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******
"Achoo!"
Clark sneezed.
Was someone thinking about him?
Shaking his head, he looked down helplessly at the lion fiercely biting his arm.
"Buddy, are you done yet?"
The lion tugged at Clark's motionless arm, violently shaking its head.
Clark exerted a bit of force, pulling his arm free from the lion's jaws. As he looked at the slobber on it, he gently pressed the lion to the ground with one hand while it backed away. Then, using the lion's mane as a towel, he wiped off the drool. As the lion whimpered, he finally let go of the poor, expensive makeshift hand towel.
The lion bolted, followed closely by several lionesses who eyed Clark fearfully.
Clark chuckled, quickly pulling out his camera and snapping a picture with a click.
Under the night sky, the pride stared back in terror, as if they'd seen something truly frightening.
A very amusing photo.
Satisfied, Clark nodded, carefully put away his camera, and turned to head back into his tent.
…
As Christmas passed, the year came to an end.
At the turn of the year, Mike took Gwen to New York for half a month of sightseeing—and also visited some schools.
After Gwen made her choice, they decided on a new school.
Once the transfer paperwork was completed, all that was left was for the new semester to begin so she could attend.
By Mike's calculation, there was only about a week left before the new term started.
Gwen was an excellent student, and in order to provide her with a better learning environment, Mike decided to stay in New York long-term, scrapping his plans to return to the farm.
As for the farm—selling it was out of the question. It held too many cherished memories. So, he planned to hand it over to Bob to manage.
Having decided to settle down in New York, Mike thought it over and figured he might as well move to a new place—preferably somewhere closer to Gwen's new school.
The school was located in Queens.
Thinking back, he recalled that he owned a few properties in Queens.
"I'll take a look at the property documents later and pick a suitable place," Mike muttered to himself.
"Dad?" Gwen clutched her chopsticks like tiny fists, struggling to stab at the food on her plate. Curious, she asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Mike casually picked up a crispy piece of fried tenderloin and placed it in Gwen's bowl. "I'm thinking about where we should move."
"Move?"
Gwen popped the tenderloin into her mouth, chewing while staring at Mike with wide eyes.
"Yep, that way we'll be closer to your new school."
Gwen tilted her head. "The school I picked is such a hassle. Maybe I should just choose a different one!"
"It's not a hassle!" Mike waved his hand grandly. "Once we get some furniture, we can move right in!"
Gwen nodded, gripping her chopsticks as she aimed for the meatballs on her plate.
In an instant, one of the springy meatballs bounced out of the dish, leaping onto the table and rebounding twice, almost as if mocking her.
Gwen: ヾ(﹏)
Mike: "Hahaha!"
Unable to hold back his laughter, Mike coughed when Gwen glared at him, then said, "Let me teach you."
"Mm-hmm!"
Gwen nodded eagerly, but before Mike could act, she grabbed the rebellious meatball and popped it into her mouth, flashing him a cheeky grin.
Mike shook his head helplessly and gently took Gwen's hand, guiding her as he taught her how to use chopsticks.
Gwen focused intently, engaging in a fierce battle with the food before her.
She wasn't going to quit until she mastered it.
Mike nodded in approval—Gwen's determination truly resembled the Kent family spirit.
Suddenly, a pleasant ringtone sounded.
Mike glanced at it and raised an eyebrow.
Charles?
That kid hadn't called in a long time.
Leisurely answering the phone, Mike didn't even have a chance to speak before Charles started complaining, "Dad, why'd you take so long to pick up? You used to answer in seconds!"
"Oh, I'm having dinner."
"Dinner? With who?" Charles asked curiously, then added, "I'm craving hotpot now."
"Then just come back for a meal whenever you can."
Compared to Erik, Charles had far fewer concerns.
"Hehe!" Charles chuckled, then suddenly asked, "You still haven't told me—who are you having dinner with?"
"With Gwen."
"Gwen?"
As soon as Charles heard that, he immediately sat up straight, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and gossip.
"Hm, my daughter."
"Oh, so it's a—da-daughter?!"
Charles shouted in shock, jumping up from his seat.
"When did you have a daughter? Why didn't I know about this?"
"I didn't tell you?" Mike looked genuinely puzzled.
Charles felt a pang of jealousy and said, "Dad, you've changed! You've completely forgotten about me."
Mike replied impatiently, "You're a grown man now. Why are you whining? If there's nothing important, I'm hanging up."
Charles: 〒▽〒
The next moment, to his horror, Mike actually hung up.
Charles: (Д)ノ
He—he really hung up!
Gritting his teeth, Charles called back. As soon as the call connected, he yelled, "Dad! How could you treat me like this?"
"What did I even do to you?" Mike said irritably. "Do you actually need something? If not, I'm hanging up again."
Holding his aching heart, Charles said, "Dad, I need your help."
"Help?"
"Yes!" Charles hesitated for a moment, then said, "I want to expand an underground space beneath the school."
"You want me to dig a hole?"
"Uh, I know you must have a way to handle it, Dad."
Charles' voice was full of flattery and pleading.
Mike thought for a moment and said, "Give it a few days. I don't have time right now."
"Huh?" Charles immediately grew alert. "What are you up to?"
"I'm planning to move to New York permanently. Gotta move house."
"Is this because of your daughter?"
"Kind of." Mike glanced affectionately at Gwen and said, "The learning environment in New York is better. I want to live somewhere closer to her new school."
Charles: "…"
When the three of us were in school, how come you never thought of doing something like that?
Mike noticed the silence on the other end and said, "Once I'm done with everything, I'll call you back."
"Wait!" Charles said urgently. "I want to come home for dinner! I want sweet and sour meatballs, and braised fish!"
"Come back when I'm done," Mike replied coldly, and hung up again.
Such a grown man, and all he thinks about is eating, eating, eating!
"Gwen, what do you want for dinner tonight?" Mike asked gently.
Gwen blinked and said, "Daddy, was that my big brother on the phone just now?"
Mike nodded and said, "In a couple of days, this big brother of yours will be coming over. But you have to keep it a secret. You can't tell anyone he's your brother, okay?"
Without any hesitation, Gwen nodded, then asked in confusion, "Why?"
"Because he's on a dangerous mission, and until it's complete, his identity needs to remain a secret."
A secret agent!
Gwen's eyes lit up as she nodded firmly. "Got it! This will be our secret!"
Mike smiled and gently ruffled Gwen's hair.
(End of Chapter)