Chapter 66: Fortunate

As things finally settled down, Jean couldn’t help but mutter, "So you guys were in this together, huh?"

Naomi chuckled. "We were already planning to celebrate the day. Kai gave us his word that he would bring the birthday girl here on time."

Jean felt a little embarrassed at being called that and glanced toward Kai.

He was still with Leah, Elara in his arms, surrounded by a few of the other elders who were listening to him attentively as he explained the safety measures they could take during emergencies.

Naomi followed her gaze and smiled.

"He really is capable, isn’t he? Not only does he respect his elders, but he also gets along remarkably well with the younger ones."

"Not to mention how wealthy he is."

A woman with bushy white hair suddenly approached them from the side.

"Aunt Saira. How have you been?" Jean asked, recognizing the older woman who, much like Naomi, had been living here for a long time.

The woman nodded, her eyes briefly settling on Kai.

"You must have used your fortune well to find someone like him as a partner. That young man has been incredibly considerate toward us ever since you introduced Naomi and Lyra to him."

Naomi smiled faintly.

"He told us not to mention this, but he donated medical supplies, rations, and a few other necessities a couple of days ago. And all this food today? Kai arranged that too."

Jean fell silent.

She had no idea Kai had been in contact with Naomi and the others. He had never once let her know about any of it.

Even today, he had arrived right on time to bring her here, making sure she could celebrate her birthday alongside the people who mattered most to her.

"He takes care of the child, is rich, and handsome on top of all that. What else could you possibly wish for?" Saira said with a scoff, crossing her arms.

Jean, meanwhile, had her entire attention fixed on Kai.

Something undeniable stirred within her heart in that moment, something she was certain she would no longer be able to suppress.

...

"Alright, it’s time to cut the cake!" Lyra announced excitedly as the large princess-themed cake was placed on the table.

"I am not cutting that... God, I’m not a child."

Jean felt utterly embarrassed at the sight of the little princess sitting proudly atop the cake, as though it had been prepared for a small girl rather than a grown woman.

She glanced at Kai.

The man was barely holding back his laughter, his lips pressed tightly together in a vain attempt to keep himself from grinning.

She really wanted to hide her face now.

"Come on. Leah picked that cake especially for you. Don’t make her sad by rejecting it."

Jean sighed and looked down at the little girl standing beside her mother, staring up at her with an expectant expression.

There was no escaping it.

She picked up the knife, only to hear Kai add, "Don’t forget to blow out the candles."

She immediately shot him a glare.

He was clearly having far too much fun with this.

And why was Elli laughing along with him?

Was she being ganged up on?

Shaking her head, Jean leaned forward and blew out the candles. Almost instinctively, she closed her eyes and made a wish.

Please bring happiness to everyone’s life...

She opened her eyes and looked toward Kai. Then, after a brief pause, she added silently,

...and may Elara and Kai always remain smiling like that.

In the past, all she had ever wished for was everyone’s happiness.

But things had changed.

There were now people who had found a place within her heart, people whose happiness had quietly become just as important to her as her own.

People she wanted to see smiling for many years to come.

Jean soon cut the cake as everyone around her applauded.

Not long after, Lyra took charge of slicing it and handing a piece to everyone.

Jean was then surrounded by people who had prepared little gifts for her.

Some gave her a hairpin, while others offered things as simple as a nail cutter. They were small and inexpensive gifts, but each one carried a warmth that made them precious to her.

She accepted every gift with a smile and thanked them sincerely.

Kai stood to the side, watching the exchange with a quiet smile.

There was no doubt about it.

They adored Jean.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded from behind him.

"Look at how grown-up this baby girl has become."

Kai turned around to find two elderly women approaching him. He recognized one of them as Naomi, while the other was a little older and someone he had never met before.

"Say hello to them, Elara," Kai said with a smile.

The older woman smiled warmly at the little girl.

"That’s a very beautiful name. She used to be so small, like a little bean, that I was always afraid this environment would make her sick. I worried she would struggle to grow up healthy here."

She sighed softly before adding, "But she turned out to be just as tough as her mother."

Her gaze shifted toward Kai. She reached out and gently rested a hand on his head.

"Thank you... for not rejecting them."

Kai’s expression softened.

"Before going to meet you, I had a conversation with Jean. I cannot tell you how nervous she sounded that day. I had never heard her voice tremble so much before."

A knot formed in Kai’s chest upon hearing that.

Naturally, Jean must have been uncertain about approaching him after all those years. There were countless circumstances she could have imagined. Perhaps he was already married. Perhaps he had built a life that left no room for them. Any one of those possibilities could have made him reject them entirely.

Kai shook his head gently.

"I should be thanking Jean for coming into my life and bringing this little angel with her."

The older woman smiled warmly. She cupped his cheek with one hand, her expression filled with affection.

"Bless you, child. You have a gentle heart."