Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 545: Dancing Around the Bonfire

Chapter 545: Dancing Around the Bonfire

Calliope spent the entire afternoon playing with her friends, inside and outside the building. When the little turnip heads exhausted all their energy, they returned to their rooms to take a nap.

The little dumpling napped alongside her close friends. They gradually woke up one hour later, all looking for food before resuming playing.

"She’s really unstoppable ah," Calix commented as he watched Calliope playing tag in the yard. He and Leslie sat on the bench under a tree nearby.

Calix’s remark elicited giggles from Leslie. She shared the same tune as her husband, knowing how energetic their daughter could be.

Glancing at Calix, Leslie arched her brows, "One thing is for sure. She’ll sleep so well tonight."

"Hahaha! That’s for certain ah."

Calix burst into laughter, easily entertained by whatever Calliope did, including the possibility of her sleeping like a log at night.

The family of three would spend the night at the orphanage. Calliope was so eager to sleep with her friends tonight, leaving Calix and Leslie together in the guest room.

Calliope and the other little turnip heads continued playing until later in the evening. Director Li and the other staff reminded the children to get ready for their special dinner tonight.

"Do we have fried chicken?"

"Granny, I want apple pie!"

"Can we have marshmallows and hot chocolate?"

The children beamed with excitement at the thought of having delicious food outside. The kitchen staff, led by Grandpa Mo, had already planned an array of delightful autumn feats.

The warm hues of the setting sun bathed the orphanage in gold as the children were getting ready.

Their cheerful laughter and chatter filled the air as they discussed what kind of food they would eat and what kind of games they should play.

Soon, the orphanage courtyard was alive.

"I want to sit here!"

"Wow~ We have so much food."

"Yummy! Pumpkin soup!"

The children flocked to the long wooden tables, adorned with simple tablecloths. A variety of food was already set up on the table, placed just above the heating trays to keep them warm.

Roasted chicken legs, creamy pumpkin soup, baked potatoes with butter and an array of fresh bread. There were also sandwiches, fruit skewers and colorful cupcakes.

At a safe distance from the tables, a bonfire crackled merrily, its warm glow illuminating the cheerful faces of the children.

"Nora, try this sweet corn."

"Please give me that bread~"

"Yum! Potatoes are for life!"

Calix and Leslie looked at where Calliope was sitting, surrounded by her friends. The evident joy on their daughter’s face told them that coming to visit the orphanage was never a wrong choice.

This was where the original Calliope grew up after being cruelly abandoned by the Li family. After their Calliope transmigrated here, it was the place where she unknowingly waited for their arrival.

When the adults spoke with each other, the children continued chatting and laughing as they enjoyed the food. They started talking about what kind of game should they play first.

"We have a fire here ah. We have to be careful."

A little girl chimed in when a few brought up chasing game. The little turnip heads stared at the crackling bonfire before collectively agreeing.

Indeed. They had to be careful lest they got hurt by the hot flames.

"How about dancing around the bonfire?" said one of the older children, being in her pre-teen, "We can sing and dance. Haven’t you seen it in the movie?"

The girl’s suggestion was immediately met with a wave of approval among the other children. A few of them even started singing and dancing in their chairs, expressing their excitement.

Thus, the children were separated into three small groups. When one group danced around the bonfire, the others would sing. The players had to pause from moving when the singing stopped.

"That looks fun," Calix mused, his eyes sparkling as he watched the children having fun around the bonfire.

"Hehe, go and show your talent ah," Leslie nudged at Calix, teasing him to join the children, "Aren’t you skilled in everything, Mr. Xu?"

"Ahem, should I?"

Laughing, Leslie playfully pushed Calix away, earning a look from him. The man ended up rising to his feet and rushing to the children.

Calix was not the only adult there. A few of the staff also joined the dancing children around the bonfire. The glowing flames cast long shadows on the ground.

"I hope my husband won’t steal the show from the children," Leslie commented as she grabbed another cup of hot chocolate from the table. She smilingly watched the scene.

"Perhaps, he might," Director Li also joined Leslie in having another cup of the delicious drink, her eyes focusing on the children, "Hehe, the children look happier."

More nursery rhymes echoed in the yard, sung by the children who knew the songs by heart. They played for a few more rounds before changing to other games.

The moon witnessed the lively ambiance of the orphanage.

Eventually, the celebration ended. As the flames began to die down, the children reluctantly let themselves be escorted back into the building.

"Mama, Papa, Poppy will sleep here. Good night~"

Leslie and Calix wished Calliope good night before she followed her friends inside one of the rooms. The couple walked to the opposite hallway where the guest’s bedroom was.

As they walked side by side, Leslie asked, her voice barely a whisper, "Do you remember the first time you came here?"

Calix hummed, his lips curling into a faint smile, "When I first came here, I never expected that the girl you’re looking for was our child."

"Yes," Leslie nodded, her eyes gleaming under the lights hanging above, "I can’t thank you enough for your willingness to help me. You didn’t even know me much back then."

Calix had nothing else to say aside from agreeing with Leslie. He indeed didn’t know her much when she first appeared as a soul to him.

It turned out... more secrets lay hidden, waiting to be revealed through their journey.

Calix clutched Leslie’s hand, his eyes boring onto hers, expressing his love and affection for her.

"Either way, what happened before led you to me. We’ve received blessings far beyond we can count, my love."

Smiling at Calix, Leslie returned the gesture by squeezing his hand.

There was only truth in his words.

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A/N:

I’ve just received my 2024 author report :) I can’t believe a year has passed and here we are! Gonna end this journey and start another one soon!

Special thanks to LotusLin, Arcane Mag, Steven_Spoon, Sunshine_Allheart, Iam_gr00t, Jesserlyn and Little Hedgehog! Your names showed up as the highest fans, giving me GTs and PSs.

And to everyone whose names didn’t show up on the list, thank you so much! Miz1_BeMo, Renata_Rezende, Edna_R2679, demonesswitch, AbbyZsweet and all!

I’m sorry that I can’t mention every one of you :)

This main story will end on 8th January at Chapter 550, so soon! But don’t worry! The side stories and extras will come right after without any hiatus ;)