After breakfast that morning, Carl felt like he wanted to read something. He found that the best options
on the bookshelf were "The Study of Names," The Book of Names," "The Meaning of Names," and
related literature.
Now that he had nothing to worry about in respect of Kevin, it was his greatest, unfettered pleasure to
give the child a name.
In fact, Carl had begun looking for names even before Ted was born. He had given it a lot of due
consideration, treating it as a matter of great importance.
Now, time had passed so quickly that Ted was to turn one year old quite soon. Carl still hadn't thought
of his favorite name yet.
"Fly, fly, fly, take to the sky and control the dark and light," Carl read slowly.
He read through, nodding in interest from time to time, saying to himself, "Oh, that is indeed a good
one."
"Todd, Theodore, Nick," said Carl.
"Todd sounds best."
He eagerly picked up the phone and dialed Kevin.
"Kevin, I've thought of another name today," Carl said. His voice was full of excitement.
"Okay."
"'Todd'. What do you think of the name 'Todd'? I really think it's fantastic. Broach the topic with Anne,"
said Carl.
"Okay, I'll chat to her about it when I reach home after work. I'm sure she won't mind," said Kevin a little
helpless.
"Well, that's all I called for. I'll give it a bit more thought as well. Bye," said Carl.
"Okay, we'll come visit you tomorrow!" Kevin answered.
"Don't worry yourself to visit. You just focus on your new baby. That's all."
After hanging up, Kevin rubbed his forehead, rather strained. He could not count how many times this
had happened. Every time, Carl would be very satisfied with the name he had picked. Then it was just
a matter of time before he changed his mind, yet again.
'What was it the last time? Maybe it was Gordon... Yes, and the time previous was Dennis.' Kevin
recalled just a couple of the numerable times this had happened.
They knew that Carl had much love for the child. The kid's name hadn't been decided in finality just yet.
So, for the time being, they just called him "Ted".
When people became very old, they started to behave as naively and erratically as small children. So
Kevin and Anne just let it be. Fortunately, Carl at least did not suggest any crazy names. But now time
was running out.
Ted slept soundly, completely unaware that he had been named and renamed so many times. Of
course, it didn't even matter if he knew, because sooner or later, the name would be changed yet
again. Just as it always happened...
The next day, Kevin and Anne paid a visit to the old house of the Fu Family with the baby. Carl had
been waiting, sitting on the sofa. He was very pleased to see the trio.
This home was located quite close to a natural lake, but it was still quite close to the city center. Carl's
foresight had made him see the value of the property, so he bought it when it was still selling at a low
price. At first, they landscaped and planted large, beautiful trees. Next, they built a few smaller
buildings around the property. Only then did they build this main house in the middle of it all. Even
though many years had passed, it was well-maintained. With the rapid economic development in this
particular area, it now became the new city center. This old house of the Fu Family was a peaceful
place amidst the bustling neighborhood.
"Come here. Let me have a good look at Ted." Carl made his way straight to them without any
hesitation, and gathered small Ted into his arms.
Ted was very familiar with Carl since they visited him quite often. He affectionately nuzzled his face into
Carl's neck with a happy smile.
"Grandfather, let's sit and have a chat," Anne said, looking endearingly at the mischievous Ted.
"Well, please do take a seat," said Carl. He held Ted lovingly in her arms. Ted was very affectionate,
and clung to him.
"Grandfather, Ted will be one year old very soon," said Kevin to Carl, who was playing with Ted.
"Really? Time passed so quickly," Carl said, slightly shocked.
"We really wanted to host a first birthday party for Ted. Do you have any ideas you want to share?"
Anne asked, while turning towards the kitchen to make a tea.
"Okay, well you can plan a party as you please," said Carl casually, still holding Ted.
"You two discuss it between yourselves. I don't have any objection. But there is one thing I must
ensure: My grandson's party must be exceptional, extraordinary."
"Of course. And his name..." Kevin broached the issue of real importance.
Obviously, this was a very important point. Kevin had really not anticipated it would be so difficult for
Ted to be given a final name. But he had felt Carl's persistence and genuine desire to properly name
the kid after due consideration. He took it as a very serious matter.
"What?" Apparently, this hadn't occurred to Carl. He thought the family would just continue to call Ted
by this nickname for the time being. But he realized that they would obviously want to introduce him
with his final name publicly at the party.
"Okay. I will consider it one final time and give you the final name." Carl looked thoughtfully at the baby
in his arms.
After a short catch up, they sat down together for lunch. Afterwards, the two parents took the baby and
left.
Carl returned to his study and once again took out the extensive list of names he had considered
before.
He crossed out a name which he thought sounded too effeminate. He wanted a strong, masculine
name for the boy. But a name that was too strong and powerful wouldn't be a good choice either. He
thought that Ted wouldn't like such a domineering name when he grew up to a be a fine young man. So
he crossed the one he thought would not do either.
After going through the list painstakingly, Carl had actually crossed out almost every name that he had
picked. They just were not up to the standard he wanted.
He crossed out the last one and felt a bit of anxiety come over him.
He really wanted to make sure he chose a stellar name to match this little boy's personality. His
intentions were pure and he had very high standards. After all, this small one would be called by this
name for the rest of his life.
The party was going to be upon them soon, but Carl still had not decided.
Being the little squirt he was, Ted didn't have to worry about it. He just had to carry on his usual eating
and drinking on tasty things for the day.
The morning of Ted's birthday arrived and the Fu Family servants were very busy with preparations.
Because this was a very important milestone, Ted's very first birthday.
Anne got herself ready in front of the mirror, applying some makeup and changing into a lovely set of
clothing she had picked in advance specifically for this day. She got up and went to see the birthday
boy, little Ted.
Ted was his bubbly, gurgling self as usual.
Since he was still a baby, Anne picked comfy, simple clothes for him for the day. It was a matching style
to that which Anne and Kevin had on but it was more comfortable so as to not irritate him. A much
softer material was carefully picked to ensure it didn't make him itch either. The getup was quite cute.
Anne lifted Ted into her arms and made her way out of the room. He was a little restless in her arms,
eager to play.
Ted was finally going to have a formal, official name. As Anne thought of this, a funny feeling arose in
her.
Who would have ever anticipated that such a decisive, assured and business-savvy man would have
such a hard time picking a name for a kid?
He must really love Ted deeply to take this task to seriously.
Kevin wielded the power of the AN Group, so many people were in attendance. Amidst the crowd were
several people who wanted to become close to the Fu Family for business favors or for obtaining the
opportunity to do business with them. It was not right to deny people access to the happy occasion,
regardless of the purity of their intentions.
The security guards at the gate were on high alert, so those who were clearly badly intentioned would
have no chance to sneak in. All the people invited today were either rich or powerful.
In order to ensure the party was still a lovely, joyous occasion, everyone kept their spirits up.
"Grandfather, are you ready?" Kevin knocked considerately at his door.
"Almost all the guests have arrived. The party must start soon."
"Indeed, I will be there in a jiffy," responded Carl.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
In the room, Carl was straightening his clothes, ensuring he was presentable.
The three of them made their entrance into the banquet hall. The party was officially underway!
The main event of the party was the "Drawing Lots" ceremony. But the lots prepared for Ted's
ceremony looked a little different to the usual ones found at these ceremonies.
Anne took Ted to the special area prepared for today. There were many different little things all around.
There was writing brush, antiques and many other little trinkets. There seemed to be a note attached to
each object.
The guests just assumed it was a Fu Family tradition and didn't comment on it.
Seeing this, Anne tugged on Kevin's sleeve urgently.
"Do you think that setup is a good idea?" She was a little uncertain about the whole thing.
"It's okay. It's the best way," said Kevin.
Carl stood on the lines, not saying anything.
Ted set on a seat in the middle of the area, getting a bit excited when he saw how many people were
around. He looked around at all the different trinkets around him and couldn't sit still. He started
crawling around very energetically. After getting a good look at everything, he still didn't choose one to
grab.
The guests admired this small tot. He had porcelain skin and bright, big eyes. Already, you could see
the intelligence in his eyes. Demeanor wise, he was completely different from Kevin's serious ways, but
instead was vivacious and bubbly.
Just when everyone concluded that Ted was not interested in any of the items around, he finally
reached out a small hand to the toys before him. Everyone held their breath.
Some people were already beginning to clap and cheer for Ted to please Carl and Kevin, but naughtily,
Ted withdrew his hand quickly as he looked at his mother. People laughed at the funny scene.
Just when people were becoming anxious, figuring he didn't care for the items, he picked a seal before
him. Then, he reached upwards towards his mom for her to pick him up. Apparently, this was the only
thing that he had any interest in.
Anne picked him up, took the seal from him and handed it to Carl.
Carl in turn looked at the note on the seal. He had a poker face on. He passed the note to Kevin.
The guests were in a state of confusion. But the people here were dignified and wouldn't make any
remarks at an event of such an influential family.
The guests were kind and schmoozed each other. The note came back to Anne. She opened the
crease and saw the name: Edward. She smiled.
So the purpose of "Drawing Lots" was to pick a name for the child.
Anne thought about it for a while. She figured that Ted should be the one who finally decided on what
his name should be by picking in this fashion on his very first birthday.
This name could therefore be considered as Ted's choice. This was perfect. It was all thanks to Carl
who had come up with the ingenious idea.
Looking at the bubbly baby, she pinched His cheek affectionately. She heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Finally, the name had been picked.
Turning to look at Kevin, she smiled.
"Edward, Edward," Anne murmured. It sounded good rolling off her tongue.
After seeing the guests off, Anne and Kevin watched their son sleeping and went through the whole
day together.
It was a lovely day. Not a cloud was seen in the sky, and a cool breeze played around the area. This
wonderful weather made them feel so at ease and content - just like Ted.
Ted, if he could still be called that, had finally been named.
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