Chapter 83 The Shameless Man
Dean, with a beaming smile, looked at Lauren and said, "Thank you so much for today. The children haven't been this happy in a long time."
Lauren shook her head. "You're too kind. We didn't do much, just tried to spend as much time with the kids as we could."
Dean looked at Lauren earnestly. "You are very fortunate to have such a loving husband. I believe you live in sunshine every day."
Lauren was taken aback. Was she truly fortunate? Being with the one you love is indeed a blessing.
"Yes, I suppose I am happy," Lauren said, touching her belly. She had a baby!
As they spoke, everyone arrived at the dining room. Kim had Quentin sit to her left and then pulled Ethan over to sit on her right.
Although Quentin appeared unfriendly, Kim enjoyed playing with him and wanted to sit next to him.
"Kim, don't be naughty!" Dean said to Kim.
"Dean, I'm not being naughty," Kim said, feeling wronged.
Dean smiled helplessly. "I really can't do anything about you."
Seeing Lauren approach, Quentin quickly stood up and pulled out a chair for her. After she sat down, he carefully pushed the chair back in. Quentin's seamless actions moved Lauren deeply, while Ethan, who had also stood up upon seeing Lauren, was a step too late.
Quentin's considerate care touched Lauren, while Ethan gave him a peculiar look.
Lauren's happiness made Ethan doubt whether she and Quentin were truly unhappy. He looked deeply at Quentin, wondering if Quentin genuinely cared for Lauren.
The meal was especially delightful with so many people. They all enjoyed a wonderful lunch together.
After lunch, it was already past two o'clock. Lauren and her group had to leave. The children reluctantly escorted them to the gate. Although Lauren was also reluctant, she had to say goodbye.
"Alright, children, your aunt and uncle will come to visit you again. Don't make it hard for them, okay?" Dean persuaded the children.
"Really? Will you really come back to see us? Will you play with us again?" a little girl asked timidly.
Lauren nodded vigorously, "Yes, we will definitely come back when we have time."
Kim awkwardly walked over to Quentin and said, "Mister, don't forget we haven't decided the winner yet!"
Quentin raised an eyebrow in response. Then, the three of them got into the car and left the orphanage.
In the car, Lauren looked at Quentin curiously and asked, "What haven't you and Kim decided the winner of? How come I don't know?"
She had been watching them closely during the games and hadn't noticed any private competition between Quentin and Kim.
"Secret," Quentin said softly, refusing to elaborate.
"It's no big deal. I don't even want to know!" Lauren said stubbornly.
Quentin smiled faintly. Today, he had indeed made the right decision. After a few hours of play, he felt much better.
Ethan followed closely behind Quentin's car, feeling a pang of disappointment as he recalled how Lauren had unhesitatingly chosen to sit in Quentin's car.
After spending a few hours together, Ethan suddenly felt he understood Quentin a bit more. It was as if they were long-time friends, sharing an unprecedented sense of harmony and rapport, which made Ethan develop an inexplicable fondness for Quentin.
'Ethan, you really are disappointing. The battle hasn't even started, and you've already conceded defeat? Are you truly willing to give up, Lauren?' Ethan said to himself, reminding himself not to let Quentin overshadow him and diminish his spirit.
'Forget it. Today, I wouldn't be the third wheel.' Ethan thought. Ethan sighed and then sent a voice message to Lauren.
Ethan: [Lauren, I'm relieved that he's taking you home. I have something to do, so I'm heading back.]
Lauren sent back: [OK.]
"What's up?" Quentin glanced at Lauren and asked.
"Nothing. Ethan said he's going home first and that he's relieved you're taking me home," Lauren said, trying to speak well of Ethan and bring them closer.
"Ridiculous. Why would he be worried about me taking you home? Busybody," Quentin said coldly.
Lauren rolled her eyes at him. Quentin was so arrogant; complimenting him only made him more insufferable.
The car drove on slowly, and just as Lauren was about to fall asleep, it came to a stop.
"We're home. Go inside and sleep," Quentin said, patting Lauren's shoulder to wake her up.
"Alright," Lauren said, rubbing her eyes as she got out of the car.
She went upstairs, opened the door, closed it, and turned around to find Quentin already inside her apartment.
Lauren was too tired to notice when Quentin had entered. She usually needed a nap around this time.
"Hey, Mr. Robinson, aren't you going home?" Lauren asked.
"Isn't this home? Well, it's a rented place, so not quite, but I'll stay anyway," Quentin said.
Lauren felt like slapping him. Quentin was infuriating!
Ignoring Lauren's glare, Quentin walked over to the sofa, sat down, took out his laptop, and began working.
"Go to sleep. I'll be working here," Quentin said without looking up, absorbed in his work.
Lauren sneered. Quentin really didn't treat himself as an outsider. She was too tired to argue, so she went to her room, lay down, and soon fell asleep.
When Lauren woke up, the sunlight was already faint. She looked at the clock. It was half past five. Stretching, she walked out of her room and saw Quentin still working on the sofa. Only then did she realize he had stayed in her apartment the whole time?
Quentin saw Lauren wake up and stop typing. He stood up and asked, "Are you hungry?"
Lauren shook her head. She didn't want to seem like a pig, getting hungry right after waking up.
"What do you want for dinner?" Quentin continued to ask.
"Anything's fine," Lauren replied.
"What, are you planning to cook some lousy broccoli again?" Quentin raised an eyebrow, a bit annoyed.
Lauren didn't like that comment. Why did she call her broccoli lousy? Her broccoli was fresh, not spoiled at all.
"You get it wrong. Yesterday's broccoli was carefully selected by me, not spoiled," Lauren explained.
"You shouldn't eat that. Alright, get ready. I'll take you to buy some groceries," Quentin said.
Since Quentin had spoken, Lauren had no reason to refuse, nor did she dare to.
'Going grocery shopping—big news, a major event!' Lauren was thrilled inside. For Quentin, buying groceries must be a first!
Lauren was curious. Would Quentin know how to buy groceries? Would he check the prices?
Could Quentin lower himself to deal with vendors in a market with his usual suit-and-tie demeanor? And would he even want to go to such a place?
