Yaffe has a busy day. On her way home from work, she sees the boutique she used to visit and parks her car in front of the shop.
The shop owner is an old man in his seventies, who likes to do some handmade things that are special.
She has bought a lot.
“Welcome.” The old voice sounds from behind the counter.
“Mr. Chapman, how are you?”
“Hello, Yaffe. I haven’t seen you for a long time.” Mr. Chapman stands up from behind the counter and looks at her with a smile.
“I haven’t seen your store open recently.”
“Because I’m busy going abroad recently. My son-in-law and daughter have my wife and I go to America to put us out to pasture. We will leave by plane the day after tomorrow. Today is the last day I open my shop. Choose one you like and I will give it to you as a gift.”
“Thanks for your kindness. I’m not here to pick a gift for myself, but for my son.”
“I see. Then enjoy yourself.” Mr. Chapman says and goes back to being busy behind the counter.
Yaffe walks around the shop and buys a wooden cottage and a manikin.
People who studies medicine and forensics often will use such models. But it still surprises her that such an exquisite manikin is for sale in a boutique.
Yaffe takes the items to the counter to check out. Mr. Chapman smiles and says, “You’re really a special girl. There are so many things. But you pick this manikin.”
“Is there any story about this manikin?”
“The original owner of this manikin was a forensic expert. She gave it to her lame brother when she got married. Then, her brother had a hobby and found future direction because of this manikin. Now her brother is an adult and gives the manikin as a gift to thank me. I think this manikin is meaningful and put it on the display case. It just so happens that you have recently gotten married. I hope this manikin will bring you good luck as well.”
Yaffe doesn’t know there is such a story, “Thanks for your kindness. But I can’t accept it for free.”
She doesn’t like owing people favors. Even if it is a gift from Mr. Chapman, she cannot accept it.
If Mr. Chapman will be still here, she will have a chance to return the favor.
But now, she knows that she has no chance to return the favor. If she still accepts it, she is taking advantage of Mr. Chapman.
Mr. Chapman doesn’t insist any longer and tells Yaffe how much it is.
Yaffe gives him the money and smiles before going out, “Goodbye, Mr. Chapman. I wish you a safe journey.”
“Thank you, goodbye.”
Yaffe comes out of the boutique and gets into the car to go home.
When she returns to the villa, Quinn and Wiphy are already at home.
Wiphy looks better than he did in the morning. He looks at Yaffe with round eyes and waves at her.
Yaffe changes her slippers and sits next to Wiphy, placing the gift bag next to him, “This is what Mommy bought for you. See if you like it.”
Wiphy’s gaze sharpens and his two little fat hands reach into the bag, taking out the cottage and the manikin.
He stares at the manikin in confusion, eyes gleaming.
“This manikin is free to be disassembled. Its original owner was a forensic expert. She had a brother who was born with polio and was often bullied by his classmates at school. She couldn’t be by her brother’s side all the time to protect him. So, she gave her brother this manikin she used to use so that he could protect himself on his own. Now, her brother is an adult. He gives the manikin to the boutique I often visit. Now I’m giving it to you, okay?” Yaffe says softly.
She doesn’t treat Wiphy as a child, but as an adult.
She believes that Quinn also treats Wiphy like this most of the time. That is why Wiphy is so independent at such a young age.
Wiphy is obviously satisfied with her detailed explanation and takes tablet computer and types a few words, “Thank you, mommy.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Wiphy gently touches the small manikin with his chubby hands and shakes his head at Quinn, who has come down from upstairs.
Quinn asks, “Did say thank you after accepting Mommy’s gift?”
Wiphy nods.
Yaffe smiles, “I’ll go to the kitchen to see if the meal is ready.”
“Lara is back at the mansion today.” Quinn says.
“What? How about the three of us cooking by ourselves together? Baby, do you want to join me to make a cake? I can make cakes in the shape of ducklings.”
Wiphy looks at Yaffe, eyes gleaming.
When Quinn sees that they are eager to try, he can’t help but smile and says, “Then let’s do it.”
Yaffe picks up Wiphy and runs to the kitchen. Quinn follows behind them and finds two unopened aprons in the storage cabinet.
Yaffe directly places Wiphy on the large kitchen table, takes the apron from Quinn and wears it.
Then, she begins to look for the ingredients to make the cake.
As she searches, she says, “If I do this at home, my mother will definitely stops me and drive me out of the kitchen. She thinks it’s best if I can’t do anything. She doesn’t even think about how smart her daughter is. I’ve been watching her make cakes for more than 20 years. It will be strange if I still can’t make it. But when I first made it, it did taste awful.”
Quinn is preparing for the ingredients next to her. He is not annoyed at all while listening to Yaffe’s murmuring.
Yaffe puts the flour in front of Wiphy, “Baby, you can put it casually.”
Wiphy immediately rolls up his sleeves and starts to do it.
Yaffe smiles at him and then looks at Quinn.
Quinn is very skillful when he processes ingredients.
“Rich Man, what else can’t you do except giving birth?”
“You only think it is normal that I can’t cook?” Quinn looks at the woman who is looking at him in admiration with bright eyes.
“You’re more than just a man who can cook. You even cook better than a poor man like me.” Yaffe can’t help but feel frustrated, “Before I met you, I thought I was pretty good. After meeting you, I feel that I’m useless. I can’t match you in every way. It’s a blow to me.”
“It’s too late for you to realize that now.”
“Please don’t knock my confidence!”
They chat with each other with ease.
Yaffe often arranges some things for Wiphy. Wiphy is very cooperative. But his sweatshirt and even his face and hair are all stained with flour.
The three of them do their own work and there is a very good atmosphere.
An hour later, a sumptuous dinner is served.
Yaffe coats the cake with cream and chocolate. Then, Wiphy paints on it.
The modest cake looks good.
Wiphy smiles and follows Yaffe closely like a puppy and runs to the dining room.
Yaffe puts the small cake in the table, “Baby, make a wish, and then you can cut the cake.”
Wiphy nods happily, folds his palms, and closes his eyes.
After a while, he opens his eyes.
“What wish have you made?”
Wiphy waves, indicating that he doesn’t want to tell them.
Yaffe and Quinn look at each other and smile, “Let’s cut the cake.”
Wiphy takes the knife, cuts the cake into three portions with Quinn’s help and eats it pleasantly.