Cody went upstairs the next day, announcing that he wanted to return to their old apartment.
“Why?” Cristelle was surprised.
“That place is nearer to the college where I participated in a new project. It’s more convenient,” Cody said with a straight face, “I need to make it to the lab on time every day.”
“When do you need to go to a lab?” Candace was eating a carrot, her mouth stopping mid-chew, “Are you going to run as the president in the next school election?”
Cody smiled at his sister, “Eat your carrot, Candace.”
“Oh… Okay,” Cristelle’s eyes darted around aimlessly. Cody’s request was persuasive. Linford probably would disagree, but she would try to persuade him.
“Okay. I’m telling nannies to pack things up for us first.” Cristelle cleared her throat, “Don’t worry about your dad. I’ll try to talk to him later.”
“No, Mom,” Cody frowned, “You guys just stay in our house. I’ll move there alone.”
Candace’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her heart was finally relieved and secretly danced in joy. She praised her incredible luck today. The sadist was moving out! Praise the universe!
“But… I can’t let you move out alone.” Cristelle was worried, “How could you manage to live by yourself?”
“Mom, it’s okay,” Cody was a bit impatient, “Do I really need to explain to you how capable I am of living alone? I survived on a deserted island when I was five.”
“But your Uncle Enzo was with you back then. I don’t think…”
“Mom, come on, it will be fine,” Cody put his hands on Cristelle’s shoulders. He was about the same height as Cristelle now, “I can handle myself, okay? You’ve got to trust me.”
The young man was a genius, and he appeared to be more capable than most adults in certain circumstances. Cristelle knew she shouldn’t treat him like an ordinary guy. But it was still pretty hard to let her son live alone.
“I think it’s a reasonable request to ask,” Linford suddenly walked in the moment, smiling, “It’s time for Cody to move out and experience life alone.”
“What?!” Cristelle spun around, shooting Linford a warning glare, “Shut up, Linford!”
If Linford didn’t show his support for Cody’s idea, she would still have had an excuse left to use. She could have prevented their son from moving out if his dad “didn’t agree.” But now, hearing Linford’s favor for Cody, her plan is ruined.
“Come on, honey,” Linford walked forth and pulled Cristelle into his arms, leaving a kiss on her hair, “You know our son is capable of everything. Give him your trust.”
“Dad, why do you look so happy when you hear Cody’s gonna move out?” Candace narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“What do you mean I look happy?” Linford smiled, “How can I be happy when my precious son moves out?” The smile broke into a grin as Linford turned to look at Cody. When are you gonna pack your things? Do I need to send some maids to help you?”
Cody was silent.
Cristelle was annoyed, glaring grimly at her husband
Candace was speechless while looking at her dad.
Cody cleared his throat, “No. I’ve packed everything I need. I will move out tomorrow.
“Great! I mean… cool,” Linford patted his precious son’s shoulder, “But today, we need to go on a family panic with the Weston family first. Do you have time, man?”
Cody thought for a while, “Demi’s going?”
“Definitely,” Linford nodded.
“Sure.”
Unlike her impassive brother, who seldom showed his emotions, Candace was thrilled when she heard it was time for a picnic.
She jumped happily and went to her room to prepare. She had been trapped in the house and school for so long that she couldn’t even remember what fresh air tasted like. Finally, the two families met at the camp spot. The spot was located between a river valley. The grass on the bank was soft and fragrant, dotted with wildflowers.
Linford and Drew set up tents while the children played by the river.
Candace had a red flower tucked behind her ear as she held Demi’s little hand.
“Did you see fish, Candace?” Demi watched intensely as she stared into the water.
They could hear the call of eagles above their heads. And the air was comfortably damp against their skin.
“Nope,” Candace frowned, “Weird. I swear I saw fish last time when Dad took us here.”
“Huh?! Really?” Demi looked a bit disappointed.
“Do you want to go downstream?” Cody suddenly asked, “We found a small lake there last time. It’s pretty deep. But there was plenty of fish.”
Demi was still crouching down on a protruding rock in the middle of the river as she looked up, nodding eagerly at Cody. Cody might be strict most of the time, but he also could be fun if he wanted to.
“No! Cody!” Candace scoffed, “Don’t you remember what local people said? They said there was a monster living under the lake. We are not allowed to go there. If we disturb it, it will wake up.”
“Come on, Candace,” Cody frowned, “You can’t believe those tales parents tell their kids during bedtime, can you? It’s ridiculous.”
“What-what monster?!” Demi’s eyes lit up, “What did they say about the monster?” The girl read a lot of novels and books about unsolved mysteries of the world. She instantly became interested when Cody said there was a monster.
Cody smiled, “They said that monster looked like a dinosaur and people caught it in their photos several times in the 70s. If it’s really a dinosaur who lived up until today, our names will be on the cover of Science if we can find it.”
Demi’s mouth dropped open at the temptation. If she could become a scientist, she wouldn’t need to tolerate school anymore. Instead, she would be a teacher who taught other kids. She wouldn’t need to listen to any meaningless babbles from her teachers.
“Shall we go there?” Cody smirked.
“Let’s go!” Demi threw her arms in the air.
“Nerds!” Candace rolled her eyes, arms folding across her chest.
“Well, nerds are better than scared little kids who believe in bedtime stories,” Cody snapped back.
“Dad! Cody bullies me!” Candace yelled.
“Don’t bully your sister, Cody!” Linford sounded pretty annoyed, reminding his son.
“No! Uncle Linford,” Demi was unbiased, “Candace called us nerds first!”
“Candace, try to be nice, will you?” Linford coaxed his princess without looking back.
“See what I’ve been dealing with every single day?” Cody turned to look at Demi.
BOOM!