Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 255: Two Yeses and One No

Chapter 255: Two Yeses and One No

"I know you’re not a parent who... will pressure his child... but, I still want us openly... talk about this..."

"We’re two heads... two parents for... Calliope... We should lay down some... ground rules..."

"Anything about her education... and other things... can we do... two yeses and one no way? Of course... we need to discuss... before making a decision..."

"Calix, you’re aware of... your family status, isn’t it? I just... hope Calliope won’t... feel pressured to... stand out or... achieve certain milestones because... of her surname..."

"I also hope... to consider Calliope’s opinions... even though she’s still... a small child..."

Lying alone on the bed inside the dark bedroom, Calix kept recalling Leslie’s words from two hours ago. Despite being surprised by the matter raised by her, he understood it came from a place of concern.

Like him, her care and worry toward their daughter were genuine. More so because of his family’s background.

"Leslie, you’ll have the same weight as me in parenting Calliope. We both want what’s best for her, isn’t it? But, I also agree we must ask for her likes and dislikes too."

Calix calmly reassured Leslie, trying to lessen some of her worries. It might be his own interpretation but, he assumed she trusted him enough to open up about her concerns.

Leslie was scarred by how gruesome the Li family had treated her before. Usually, people wouldn’t be so easy to place their trust in someone they had only known especially when the other party yielded more influence and wealth.

Curling up his lips, Calix continued staring at the ceiling of the bedroom. He couldn’t help but wish she found her haven in him – including for their daughter Calliope.

"I wish they’d rely on me more."

Calix’s whisper was full of hope. He wouldn’t deny Leslie nor Calliope their chances to prosper but, he wished they would come to him whenever they encountered setbacks.

As someone who could provide a retreat to them.

Shaking his head slightly, Calix persuaded himself to sleep. It would be midnight soon. He had to wake up earlier to prepare the rest of the picnic foods.

’Strawberry roses for Calliope and Leslie.’

Leslie wanted to watch Calix cooking and even crafting the strawberry roses the next morning but, he retracted his initial offer. He openly told her it would be a surprise.

"I’ll do it for you again. You can see me doing it at that time."

Thankfully, Leslie didn’t push further. Her mood lightened after talking about raising Calliope much to Calix’s delight. He didn’t want her to go to be all bothered.

Before closing his eyes, Calix set up the alarm at six in the morning. He couldn’t wait to go all out for tomorrow’s picnic with Calliope.

Calix had already informed the helpers not to prepare any breakfast for him and Leslie. They only needed to do so for themselves, the private nurses and the bodyguards.

The time continued ticking and turning. The villa was blanketed by the tranquility of the night as its residents had their much needed rest after a busy day.

The alarm worked Calix up at the sixth hour. He dragged himself out of the bed, intending to refresh himself before heading downstairs to the kitchen.

Pap! Pap!

"Let’s do this!"

Calix slapped his cheeks twice, his gaze sharpening with resolve. He hurriedly left the bedroom after grabbing his personal phone.

The kitchen was half the size of the one in Graceville Manor. Calix brought out all the ingredients from the fridge, including a huge basket of red and juicy strawberries. He spread them out on the kitchen island.

"Hehe, need to impress my daughter this time ah."

Calix amusedly recalled the moments he cooked for Leslie in the past. Her fond compliments toward his dishes soared his spirits high. He hoped Calliope would feel the same.

His dear wife had approved of his cooking. Now, he wanted to seek his dear daughter’s acceptance.

Thus, a happy Chef Xu jumped into action. Nothing deterred his movements as he skillfully prepared the dishes.

"Hah! All done!"

Calix let out a sigh as he watched the containers of food lined up on the kitchen island. He just needed to place them inside the picnic basket after waiting for some to cool down.

Calix was not alone. Two of the helpers appeared around six-thirty. They made some food for the rest of the staff. None of them disturbed the former as both of them were preoccupied with their own tasks.

Shifting his eyes from the rattan basket, Calix looked at the pink-colored cooler box sitting not far from it. He placed the strawberry roses in there, hoping they would retain their freshness until the picnic time.

’Hope they’ll love them.’

Before leaving the kitchen to wash up, Calix instructed the helpers to watch over the dishes. It was a quarter before eight. They planned to depart around eight-thirty. He only had forty-five minutes to spare.

Leslie should already be up and about upstairs, assisted by either Mrs. An or Mrs. Su. Calix didn’t check on her, only assuming it as he heard faint noises coming from the inside of her bedroom.

Calix and Leslie met downstairs a few minutes before eight-thirty. He chuckled seeing the crochet hairband made by him worn over her head. It matched her white cotton dress with pastel flower embroideries.

"Mrs. Xu, you look prettier ah. Are you ready?" Calix drew a smile on his lips, reaching out his right palm toward Leslie sitting in the wheelchair.

Letting out a chuckle, Leslie’s eyes glimmering with joy as she placed her palm over his, "Mr. Xu, don’t tell me you’re... going to catch bees and... butterflies? Hehe, I’m ready..."

"How could I?" Calix scoffed, pretending to glare at Leslie, "I have a beautiful wife and a cute daughter. I won’t stray away ah."

Leslie blinked, trying not to be too entranced by the man’s effortless charm. She moved her eyes from his face to their touching palms, sensing his heat seeping under her skin.