Chapter 36
The aroma of the food completely washed away my sadness.
Before I could say anything, Jessica had already run in on her own. "Mommy! Jessica will help bring the dishes!"
"Okay." I smiled and ruffled Jessica's hair.
At the dinner table, Jessica blinked at me and said, "Mommy, I've been drawing lots of portraits of you lately, but they all look different from you. Can you help me draw later? Be my model!"
I was a bit surprised, but still agreed. "Okay."
Soon, I understood why Jessica made this request.
Because she kept complimenting me, "Mommy is so pretty, Mommy has such big eyes, Mommy's skin is so fair, Mommy..."
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
But I also understood that Jessica was worried I was still sad, and was trying to comfort me in her own way.
How could I bear to let such a sweet and thoughtful child grow up without her father's company?
The next morning, I took the initiative to message Jason.
Sue: [Want to have lunch together?]
After sending it, I didn't look at my phone again and focused on my work.
At the same time, in Rosewood City.
Jason had just landed and glanced at his phone, then immediately turned toward the airport exit.
Assistant Samuel froze and quickly stopped Jason. "Mr. Cooper! We just got off the plane. Where are you going?"
"Going back." Jason was brief.
Samuel was completely confused. "Going back? Didn't we come here specifically for a business trip? We just arrived, and you're leaving?"
"Yes." Jason nodded without hesitation.
Samuel was almost in tears. "Mr. Cooper! You have to at least tell me why you're in such a hurry to go back. Otherwise, I can't arrange the schedule."
"Sue asked me to have lunch," Jason said seriously, then checked the time. "If I leave now, I can make it."
Samuel was shocked.
So, the reason that could make Mr. Cooper drop his work was just a meal?
"Mr. Cooper, we have a meeting scheduled today with Rosewood City government leaders. This opportunity is rare and important; we can't stand them up."
Seeing Jason remain silent, Samuel continued to persuade earnestly.
"You can eat anytime. If you explain to Ms. Wilson, I'm sure she'll understand."
This meeting was important for Glacier Corp's development, otherwise Jason wouldn't have come in person.
Jason looked unhappy and stared at Samuel with displeasure. "Why did you schedule the business trip for today?"
Samuel was at a loss for words.
This meeting with the Rosewood City leaders had been scheduled long ago.
No one expected that Ms. Wilson would ask Mr. Cooper to lunch today!
Samuel's mouth twitched, but he still forced a smile. "I'm sorry, Mr. Cooper, this is indeed my fault. I'll add Ms. Wilson's contact information when I get back. From now on, whenever you have travel plans, I'll send them to Ms. Wilson in advance."
Only then did Jason nod with satisfaction.
Before Samuel could breathe a sigh of relief, Jason added, "You're not allowed to chat about anything else."
Samuel nodded repeatedly. He wouldn't dare send Ms. Wilson an extra word!
"So today..." Samuel asked tentatively.
Jason said, "Let's go, time for the meeting."
Jason looked down and replied to the message: [I'm on a business trip in Rosewood City, wait for me to come back.]
When I saw the message, I breathed a sigh of relief.
This way, I could delay a bit longer.
Even though I knew this was inevitable, when it came time to actually speak up, I still couldn't hide my nervousness.
"Sue! I have good news!" Lily called just as I was packing up to leave work.
"Another one of my books caught the attention of a big company, they're going to develop the IP! It's going to be a big-budget TV series!"
I was amazed. "That's great! Which company?"
"WINS, the biggest entertainment company under the Scott family! So many popular stars were made by WINS!"
When Lily mentioned this, her voice was full of excitement. "I'll be on set watching the actors film. Do you have any favorite celebrities? I can get you autographed photos!"
I shook my head. "Thanks for the offer, but I don't follow celebrities."
All my energy was devoted to work and family; I really had no extra energy for following stars.
"Why don't you come to my place for dinner tonight? How about hot pot? I can go buy ingredients after work." I suggested.
Lily agreed without hesitation. "I was waiting for you to say that! I want beef!"
"Okay, I'll buy it after work."
"Then I'll pick up Jessica from school."
By the time I got home with the groceries, Lily was already playing with Jessica in the living room.
Seeing me return, Lily came over to take the bags from my hands. "You bought so much?"
"Isn't this to celebrate you, the great author, getting one step closer to success?" I said with a smile.
"No problem, when I make lots of money, I'll take you and Jessica to eat even better food!"
Lily put her arm around me and said with a grin, "Besides, I don't want to date or get married now, I'll just raise a child with you. From now on, Jessica is my daughter too!"
"Then I'm getting a great deal, raising kids isn't cheap these days."
"Then I'll just work harder and make more money."
Lily and I chatted and laughed as we went into the kitchen together.
While organizing the ingredients in the kitchen, I suddenly thought of something and poked my head out of the kitchen, just in time to see Jessica sitting in the living room reading children's books again.
Those books were gifts from Jason, and she loved them.
She had read them over and over many times.
"Jessica, go downstairs and play with Lily for a bit. Staying home and reading all the time isn't good for your eyes." I reminded her helplessly.
Jessica blinked, asking with some reluctance, "Can I not go? It's not fun outside at all."
"No." I smiled and refused. "Go on, go on."
Lily also came out of the kitchen and pulled Jessica toward the door. "It's okay, I'll play with you, then it won't be boring."
Jessica looked up at Lily, her lips moved, but she said nothing.
I stayed in the kitchen alone to prep the food.
My mind unconsciously turned to Jason.
How should I bring up Jessica's identity?
I kept thinking, then rejecting my own ideas over and over.
After all the ingredients were ready, I started cooking the hot pot base.
The aroma of hot pot filled the kitchen. I was thinking about texting Lily to tell her and Jessica to come back.
Before I could take out my phone, they both came back.
I poked my head out. "Perfect timing, we can start the hot pot now."
"Okay." Jessica obediently went to wash her hands, and Lily came to help me carry the plates.
She couldn't help but say to me, "Jessica really has a talent for sports!"