The next day at noon. Ann Vaughn chose a retro restaurant, with pavilions and lotus ponds, where koi swim around. Sitting amidst such scenery could indeed enhance one’s mood quite a bit. They arrived relatively early, and the kitchen hadn’t started serving dishes yet. "Daddy, do you know how to fish?" Little Dumpling squatted by the pavilion, watching the koi swim, and provocatively glanced at the man with a cold demeanor beside him. Cyrus Hawthorne raised his eyebrows, looking back at him with a faint smile, "What, want to compete?" "The loser can’t ask your mommy to help pick out fish bones later." "Then you’re sure to lose!" As it involved his mommy, Kenny’s competitive spirit flared up fiercely. Ann Vaughn was speechless at this childish father-son duo. Where on earth did their sense of competition come from? This restaurant was by a lake and had a fish pond where diners could fish, with all necessary fishing tools readily available. As for the fish they caught, they could choose to have the kitchen process it or take it home. After the father and son fetched their fishing gear, they sat by the fish pond, starting their secret contest. Ann Vaughn fed the koi for a while and then went to see them fishing. Just as she was about to speak, she heard the serious Little Dumpling say. "Mommy, keep your voice down, or you’ll scare away mommy’s lunch." "Maybe the fish prefer to bite chubby little kids like you," Cyrus smirked slightly. Little Dumpling puffed his cheeks and turned to Ann Vaughn in complaint: "Mommy! He wants to throw your precious baby into the pond to feed the fish!" Cyrus leisurely responded, "Well, you’ve scared away your mommy’s lunch." Upon seeing the fish that had come close to biting the hook swimming away, Little Dumpling looked devastated, as if all hope in life was lost. Ann Vaughn noticed the tuft on his head droop and resisted laughing. She kissed his cheek, comforting him, "Sweetheart, do your best. Mommy’s lunch is counting on you!" Little Dumpling’s eyes lit up, and he regained his spirits, continuing his fishing mission. When Ann Vaughn straightened up, she found Cyrus Hawthorne staring directly at her, prompting her to touch her cheek. "Is there something on my face?" she asked, puzzled. "Annie," Cyrus’s deep, magnetic voice carried a hint of implication, "you’ve become biased." Ann Vaughn was stunned for a moment before she realized what Cyrus meant, blushing instantly. This man was teasing her in front of their child! Before she could speak, Cyrus continued slowly, "Although I don’t mind taking matters into my own hands, if I let go, your lunch might disappear. What do you say to that?" Ann Vaughn’s cheeks flushed hotly as she glared at him fiercely. Using lunch as a threat! Wasn’t it just a kiss? How could he be so jealous even over this? Ann Vaughn had no choice but to cover Kenny’s eyes swiftly and give Cyrus a quick peck on the cheek. But just as she kissed him, Cyrus turned his head, causing the kiss to fall onto his warm, soft lips. Ann Vaughn’s eyes reflected his amused dark eyes, their noses almost touching, and their breaths so close that her heart trembled. She quickly pulled back, her hand accidentally releasing Kenny’s eyes. "Mommy, my fish ran away again," Little Dumpling said, pouting as he watched the fat fish swim away, knowing it would have been enough for his mommy to eat. Just now, Mommy covered his eyes, so if you round it up, it was actually the Archfiend’s fault! "Ah?" Ann Vaughn dodged Cyrus’s intensely invasive gaze, trying hard to ignore her pounding heart, and went over to comfort Little Dumpling. "It’s okay, we still have time. Calm down and wait patiently. The fish will surely bite!" Little Dumpling nodded vigorously, "This time, Mommy, don’t cover my eyes, okay." Ann Vaughn’s gaze wandered guiltily. She didn’t want to either, but how could she let Kenny see such an unsuitable scene! Cyrus softly clicked his tongue as he watched Ann Vaughn’s guilty expression, his deep-set eyes dark. Calm down and wait patiently, the fish will finally bite. Little did she know that in his eyes, she was the one fish worth waiting for. Half an hour later, both Cyrus and Little Dumpling’s buckets were filled with fish. This attracted curious onlookers who hadn’t caught any fish for a long time. Ann Vaughn carefully counted the fish in both buckets; Cyrus had seven, and Kenny had five. To avoid discouraging Little Dumpling, Ann Vaughn said, "Quinn, your fish are medium-sized, while Kenny’s are plump. Even if the numbers are different, in terms of weight, you’re tied!" Cyrus nodded slightly, "We’ll go with that." Little Dumpling puffed out his chest proudly, "All the fish Kenny caught are for Mommy to eat!" Of course, Ann Vaughn couldn’t eat that many fish at once. The most update n0vels are published on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅✦𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾✦𝗇𝖾𝗍 But since this was their first family fishing outing, it was particularly meaningful. Some of the fish were left for the kitchen to prepare, and the rest to be taken home, which was just perfect. Soon, the dishes they ordered started coming one after another. Ann Vaughn selected a few fish for the kitchen to prepare, which turned into chopped chili fish head, boiled fish slices, and sweet and sour fish. "Mommy, eat this. Kenny has removed all the bones!" Little Dumpling placed a bowl of fish in front of Ann Vaughn, casting a provocative glance at the slightly slower Cyrus. That smug look made Cyrus slightly regret not asking the kitchen to turn this chubby boy into broth. Perhaps because the fish they caught tasted particularly delicious, the family of three enjoyed the meal to the fullest. "Mr. Shaw, please, I’ve reserved a spot for you here with a good view..." a familiar voice came from the corridor in front. Ann Vaughn swallowed the fish in her mouth and looked up out of curiosity. She saw Howard Yates walking toward them with a smile, accompanied by a man in a brown suit with a dark red tie. This man seemed to be in his early forties, not looking old, just mature and composed. They were heading to the table just behind Ann Vaughn and her family, and naturally ran into each other. Howard Yates’s face almost turned green. Why would he coincidentally run into Cyrus here, putting him in a tough spot? How could he play this scene off? "President Hawthorne, dining here as well?" Vinson Ashton expressed surprise upon seeing Cyrus there, then smiled and said, "It seems this restaurant truly is excellent." Cyrus slightly nodded as a greeting, not surprised to see them there, and spoke calmly, "It is indeed good, Mr. Shaw, you have a treat." Since it was his own failure to meet his arrangement with Hawthorne Corp. first, Vinson Ashton, though a bit awkward, maintained his composure. "Have they detained Yvonne Shaw? Okay, I know, I’ll go check now."