Adair nods. He looks very serious. "I know, Dad."
"If you find anything inconvenient, just tell me."
Adair nodded obediently, "Alright."
"Also," Rex continues. He has always wanted to tell Adair something since he came out of the
bathroom. After thinking for a long time, he decides to say it, "If you hear someone talking rudely to you
again, immediately tell me. I will stand up for you."
Rex isn't very good at educating children. No one can be born as good parents. He is no exception. He
doesn't have a happy childhood. Therefore, Lily always takes charge in educating children.
He is afraid that some of his behaviors will have a bad impact on Adair. He doesn't want Adair to grow
into a tough and stubborn person like he used to be. Therefore, he tries not to participate too much. All
he does is to help Adair build up confidence. Apart from that, Lily takes most responsibility in education.
However, today, he suddenly realizes that sometimes, there are some strengths Adair cannot get from
his mother. Now, he needs to stand up as a father.
He wonders who dares to bully his son.
Being polite and cultured doesn't mean being easy to bully.
Hearing this, Adair suddenly laughs, revealing eight white teeth. He is cheerful as he nods heavily, "I
will!"
Lily calms herself down in the bathroom before coming out. She has thought that she needs to comfort
Adair to cheer him up. But when she returns to the private room, she is surprised to find that the two
get along very well, and Adair looks much happier.
Lily can't help but look at Rex. The man gives her a proud look which seems to be saying-
'Looks like I'm the one to rely on at the critical moment.'
Lily shakes her head helplessly. She doesn't care who cheers Adair up. All she wants is the child to be
happy.
After dinner, it is already 8:30 when the three returns home. Fanny brings the little fellow back to the
bedroom. After Adair falls asleep, she brews calming tea and brings it to the study.
Lily and Rex haven't finished their work. Back then, there was only one desk in the study, but now there
is another small one next to it for Lily.
"Fanny, you don't need to do this. It's time to go to bed." Lily is considerate. Given Fanny's age, she
doesn't want her to do too much chores.
However, Fanny does not leave. Instead, she stands awkwardly in the study, hesitating to say
something.
Lily has already lowered her head to work, but when she noticed this, she raised her head again,
somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Fanny hesitates as she says, "There is something I always want to tell you...."
Lily rarely sees Fanny like this. She immediately thinks that something has happened to Fanny's family.
So she becomes serious. "Speak slowly," she says.
"For so many years, you two treat me like family. You trust me and never keep an eye on me. I've
worked as a housemaid for many families before. You two treat me best. But now that I'm old and
useless, I feel ashamed to take such high salary. So I want to resign after this month, or until you find
the next housemaid." Fanny's eyes turn red as she speaks. After such a long time, she feels attached
to them and does not merely see them as her employers.
Lily doesn't expect that Fanny would say this. She lose her mind for a few seconds before she looks at
Rex. Then she pulls out a chair for Fanny to sit on. "Fanny, what are you saying? You've been working
for us for so many years. I know better than anyone else how great you have done. We need you."
Fanny treated them and the family sincerely. Lily can feel it. Adair finishes school early. Sometimes,
when she and Rex were busy with work, she would ask Fanny to pick him up. Fanny would cook
various dishes for Adair. Adair likes her cooking and always says that he wants to eat dishes cooked by
Fanny.
It is the detail that counts. Lily doesn't care that Fanny does less work than others because of her age.
What she wants is Fanny's attachment to her family.
But Fanny doesn't think so. The weather was bad last month. Because of the constant rainy days, her
back was always in pain. Therefore, she did cleaning so slowly that she couldn't bring breakfast on
time several times. She should have brought it at six thirty, but she delayed it to a quarter past seven.
She feels so sorry. "But I'm not worth such high salary. You can find a better one."
"Fanny, we don't want a better one. We just want you." Lily holds Fanny's somewhat dried-up palm and
tries to persuade her, "If it weren't for your presence at home, Rex and I wouldn't be able to go out to
work at ease every day. If you were to leave, the family would really be in a mess."
After saying that, she asks with some misgivings, "Or do you have other plans?"
"No, I don't." Fanny hurriedly waves her hand and says, "I'm just afraid of keeping you waiting and
making troubles for you. I'm too old to make any plans. I have nothing to worry at home. You two treat
me well. The salary is high, the working conditions are great, and Adair treats me like grandma. I can
never find such kind employers and such a perfect job, but I'm really old. I...."
"Don't say that." Seeing that Fanny is about to sob again, Lily hurriedly interrupted her, "What you have
done is good enough for us. If someone else were to take care of our family, we might not be at ease.
Therefore, if you don't have any other plans, I really hope that you can continue to work."
Fanny raises her hand to wipe the corner of her eyes, "Do you really mean it?"
It is a little childish for an old woman to ask in this way. Lily nods, "I mean it. So don't cry. Or your
children will feel sorry for you."
Actually, there are a few times when Fanny's children called her to go back home and enjoy the rest of
her life. Her son has a decent job, so Fanny isn't under financial pressure.
But Fanny refused every time. Lily feels touched. Although Fanny takes money to work, she definitely
doesn't see it as a mere job.
Lily and Rex understand her devotion to the family.
So now that she is old, as long as she is healthy, Lily does not want her to leave. No matter how much
work she can do, they will not dismiss Fanny until the day she really can't do it.
After all, the attachment between Fanny and them is too precious.
Fanny does not really want to leave. Hearing what Lily said, she stops worrying. She is relieved.
"Alright! Don't worry, I will take care of everything in the family."
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