As Katherine tried to pat Alex's head again softly, he quickly pushed her hand away.
"Hey Alex, do you understand how to be a man?" Katherine suddenly asked.
"Mom!"
"I'm serious. I'm not making a joke this time."
As Alex saw her serious face, his mind knew what the answer should be. But he just didn't dare to say it out loud.
"A man is to have integrity and protect the weak?" Alex answered with a hint of hesitation.
"That sounds more like a knight. Think again."
"Um, a man is... be courageous and always working hard?"
"Now you sound like those preachers preaching in the streets. Come on, you know what Mom wants to hear."
As Katherine stared closer and closer at Alex's face, she could see the nervousness on his face more apparent than ever.
"Relax, Alex. Don't overthink it, okay?"
"I... I don't know." Alex answered, realizing he might have dug too deep once again.
