Since the following day was still an off-work day, they Dan and Midori decided to go out .
She was surprised with his suggestion though .
"Why don't we bring Manta today? He must miss his 'Mommy' since I've been h.o.a.rding her for a while now . " He flashed his dazzling smile .
Midori squinted her eyes as she looked at him, then she smiled . "That's actually a great idea! Where are you taking us? Is it the aquarium? Amus.e.m.e.nt park?" She tried guessing .
"Hmmm . . . you'll see . " His had a gentle smile .
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"I see . It's progress!" Aoi Xiu was tearing up when she received the call .
"Vice Chairman, should I also call CEO Xiu?"
"No . Not yet . She might have the urge to tell the little one . Manta would be too excited for so little response . You said that there is a chance that he will wake up, right? Until then, let us not give false hope to my grandson . "
"As you wish, Vice Chairman . "
"Thank you, Dr . Chen . "
After finis.h.i.+ng the call, Aoi Xiu dialled another number . It was ongoing after two rings .
"Madam . "
"Do you have any new leads on my son's case?"
"Gomenasai . We have yet to have any substantial lead, Madam . "
"Do you need more resources?"
"Madam, the oyabun of Yamaguchi-gumi had already lend us a hand in the investigations; the regular fund is also adequate . "
"Sõ ka? Make sure to inform me when you dig up something . I need results as soon as possible . "
"Hai, wakarimas.h.i.+ta . "
Aoi Xiu hung up . Her face was serious with a hint of danger .
_________________
It has always been a fun experience for Midori to guess which car they would be using everytime they go out .
"So, what's it gonna be?" Dan was hiding the key from her sight, prepared to unlock .
"Hmmm . . . if we're bringing Manta, the sportscars are eliminated . She scanned the garage . "Oh! That one looks like a nice family car!" She pointed towards a bombay blue Audi Q8 .
Dan laughed and unlocked the car she pointed at .
"Yeah! Can I drive?" She tried the puppy eyes .
He leaned in to kiss her temple . "Not this time . " His mood had just shot up when she said 'family . ' Though Manta is not theirs, he is still elated that they would go out like a real family . It might be a good practice .
As they pulled over in the Xiu estate, Manta was already standing at the front door, carrying his bear-shaped backpack .
The little guy looks so cute wearing a collared plaid s.h.i.+rt with solid color shorts and a pair of sneakers .
Once Midori stepped out of the car, he yelled "Mommy!"
Dan also emerged from the driver seat .
The little boy seemed to have forgotten their little incident as he also called out to him . "Uncle Dan!"
Dan picked him up in his arms . He opened the back seat, and to Midori's surprise, there was a car seat .
"When did you . . . " She gave a hanging question .
Dan smiled brightly at her after securing the little guy . Then he went back behind the wheel .
"Uncle Dan, you have Cerealz?!" The little boy almost screamed after noticing a cereal box tucked in one of the compartments . It was the chocolate cereals he was staring at when he first met his Uncle Dan .
Before the adults could reply, his voice turned sad . "Oh, it's empty . "
"You can fill it up later . " Dan replied while smiling .
Midori looked at him in disbelief, as if saying 'Why would you make a kid excited then burst his bubble?'
He laughed at her reaction . Then he added, "Manta, do you know how Cerealz is made?"
The boy got curious . Indeed, how do they end up in a box . "I don't know, Uncle Dan . Do you know how Cerealz are made?"
"Of course . I own Cerealz . " He chuckled .
Manta's face lit up . "Then, will you give me more Cerealz?"
"I can show you how it's made . How's that?" Dan had a big grin .
"Oh boy! Uncle Dan, you're the best!" Manta hugged the box like it was a teddy .
Dan winked at Midori, as she gave him an incredulous look .