he looked so pure and innocent that made young ladies who passed by them
could not help but stop. Some of them even started to take pictures of him with their phones.
Seeing them playing with each other, Hayden quickly reminded him, “Hey, Freddie, it’s dangerous that
you lift her that high, and Stella, how many times do I have to tell you, you should call him uncle.”
“I don’t care. He’s my most favorite!” With a complacent look, Stella landed a kiss on Freddie’s cheek.
“Don’t leave again after coming back!”
“I won’t, your mommy has agreed that I could stay with you!” Freddie winked at her. “Tomorrow’s
Saturday, you can tell me anything you want to play!”
Seeing that, Noah tugged at Joseph’s clothes profusely with an apprehensive look. Yet Joseph only
looked down and glimpsed at him. He said with a slightly cold voice, “She obviously likes her uncle
more than you, there’s no use in pulling me. Come, let’s head back home.” Noah was so angry that his
face flushed.
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