Chapter 47
After finishing her fieldwork, Edith handed over the items to Charlie.
She took off her work clothes, which were covered in dirt, and said, “I’m Can you make this run? Thanks for the help.”
off for the day.
Edith was going to pick up Ruben and Jeanne since the kindergarten was closest to
there.
Charlie blinked his eyes, revealing an innocently harmless smile, replying, “If I can get a coffee bought by you personally tomorrow, I’d be more than happy to help.”
Edith gave an OK gesture and cheerfully agreed, “Alright, I’ll buy you two cups.”
She thought, “This is just a small matter!
Charlie happily returned to the lab with the materials.
The thought of having coffee the next day made him look forward to it even more.
When Edith arrived at the daycare, the school gate was still closed, and many parents were waiting outside.
She parked her car at the side and joined the crowd of parents waiting for their children.
As the school’s dismissal music played, the children came out in a long line.
Jeanne saw her mom and ran excitedly toward her.
She twirled around Edith and asked, “Did you miss us?”
“I missed you both so much!” Edith scooped Jeanne into her arms and took Ruben’s hand, heading toward the car.
Clinging to Edith’s neck, Jeanne said, “Mommy, our teacher gave us a task today.”
The kindergarten often gave homework, so Edith wasn’t surprised and cooperatively asked, “What task?”
“Take pictures!” Jeanne said as she wiggled her legs, struggling to get down.
Once she stood firmly on the ground, she pulled out a small camera from her backpack. and proudly said, “Our teacher gave it to us! We have to take pictures for a project called Finding Autumn!”
Edith looked envious and remarked, “Kindergartens are really generous these days,
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handing out cameras as if they cost nothing.”
She mused, ‘I had only first got in touch with cameras in high school through school clubs. But it’s not surprising. Ruben and Jeanne are attending one of the city’s top elite kindergartens. Just the entrance requirements alone are high, and the school’s equipment is of the best quality. Handing out cameras isn’t a big deal for them. Even if the kids accidentally damage them, their families can afford to replace them.
Jeanne continued, “The teacher also said that the kid who takes the best photos can participate in a photography exhibition.”
Seeing Jeanne’s enthusiasm, Edith also cheered her on. “Then you and Ruben have to give it your all!”
Upon being mentioned, Ruben glanced at them resignedly but didn’t say anything.
He pondered, I’m just along for the ride, and I’ll probably end up modeling for Jeanne!
Just the thought of it already gave Ruben a headache.
Jeanne, climbing into the car and settling in, said, “I want to take pictures tonight! There are lots of flowers in the neighborhood, and there’s a new swimming pool.”
The old swimming pool in their villa complex had been demolished earlier that year, and a new one had just been completed this month. Despite the cooler weather, people. were still eager to swim, gathering by the pool every day.
Edith fastened her seatbelt and instinctively questioned, “What can you capture at night? It’ll be all dark…”
She admittedly didn’t know much about photography.
Jeanne shook her head and replied, “There’s a different kind of scenery at night.”
Only Ruben, sitting beside her, knew what she was really thinking.
He thought, ‘Whether there’s scenery at night is one thing, but now that Jeanne has a camera, she can’t wait to use it. Even if it thunders and rains tonight, she’d dash out and take pictures at the main road.
Their villa complex was well–landscaped, with numerous evening activities, and people were often seen sitting on the lawns, chatting over coffee.
After driving around to ensure there were no dangers, Edith let the two kids go off to take pictures.
Ruben didn’t budge, looking hesitantly at his mom.
Chapter 17
He sighed inwardly, ‘I don’t really want to go.
‘t just sit here instead?
Edith brought over a jug of honey lemon.
Ruben was silent, so Edith could only guess his thoughts.
She held Ruben’s slightly cold fingers and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t you want to go take pictures?”
Ruben nodded and then quickly shook his head.
He thought, ‘It’s not that I don’t want to. It just seems like too much hassle. Besides, sitting here, I can watch the stars, which is much more interesting than taking pictures!
Ruben didn’t know how to explain it.
Edith patiently asked. “Try to share your thoughts with me, okay?”
She pondered worriedly, ‘If he keeps refusing to speak, we might have to visit the hospital…
Ruben pressed his lips together, wrestling internally for a long time before saying. “I…I want to drink honey lemon, too.”
He commented inwardly, “This jug of honey lemon smells so good!”
Edith couldn’t help but burst into laughter, pinching Ruben’s cheek, saying, “Oh my! How can you be so adorable?”
This was the first time she had seen Ruben express what he wanted.
Ruben’s cheeks turned slightly red, and he looked even more uncomfortable.
He thought, ‘Isn’t ‘adorable‘ a word used to describe Jeanne? Why is it being used on me? I’m not cute. Being cool is my thing!”
Fully prepared to go, Jeanne turned her head, saw Ruben’s hesitance, and then ran back to him. “Ruben, let’s go. I’ll take nice photos of you. Your handsome face will be the center of attention at the photography exhibition!”
Seeing how confident she was, the corner of Ruben’s mouth twitched uncontrollably:
He thought firmly, ‘No, I don’t want to be in the center of attention.
Ruben was reluctant deep down but couldn’t bear to refuse his sister’s request.
He pondered, ‘How can I resist when Jeanne is so cute?”
Ruben tugged at Edith’s clothes again, glancing at the honey lemon, and said succinctly,
Chapter 47
“Keep.”
Edith held back her laughter again, thinking, “This is really too amusing.
She nodded. “Alright, alright, I’ll keep it for you to drink later.”
Ruben then felt reassured and went to take photos with Jeanne.
Edith sat in a camping chair, watching the two little ones walk away, and couldn’t help but call out. “Don’t go too far!”
The only response she got was Jeanne’s waving arm.
Edith then looked up at the sky.
She felt that sitting there alone and relaxing was also quite enjoyable.
“Ms. Jones!”
The sudden voice startled Edith.
She recognized who it was and felt a sense of disappointment.
Just when I was about to relax, why did I have to run into Danika!‘ Edith thought in
annoyance.
Edith took a deep breath and adjusted her expression. When Danika approached her, she faked a smile and asked, “Ms. Hayes, are you out for a walk as well?”
“Yeah, it’s quite pleasant tonight,” Danika replied and casually went to sit down beside her.
Edith, feeling obliged, poured some honey lemon, saying, “I’m not sure if you’ll like it.”
Danika smiled as she took the cup. “I love it. Joyce’s dad often drinks this, and I sometimes join him.”
She took a sip, and her eyes lit up. “It’s so fragrant!”
Edith chuckled politely and continued stargazing.
She really didn’t want to maintain this pointless conversation.
The conversation was mostly one–sided, with Danika trying to keep it going.
Meanwhile, Jeanne was busy directing Ruben in taking photos.
Jeanne held the camera/like a pro.
17:26 Thu, 22 Feb GGG.
Chapter 47
She hopped back and forth, instructing, “Ruben, move a bit to the side, yes, yes, yes, show some expression. You’re too serious!”
Ruben really couldn’t muster any expression.
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Feeling tired, he dropped the leaves he was holding, walked over to Jeanne, and pointed. to some nearby greenery, suggesting she photograph that instead of him.
Jeanne shook her head and earnestly replied, “Ruben, you’re handsome. In my eyes, every bit of grass and tree you see is autumn.”
She wanted to capture the scenery Ruben saw.
Flattered by the compliment, Ruben regained his enthusiasm and continued to
cooperate.
It wasn’t until Joyce interrupted their photoshoot that Ruben finally put down the leaves again.
