Chapter 67: Final surprise

By evening, they decided it was time to leave. They had enjoyed themselves so much that they had completely lost track of time. By the time they finally looked at the clock, it was already eight.

They had talked, laughed, eaten, and then laughed even more.

Neither Kai nor Jean could remember the last time they had spent so many hours simply sitting around and talking. For Kai especially, it was an unfamiliar experience. He had barely known what it felt like to be surrounded by so many people who genuinely wanted his attention, praised him, and spoke to him with such warmth.

He had grown up in an orphanage and later lived alone, so he had never really known what it was like to have a family or elders who spoke to him with such affection. Yet today, it felt as though he had somehow gained several guardians at once, each one offering him advice and sending him off with their blessings.

"I would have asked you two to stay, but it isn’t safe around here these days," Naomi muttered, clearly reluctant to see them leave.

Jean hummed. "What happened?"

"Nothing major," Lyra replied with a shake of her head. "You know how they are always talking about taking down the factory. Those rumors have been going on for decades now."

Naomi nodded. "Exactly. And since it’s your special day, you should spend it with Kai and Elli."

Jean gave a faint nod before saying, "If anything happens, give me a call."

Naomi chuckled. "Don’t worry. Your number is right beside Kai’s on my speed dial."

Jean glanced at Kai and found him already looking back at her.

They did not linger much longer. After exchanging their goodbyes, they finally left.

The drive home was quiet and peaceful. Jean sat in the back seat with a sleeping Elara cradled gently in her arms while Kai remained focused on the road, his hands steady on the wheel.

After a while, Jean broke the silence.

"How did you notice she was choking?"

She could not help asking. Kai was certainly attentive and never took even the smallest symptom lightly, as he had already proven with the rashes on Elara’s skin. But what he had done earlier had been different. He had noticed the problem almost immediately, and his movements had been so swift and precise that it felt she was watching an experienced doctor.

"Well, I learned a few things from a friend of mine," Kai replied with a faint smile. "And there are plenty of videos online about dealing with small emergencies like that."

"Hmm..." Jean nodded thoughtfully. "Then I suppose I won’t need to see a doctor the next time something happens."

Kai shrugged. "Sure."

Silence settled over the car once again, but this time there was a faint tension beneath it.

After a moment, Jean finally spoke.

"Kai... you never told me you’ve been helping them. Was it because you didn’t want me to worry?"

"Truthfully, yes." Kai’s gaze remained on the road. "And I don’t blame you for worrying. I’ve spent most of my life treating survival as my only goal. That changed when you and Elli walked into my life. So, seeing me spend money here and there without telling you where it’s going would naturally make you concerned. That’s why I never mentioned it."

Jean lowered her gaze toward the sleeping girl in her arms.

"They were really grateful, you know. They kept telling me how much your help had relieved them of their worries."

Kai glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

"Well, not all of them must be praising me especially after what I did back then."

Jean giggled softly.

"Well..."

....

"Waaaaa!"

"Oho, Elli. Don’t you remember Grandma Saira?" Saira groaned softly as she cradled the little girl in her arms, gently rocking her in an attempt to soothe her.

It did not help in the slightest.

Elara only cried harder, her tiny face turning red as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Waaaaah... aah... aah..."

Her arms stretched desperately toward her father, her cries ringing through the hall, and preventing Jean from focusing on the people talking to her.

Kai could not bear to watch his baby cry any longer. He practically snatched Elara from Saira’s arms and pulled her tightly against his chest.

Everyone else could only stare in silence as Elara suddenly disappeared from Saira’s embrace and reappeared in Kai’s arms.

Kai did not even raise his eyes as he said apologetically, "Please forgive me, but Elara doesn’t like being held for too long."

With that, he walked a short distance away and began gently soothing his daughter.

...

"Haah... I hope I didn’t ruin my reputation."

Kai did not regret what he had done in the slightest. No matter who was watching, Elara’s well-being came first. Seeing her little face flushed red while tears continued streaming down her cheeks had been enough to make his heart ache.

Jean, however, only looked amused.

"It’s fine. They’re well aware of Elara’s tantrums. They still try to hold her whenever they get the chance."

The sight of both father and daughter was almost comical.

Neither of them seemed capable of staying apart for long. Elara expressed her emotions through tears, while Kai could do little more than hold her close and look at her with a helpless, heartbroken expression.

Not long afterward, as they continued to chat, the car entered the Blue Mountain.

"When do you need to return the car?" Jean asked as she watched Kai take the bags from the trunk.

"Our car should be delivered the day after tomorrow, so probably around then."

Kai had realized just how necessary a vehicle was after seeing that girl choking earlier. He had no intention of taking any chances now, even if it meant keeping the rental for another couple of days.

Jean nodded, and the two of them entered the quiet house.

"Haah... it still feels unreal that this is where we’re living now." Jean smiled as she looked around.

Kai quietly nodded in agreement.

Even for him, the house still carried a strange sense of unreality. Not long ago, he had been living alone and counting every expense. Now he was returning home with the two people he adored, carrying shopping bags while such a massive and warm house welcomed them.

Soon, Kai carried the bags into the master bedroom while Jean carefully laid Elara on the bed so the little girl could sleep comfortably.

"I’ll go take a shower," Jean said. "If you want to eat anything, I’ll prepare it once I come back."

Kai gave her a faint smile.

"Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of everything."

Jean hummed, surprised since she felt he was once again hiding something behind that excited smile.

There was something about that look.

It felt as though he was again planning something.

Still, she decided not to question him. Instead, she picked out one of the new outfits she had bought earlier. She had even bought some new sleepwear, and she was rather eager to try it.

The moment Jean disappeared into the bathroom, Kai turned around and hurried toward the living room.

It was time for one final surprise.