The little one clung to Louis's neck like a koala, unwilling to let go even when Louis went to the kitchen to cook. In the end, Anna, with a stern face and the lure of Louis's newly bought toys, finally managed to pry the little one off and put her on the sofa. While playing with the toys, Cicc's big eyes kept glancing towards the kitchen, afraid that Louis might disappear again.
After a while, dinner was served. Three steaming bowls of noodles with a meat dish and a vegetable dish, the family sat happily around the table. Anna looked down to see noodles in her bowl topped with two green vegetables and two fried eggs, irresistibly golden. She gently picked up a strand and put it in her mouth, enjoying the taste with her eyes half-closed. It had to be said that Louis's cooking was truly delicious. During the days he was away, she couldn't bring herself to eat her own cooking.
Cicc had already started slurping her noodles with her tiny chopsticks, swallowing a strand in an instant, her eyes already crescent-shaped. This eating style made Anna feel both angry and helpless. She couldn't compete!
This also prompted Anna to eat faster. Somehow, when they were at home together, she and Cicc seemed to have less appetite. Once Louis returned, they both inexplicably relaxed.
While eating, Anna couldn't help but think. It was terrifying to think that they used to want to stay away from this man, but in a short time, they had been subtly influenced by him.
The only sound left on the dining table was the slurping of noodles. Until Anna finished eating, she realized that Louis and Cicc had finished eating long ago and were both staring at her at the same time. Anna's cheeks flushed again, and she hurriedly wiped her mouth and stood up to cover her embarrassment, clearing away the dishes and utensils.
"I'll wash the dishes. You spend more time with Cicc."
She also stacked the dishes in front of Louis, picked them up, and headed to the kitchen.
Watching Anna breeze into the kitchen, Louis shook his head. He really didn't intend to compete with her. What was she so flustered about...
"Daddy, come and play with Cicc with building blocks!"
"Okay!"
Cicc jumped off her chair and pulled Louis's hand towards the sofa, where Louis's new toy building blocks for her were waiting to be assembled into various shapes. The princess castle from before had already been tidied up by Cicc and was now standing intact in the master bedroom. Anna would occasionally take it out to play house with her little one. Now with new toys, the princess castle would definitely be neglected for a while.
With Louis's help, Cicc began to build a small house with the building blocks, giggling in her childish voice. Louis took the opportunity to ask about the family's recent activities.
Cicc was particularly talkative, especially when it came to Anna, she didn't hold back at all.
"Mommy misses Daddy too! I saw it! Mommy often secretly watches Daddy's singing videos and giggles!"
Louis stifled a laugh. He really didn't mean to ask about this! The key was that Cicc spoke so loudly, without realizing that Anna had already rushed out of the kitchen.
At this moment, Anna's cheeks were as red as a ripe apple, but her eyes were cold as she stared down at this little traitor who was trying to win Daddy's favor by selling out Mommy.
Cicc noticed Daddy suddenly stopped talking and raised her head in confusion, only to see Mommy's flushed face.
With a cry, she hid in Louis's arms, muttering, "Mommy can't see, Mommy can't see!"
Anna couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to pat the little one's bottom exposed outside of Louis's arms, but her eyes were fixed on Louis's face, which was trying to hide a smile, as she explained.
"Don't listen to Cicc's nonsense! I... I didn't!"
"But you did! Mommy's lying! Lying is not good, Mommy!"
Cicc's little face buried in Louis's arms muffledly shouted.
Anna looked like she was about to explode, and Louis immediately raised his hands in surrender, exposing the little one completely.
"No! No! I believe you!"
A wise man knows when to yield! But poor Cicc, she was immediately scooped up by Anna and smothered with affection.
The little one, with sparkling eyes, reached out towards Louis, who was sitting upright in the distance, completely unaware that Daddy would turn around and sell her out to Mommy!
Louis kept his composure, his gaze steady, and his heart focused. For the sake of Anna's happiness and the prosperity of their home, he could only let his little darling endure a bit of hardship.
The family played together for a while. Eventually, Cicc ended up bearing all the grievances alone, playing with the building blocks by herself.
Louis rubbed her little head before standing up and taking out a paper file from the suitcase, placing it in front of Anna.
"Mission accomplished. Take a look. This is the contract from Ocean Melody Entertainment."
Anna looked at Louis, who was serious, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, indicating her inner turmoil.
In just a few days away, he had managed to secure a contract for her. Anna lowered her head, picked up the file folder, and opened it, flipping through the contract inside. As she reached the end, her hands began to tremble.
This was a contract she wouldn't dare to dream of, with top-tier benefits and perfect freedom. Even if she had never thought of leaving the industry, continuing to sing until now, she would never have had such a contract.
Anna didn't know how he did it, what he went through in just a few days! How much effort he put in! To get such a contract that was beyond imagination!
Anna raised her head, gazing at Louis in amazement, tears shimmering in her eyes, her lips pressed together, facing him like this.
His face still wore a gentle smile, as if everything was so light and breezy.
After a while, Anna finally spoke softly.
"Louis, actually, I don't have to sing!"
Her voice was small but unwaveringly firm.
Louis furrowed his brow slightly in confusion. She clearly liked singing, wanted to sing, so what did she mean by this now?
Somewhat puzzled, he didn't understand what was going on in this woman's mind!
"Why? Haven't you always wanted to sing? Now that you have the opportunity, why hesitate?"
Louis's tone became slightly heavier, this being the first time he had spoken to her like this since coming here.
Having never experienced true family love, he naturally wouldn't understand. Anna's mind was in turmoil at the moment, and she suddenly felt that it would be fine to just continue like this.
If she really started singing, she was afraid that there would be changes afterwards, afraid that life would never be the same again.
Anna pursed her lips lightly, looking straight at Louis, tears falling one by one.
After a moment, she softly spoke, "I'm afraid, afraid that there will be negative changes in the future."
This was the first time Anna had directly expressed her fear to Louis.
Louis was stunned for a moment, then his slightly furrowed brows relaxed instantly, and he suddenly laughed, a warm smile spreading across his face.
He picked up a tissue, gently wiping away the tears from Anna's face with his hand.
"Anna! What do you take me for!"
"I'm telling you seriously, you can rest assured! No matter what happens! None of this will change!"
"I'll stay home and take care of the children! After all, I'm prepared to be a full-time dad!"