Deanna listened to the woman's words and couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
She naturally picked up on the hidden trap in the woman's words.
Before she could respond, Jessie frowned and said, "Since the school made such an arrangement, they must have considered the children's situation. I think we should trust the school; they will make decisions that are good for the children, don't you agree?"
In her heart, the woman angrily muttered that Jessie should just shut up and stop talking. However, she didn't show it on her face and instead forced a smile, saying, "You're right, I should trust the school."
Then she suddenly changed her tone, looking at Lance and Deanna with sparkling eyes. "Mr. Mercer and Mrs. Mercer, are you planning to take the children out for a meal? How about I treat you to lunch as an apology to Mrs. Mercer?"
The woman looked warmly at Deanna, hoping she would agree.
If she could get close to the Mercer family, she would be able to show off to her in-laws back home.
Unfortunately for her, her plan didn't work out.
"Sorry, we prefer to dine without outsiders," Deanna said, not particularly fond of the somewhat calculating woman, and declined directly.
After speaking, she called Lance and Jessie to leave together.
The woman watched their departing backs with resentment in her eyes.
She was an outsider, but did that mean Jessie was considered their family?
On the other side, after Deanna's family finished their meal, they received a message from the school teacher.
The message stated that they would gather at the village dam at 1 PM to go hiking and have a picnic on the mountain in the evening. Parents were asked to bring ingredients for dinner. Of course, those who didn't want to go could stay in the village.
After reading the message, Deanna didn't need to ask Lance or the kids if they wanted to go hiking.
Given how much the kids loved playing, they would definitely want to go.
"We'll ask the innkeeper where we can find a market to buy some ingredients for our picnic tonight," Deanna said.
"A picnic? That's great!" The kids were overjoyed upon hearing this news.
Seeing this, Jessie thought of her own son's behavior and offered, "Since I've finished eating, I'll ask the innkeeper. When you all are done eating, we can go straight to the market to buy ingredients."
"That works. Thank you," Deanna accepted.
Later, they went to a fresh food supermarket in the village and bought some vegetables and meat they liked before returning to the inn for a nap.
At 1 PM, parents started arriving at the dam with their children.
Deanna and Lance were among them.
Lance wore black casual clothes and carried a bulging backpack filled with their food for the night.
Enrique and his mother had similar gear, each carrying a small backpack.
After about ten minutes, the leading teacher saw no more parents coming out and announced their departure.
At first, everyone kept a neat formation.
Parents chatted and laughed while children played as they walked.
But as time passed, these usually pampered ladies and children grew tired.
Especially the children; one by one, they couldn't walk anymore and demanded to be carried by their parents, causing quite a commotion.
The teachers had no choice but to abandon their plan to keep moving and rest where they were.
Lance and Deanna stayed at the back of the group on purpose.
When they first set off, many people tried to strike up a conversation with them, but Lance's cold demeanor drove them away.
Seeing Deanna's slightly flushed face and her forehead covered in sweat, Lance asked with concern, "Are you tired?"
"I'm okay. I can keep going," Deanna replied with a sweet smile.
Seeing this, the kids teased, "Daddy, why don't you ask if we're tired?"
Looking at his playful kids, Lance chuckled and asked, "Are you tired?"
"A little," they nodded cutely.
Chloe looked at Lance expectantly and softly asked, "Daddy, can you carry me for a while?"
She thought her daddy wouldn't refuse her request but was surprised by his answer.
"No, I need to carry your mommy. She's tired too," Lance firmly refused.
His words left everyone stunned.
Realizing what he said, Deanna blushed deeply but felt incredibly touched by his blatant favoritism.
The kids pouted at their daddy's bias but were also comforted by their parents' loving relationship.
Enrique then teased Gregory and Chloe, "Gregory, Chloe, your parents are truly in love, while your births are unexpected surprises."
"Enrique, just don't speak if you can't speak nicely!" Gregory glared angrily.
Chloe felt wronged and complained to Jessie, "Jessie, Enrique is bullying me."
"I know. I will help you teach Enrique a lesson," Jessie said as she lightly patted Enrique's bottom and scolded with a smile. "You little rascal! I told you to watch less online videos. Look at what you're saying! When we get back, I'll have your dad take away all your electronic devices!"