Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 564: Extra 1: The Start of Something Wonderful

Chapter 564: Extra 1: The Start of Something Wonderful

"Going home now, Charlene?"

The question came from the manager, leading Charlene to look up from her table. She was rearranging the files, getting ready to clock out.

Flashing the older lady a smile, Charlene nodded, "My work’s done. The weather’s nice so I think to drop by a cafe."

The manager, Mrs. Wu let out soft chuckles. She gave Charlene a thumbs-up while walking away from her table, "That’s so nice. I gonna finish a little bit and then clock out. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Mrs. Wu."

Once Charlene was done, she quickly headed to the office’s entrance. Only a few colleagues were left because the others had clocked out.

"Bye~"

"Bye, Charlene."

"See you tomorrow!"

Charlene halted on her track once she stepped out of the lobby. Sweeping her gaze around the area, a smile was carved on her lips.

The weather was indeed nice.

Spinning on her heels, Charlene walked away in the direction of her apartment. She was lucky enough to find a place ten minutes walk from the office.

Springtime wrapped the town in a tender embrace, infusing the air with warmth and vibrancy. The flowers were in the full blooms, drifting their delicate scents around.

Charlene walked slowly on the pavement, not hurrying to reach home. The time was still early, around four-forty. Fortunately, her workplace allowed flexibility in clocking in and out.

Putting in her earbuds, Charlene grinned as she called her mother’s number. The line was connected before the second ring ended.

"Oh, my sweetie! Hehe, are you on your way home now?"

The smile on Charlene’s lips softened once her mother’s familiar, gentle voice floated through the line. Her mother’s guess was indeed the truth.

"Yes~ I finished my work earlier so, I’m going home now. Ah, I mean I’ll go to a cafe first. I feel too lazy to cook dinner today."

Mrs. Song, Charlene’s mother, laughed upon listening to her daughter’s whiny tone. She teasingly said, "Come home whenever you can. Your dad has been worrying about you ah. He thinks his beloved daughter won’t have enough to eat."

Mrs. Song’s story elicited laughter from Charlene. The echo was carried away by the passing spring breeze.

"Hehe, I miss Dad’s cooking so much ah. I think I can go home next month."

"Great! Your dad will empty all the grocery shelves just to cook for you!"

Charlene continued talking to Mrs. Song as she walked down the pavement. Her eyes wandered to the flowering trees lining the sidewalks, describing how lovely the swaying blossoms in the breeze.

On her right side were the main roads, bustling with vehicles coming and going. On her left side, shops bordering the path, all were a delightful mix of quaint and modern.

It had been over one month from the first day Charlene moved to this town for her first job after graduating.

The lady couldn’t help but think how fortunate she was to score a job with great colleagues and a decent work environment. She also enjoyed living in this new town.

As Charlene approached a small cafe, tucked in a corner of her apartment, she told her mother, "I’ll call you again tonight, Mom. I’m at the cafe now."

"You’re going to eat, right? Enjoy your meal, my sweetie. Bye~"

After returning her mother’s farewell, Charlene slipped the phone inside her handbag. Her eyes wandered to the coffee shop, her recent finding when walking around the town.

Charlene found the cafe last week. She hadn’t noticed its existence before. The place quickly became one of her favorite spots in the neighborhood.

The wooden sign above the door swayed gently in the spring breeze, its cursive lettering reading ’CafeOrama’.

’Which dish should I get today? Hurm...’

As Charlene stepped inside the cafe, the bell above jingled softly, announcing her arrival. She smiled at the sight of the interior.

Mismatched wooden tables and chairs, potted plants cascading down the bookshelves, and the local artwork adorning the walls. The quiet eccentricity of this cafe charmed Charlene.

’How about some pasta? The fusion pasta I saw on the menu before looks good. Maybe...’

Charlene’s mind was still preoccupied with the menu as she moved toward the counter. The customers had to place their orders at the counter first before finding a place to sit.

Only... Charlene’s thoughts were interrupted by the sight of someone familiar sitting near the window—a young man.

Dressed in a fitted cream-colored shirt and dark jeans, the man moved his stylus pen fluidly on a tablet screen, placed on the table before him.

Blinking, Charlene tilted her head, zeroing her gaze into the man. A memory gradually resurfaced in her mind, reminding her of something.

Over one week ago, Charlene faced a tense, frightening moment inside the train.

A man, practically a stranger, had cornered her, his words laced with aggression once she turned his offer down to have a meal together.

Charlene was frozen on the spot, too panicky and too unsure how to react. The train couch she was in was quite deserted, with a few older women. They also seemed shaken by the man’s hostile actions.

When Charlene thought to simply endure the stranger’s wrath...

"Assaulting a woman, aren’t you?"

The young man suddenly appeared to Charlene’s relief. He firmly told the aggressor to back away before he called for security.

The offender chickened out when the man easily countered his attempts to punch him. The former hurriedly ran out of the couch once the train stopped at a station.

Charlene only got to thank the young man because he seemed to be in a hurry himself. Still, he smiled at her and told her to be careful with her surroundings.

’I didn’t expect to meet him again. Does he live around here? Or, maybe near his workplace?’

Charlene hesitated for a second as she clutched the strap of her bag, thinking whether to greet the man or not. Pursing her lips, she tried to summon her courage.

He was here, so...

Shaking her head, Charlene slowly approached the man’s table, her footsteps muffled by the soft rug underfoot. As if sensing her presence, he glanced up, his sharp yet kind brown eyes meeting hers.

"I’m sorry for bothering you," Charlene said, her voice soft but tentative, "I don’t know if you remember me..."

The young man blinked in surprise, then recognition dawned on his face. The curves of his lips softened into a smile, sending a ripple of ease through her.

"I do," he said, his voice smooth and pleasant, "The train station, right?"

Charlene nodded, feeling a little lighter now knowing that she was not a complete stranger to him. She actually didn’t expect him to quickly recognize her.

"Yes. I wanted to thank you again for your help. Tho, it’s funny running into you here. Do you live nearby?"

The man put down his stylus pen, sitting back with a casual grace, "Something like that. I’m a regular here. It’s a great place to work on my designs."

Charlene lightly bit her lower lip. For a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear as she watched the serene smile on the man’s face.

"...may I know your name?" asked Charlene, pushing her courage again.

The man chuckled, nodding with ease, "Hello, I’m Kallix Zhu. And, you?"

Smiling, Charlene introduced herself, "My name is Charlene Song."

Neither of them knew this moment was the start of something wonderful in the years to come.