novelxo Chapter 1716
The property titles were no accident. Sophie had slipped them into Charlie's backpack on purpose.
Charlie was good-looking and quiet, and Sophie had been watching him for a while, hoping to be his friend. But Charlie rarely talked, and Sophie didn't know how to approach him.
Her uncle had told her, "What's so great about being friends? Just get married!"
So, Sophie decided to take matters into her own hands. She snuck her family's property titles to school, convinced this would seal the deal.
When Sophie's father heard Charlie explain the situation, he was beyond embarrassed. "Sophie, sweetheart, you're too young to understand things like marriage gifts. Don't go putting things in other people's backpacks, okay?"
But Sophie looked deadly serious. "I just wanted to be friends with Charlie! And if I want to be friends, I have to show my intentions, right? If I don't show I'm sincere, how will he believe me?"
Jamie couldn't help but chuckle at the little girl's earnestness, while Sophie's father grew more flustered. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Lucas. I don't know where she hears this stuff. Please don't take it to heart."
"Here are your titles," Jamie said, handing them over. "Please check to make sure they're all there."
Sophie's dad flipped through the documents-eight property titles-all accounted for.
But Sophie wasn't having it. She stubbornly clung to the idea, refusing to let her father take them back. "No! You always say what's given away can't be taken back. I already gave these to Charlie. He took them home, which means he accepted them. They're my gift! Charlie's mine now! If you take them back, won't that make me look like someone who doesn't keep her promises?"
Sophie's protests grew louder, tears streaming down her face.
Her father was at a loss, and Jamie could only sigh. Kids these days could be so persistent.
Then Charlie Stepped forward and calmly tried to soothe Sophie. "Stop crying, okay? I see how serious you are. I'll be your friend. I'd like to be your friend. I just don't talk much at school, that's all. It's not that don't like you."
"Really?" Sophie sniffled, looking up at him with wide, teary eyes.
Charlie nodded firmly. "Of course. Why would I lie to you?"
Sophie's tears stopped in an instant, replaced by a bright smile. She flung her arms around Charlie. "I knew you wouldn't lie to me! But if I take these back, won't it seem like I wasn't serious about this? That's not good."
Charlie tried to reason with her. "You
don't have to worry about that. Marriage gifts are for weddings, and we're just kids in kindergarten. Kids can't get married. Besides, marriage gifts are something boys give to girls, not the other way around."
Sophie blinked, confused. "What's the difference? Why does it matter who gives it?"
Sophie's dad scooped her up into his arms with an exasperated sigh. "There's definitely a difference, sweetie! a boy gives you a gift, it usually means he's the one asking to marry you. But if you're giving him gifts, it's like you're the one doing the asking."
"What's the difference between asking someone to marry you and the other way around?" Sophie asked, her endless stream of questions starting up again.
Her dad smiled patiently. "Well, traditionally, when a boy asks a girl to marry him, she joins his family. But if you're the one doing the asking, it's kind of like saying, 'Hey, come join my family instead.""
Sophie's eyes lit up as if she had cracked the code. "Exactly! That's why I gave Charlie the gifts. It makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"