On the way, Elias helped him, which made things easier.

"This one has meat that Yue wanted, and this one has fish that Rui wanted. The flavor is the same, so take whichever you like."

As he handed out small plates, he gave the twins portions that had been cooled.

Everyone ate at an impressive pace while blowing on their food to cool it, and Qiong Xing wondered if it might not be enough.

Just in case, he added the extra rice he had prepared at the end, and everything was eaten cleanly without a single bite left.

"That was delicious!"

"The vegetables soaked up the flavor and tasted great."

"The rice at the end was good too."

"It was yummy!"

It seemed everyone was satisfied, which made him happy.

Lian, however, was savoring her final bite, reluctant for it to end.

"Let us all eat together again sometime."

"Tomorrow?"

That was a bit too soon.

"Another time, alright? We should teach Grandpa and Grandma too. They said they want to know what you like."

When he told her to wait until then, Lian nodded as if she had no choice.

She really had grown attached.

"How was it, Fenrir?"

"It was my first time eating it, but it was quite delicious."

That was good to hear.

After finishing the cleanup, Qiong Xing picked up the twins, whose eyelids were already drooping.

They played well, ate well, and slept well.

It was a relief to see them growing up healthy.

"Lian, Cari, come here too."

Lian, rubbing her sleepy eyes, was led over by Cari, who held his hand.

Not long ago, Cari had been the one clinging to Qiong Xing and asking to be carried, but recently he had started to act more like an older brother, often taking care of his younger siblings.

Children really did grow quickly, Qiong Xing thought with a sense of nostalgia.

"Thank you, Cari."

After gently laying the three of them on the bed, Qiong Xing pulled Cari into a tight embrace.

"Because I am the big brother."

"That is right. Lian and the others are lucky to have such a reliable big brother. I am glad you are here. Thank you for becoming my child, Cari."

Watching them grow day by day was both joyful and a little sad.

He could not help but feel that one day, they would leave his hands.

"I am happy to have Mama too."

That day as well, Qiong Xing closed his eyes, savoring that happiness.

...

Slowly, carefully.

Qiong Xing moved forward while hiding behind Sarin’s back, making sure not to be noticed.

"Is there really a need to be that cautious?"

"No, one must not let their guard down. I gets abducted like this every time."

While holding Lian in his arms, Qiong Xing looked around restlessly, like a wary cat.

It was rather adorable.

Sarin did not mind being relied on, so he let him do as he pleased, but he could not help wondering what that fool had done to make him this cautious.

"That is true. His wild instincts can be frightening at times. Still, being abducted every time... it seems I need to properly lecture him at least once."

"Let us leave that for later. We should eat first, or we will not have the energy."

As expected of my grandson.

He understands well.

"...That was a joke. If we put it off, Lian will end up in a bad mood."

At those words, Sarin glanced at Qiong Xing’s arms and saw Lian pouting, clearly wanting them to hurry.

"Seems that way. Then let us get going."

Katarina who had been watching beside them smiled at Lian’s expression as they headed toward Sergei’s room.

Since they had informed Sergei in advance, they were let in without issue.

"I brought the hot pot we promised."

"I am looking forward to it."

"..."

Qiong Xing and Katarina exchanged glances in surprise at Sergei’s unexpected reaction.

That Sergei who always wore a displeased expression and worked as if addicted to it was smiling happily.

Until now, he had treated meals as nothing more than an interruption to his work.

"And this child is my daughter, Lian. Come on, you can greet him properly, right?"

"I am Lian. Hello."

"I see. My name is Sergei. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Was this a dream?

Sergei had greeted a child.

Not only that, he had even bent his knees to match Lian’s eye level.

Katarina seemed just as shocked as she standing frozen in place.

"Mama, what about the food?"

Ignoring Sarin and the others who were still stunned, Qiong Xing began preparing things after the greetings, and they hurriedly moved to help him.

"This time, I made it with fish. I added plenty of vegetables too, so please eat a lot."

"It looks delicious."

Sarin and the others were a bit unsure at first since it was their first time trying this kind of dish, but once they started eating, they could not stop.

"This is really delicious."

"The shellfish and fish blend in nicely without overpowering the dish."

"Brother Cari caught this!"

Lian puffed out her chest proudly, clearly pleased.

It was obvious how much she admired his older brother.

"That is amazing. It is very delicious."

They had never eaten by gathering around a single pot before, but doing so now felt warm and close, almost like a family.

It made the meal even more enjoyable and all the more delicious.

At the end, they added rice to the pot, and the soft grains soaked with flavor went down smoothly.

"...Ah, come to think of it, I forgot to invite Mr. Paulo."

"There is no need to call that guy. He would just make noise and get in the way."

"That is right. Lian would not like it either. Maybe invite him in about a year."

No one felt any sympathy for the long wait being imposed on Paulo.

Rather than his troublesome friend, Sarin chose his adorable grandchildren.