Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 252: Gifts From the Little One

Chapter 252: Gifts From the Little One

"Nooo! Too high!"

"I’ll get it! I got it! YES!"

"Noah! Throw hard at Uncle ah! Don’t let him catch it!"

"Hahaha! Do you think I’m a weakling ah?"

The children’s shouts and laughter echoed in the orphanage grounds, caused by Calix who beckoned them to play catch earlier. All of them gathered in the front yard, eagerly wanting to throw and catch the ball.

Calix initiated the game by tossing the ball into the air. The children were encouraged to catch it and throw it back to him. The game had been going on for more than half an hour, still showing no signs of stopping.

At the same time, Leslie, Director Li and Mrs. Su sat on the wooden platform under the tree, watching Calix and the children engaged in the game. The extending branches thick with leaves provided them some shade.

The small Calliope was also included. She left her toy Mimo to Leslie, saying the crochet fox would accompany the latter when she was away playing.

"Every time I see Mr. Xu playing with the children, I wonder if he’s possessed by the spirit of a young boy."

Director Li’s words earned chuckles from Leslie while Mrs. Su tried to hold back her laughter. The three ladies shared the same opinion about Calix – the man often looked more excited than the children.

"Hehe... He’s like that even with his... younger sister..." Leslie’s tone had a hint of laughter. Her almond eyes reflected her inner joy, "He loves teasing... his little niece too..."

Leslie still remembered how chaotic Calix and Evelyn’s fight was during the Qingming Holidays two months ago[01]. The ice goddess started it first but, the man’s response was equally insane.

Not only did Calix continue mocking Evelyn right in her face but, he also involved the innocent Amelia in their fight. Thankfully, Old Madam Xu’s stern warning put the silly man back in his place.

"Mrs. Xu, do you remember what I’ve told you before?" Mrs. Su chimed in as Leslie and Director Li’s conversation reminded her of something, "About you and Mr. Xu?"

"Oh... which one?" asked Leslie in intrigue, trying to call anything the matter. She looked at the private nurse with question marks in her eyes.

"About how you two can make great parents[02]," Mrs. Su fondly smiled at Leslie, her voice lacing with laughter, "Look at Mr. Xu now. Doesn’t your heart flutter seeing how good your husband is to children?"

"...eh?"

Blinking, Leslie stiffly returned her eyes to where Calix was.

The man threw the ball into the air once again, his fluid movements were all effortless. He also ensured he didn’t toss the ball too high for the children’s convenience.

"Wow! I caught it! Yayy!"

"Poppy! Good job!"

"Hahaha! Excellent! Throw it back to me. Sunny! You try to catch it next!"

"Okay, Uncle!"

Their laughter and chatter harmonized with the echoes of the leaves rustling and footsteps running. Soon, another throwing session ensued.

"Well... he’s indeed good with children..." replied Leslie quietly. She sensed faint heat flushing on her cheeks, "He doesn’t play... favorites..."

Leslie noticed Calix tried to make it fair to all the children while still paying attention to Calliope. He applauded the little ones who succeeded and encouraged the children who failed. Not even a trace of impatience clouded his bright countenance.

Mrs. Su and Director Li exchanged a glance before sharing more laughter. Leslie kept quiet, feeling she would screw up if she spoke more. She unconsciously tightened her hold on the toy Mimo.

’...en? Where does she go?’

Blinking, Leslie swept her gaze around the front yard. She didn’t realize when Calliope sneaked out of the play area. Her little figure in a blue dress couldn’t be seen anywhere.

Wondering about Calliope’s whereabouts, Leslie inquired, "Director Li, did you see... Poppy go away?"

Leslie wasn’t too worried. Calliope might head inside the building but, she still would like to know if someone saw her before she vanished.

"Oh, I didn’t see her," Director Li threw her gaze around, only seeing the other children with Calix, "Perhaps, she went to the toilet."

Leslie randomly nodded, thinking it was a plausible reason. Without bothering herself too much about Calliope’s sudden disappearance, she returned her focus to Calix and the little turnip heads.

But...

Never did she imagine what she would receive from her daughter soon.

Calliope appeared out of nowhere, running on her short legs with something in her small hands. She shouted but, the others’ laughter easily drowned her little voice.

Still, Leslie’s ears caught the echo coming from the little one.

"Auntie~ Poppy’s here!"

"Poppy! Where did you go?"

Calliope quickened her pace, intending to get to Leslie quicker. Director Li and Mrs. Su also saw the little one.

Once Calliope reached the wooden platform, she happily exclaimed, "Look! Pretty flowers for Auntie!"

Calliope presented colorful wildflowers to Leslie as if the petals bloomed from the little one’s chest. Seeing them caught the latter off guard before a smile was drawn on her lips.

"Poppy... did you get these... for me?"

Calliope laughed sheepishly, admitting to Leslie’s question, "Hehehe~ Yes!"

"Did you pluck them outside the kitchen?" asked Director Li, fondly looking at the adorable child, "They are beautiful, suitable as gifts. Good job, Poppy."

"Poppy asked Grandpa Mo before picking them," said Calliope, referring to the main cook of the orphanage, "Hehe, Grandpa Mo then helped me."

Mr. Mo’s love for cooking was as great as his love for gardening. Aside from only focusing on the potted plants, he also enjoyed watching the wildflowers bloom just outside the kitchen.

"Poppy, thank you... These flowers are beautiful..."

Calliope’s action melted Leslie’s heart. Placing the toy Mimo on the wooden platform, she reached out for the flowers. The little one carefully handed the blooms to her.

Leslie brought the flowers to her chest, taking in the beauty offered by the petals. She didn’t expect to receive wildflowers from Calliope – again.

Aside from collecting pebbles, Calliope also liked plucking wildflowers. Most of them were gifted to Leslie. Thus, she felt equally touched and happy to relive her precious moment from their previous life.

Calix and Leslie had done nothing with the pebbles Calliope gifted the former the other day. They intended to put them to good use once their daughter started living with them.

"Auntie and Uncle have a gift... for Poppy too..." Leslie lifted her eyes from the flowers, letting them fall on Calliope’s face, "We have a surprise... for you..."

"Ohhh? A surprise? What is it?"

Calliope perked up, her eyes brightening like two little stars. Her reaction spilled laughter from Leslie’s mouth.

"Hehe, Director Li will tell you... soon..."

"What? Granny knows?"

Calliope looked expectantly at Director Li. The older woman laughed alongside Leslie, also enjoying the little one’s adorable reaction.

"Hehe, I’ll tell you later," Director Li winked, purposely keeping Calliope more intrigued, "How about you continue playing? We’ll have lunch together soon."

"Oh, okay."

Calliope waved at Leslie, Director Li and Mrs. Su, asking them to watch her play. Her antics brought out more laughter from the ladies.

As Leslie moved her gaze from Calliope’s departing figure, she saw Calix looking at them with honey dripping from his eyes.

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Reference:

1 - 97

2 - 204

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