When Lance mentioned treatment, Samantha thought it was an excuse but didn't dare to gamble with her son's health.
Finally, she compromised. "If tomorrow night doesn't work, then the night after."
Lance didn't respond because he knew if he refused, his mother wouldn't let it go easily. Since that was the case, he didn't want to waste his breath. He would find an excuse not to go when the time came.
Samantha assumed Lance's silence meant agreement, and her expression improved significantly.
The next day, after finishing his work, Lance went straight to Deanna's apartment.
As soon as he entered, he was warmly greeted by the two little ones.
"Uncle Lance, you're here."
Seeing the two children around him, Lance was momentarily stunned. But he quickly regained his composure, gently patted their heads, and smiled. "Yes, I'm here. What are you doing? Where's your mommy? Why don't I see her?"
"Mommy and Great-grandma went to the herb field to collect herbs. She told my brother and me to watch the house," Chloe answered in her sweet voice.
Lance felt a bit uneasy hearing this. "In that case, I'll go help your mommy with the work so she can come back sooner. You two be good at home."
He was about to leave when Gregory grabbed his hand. "Uncle, wait a minute. I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
Lance instinctively turned back.
Gregory didn't answer immediately but ran back to his room and returned with a piggy bank, handing it to Lance.
"Uncle, this is the pocket money my sister and I have saved over the years. We want you to take our mommy out for a break."
Hearing this and seeing the cute piggy bank in front of him, Lance couldn't help but laugh.
So that's what this was about.
No wonder the kids were so enthusiastic today; they had a request.
But he was more than willing to fulfill this request. It also provided a perfect excuse to avoid the blind date his family had arranged for him.
With that in mind, Lance decided to tease them a bit. He took the piggy bank from Gregory's hands. "Alright, I agree to your request."
Seeing their piggy bank taken away, the two kids felt a pang of reluctance but quickly let it go for their mommy's sake.
Chloe hugged Lance's leg and made her request in her sweet voice. "Uncle, take mommy somewhere fun and interesting, where she can forget her worries."
"Got it!"
Lance nodded indulgently and tapped Chloe's nose.
He originally intended to return the piggy bank to the kids, but just then, the door opened from outside.
Deanna and Old Ashley walked in.
They were surprised to see Lance.
"Mr. Mercer, when did you arrive?"
"Just a little while ago."
Lance smiled warmly at them.
Deanna noticed the cute piggy bank in his hand and looked puzzled. "What's this...?"
"This is Gregory and Chloe's savings. They asked me to use it to buy plane tickets and take you out for a trip."
Lance explained honestly.
Deanna found it both amusing and touching. Clearly, her recent mood had worried the kids, prompting them to do this.
Before she could refuse, her grandmother spoke up in agreement. "You should go out and have some fun, Deanna. Take Gregory and Chloe with you. Don't worry about the herb field; we have enough staff to take care of it."
Hearing this, Deanna couldn't bring herself to refuse. She also didn't want to disappoint the kids' intentions when she saw the piggy bank in Lance's hand. Finally, she nodded in agreement.
"Great!"
The two kids jumped for joy.
They then looked at Lance expectantly. "Uncle, when are we going on our trip?"
"We'll leave early tomorrow morning," Lance said directly.
Deanna was a bit surprised. "Tomorrow? Isn't that too soon? And where are we going?"
The kids were also curious and looked at Lance with shining eyes.
Finding them adorable, Lance couldn't resist ruffling their hair before slowly explaining his plan.
"It's not too soon. I originally planned to go abroad tomorrow for some business matters. Once I've handled that, we can spend a few days there."
"Isn't that too much trouble?"
Deanna felt it was too much trouble.
Lance disagreed. "It's no trouble at all; it's on the way."
The kids chimed in, holding Deanna's hands and pleading.
"Mommy, please go! We've never been abroad before."
Faced with their pleas, Deanna found it both amusing and exasperating but didn't say anything more.
After chatting for a while longer, Deanna began Lance's treatment.