Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 482: Practically A Private Museum

Chapter 482: Practically A Private Museum

The family of three headed to Ryken’s residence on Saturday noon. The cheerful man insisted on having Calix, Leslie and Calliope for lunch, saying he would serve them a feast.

The sun was high in the summer sky when the family of three finally arrived at the residential complex. Ryken lived in one of the luxurious apartments in the city, which he mostly left unoccupied due to his long travels.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?"

Calix placed an arm across Leslie’s back, supporting her along the way to the elevator. She hadn’t used the wheelchair much recently.

An excited Calliope had already run ahead, eager to meet this friend of her papa. The merry laughter of hers rang in the hallway, followed by the quick rhyme of her little footsteps.

"I can walk this much," Leslie chuckled, understanding that Calix was worried about her, "Hehe, I’ll get to discard this cane soon."

Leslie was telling the truth. Dr. Mo and her physical therapist mentioned she was very close to the end of rehab. Perhaps, she would get to walk freely without relying on the cane in a few weeks.

Such a day was one of Leslie’s dreams. She hoped to stand and walk properly by Calix’s side during Andrian and Harper’s anniversary banquet this autumn.

Calix smiled in helplessness, fondness glimmering in his eyes. Despite being fully aware of Leslie’s current progress, he couldn’t shake the concern that often sneaked into his heart whenever it was about her.

"Let’s go back to Rome once you’re better. I want to show Poppy where we’ve visited. Also, you’ll get to experience what you couldn’t before."

"Okay~ Poppy will be happy with that trip."

Leslie eagerly agreed, already envisioning her and Calix bringing Calliope to tour the old city. She couldn’t wait to walk and run freely on the cobblestone streets and through the vineyard.

"Mama! Papa! Hurry ah!"

Calliope’s calling lured the husband and wife’s attention to her. The little dumpling had already reached the elevator, excitedly waiting for them.

"Coming!"

Calix brought Leslie and Calliope to the nineteenth floor. Ryken owned one of the only two duplex units there.

The sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of one side of the spacious hallway. No one else was there aside from the family of three. The mother and daughter slowly followed the man’s lead.

"You will be surprised when you see what’s inside," said Calix as they approached Ryken’s unit, "His home is like no other."

Leslie and Calliope looked at him, wondering why Calix said that. Question marks hung above the little dumpling’s head.

"Why do you say that?" Leslie tilted her head, making a few guesses in her head. Her eyes widened in the next second, "Oh! Does he have unique collections and displays of his travel?"

Leslie could only think of that possibility. Knowing that Ryken often traveled to exotic spots, it would be weird if he didn’t have a range of collections from those journeys.

"My sweetheart is smart," Calix replied with a fond smile, his tone imbued with pride. He gently squeezed Leslie’s shoulder, "I think you and Poppy will like them."

Leslie let out a helpless laugh while Calliope was still trying to understand her parents’ conversation. Before the little dumpling could ask anything, they finally arrived at the door.

Raising one hand, Calix pressed the doorbell. Leslie and Calliope stood by his side, their eyes were locked on the door.

"Welcome! My friends!"

Ryken immediately appeared by the door as if he had been waiting for them to arrive. His jovial voice echoed in the quiet hallway, bouncing off the walls.

Leslie blinked, silently staring at the tall man dressed in a relaxed, patterned shirt. Most likely it came from one of Ryken’s travels.

What stood out the most was his crimson-dyed long hair, tied into a low ponytail. The color looked great on his sunkissed skin tone. The fringes and locks swayed as the man rushed to hug Calix, catching the latter off guard.

"Calix! My man! I haven’t seen you in ages!"

Calix almost stumbled backward because of Ryken’s sudden action. Rolling his eyes, he patted the crimson-haired man’s back.

"If only you didn’t disappear to God knows where."

"Hahaha! Quick, introduce me to your wife and daughter," was what Ryken said before he himself took the chance to do it as soon as he looked at Leslie and Calliope, "Hello, I’m Ryken Mo. This man’s best friend."

Leslie held back from laughing, never expecting to meet such a bubbly man today. She could tell Ryken could one-up Calix during his dramatic moments.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mo. I’m Calix’s wife," Leslie nodded softly, returning the introduction, "My legal name is Charlene but, you may call me Leslie."

"Oh? Interesting," Ryken commented, raising his brows in intrigue, "Both are good names. Well, I’ll call you Leslie. No need to be formal with me ah. Just call me Ryken."

"I will."

Leslie was inwardly relieved to see how pleasant Ryken was. Even though it was highly unlikely for the side character to act like the main male lead Xander, she couldn’t help but worry.

Ryken’s attention diverted from Calix and Leslie as his eyes landed on Calliope. Seeing the adorable little dumpling widened his grin.

"Hello, you cutie pie! What’s your name?" asked Ryken, his tone imbuing with more delight, "You can call me Uncle Ryken, or Uncle Ken. Anything you want."

Calliope quickly answered with the same bright and wide smile on her face, "My name is Calliope Xu. Uncle, you can call me Poppy. I’m five years old."

"Hahaha! What a clever little one! Anyway, let’s get inside. We shouldn’t stay here to chat ah."

"Oh? I thought you’d forgotten about it."

Calix openly chided his friend, earning blaring laughter from Ryken.

"My bad, my bad. Come!"

The family of three finally stepped inside the apartment, ushered in by Ryken. They changed into home slippers before following the red-haired man further inside.

"Woah! So cool!"

Calliope gasped out loud, surprised to see the interior of the apartment. Leslie shared the same sentiment as her eyes inevitably wandered to the hallway connected with the entrance.

Ryken’s home was unlike Leslie had ever seen.

Rich tapestries from far-flung lands lined the walls, followed by intricate masks with vivid colors, carved with fierce expressions. Delicately woven baskets were hung alongside them.

Walking further down the hallway, Leslie saw the decorations of the living room. Once again the pieces of art caught her attention.

Sculptures of animals Leslie had never seen before sat on the shelves, crafted from wood and metal. The coffee table was an elaborate piece, she believed carved by the finest artisan.

"Wow..." Leslie breathed. She turned to look at Ryken whose expression exuded pride and joy, "Ryken, you have such a great collection."

"Thank you! All these came from my travels," responded Ryken happily, his eyes flickering with pride and delight, "I have more displayed in different rooms."

"Hehe, he’s right, sweetheart," Calix chimed in, throwing a playful look at Ryken, "This place is practically a private museum."

Leslie was speechless.

There was more?

This friend of her man, how unique his taste was!