Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 220: Sharing Her Treasure With Them

Chapter 220: Sharing Her Treasure With Them

"Haa... time to go back."

Leslie smiled seeing Calix’s downcast look. She also felt the same as him.

"Won’t we return... here soon?"

Leslie’s question was met with a smile by Calix. He nodded.

"Of course! Playing with the kids is much better than dealing with adults."

Laughing in helplessness, Leslie agreed with Calix’s remark.

No matter how much Leslie and Calix wished the good time with Calliope to stay, it eventually came to an end. Despite feeling discouraged, each of them wished to return here sooner than expected.

The spouses and their entourage prepared to go back around two o’clock. They had been staying at the orphanage from early morning. Several hours had passed since then.

Most children had already drained of their energy including Calliope. Some of them bid farewell to Calix and Leslie before going inside to nap, unable to keep their eyes open anymore.

Director Li and the others saw Calix and Leslie off. They thanked the spouses for giving such a memorable day to the children.

Calliope was nowhere to be seen. She said she needed to go to the toilet. Leslie and Calix silently wished for her to reappear before they left the orphanage.

"We can’t extend our gratitude enough. Mr. and Mrs. Xu, you’ve done so much for us here. We don’t have to worry about the lack of funds anymore."

Director Li and the staff thanked the spouses, expressing their appreciation for the assistance they had received – including the future ones.

"Just contact my assistant if you have any emergency needs," Calix waved one of his hands, assuring Director Li that his side would keep providing aid, "The construction will begin soon. Hopefully, it’ll be done before autumn ends at the very least."

The orphanage required constant maintenance due to its old age. Aside from renovating certain areas, one new building will be constructed within its compound.

Edward’s subordinates had smoothly completed all the required paperwork, including notifying the Bridgeland City Council and the National Welfare Council. Both councils were quick to approve everything after going through the plans.

Aside from that, Calix wished to sponsor the children’s education. If the high schoolers maintained good grades, Calix promised to support them during their undergraduate years.

All of it was to thank Director Li and the orphanage as a whole for taking good care of Calliope, their daughter.

"The children will be happy to meet you two again," Director Li softened her smile, expressing her delight over the spouses’ appearance today, "Hope you will be in good health, Mr. and Mrs. Xu."

"I enjoyed my time here..." Leslie returned Director Li’s smile, speaking from her heart, "You and the staff... take good care of them... All of you have... worked hard..."

Through her observation, Leslie could tell that all the children possessed exemplary manners despite being very young. Calix also told her that Director Li prioritized instilling good values in the children.

"Every child is precious, Mrs. Xu. No matter their origins," responded Director Li softly. One could easily tell how fond she was of the children.

"Then, till we meet again, Director Li. Thank you for the gifts," said Calix, referring to the presents he received from the director earlier, "I’ll surely enjoy everything."

Director Li gifted Calix cookies made by the children and some local specialties. She admitted that she was unsure what kind of birthday presents she should get for him.

Calix sincerely thanked Director Li. He appreciated her wish and the thoughtful gifts. They were put inside a huge paper bag, now being safely placed inside the executive van.

Leslie shifted her gaze from Director Li to the building behind the latter. Pursing her lips, she couldn’t help but wonder where Calliope was.

Did she directly take a nap after going to the toilet?

Leslie hoped to see Calliope once more before she left with Calix. She didn’t know when else she could come here.

Unable to restrain her curiosity, Leslie quickly contacted Mimo telepathically.

’Mimo, where’s Poppy? You’re still with her, right?’

The soul Mimo had been staying with Calliope. It also followed her when she disappeared inside the building. Its physical body was also with the little one.

|Leslie! Wait for a second!|

Leslie was slightly stunned by Mimo’s reply. In her trance, she vaguely heard footsteps running toward them, followed by a shout.

"Aunty! Uncle! Wait!"

"...Poppy?"

Leslie and Calix redirected their focus to the familiar voice. Director Li and the other staff glanced behind them, looking at Calliope who suddenly materialized.

The soul Mimo jumped from Calliope’s head to Leslie’s lap. It quietly curled into a ball while watching the child.

"Hehehe~ Poppy has gifts for Uncle and Aunty."

Beaming in delight, Calliope handed a small brown box to Leslie. The latter slowly took it, feeling that it was quite heavy.

"Can Aunty open it?"

Leslie lingered her other hand over the box, wondering what kind of things were placed inside.

"Yup! Open it, Aunty!"

Tilting up her head, Leslie exchanged a curious look with Calix. He nodded once, urging her to see what Calliope got for them.

Leslie finally lifted the lid. Her eyes widened as colors were reflected in her dark brown orbs.

"...wow. They are pretty..."

No wonder the box was quite heavy. It turned out Calliope put several pebbles in interesting colors and shapes inside.

Calix let out a helpless chuckle. Putting both hands on his knees, he slightly bent down, his eyes wandering to Calliope’s bright countenance.

"Are these pebbles your treasure, Poppy?"

That thought instantly crossed Calix’s mind. Seeing the colorful pebbles reminded him of Amelia’s fondness for collecting tiny stones and seashells. Some of them were turned into craft by his sister-in-law Lucille.

"Poppy shares these with Aunty and Uncle. Aren’t they cute?" Calliope puffed up her chest, boasting about her collection, "Hehe~ Hope Aunty and Uncle like them."

"We do! We do... like them," replied Leslie quickly as she held back from tearing up. Her hands shivered, caused by the intensity of her feelings for her daughter.

Calix parted his lips, wanting to tell Calliope to keep the pebbles for herself because they were her treasure. But, he abruptly changed his mind.

This child excitedly gave the pebbles to them, desiring to share her treasure. How could he turn her sincere wish down?

"Thank you, Poppy," Calix lifted one hand, gently caressing Calliope’s head, "Your aunty and I will treasure these. Let’s play when we meet again, en?"

"Hehe~ Okay!"

What Calliope did next surprised both Calix and Leslie. She moved forward, giving him a hug before shifting to Leslie. The little one grinned, staring at the stunned Leslie.

"Aunty, Uncle, come here again, okay? Poppy will wait."

Leslie bit her lower lip. Nodding a few times, she forced herself to speak, her voice slightly croaked, "...we promise to come again."

"Yeah, don’t worry, Poppy," Calix chuckled. Once again he patted Calliope’s head, "We’ll bring delicious food and toys for you and your friends, okay?"

"Okay!"

Leslie returned Calliope’s hug, enveloping her arms around her daughter’s small and fragile body. She took in her child’s scent, hoping to carry it to her dreams tonight.

"See you again... Poppy..."

’See you again, my daughter.’