Chapter 177 Chicken Soup
Max was both exasperated and amused by Liam's pathetic little foodie act. Seeing him like this—so funny yet so pitiful—he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Are you really that much of a glutton?"
Liam practically had his metaphorical tail wagging—if he'd had one, it would have been going a mile a minute at Max!
Max finally took mercy on him. "Fine! You can have one bowl, but that's it. If you drink more, Mommy won't have any left."
Grace said, "If Liam likes it, let him have another bowl."
Though the thermos only held about three bowls worth, Grace couldn't bear the thought of Liam going hungry.
Besides, the fact that Liam was so eager just proved how good Max's cooking was—she could only feel proud.
Her Max was a little genius.
Soon, it was time.
Grace could finally drink and eat.
Max said, "I'll go heat up the chicken soup."
Grace replied, "No need, the soup is still warm."
Though she preferred her soup piping hot, Liam would be drinking some too, and his little throat was still so tender—he couldn't handle anything too scalding.
Liam stared at Max like a hungry kitten as he ladled out the chicken soup.
He couldn't take his eyes off it, his mouth slightly open, practically salivating.
Alexander quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth.
He'd never realized his son was such a little foodie.
Thinking back, he was pretty sure he'd never let him go hungry before. How had he missed that Liam was such a greedy little thing?
Max served the first bowl to Grace.
Liam didn't try to grab it, instead waiting obediently for Max to serve him.
Soon, Max handed him his bowl with a cool glance. "Could you wipe your drool first, please?"
Liam dutifully pulled out his fancy little handkerchief and elegantly, seriously wiped away the drool. Then he immediately looked up again with eager anticipation.
He carefully took the chicken soup with both hands, gripped his spoon, and took a blissful sip.
Then he closed his eyes in rapture, savoring the delicious flavor of the broth.
Grace took a sip and found the soup delicious but mild—clearly, Max had been thoughtful enough to know she couldn't have anything too salty while recovering from her injuries.
Max said, "I didn't add any salt. This is all-natural broth—I simmered it for hours."
"I went to several supermarkets to find the right chicken."
Grace felt warmth spread through her chest. "Max, thank you. These past few days, you and Liam have been watching over me. It must have been exhausting."
Max shook his head. "It wasn't exhausting."
Then he glanced at Liam, who was still completely absorbed in his chicken soup, and said flatly, "Liam had it way harder than me."
Grace asked, "Why?"
Max chuckled. "Ever since I made this chicken soup, he's been obsessing over it but didn't dare sneak any. He was so desperate he couldn't sleep properly."
"Though Liam was also really worried about you. I caught him secretly crying when he thought I wasn't looking."
Grace looked skeptical and turned to Alexander.
Alexander said, "I didn't know about that."
Grace said, "I rarely see Liam cry."
She looked at Liam gently and asked, "Liam, why were you crying?"
Liam looked up at Grace, his eyes flickering for a moment. "Because... Liam was afraid he'd never see Grace again..."
As he spoke, his eyes suddenly crinkled into adorable little crescents.
Now that Grace was back, he wasn't afraid anymore.
Grace said, "Liam, I promise you—I won't leave you and Max again, okay?"
Liam nodded.
Suddenly he blurted out, "When are Grace and Daddy getting married?"
Grace's face flushed.
Max said, "Hey! If Daddy wants to marry my mommy, he has to get past me first!"
But Liam replied matter-of-factly, "He's not marrying you."
When Liam was sharp, he was really smart—that one sentence left Max completely speechless.
The logic was flawless, and Max had no comeback.
Grace suppressed a laugh and glanced at Alexander, only to find him watching her intently.
She immediately lowered her head and nervously sipped her soup.
Alexander turned to Max. "What exactly do I have to get past you for to marry your mommy?"
Max crossed his arms with a proud expression."How do I know you'll treat my mommy well for the rest of her life? That you'll cherish me forever?"
Alexander said, "How would you want me to prove that? Only time can prove something like that."
Max nodded. "Exactly! So you and Mommy shouldn't rush into marriage. What if you're just acting on impulse and end up disappointing my mommy later?"
Alexander fell into contemplation.
Max squinted one eye, secretly observing Alexander's expression. Seeing that he seemed to be seriously considering it, he added, "Do you know how many guys want to be my stepfather? They'd have to stand in line!"
Alexander nodded seriously. "Yes, I know."
Suddenly, he caught himself. "Stepfather?"
This kid was definitely his biological son.
They were genuinely blood-related.
No matter whether he and Grace got married or not, he was still his real father!
Max said, "I don't care! Anyway, if you want me to let Mommy marry you, you'd better show some real sincerity."
It wasn't that Alexander lacked sincerity.
It was just that Max's requirements were a bit too vague.
Liam chimed in again from the side, "But you're not the one marrying Daddy."
Max turned around, hands on his hips. "Whose side are you on anyway?"
Liam looked at Alexander, then at Max, and finally down at the chicken soup in his hands. Suddenly, he scooted closer to Max, choosing his allegiance.
Alexander watched the two children, especially Liam—Max had won him over with just one bowl of chicken soup.
He said, "Max, why don't you tell me your conditions?"
Max held up his hand, extending one finger. "First, no drinking, gambling, or fooling around with women."
Alexander said, "I don't mess around or gamble, and I don't drink heavily."
Max held up a second finger. "Second, no cheating. No keeping other women on the side."
Alexander said, "I swear on my life that I won't cheat."
Max held up a third finger. "After you marry Mommy, Mommy comes first. You can't fight with Mommy. When Mommy's upset, you just have to take it, but you can't yell at my mommy, and you definitely can't hit her."
Alexander summarized. "No domestic violence."
Max continued, "Fourth, you have to compliment Mommy every day. When Mommy needs you, you have to be there for her right away and make her happy."
Alexander nodded. "Anything else?"
Max said, "Yes! Fifth—except for Mommy, your phone contacts and social media can't have any other women's names."