Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Anya was on a date, hoping her boyfriend could lend a hand to her aunt and sister-in-law, as they seemed to be struggling. Leo, holding his little brother, whom they playfully called the "lightbulb," was feeding Henry snacks. "Their own men got scared off by them; there's no way I'm jumping in to help." "What do you mean, Chad?" Anya asked, confused.

Leo laid it out, "Your uncle's business trips are always planned ahead. So how does he suddenly have one right when his wife is knee-deep in her dissertation? And your uncle-in-law, if it's a secret mission, how's it still a secret if he talks about it? It's too much of a coincidence that both your uncle and uncle-in-law are conveniently busy at the same time, isn't it?"

"Think it over, get it?"

After a moment of pondering, Anya had a lightbulb moment, "Oh, they're doing it on purpose."

Leo nodded with a grin, "Smart girl, Ms. Anya."

As he continued feeding Henry some fish sticks, he asked, "All set? You're on your third one, you still got room for dinner?"

Leo broke a half-eaten fish stick, handing one part to Henry and feeding the other to Anya.

Henry, used to everyone nabbing bits of his snacks, happily munched away.

Soon, dinner was served, and Henry eagerly grabbed his spoon to scoop some rice.

Leo pinched Henry's cheeks, making him pout, and admired his chubby cheeks, "This chubbiness is definitely from all the munching."

Henry knew that outings with his brother and sister meant his little tummy was in for a treat. While Mom and Aunt were losing their minds at home, he was out, being doted on by his brother and sister.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

When they bought drinks, the first sip was always, "Baby, you take the first sip."

And Henry did. Before Anya could take a turn, Leo had already taken two sips, leaving the third for Anya.

"Chad, I thought you didn't like sweet and sour fruit tea?"

Leo shrugged, "But I can't let you indirectly kiss him in front of me."

Anya: "......"

Alright, she bit her straw, not daring to argue back.

At a street-side dumpling stall, Leo held Henry, keeping his playful limbs in check. Anya fed him, mashing the dumplings and spooning them into his mouth. Henry was in heaven, just needing to open his mouth. Once his little appetite was satisfied, Leo and Anya finally spiced up their own bowls.

Henry, barely on the ground, was already trying to dash off, but Leo grabbed his little paw, keeping him in place.

Passersby, seeing this attractive 'family of three,' complimented Leo, "You've got great genes-handsome dad, cute mom, and an adorable son."

Leo corrected them, "I'm his brother, she's his sister." If he ever had a mischievous little munchkin like Henry, well... better not jinx it; Ms. Anya herself used to be a chubby one. Who knows if his future kids might take after her? "Ah? You two aren't a couple, but siblings?" The bystander was surprised.

Leo's voice rose, "Why wouldn't we be a couple? She's his sister now, but she'll be his sister-in-law soon enough."

Anya, bashful, lowered her head, unable to hide her smile.

Leo noticed, bluntly remarked, "Alright, stop pretending. Even with two dumplings in your mouth, that grin's clear as day." Caught red-handed, Anya blushed, "Chad-"

"Come on, finish up. I'm done

already, look at Henry's feet, like they're on wheels, ready to zoom off." But with Henry's hand still in his brother's grip, he wasn't going anywhere.

Later, out of boredom, Leo bought Henry a bottle of yogurt to drink.

Henry took a sip, scrunched his face, and decided one sip was enough.

Meanwhile, Mia and Molly had moved to their third study spot. From the living room to the dining room, and finally to the study; as the sun set, another day wrapped up.

Naomi noticed the quiet at home, "Where did Henry run off to today?"

Hansen replied, "Anya took him out."

Curious, Naomi asked, "Dad, why didn't you tag along with Anya and Leo today?"

"I'm not naïve. They're on a date, and Henry's going means being carried. If I went, I'd end up being the one carrying Henry," Hansen said with a smirk, eyes glued to the TV

Naomi chuckled, "Makes sense."

Around seven, the little tyke finally returned home.

As soon as he walked in, Henry's shout had the family rushing to greet him.

After hours apart, they all took turns holding him.

Mom, cradling her face, sighed, "Ah, to be him."

Molly, lifting her head from a pile of documents, looked at the family's little star, "In fifteen years, he'll be prepping for high school exams, then college exams, and later writing dissertations. Being Andre's son, he' likely pursue further studies, inherit the company, and support the family."

Mia, watching Henry's innocent, gleeful smile, said, "What to do, I still envy him. If he writes a dissertation, he'll probably have a whole team helping him, right?"

Observing how much the family doted on Henry, Molly nodded. "Seeing how much our big brother adores him, I bet he'd even write it for Henry if he could."

Before heading to work, Bruce asked, "Where's Henry?" He needed his morning hug.

Coming home in the evening, his first question was, "Where's Henry?" He needed another hug.

Without Henry, Bruce was so bored he resorted to reading the morning's newspaper, constantly urging, "It's getting dark, Henry should be back."

When Henry arrived, his uncle opened the door, welcoming the little bundle of joy, his face lighting up.

The sisters, feeling overlooked, sat with documents scattered around, pens of every color strewn across the table, computers in sleep mode, both looking defeated. Eventually, overwhelmed by too much love, Henry's little temper flared, crying loudly in the living room.

Hansen quickly handed his grandson to his daughter-in-law, "Mia, take a look, why's he crying again?"

Mia, holding her son, replied, "Spoiled him too much, let him cry."

Anya curiously asked, "Auntie, have you finished writing yet?"

Molly corrected, "Anya, you should ask if we've even started."

Anya: "...Looks like Chad's already started writing."

After the little ones returned, Mia busied herself for a bit. She closed her laptop, gathered her printed documents, and led her son by the hand back to the bedroom. She undressed Henry, who had had a full day, and tossed his clothes into the bathtub for a wash.