As Katherine tried to pat Alex's head again softly, he quickly pushed her hand away before looking away in anger.
"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 turned around, he saw her serious face. He knew what the answer should be, but he 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 as he made one up on the spot.
"That sounds more like a knight. Think again."
"Um, a man is... be courageous and always work hard?"
"Now you sound like those priests 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."
