The Enigmatic Return novel Chapter 22

That evening, Neera prepared a sumptuous spread.

She had honed her cooking skills while single-handedly bringing up her three children. However, she rarely got the chance to cook these days because she had been busy.

The triplets heaped on their praises.

"You're amazing, Mommy! I love everything here!"

"Mr. Handsome is so lucky to taste your food, Mommy. You cook better than any hotel chef!"

As soon as Jean and Ian came through the door, Penny ushered them to the dining table.

"Please have a seat, Mr. Handsome!" she said.

"Pardon us for imposing," Jean said as he sat down on a chair.

"You're no longer a stranger, Mr. Handsome. Make yourself at home!"

Sammy dragged a chair next to Jean and tried to climb on it.

He wanted to sit next to his father!

However, the dining chair was too tall, and he struggled to push himself up. He managed to put one knee on the chair while the other dangled freely. His face was already red from exertion.

Jean thought it was very amusing. He picked him up from the back and placed him on the chair.

Sammy was surprised, but his eyes were sparkling!

Did… Did Daddy pick me up just now?

It feels so different from how Mommy does it. I feel so secure!

He turned his head excitedly at Harvey and Penny.

Without a second thought, Penny extended her arms toward Jean and said adorably, "Mr. Handsome! Can you pick me up too?"

"Okay," Jean smiled and said. He bent over, picked the little girl up, and placed her on her chair.

Penny was over the moon.

Even though it was only a few seconds, Penny could feel the fatherly warmth emanating from Jean's palms.

She had never felt so warm and secure before!

Harvey watched the interaction enviously.

As the big brother of the trio, he was more reserved than the others. He thought it was too embarrassing to ask to be picked up.

After Penny was seated, he was going to climb up to his chair.

Before he could do that, he felt someone lifting him up from behind!

"Is that chair okay?" Jean pointed at the seat next to Sammy.

Harvey's cheeks were already bright pink from joy, but he maintained his composure. "Yes, thank you."

Jean returned to his seat. He seemed calm on the surface, but he was surprised at what he did just now.

He was not fond of interacting with other people, including children. However, he felt an odd sense of familiarity with the three children.

Neera was bringing out a pot of soup from the kitchen. She happened to witness that scene.

She thought it was very strange too.

Her three children seemed to be unnaturally fond of that man! They usually would not let other people touch them, let alone pick them up.

She decided not to frustrate herself with that problem. After putting the pot on the table, she told the others they could start eating.

Jean returned to his seat.

Despite the disagreement earlier, dinner was not as awkward as they imagined.

The triplets kept on piling food onto Jean's plate, which made him feel overwhelmed. "You kids should eat too. I won't be able to finish everything."

Neera shot a glance at Jean, then pushed a bowl of soup in front of him. "Drink this."

Jean raised his eyebrows. "What's this?"

"It's medicinal soup! It'll be good for your current condition," Neera explained briefly.

Jean brought his nose close to the bowl and took a whiff.

A strong stench of medicinal herbs assaulted his nostrils. He put the bowl back on the table and said, "I'm not drinking this! It's too strong for me."

"Whoa!" Ian exclaimed and pinched his nose.

Neera smirked when she saw their reaction. "It's good for your health. I've devised the recipe based on your current condition. The ingredients I use are so rare that money can't buy them. You should cherish what I'm doing for you!"

Jean frowned hard when he heard that. He was very reluctant as though saying, "Are you sure it's not poison?"

Penny tried to convince him. "Mr. Handsome, the smell of the soup might be strong, but it tastes pretty good. You'll know it when you try. Mommy rarely cooks soup for her patients, you shouldn't miss the opportunity."

Harvey and Sammy also added, "Yes, Mr. Handsome. You should drink it. You'll be fine."

Seeing how the children were trying so hard, Jean hesitated for a while before agreeing to it.

"I'm giving you medicine, not poison! If you don’t want the soup, give it back to me!" Neera said annoyedly.

She reached out, intending to take the bowl back.

Jean immediately reached out to stop her.

He managed to intercept Neera's hand, but because of that, Neera's hand was within his grasp…