Chapter 121: A Family of Four is About to Meet

"What? We’re going out with Felix Ford and his dad on Saturday?!"

Felix Ford shot up from the sofa, his little face a bit pale as he asked in disbelief.

His reaction was completely unexpected. Amanda Vance looked at him, surprised. "Yes, Colt’s dad suggested it," she said, puzzled. "I think he has a point. Don’t you two get along well? It’s perfectly normal to go to an amusement park with a good friend during a break."

’This isn’t normal. This isn’t normal at all.’

Felix Ford shook his head frantically. He subconsciously touched his face. ’I’m still human, right? I haven’t turned into a puppy, have I? I don’t want this!’

He said, "No, no, no, we don’t get along. We even got into a fight today. He’s the person I hate most."

He had just promised they wouldn’t expose each other, and now they were supposed to meet on Saturday. He felt none of the joy of a family of four reuniting—only fear. If they met, Mom would take Jean Vance and leave the very next second.

The thought alone made him feel like he was about to explode.

"Is that so?" Amanda Vance rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head to look at him. "Then this is the perfect opportunity to make up. You can talk everything out. You were good friends once, after all."

’No way.’

But seeing the look on her face, he knew that the more he said, the worse it would get. He could only nod for now and agree.

Seeing his reluctance, Amanda Vance reached out and stroked his head. "Jean, Mom knows you’re smart and don’t always like playing with kids your own age. But everyone needs a good friend in this world, someone who will always be there for you. Someone who can be closer than a real brother. You can tell each other anything and be true confidants. It’s a wonderful feeling. You should give it a try."

When she was in school, she was always isolated. No one wanted to get close to her, and she was too busy studying to make friends. Later on, she became friends with Cecilia and the others, but adult friendships are always mixed up with so many other things. They’re not as pure as the ones you have with friends you grow up with.

This was a regret she carried in her heart, and she hoped her child would never have to feel the same way.

She just wanted him to be happy and enjoy his life.

’Brothers...’

Felix Ford’s heart stirred. He and Jean Vance were already brothers. Could they really coexist peacefully like Mom said?

He didn’t know how it would turn out, but he couldn’t deny that the idea moved him.

"Okay, Mom. I understand."

"Good boy. Get some rest."

"Okay."

The next day was Friday. When Felix Ford got to school, he told Jean Vance about the situation and noticed he wasn’t surprised. "You already knew?" he asked.

"Yeah," Jean Vance replied in a low voice. Samuel Ford had told him yesterday. The man’s attitude had been firm. Besides, with Felix Ford having said he liked their mom, it would be hard for Jean to explain why he didn’t want to go.

"So what’s your plan?" Felix Ford glanced at him furtively. Seeing his brother’s terrifyingly dark expression, which strangely resembled their dad’s, he subconsciously took a step back and swallowed hard before asking.

Jean Vance narrowed his eyes. "We’re going."

"Huh?" Felix Ford was stunned. "But then Mom and Dad will find out about us!"

Jean Vance didn’t say anything, just rubbed his fingertips together with a cryptic look on his face. Felix Ford pouted. ’I really hate it when they’re so mysterious.’

But even by the time school let out that afternoon, Jean still hadn’t told him what he planned to do. Felix Ford couldn’t help but stare at him for a few moments. After walking a few steps away, he turned back, still wearing his backpack, and said seriously, "Jean Vance, you better have thought this through. The moment Mom and Dad see each other tomorrow, the cat will be out of the bag."

"Don’t worry. They won’t meet. And you’ll like the outcome."

’No, I won’t like it. I’m panicking right now.’ He couldn’t help but suspect his brother was doing this on purpose. That way, if their mom really left, he could justifiably go with her and have her all to himself.

Given how domineering he was, it wasn’t out of the question.

But no matter how many times Felix asked, Jean wouldn’t say another word. Left with no other choice, he had to leave for now.

Amanda Vance found it a little amusing to see the boy looking so weighed down by his worries. She reached out and pinched his chubby cheeks. He was still so childish, yet he always acted like a little adult stressing over everything. "Kids should think about fewer things, or you’ll go bald prematurely."

Felix Ford had been stewing, but hearing this, he immediately forgot everything else. He patted his head with his small hand, let out a sigh of relief, and looked up at her, saying seriously, "I won’t."

’I have plenty of hair.’

"Mm-hmm." Amanda Vance nodded. She took his hand and, while walking, continued to tease him with a straight face, "You won’t go bald now, but there’s no telling what might happen in the future."

Felix Ford’s whole mood soured. He clapped his hand to his head and refused to move it, as if his hair would fall out the moment he let go. He was completely panicked.

Seeing that she had successfully spooked him, Amanda Vance added slowly, "Mom just said it’s a possibility. You’re still young, so there’s time to prevent it. Just stay happy every day, and you won’t go bald."

"Okay." Hearing that, Felix Ford finally breathed a sigh of relief. He pursed his lips into a smile, his eyes darting around. He puffed out his cheeks and nuzzled them against her palm, grinning. "I know Mom’s just trying to cheer me up."

’All that stuff about going bald was just to scare me, right?’

’Whatever. As long as I can see Mom, I’ll be in a good mood, and then I won’t go bald.’

Amanda Vance didn’t deny it. The feeling of his fleshy cheek rolling in her hand had been so nice that she couldn’t resist wriggling her fingers. She then patted her own cheek before pulling her hand back with a hint of regret.

’The texture is all wrong.’

"Mom just wants my Jean to be happy every day. If anything’s wrong, just leave it to me to handle."

"Okay." Felix Ford looked at her with reliance and followed her into the front passenger seat. He decided to trust Jean Vance. No matter what, even if Jean wanted their mom to leave, Felix didn’t think he would do it this way.

Because if Mom found out the truth, she would be devastated. He was betting that Jean wouldn’t have the heart to do that to her.

That being said, he still dutifully sat in the front passenger seat, getting as close to his mom as he possibly could.

Looking at the little figure in the passenger seat, Amanda Vance raised an eyebrow. ’I think I’m starting to see a pattern.’

Every time he came out of school unhappy, he would sit in the front passenger seat, looking insecure.

’Did something happen at school again?’

Glancing at the rearview mirror, Amanda Vance thoughtfully tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. ’What is it about this place that scares Jean so much?’

"Mom?" Seeing that she wasn’t moving, Felix Ford called out to her. Worried that Jean Vance might come out any second, he clutched his stomach. "I’m hungry. Let’s go home."

Amanda Vance snapped back to reality. "Okay."

Just as she pulled her gaze away, a small figure flashed in the rearview mirror. She frowned. When she looked closely again, it was just an unfamiliar child.

’My eyes must be playing tricks on me.’

’How could I have thought that kid looked so much like Jean? That’s ridiculous. Jean is sitting right next to me.’

Shaking her head, Amanda Vance started the car.