Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 280: The Glowing Sparklers on The Summer Night

Chapter 280: The Glowing Sparklers on The Summer Night

The early summer night was quite cool, a comfortable time for the children to play with sparklers before enjoying their hot chocolate and marshmallows. They rushed to the front yard around seven-thirty after having a nap earlier.

"Granny! Our sparklers!"

"How many can we play?"

"I wanna play~"

Calix and Leslie looked at Director Li being surrounded by the little turnip heads, Calliope was among the ones at the front. The middle-aged woman distributed the sparklers while reminding the children to be careful when playing.

"Should we get some sparklers once we’re back? We can play with Poppy."

Calix’s statement had a hint of seriousness, earning a chuckle from Leslie. This was another moment of his excitement about having Calliope home with them.

"A nice idea. Maybe we can play... at the lake?" suggested Leslie. Recalling the peaceful scenery of the lake, she knew Calliope would grow to love the place as well.

"Yup! Let’s get a few cute ones for children!"

Once again Leslie laughed. Her eyes were reflected by the golden sparks of the sparklers as the children had started playing with them.

Bright, ephemeral lines lit up the front yard as laughter resonated in the air. Some of the children twirled and ran around, their sparklers leaving a fleeting glow. The others played in small groups.

Director Li also handed some sparklers to Calix and Leslie. Laughing together, they joined the children, letting the sparks illuminate their joyful countenances.

"Wow! Papa! A love!"

Calliope clapped her small hands as she saw Calix tracing the sparklers in the air, forming a heart shape. The man burst out laughing but, Leslie noticed he only threw surreptitious glances at her instead of boasting like usual – another moment of him being shy with her.

Aiya this man. If he acted normal like usual, she wouldn’t suspect he started having feelings for her ah.

Now, his thoughts were all written on his face.

As promised, Director Li and the staff set up a table of hot chocolate and marshmallows made by the kitchen team. They also prepared some light food such as sandwiches, chicken bites and fruit cuts.

The hot chocolate was not exactly hot. None of the adults wanted any incident to happen thus, they let the drink cool down a little before giving it to the children.

Calliope sat with Ruby, Daisy and a few others on the wooden platform. They giggled watching the marshmallows bobbed at the surface before they slowly melted.

"Poppy, we’ll miss you!"

Daisy’s words were followed by the others nodding.

"Your mama and papa are good people ah. They won’t treat you badly," said Ruby with a smile, "Come and play with us when you can."

"Yup, yup! Tell Uncle Calix to bring you here," another child chimed in, "Hehe, I hope I can save my pocket money ah. I wanna use it to go to Poppy’s new home."

Calliope laughed, her shoulders shaking lightly. Nodding, she said, "Yes! Poppy will miss you guys too. Poppy will come to visit ah. You can come to my new house too."

Calix and Leslie had explained their home was far from this town. It would take them hours by car and around an hour by flight. Still, they reassured Calliope they would bring her to visit the orphanage from time to time.

Calliope couldn’t help herself from imagining how her new life would be. She was shocked when Calix and Leslie tried to explain yesterday.

Papa had a company?

They were rich?

She could buy as many strawberries as she wanted!

But...

Blinking, Calliope looked at her friends before throwing her gaze around the yard – the place she was deeply familiar with.

She knew which room had the perfect view of the sunrise. She knew which floor left a creaking sound when being stepped on. She also knew which place was the best to hide during thunderstorms.

Despite her excitement and anticipation, sadness also lingers in Calliope’s heart. After all, this was her first home for the past five years.

No!

She shouldn’t show she was sad ah!

Mama and Papa would worry!

Blinking her teary eyes, Calliope stared at the deep indigo canvas of the night sky. She silently prayed for her and her buddies to be happy and stay friends.

An innocent yet heartfelt wish.

Soon, it was time for bed. Director Li clapped her hands, telling the children to return inside. Despite their initial protests, they still followed the order. The little turnip heads reluctantly left the fun of staying outside at night.

"Poppy will sleep with Ruby and Daisy and Nora and everyone! Mama, Poppy will sleep with Mama tomorrow."

Calliope’s words amused Leslie. She was glad to see more signs of closeness expressed by the child toward her.

"Your granny will let you guys... sleep together, en? Enjoy your sleepover, my dear..."

Director Li mentioned to Leslie and Calix about letting the children sleep on big floor mattresses combined together. Only the female children were allowed, to whoever who wanted to join the sleepover-like sleeping time.

"Yes~ Good night, Mama and Papa."

Calliope hugged Leslie and Calix before running deng deng deng on her short legs. Ruby and Daisy waited for her at the intersection of the corridor.

Once the children disappeared, Leslie glanced at Calix, "I’m tired... We should sleep..."

"...yeah."

Calix quietly pushed Leslie’s wheelchair to the guest room where they had already placed some of their belongings brought by Logan. Mrs. Su was on duty tonight. Director Li generously prepared another room for her nearby.

Leslie asked Mrs. Su to help her to the washroom. She wanted to prepare herself for bedtime. Her drowsiness had caught up to her.

"Why haven’t you changed?" asked Leslie once she returned from the washroom. She had already worn her cotton nightgown, "Aren’t you tired?"

Calix was still in his casual clothes from today. It was kind of funny to see him sitting barely on the edge of the bed with his shoulders squared.

"Oh... you can use the bed. I’ll sleep outside."

Chuckling, Leslie couldn’t believe this man at all. She raised her brows, asking, "And let people think... Poppy’s parents aren’t on good terms?"

"Well..."

"And don’t think about... sleeping on the chair or the floor ah. Just use the bed."

Ignoring Calix, Leslie moved her wheelchair to the right side of the bed. The man hastily stood up to assist her shifting from the chair to the mattress.

"The bed is small ah. You won’t be comfortable with me," replied Calix, sounding so funnily distressed. He carefully laid Leslie down.

"Why? Will you do something to me?" asked Leslie bluntly.

"...cough!"

Calix’s awkward reaction earned laughter from Leslie, thinking how silly this man could be.