Chapter 304: Where Is Daddy's Gift?

Liam found himself caught in an impossible dilemma. If he said the sugar figurine looked like Daddy, he'd offend Daddy. If he said it didn't, he'd offend Max.

Liam fell into deep contemplation.

Alexander narrowed his eyes and asked, "Is this such a difficult question? Does it look like me or not?"

Liam looked up and answered honestly, "It looks like you, but your mouth isn't that crooked."

Alexander fell silent.

So if Max hadn't made that one crooked brushstroke, it would have been a hundred percent accurate likeness?

Was he really that ugly?

While he didn't pay much attention to his appearance, throughout his life people had generally called him handsome. This little sugar figure was anything but handsome.

Alexander felt somewhat offended. "Do you think Daddy looks as ugly as this little figure?"

Liam's eyes widened. "It's not ugly! What's ugly about this little sugar person? Except for the slightly crooked mouth."

As he spoke, he stared longingly at Alexander's sugar figurine, practically drooling with desire to eat it.

Typically, cake was saved for the very end of birthday celebrations, so no matter how much he was craving it, he had to wait until the final moment when he'd make his birthday wish before they could cut and eat the cake!

Grace suddenly pulled out her phone and took a picture of the elaborate spread on the table, then captured a close-up of the birthday cake. When the camera caught Liam drooling with anticipation, she couldn't help but stifle a laugh!

Feeling sorry for him, she suggested, "Liam, how about... we have cake first?"

Liam's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes!"

In the living room sat the wrapped birthday presents - one from Max, one from Lily, and one from Grace.

There was one particularly large package that Liam knew must be from Mommy!

He restrained his curiosity and didn't unwrap it, wanting to wait for Mommy to personally watch him open his birthday gift!

Max gently inserted a number candle into the cake and placed a handmade birthday hat on Liam's little head.

Grace suddenly suggested, "Let's take a family photo!"

She wanted to post a family picture on social media.

Although she rarely updated her social media, every year on Max's birthday she would take a photo of him making his birthday wish - it had become her tradition.

This year's birthday was special. This was her first time celebrating Liam's birthday with him, making it particularly meaningful.

Liam and Max chorused, "Yes!"

After setting up her phone, Grace put one arm around Liam and one around Max, while Alexander wrapped his arms around her.

Lily looked at the happy family of four and quietly stepped aside, making room for them.

They heard the camera click.

After taking one shot, Grace realized there was an empty space beside them.

Lily was standing far away, watching quietly from a distance.

Grace called out, "Lily? Aren't you joining us?"

Lily seemed hesitant.

She looked toward Alexander.

Alexander curved his lips slightly. "Lily, come join us."

Hearing his invitation, Lily cautiously approached and stood beside Max.

Max suddenly reached out and naturally put his arm around her shoulder.

Lily's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help looking up at him, only to see him gazing at the camera with a gentle smile.

He only showed such tender, charming smiles when he was with Grace.

Lily's cheeks flushed slightly as she also turned toward the camera.

The camera captured this moment, freezing everyone's smiles.

Surrounded by everyone, Liam made his birthday wish and blew out the candle.

Lily presented her birthday gift to him. "Liam, this is my birthday present for you."

She seemed a bit embarrassed.

While Liam and Max were at school, she had secretly made this handcraft for Liam, rushing to complete it in just two evenings.

Liam smiled politely. "Thank you."

He curiously unwrapped it to find that Lily had given him a three-dimensional greeting card. Though it wasn't perfectly made, Liam was moved by her thoughtfulness. "Thank you, Lily."

Grace gave Lily some spending money, but Lily saved every penny, reluctant to spend it. When she heard about Liam's upcoming birthday, there wasn't much time to shop for something special, so she bought craft supplies from a stationery store and painstakingly made this herself.

Max also presented his birthday gift. "This is from me."

Liam accepted a heavy, beautifully wrapped box from his hands and eagerly tore it open. However, the moment he opened it, he froze completely.

Grace and Alexander curiously leaned over to look, and both their lips twitched.

A thick stack of study materials.

Max stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Teacher said your essay writing needs work, so I thought I'd help you with your humanities subjects."

Liam looked like he was about to cry. "Birthday... present?"

Max raised an eyebrow. "Do you like it?"

His tone was gentle, but his eyes clearly carried a threatening undertone.

Liam didn't dare say he didn't like it, so he forced himself to respond, "I love it..."

Seeing Liam's forced smile, Grace quickly intervened. "Now it's Mommy's turn! Liam, you'll definitely like Mommy's present even more!"

She pushed the large box toward him.

Liam inexplicably shivered.

For some reason, he suddenly imagined that if this big box was filled with essay assignments or study materials, he would definitely faint on the spot.

Grace cut the packaging tape with scissors and called to Liam, "Liam, come unwrap your present!"

Liam weakly walked over and opened the box with trembling hands. When he saw a beautiful little bicycle inside, his eyes widened with pleasant surprise. "Wow!"

What a beautiful bike!

Liam hugged the bicycle lovingly. "Thank you, Mommy!"

It was obvious he liked Grace's birthday gift the most. He even temporarily forgot about his rumbling hungry stomach and couldn't resist climbing onto it.

Since the bicycle had training wheels and the living-dining area was spacious, he tried pedaling around in a circle, getting more and more excited.

"Wow! I can ride a bike!"

Liam was dancing with joy.

Alexander commented, "The training wheels are still on. Once we remove them, you won't be able to ride."

Grace said, "Our Liam is very smart - he'll learn quickly."

She moved the bicycle aside for now, so Liam wouldn't get so distracted playing with it that he'd forget to eat.

Liam confidently held out his hand toward Alexander. "Where's Daddy's present?"

Alexander replied, "What do you think you were just riding?"

Liam said, "That was Mommy's gift to me. Where's yours?"

Alexander replied, "Your mom and I gave it together."

Liam glanced at him dismissively. "Cheapskate! You're you, Mommy is Mommy. The bicycle is from Mommy. You're a separate matter entirely!"