Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Grabbing a Handful at Once

The Bear Beastman flushed with urgency, his neck strained and veins bulged on his forehead, but in the end, he could only let out a dejected sigh.

"Female Master, I will do whatever you say."

He finally lowered his head, indicating his willingness to obey orders.

Once everyone left, Claire Joyce felt as though all her strength had been drained, and she collapsed to the ground.

She trembled as she held a few fluffy bunnies closely, her lips quivering while trying to muster a faint smile.

"You... finished school?"

Upon seeing her, the little ones immediately scrambled over.

One of them stood on tiptoes, gently brushing her hair with a small hand.

Though the Antelope Beastman was not lightly injured, with his left arm wrapped in a bleeding bandage, even his walk was somewhat staggering.

But males have thick skin and tough flesh; the pain will pass.

He grinned, waving his hand carelessly.

"Sister Claire, we really finished school!"

He shouted excitedly, his voice barely concealing his pride.

"You wouldn’t believe it, today everyone was envious of our backpacks! They all said they were personally delivered by Miss Kane! We’re the first batch of students to attend formal classes!"

He paused, his voice growing even more enthusiastic.

"When we grow up, we also want to become soldiers and follow Brother-in-law Caleb Shaw, dedicating our lives to The Federation! Just like him, becoming heroes who protect humanity!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he jumped up, his legs exerting force, leaping as high as three meters.

This was the Antelope’s unique, astonishing jumping ability, ranking within the entire alliance.

"Sister Claire, don’t worry!"

He waved his arms in the air, landing steadily, his chest proud, his face determined, "We’ll protect you!"

"Make sure to take care of yourselves first and don’t mess around. Study hard, the alliance army doesn’t want illiterate Beastmen."

The little ones nodded obediently.

Though they were young and didn’t quite understand, "Study hard" were words they listened to.

The sunlight shone on them.

The children stared, their hearts beating faster.

Such warriors seemed straight out of a textbook, so handsome they took one’s breath away.

The little ones suddenly acted like little adults, each holding a rabbit, hopping home towards the sunset.

Earlier, these children had stood in awe, frozen in place.

Now, they cradled the bunnies they were given, the fluffy white balls nestled snugly, ears twitching occasionally.

Meanwhile, the sunset slowly descended, its orange-red glow filling the path.

Each small figure bounced, kicking up bits of dust, humming off-key tunes.

As they ran, they boasted about the cuteness of the rabbits they held, already transformed into the most precious dreamscape in their hearts.

Claire Joyce couldn’t resist pulling out her photobrain, snapping a picture, and immediately sending it to Selene Kane.

Watching this group of children running in the evening glow.

Claire Joyce’s mouth unconsciously curled into a faint smile.

She quickly fished out her portable photobrain from her pocket, adjusted the focus, aiming at that warm scene.

The sunset, running youngsters, elongated shadows, all were captured in the lens.

With a gentle tap, she pressed the shutter, the crisp "click" sound ringing out.

Then, without hesitation, she opened her contacts and sent the original photo to Selene Kane.

"The kids are really cute."

As soon as the photo was sent, she looked at it again, feeling increasingly tender-hearted.

She was not usually someone who expressed emotions.

Yet today, seeing them run with the rabbits, she felt a warmth in her heart, unable to resist saying such words.

This tone was so gentle it was even unfamiliar to herself.

Selene Kane was sitting on the sofa, head lowered, changing Sophie Shaw’s diaper, when her phone chimed with a photo.

She glanced up, her actions slowly halting.

The scene showed children with radiant smiles, fluffy rabbits, the sunset as beautiful as a painting.

But what truly stunned her was the phrase, "The kids are really cute."

Since when did Claire Joyce use words like "cute"?

Sending photos proactively, sharing sentiments?

Her impression of Claire Joyce was someone who spoke concisely, emotionally restrained. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Cool perhaps, but reassuringly reliable.

She never gave compliments, let alone casually expressing emotions.

But now, just a day without seeing her, she seemed completely changed?

Becoming... somewhat warm, somewhat delicate, even... able to speak from the heart?

This contrast left her temporarily unresponsive, her finger frozen mid-air, just silently noting a mental ellipsis.

She didn’t feel such a strong heart-flutter even while holding her own child.

One day without meeting, how could Claire Joyce seem completely different?

From being aloof to now speaking warmly, even praising the children’s cuteness?

In her memory, Claire Joyce was not cold, but she wasn’t exactly the warm type either.

Selene Kane glanced down at the baby in her arms.

The little one grinned at her, drool trickling from the corner of its mouth.

She gently wiped it with a towel.

But the heart-flutter from seeing that photo was surprisingly stronger than holding her child.

This feeling left her a bit dazed.

She couldn’t help but to open the photo again, growing increasingly puzzled.

What had Claire Joyce gone through?

Could it be spending time with children warmed her heart?

Or perhaps, she had started to care about these trivial yet warm moments unknowingly?

Previously, she wouldn’t bother asking even "Have you eaten?"

But now, she’s actively taking pictures, complimenting the children as "cute".

This transformation is more surprising than a child’s first rollover.

Caleb Shaw was temporarily called away.

Heath Langdon took over, bravely shouldering the burden of childcare.

He was in the kitchen warming milk, humming tunes as he stirred.

Caleb Shaw received an urgent message, couldn’t even take off his coat, and was summoned to an impromptu battle meeting.

With the household suddenly missing its backbone, Heath Langdon immediately stepped in, volunteering to take on the childcare duty.

He rolled up his sleeves, donned an apron, entered the kitchen, took a thermos from the fridge, and poured out the designated nutrition milk.

After placing the bottle in the warmer, he held a small spoon in one hand, gently stirring with the other to prevent localized overheating.

The water in the pot was just the right temperature, emitting faint white vapor.

He stood by the stove, keeping an eye on the thermometer, quietly humming an old folk tune.

The kitchen was filled with the warm scent of milk and soft singing.

Alza didn’t go to the kitchen to help, nor did he leave the living room.

He sat quietly on the soft cushion beside Selene Kane, his back slightly bent forward, hands resting on his knees.

His light gray eyes filled with delicate emotions.

He remained motionless, watching her wipe the child’s face, feed water, gently pat its back.

A small blanket draped over his arm, his hands gently crossed beneath, cradling the child.

To prevent the baby from catching cold, Alza deliberately took a light beige fleece blanket from the cabinet, gently laying it over his left arm.

The child’s small head rested against his chest, sleeping soundly.

His hands carefully intertwined beneath the blanket, securing the child’s entire body in his embrace.

His lips always held a light smile, the corners slightly raised.

His hair was silvery-white, smoothly cascading to his shoulders.

The child especially loved to grab it, always clutching a handful.