Chapter 132: Sugar rush

Ding-dong!

Hearing the doorbell, Kai didn’t need to guess who was standing on the other side. He had already received several calls from the person that morning, after all.

But regardless, he checked the front camera and only then moved to open the door.

Click!

The moment he opened the door, a woman practically launched herself at him.

"Haaaalo!"

Her voice came muffled against his chest as she wrapped her arms around him and bounced excitedly on her feet. Only after pulling away did Mia finally look up at him with a bright smile.

"It’s been so long that I’ve nearly forgotten what your face looks like!"

Kai tilted his head, studying her for a moment before asking, "Mia... have you gotten shorter?"

"..."

Mia fell silent.

Her lips pursed into a thin line before she suddenly hammered two fists against his chest.

"How can you be so rude to a friend you’re meeting after such a long time?!"

Apparently, every word deserved its own punch.

"Ow, ow! Okay, I’m sorry!" Kai groaned, raising his hands in surrender. "I’m happy to see you too, all right?"

He finally gave her a light embrace, hoping to appease the little girl who seemed determined to beat him into submission.

Mark shook his head at their antics. "Someone seeing you two together for the first time might mistake you for siblings."

Kai stepped aside to let them enter.

"Sorry for calling you over on such short notice. There’s somewhere we need to go, but we can’t bring Elli along." He had informed Mark about the situation the previous day, and thankfully, his friend had agreed without hesitation.

"How could I possibly miss an opportunity to spend time with my cutie pie?" Mia declared, her eyes already wandering eagerly around the house as she stepped into the living area.

"Hello. Welcome."

Jean appeared just then, wiping her hands against the apron she wore.

Mark nodded in greeting. "Hey, Jean. Cooking this early in the morning?"

He narrowed his eyes at Kai, looking thoroughly suspicious.

"Look at you. There was a time when you wouldn’t even wake up this early, and now you’re asking for meals?"

Kai rolled his eyes. "She’s preparing breakfast for everyone, not just me."

Jean added.

"Actually, Kai is the one who usually makes breakfast."

Her gaze then shifted toward the familiar woman standing nearby, who had been staring at her in silence.

Jean offered her a polite nod. "Hello, Mia."

Mia smiled back before suddenly turning toward Kai, her expression brimming with satisfaction.

"You actually stayed true to your word, Kai. I’m proud of you!"

Kai blinked in confusion, and judging by the expressions on their faces, he wasn’t the only one wondering what she meant.

Realizing this, Mia helpfully explained.

"Back in college, he used to ignore every girl who approached him. So, one day, I asked him what his type was. Do you know what he said?"

She didn’t wait for an answer.

"’I’ll settle for a girl so beautiful that even if she rejects me, I’d feel like it was only natural.’"

Kai immediately slapped a hand against his forehead.

"How do you manage to forget all your lecture notes but remember something so trivial?"

"Because this is important!" Mia chimed in before spreading both arms toward Jean, presenting her to the others as though she were displaying a priceless work of art. "I mean, just look at her, Kai!"

Jean was visibly embarrassed, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed how pleased she was by the compliment. She glanced at Kai, seemingly curious to hear what he would say.

Kai rubbed the back of his head, suddenly finding himself at the center of everyone’s attention.

"Well, you’re not wrong..." he muttered. "Jean is exactly the kind of beauty whose rejection would have felt entirely natural."

Jean’s cheeks immediately flushed red.

"P-Please, come inside first. I’ll bring you something to drink."

Without waiting for a response, she hurried into the kitchen, leaving the other three watching her retreating figure.

Mark shook his head.

"Don’t tease her too much, Mia. Jean isn’t used to this sort of thing."

"Eh?" Mia tilted her head before looking at Kai with wide, innocent eyes. "But I only told the truth! Do you think she’ll dislike me now?"

Kai was about to reassure her when a familiar little voice interrupted them.

"Mmmaa...!"

Their little adventurer came rushing toward them on her hands and knees, crawling straight up to Kai before grabbing the fabric of his trousers.

Mia went completely still.

Mark instinctively took a step backward.

And then came the explosion.

"WAAAAAAH! SHE’S SOOOOO ADORABLE!"

Mia clasped both hands beside her face, her eyes practically transforming into hearts as she stared at Elara. The sheer cuteness of the little girl seemed to have dealt a critical blow to whatever composure she had left.

Kai sighed fondly and bent down to scoop his daughter into his arms.

Mia immediately approached them, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Hey, Kai! Aren’t you going to introduce me to her? Hello, Elli!"

Kai smiled at his daughter.

"Elara, this is your auntie. Why don’t you say hi?"

He waved his hand to demonstrate, hoping she might imitate the gesture.

Elara, however, had a different idea.

The little girl caught his waving hand, pulled it toward herself, and pressed his palm against her cheek.

Silence.

Kai blinked.

Mia froze.

Mark took another step backward.

And then came the second round.

"WAAAAAAH! MY HEART!"

Mia clutched her chest as though she had just suffered a devastating injury.

"This much sweetness can’t be good for my health!"

She staggered dramatically, looking as if she might collapse at any moment. Kai could only shake his head helplessly while Elara continued resting her cheek against his palm, seemingly unaware of the chaos she had caused.

Then Mia abruptly spun around to face Mark.

"Baby... I want a child."

Mark stared at her.

"..."

"Like, right now!"

°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment or a review