After Eva''s exnation, the children hade to believe that Michael was sick now but that he would get better, and by that time, he''d still be their Uncle Michael. Upon receiving this news, the children couldn''t have been more relieved. Just then, Adrian arrived, and the two kids immediately engaged him in lively chatter. Of course, they hadn''t altered how they addressed him, they still called him Uncle ckwood.


    Dn seemed fine, while Ruby reached out to Adrian, asking for a hug.


    Adrian didn''t think twice about it. Seeing her request for an embrace, he naturally squatted down towards her.


    Eva hurried over upon seeing this. "Ruby, he''s still injured."


    Her words made Ruby halt in her tracks, and then she just stared nkly at Adrian before quickly withdrawing her hands.


    The little girl not only stopped but even took a couple of steps back to avoid making contact with Adrian.


    Her actions left Adrian slightly taken aback, and after a moment, he couldn''t help butugh helplessly, "It''s just a minor injury, and given her small size, she won''t cause any harm to my wound, right?" Eva, however, disagreed and said seriously, "No, Ruby is very active."


    Indeed, Ruby was light, but holding her still had its weight, and with her hyperactivity, what if she identally kicked his wound?


    His injury was severe, and although it was recovering well these past days, a reopening would be painful.


    Hearing Eva''s words, Ruby sensibly didn''t insist on being carried by Adrian anymore. Adrian himself insisted he was fine, so Ruby had no choice but to kindly say, "Uncle ckwood, wait until your injury is healed, then you can hug me." Adrian, squatting there, evidently felt helpless, yet could ultimately only agree, "Alright, we''ll wait a few days for a hug."


    He always wanted to be closer to his own daughter and son.


    Although the two of them hadn''t started to call him ''Dad'' yet, maybe not even aware that they were his biological children, Ruby was more proactive towards him and showed warmth, unlike Dn.


    With these thoughts in mind, Adrian''s gaze shifted to Dn.


    The boy''s internal world was heavier than he had imagined.


    He wondered when Dn would truly open his heart to him.


    And had he opened his heart to Michael?


    Adrian decided that he needed to find an opportunity to have a good talk with him.


    While Adrian was thinking about finding the right moment, Ruby suddenly asked Eva to take her to see the new clothes prepared by the housemaid yesterday.


    As Ruby was a girl, she and Eva left together, and Dn didn''t follow.


    That left only Dn and Adrian remaining at the scene.


    The opportunity had presented itself quite unexpectedly.


    Adrian gestured to him, "Dn."


    Dn and Adrian had grown quite familiar with each other, from the initial awkwardness to now being able to interact naturally. Otherwise, he would have left with his mom and Ruby a moment ago. With that thought, Dn walked over and called out dutifully, "Uncle ckwood."


    Adrian patted the spot next to him, indicating for him to sit down.


    Dn didn''t refuse and promptly walked up to him to take a seat.


    Though only a little guy, he was quite astute. Sitting down, he sensed that Uncle ckwood likely had something important to discuss with him.


    "Dn," Adrian said, looking at him with an easygoing tone, as if merely making small talk. "Can I ask you a question?"


    Dn nodded and asked, "What is it you want to ask, Uncle ckwood?"


    "Do you think I''m qualified to be your dad and Ruby''s?"


    He didn''t ask if Dn was willing, but whether he thought Adrian was qualified.


    Dn might have been young, but he had already learned much, so he quickly grasped the meaning behind Adrian''s words. He paused for a good while before responding, "That... depends on whether Mommy agrees."


    "I mean, putting aside your mom''s opinion, considering only your own true feelings, do you think I qualify to be your and Ruby''s dad?" He paused to allow his words to sink in. Then he continued.


    "Don''t be scared." Adrian said, hisrge hand resting on Dn''s shoulder, his voice unusually gentle. "Just tell the truth."


    The words Dn had in mind could offend Adrian, the man may have done a lot for themtely, not to mention always watching their live streams.


    The aura of the name ''ckwood'' held substantial sway over the two little ones. For instance, would they have epted a stranger iming to be their biological father so quickly if he didn''t have ''ckwood'' preceding his name? Not likely, as there would be a sense of great distance.


    That sense of distance is a treacherous thing.


    And habits can change a lot about people.


    Just like for them, having grown ustomed to a man named ckwood always showing up to watch their streams,e rain or shine, and always tipping generously.


    They had gotten used to having this name in their lives.


    So, when Adrian appeared as ckwood, he instantly upied an unmovable ce in the hearts of the two little ones.


    But even so... Dn shook his head.


    "Uncle ckwood, if you want the truth, then no."


    The answer was within Adrian''s expectations.


    It seemed he had already anticipated Dn''s response, so surprisingly, Adrian didn''t feel disappointed or anything simr.


    He just looked at Dn, quietly asking, "Can you tell me what else I need to do?"


    Upon hearing this, Dn cast a nce at him, then shook his head again: "I don''t know."


    "You don''t know?"


    "Yeah." Dn nodded. "Uncle ckwood, I just feel that if you were qualified, Mommy would surely have epted you by now." At that moment, Adrian came to a sudden realization.


    Indeed, how had he not considered this before, if he were deemed worthy, Eva would naturally have the children call him differently.


    "So, what you''re saying is that you still care about what your mommy thinks, right?"


    After all was said and done, the conversation came full circle.


    "Uncle ckwood, Ruby and I only have Mommy. Of course, we only care about what she thinks."


    It made sense, since they had been raised by Eva alone from a young age, naturally, they only cared about her perspective.


    "Hmm." Adrian grunted, yet his heart remained stubborn, and he pressed on, "What do you think, then? For instance, about me...pared to Michael."


    This question finally elicited a reaction from the five-year-old Dn.


    That was the crux of what Uncle ckwood had been leading up to all this time.


    Back when Dn was attending school, he had seen two men, driven by jealousy, vying for their teacher''s affections. They were unable to resistpeting with each other, evening to blows in the end. Uncle ckwood and Uncle Michael were both pursuing Mommy. As romantic rivals, it seemed natural for them to want to outdo each other, wasn''t that to be expected?