https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-340-The-Invitation-and-the-Badge/12970025/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-342-The-Golden-Cuckoo-and-the-Birthday/12970027/
Chapter 341: Uncle or Brother
Chapter 341: Uncle or Brother
"Squeak!"
With the creaking sound of rusty hinges, a small door set in the corner of the courtyard wall slowly opened. A tall and slender beauty with fair skin and delicate features gently bent down and stepped through the doorway into the half-abandoned garden.
Despite its semi-derelict state, this vast garden still exuded an air of elegance. Numerous light-colored slabs of stone, incised with peony designs, encircled the now-dry marble fountain at the garden's center, forming several secluded, petal-shaped paths.
These paths, strewn with pebbles and fallen leaves, clearly neglected, crisscrossed their way outward, winding past toppled columns and discarded statues, through the shattered glass of a once-elegant greenhouse, and along the peeling courtyard walls, eventually reaching the farthest corner of the garden, where the only cottage that was still inhabited stood.
"Ellie."
As she approached the cottage, Emma, carrying a large bag, gently knocked on the door with her hand, which was not yet emeraldized. "I'm back. Are you home?"
Silence.
Just as Emma finished speaking, the cottage door opened, and a little girl with two light chestnut braids, each adorned with a ribbon, sprang out with a light step and landed in Emma's arms like a butterfly.
"Sorry to worry you again."
Emma gently stroked the top of her daughter's head, her eyes full of tenderness. "Don't worry, no matter what, I won't die. As long as you're waiting for me at home, even if I do die one day, I'll come back step by step. I'll never let you be alone again."
The little girl with twin pigtails remained silent, merely nodding slightly, then suddenly seeming to remember something. She released her arms from around Emma's waist and held out her right hand, which she had been clutching, to Emma's eyes.
"Hmm? What do you want to show me?"
After placing the bag she was carrying on a cabinet beside the door, Emma crouched down and smiled, extending her hand towards the little girl, who, with her adorable, snow-white features, placed her right hand in Emma's palm and then slowly opened it...
"Did you catch this in the garden?"
Looking at the tiny light blue butterfly fluttering in her palm, Emma couldn't help but smile with delight. Then, unable to hide her guilt, she asked, "It's so beautiful... Ellie, thank you for the gift. Mom really likes it. How have you been these past few days? Are you a little lonely being home alone?"
The twin-tailed little girl nodded slightly, then vigorously shook her head, flashing a big smile at Emma.
Perhaps there was a little loneliness, but with Mom back, she wouldn't feel lonely anymore.
Understanding the meaning behind the little girl's nod and shake of the head, Emma bit her lip, about to say something, when she noticed the tiny butterfly suddenly taking flight. The little girl had released her hold on the butterfly and instead grasped Emma's right hand, which was wrapped in a bandage.
"Hmm?"
Seeing the emerald green color peeking through the bandage, the little girl's distinct black and white eyes blinked a few times, then, filled with concern, she raised her hand and pointed at Emma's right hand.
"It's just a minor injury."
Emma affectionately kissed the little girl's forehead and explained with a smile, "Mom did encounter some trouble this time, but it's all resolved now. At most, it'll take another half a week for these minor injuries to heal. Don't worry!"
Hearing Emma's assurance, the little girl's worried expression gradually faded, and she became cheerful again.
She let go of Emma's hand and quickly ran back to the room with the pink wooden sign. She took out a piece of paper with two colorful figures drawn on it and proudly handed it to Emma, who was changing her shoes.
This is... a drawing from last year's birthday, right?
Emma took the slightly crumpled paper, unfolded it, and identified the two colorful figures sitting around a table, clapping their hands happily.
Seeing the round shape on the table, which was probably a cake, and the tiny crown on the head of the smaller figure, Emma hesitated for a moment. Then, she squatted down, holding the drawing, and asked seriously:
"Ellie... do you remember that Mom mentioned a... well, an uncle who will come over for your birthday the day after tomorrow?"
"?"
The little girl blinked her eyes in surprise.
Uncle? Isn't it a big brother?
"Actually, there's quite a bit of age difference between you, and he is Mom's colleague, so... so you should call him uncle."
Seeing the confusion in her daughter's eyes, Emma blushed slightly and explained. She then quietly clenched her fists and, with slightly red ears, asked softly:
"Ellie, would you like... um... more people around? Do you like it when it's lively?"
Feeling a bit embarrassed by her daughter's understanding gaze, Emma hurriedly changed the subject:
"I mean, on your birthday the day after tomorrow, besides Uncle Lyon, his sister and two other children around your age will also come to celebrate with you. Would you be happy about that?"
"Friends?"
"Yes, friends!"
Seeing her daughter's face, which was a mix of surprise and anticipation but also a hint of apprehension, Emma understood that she longed for friends who could talk to her but was also a bit worried about getting along. She gently hugged the little girl and comforted her softly:
"Don't worry. I've learned a bit about them. They are very lively, but they are good kids and will definitely have a great time with you."
Hearing Emma's reassurance, the little girl let out a long breath, and her delicate face showed a mix of excitement and anticipation.
"That... that's good..."
Though her voice was as clear and bright as a wind chime under the eaves, she rarely spoke with others, so her words were a bit slow and slightly muffled.
But because she was about to have friends her age to celebrate her birthday, the usually quiet girl opened her eyes wide and, with a hopeful expression, tried to say:
"Do they... like flowers? I've planted some in the small greenhouse... and there are butterflies... and birds..."
"..."
Recalling the crows in Lyon's memory that kept dropping their droppings on the window sills, Emma's lips twitched slightly.
Compared to cute birds, Lyon's exceptionally lively younger brother and sister might prefer climbing trees to poach bird eggs... Well, this is something I need to pay attention to, to make sure they don't disturb Ellie's favorite birds' nests.
"Those two children... should like birds, right?"
Lying a bit reluctantly, Emma, now wearing comfortable indoor slippers, took the little girl's hand and walked into the house. She was about to ask what had happened over the past two days but noticed a large, flattened area in the garden behind the cottage through the window.
In the past two days... someone has been here?!
(End of Chapter)
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