Chapter 384 Don't You Make Any Money?
Chicago's morning was full of life, starting with comforting the heartbroken Golden Retriever then joyously frolicking with the stray kitten she had taken in. She tended to the plump koi in the lake, joined the gardener in bravely plucking out garden pests with muted trepidation, and ended her morning by picking vegetables.
While she was picking vegetables, she chanced on some rabbits that had been digging holes in the garden. A frenetic chase ensued, but in the end, the rabbits eluded capture. By the time Chicago returned, any princess-like demeanor was gone, replaced with stains from the dirt and grass that had even gotten in her hair.
Despite the mess, she was undeniably happy, plopping down on the carpet and sipping the fruit juice the staff brought her.
"That rabbit was huge!" Chicago exclaimed after gulping down most of her juice.
Darwin came over with a towel, wanting to wipe her face and hands.
But Chicago was used to fending for herself. She took the towel and briskly cleaned up her face and hands.
However...
She was a little careless and left some mud on her face.
Darwin fetched a warm towel and said, "Keep talking with your brother. There's still a little dirt on your face. I’ll help you."
Chicago fell silent.
She watched as Darwin tenderly and carefully wiped the small bit of mud off the tip of her nose and gently cleaned around her chin.
After finishing that, he picked the leaves out of her hair.
"Goldens are hunting dogs, so can Jessie catch rabbits?" Chicago looked at Darwin with curiosity.
Darwin was slightly taken aback.
Their relationship had thawed over the past few days, but this was the first time they had talked about this.
"We could give it a try," Darwin replied thoughtfully.
"Okay!" said Chicago with a nod.
"You've been running around for a while. Are you hungry?" Darwin asked lovingly as he straightened her damp bangs.
Chicago nodded.
"Let's have some pastries for now, and we'll join Mommy for lunch at noon."
Darwin had checked with Fiona. She wasn't going out today and would be working at the office.
They wouldn’t get in her way if they joined her for lunch.
Chicago's eyes lit up. "That sounds great!"
Burl sat across from Chicago, winking at her repeatedly.
Chicago got the hint.
"After we go to Mommy's, are we coming back here?" she asked.
Darwin shook his head, "Grandma Rhoads said you've fallen behind on your lessons, so you'll be taking classes in the afternoon and evening for the next few days."
His tone was somewhat resigned.
Chicago's head drooped.
"Do I really have to go to school? I could be illiterate. I'm not afraid of being laughed at," she protested with a mix of grievance and defiance.
Darwin almost burst into laughter.
"I’ll join you for your classes," he promised.
"No way," Chicago shook her head seriously, then looked at Darwin more earnestly. "Aren't you going to work and earn money? If we only rely on Mommy, she'll have a hard time!"
Burl couldn't hold back any longer. He collapsed onto the couch, trying to suppress his laughter.
"He's really wealthy..." Charles tried to explain on Darwin’s behalf.
Chicago's little face scrunched up. "If you're so rich, why does Mommy still have to go to work every day?"
“Sweetheart,” Darwin said with a note of seriousness. “Mommy works to make a difference in the world and to fulfill her own aspirations. It’s not about the money... I go to work too, but right now, I want to spend more time with you and Mom.”
“I don't get it,” Chicago said, shaking her head. “Let's just eat first. I'll think about it after I’m full.”
Darwin was momentarily taken aback.
With earnest curiosity, he asked, “Are you turning into a philosopher, little Chicago?”
Chicago didn’t grasp the idea of a philosopher either.
But she was still resolved to think about it after eating.
As they were about to leave, Burl sat up with a start, “Are you heading out, Chicago?”
Chicago nodded resolutely. “Yes, we’re off! Aren't you hungry, Uncle?”
Burl was at a loss for words.
He had been laboring all morning. Of course he was tired.
But...
Nobody had even taken a glance at the fruits of his labor.
In the end, they didn’t visit, of course.
Darwin didn’t go to Fiona's studio. He was concerned that if he showed up too often, she might start ignoring him for good.
The restaurant reservation had been made the day before.
Darwin gave Chicago the phone after dialing Fiona's number. “Mommy, we're at the nearby diner, waiting for you to join us for lunch. Hurry up, I’m withering away with hunger!!”
Fiona was torn between laughter and tears.
She abandoned her takeout and strolled to the restaurant next door.
Chicago’s face and hands were clean, but...
“My goodness, have you been rolling in the dirt?” Fiona was surprised as she approached Chicago and looked at Darwin.
Chicago beamed. “Nope, I was chasing rabbits and took a little tumble! But it didn’t hurt at all. The grass was so soft and comfy!”
“Next time, I’ll bring an extra set of clothes for her, in case she needs to change,” Darwin remarked, acknowledging his oversight.
Fiona checked Chicago's arms and legs to make sure she was alright.
There wasn’t a scratch on her, it seemed the grass really was very soft.
“Let's order, Sis, I’m about to pass out from hunger,” Burl said with his usual flair for the dramatic.
Fiona patted Charles’ head and picked up the menu.
She knew the ins and outs of everyone at the table—who liked what, who was allergic to what.
She placed their orders in record time.
Both Chicago and Burl were starving. As soon as the dishes arrived, they dove into their meal.
“Is Kenny coming back today?” Fiona asked Burl.
Burl nodded. “He was supposed to arrive yesterday but decided not to fly direct. He missed his connection and had to wait a few hours.”
Burl almost asked whether Kenny had lost his mind.
Fiona expertly prepared a piece of fish for Chicago’s plate.
“He has his reasons for the layover. Don’t be sarcastic,” she admonished lightly.
Burl just hummed in response.
"Are you planning to spend the entire summer just wandering around with Charles and Chicago?" Fiona asked.
"I'm not exactly broke." Burl mumbled.
He owned his own IT company, which was currently thriving, and he often got lucrative offers to write code for major corporations.
"You shouldn't just while away your time with the kids," Fiona insisted. "Kenny and Thalassa said the other day that their family business could use an IT consultant. Thalassa and I think you should go check it out, see if you can lend them a hand."
"Oh," Burl grumbled.
"Alternatively, you could come work at Solomon," Darwin chimed in. "The cyber division at Solomon has a lot of IT hotshots. You could spar with them."
Solomon's cyber division was legendary in the tech world.
For Burl to hesitate even for a second would be disrespectful to those titans of the industry.
"Sure, when can I start?"
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