Chapter 4

Sunday morning arrived with the smell of pancakes and eggs drifting through the air. David was busy making breakfast, flipping pancakes with ease, while Lily sat at the kitchen table, deeply focused on something serious.

"Dad, can my friends come over to play today?" Lily asked suddenly, looking up from her work.

"Of course! Did you invite them?" David asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"I told them yesterday to come," Lily replied confidently.

"How many are coming?" David asked, curious.

"Three! We'll play in the backyard." Lily smiled excitedly.

"Alright," David agreed, smiling as he returned to the stove.

Lily went back to her task, scribbling with crayons on colorful paper. David glanced over at her work and felt impressed. She had made cute little invitations, each decorated with flowers, suns, and scribbled names.

Lily jumped from her seat, running over to David. "Dad, look at these!"

David knelt to examine the invitations closely. "These look amazing! What's the plan for your friends?"

"We're going to play treasure hunt!" Lily exclaimed proudly.

"A treasure hunt, huh? That sounds like fun!" David said, placing the finished pancakes on the table. "Alright, let's eat so we can set things up."

---

After finishing their breakfast, David helped Lily prepare the backyard for her friends. They set up hiding spots for the treasures, laid out small clues, and placed snacks and drinks on a table nearby. By early afternoon, everything was ready.

"Everything looks great! Are you excited?" David asked as he wiped his hands on a towel.

Lily hopped on her toes with excitement. "Yes! I hope they like the treasure hunt!"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"They're here!" Lily squealed, rushing toward the front door.

"Easy, easy—no need to sprint," David chuckled, following behind her.

Lily flung the door open, revealing three smiling children—two boys and one girl.

"Hey, Lily! Let's have some fun!" Joon greeted her with a bright smile.

"Come in!" Lily beamed, welcoming them inside.

The three children entered—Joon, a lively boy; Hyun, a little quieter but full of curiosity; and Mina, a cheerful girl with a playful grin. Lily led them all to the backyard, excited to begin their adventure.

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"Alright, everyone! We're playing a treasure hunt!" Lily explained, her excitement bubbling. "There are hidden clues, and whoever finds the treasure wins a prize!"

"What's the prize?" Mina asked eagerly.

David, standing nearby, gave Lily a little wink. He had hidden small treats—candies, toys, and snacks—around the yard, each with clues leading to the next spot.

The children split into teams, bursting with energy as they searched for clues. David watched from a distance, smiling as he saw how happy Lily was.

"Look! I found a clue!" Hyun shouted, holding a piece of paper.

"It says, 'Look near the big tree!'"

"Let's go!" Joon exclaimed, leading the group toward the tree.

The children rushed over, and after some excited searching, they found a small basket hidden behind the trunk. It was filled with toys, candies, and trinkets.

"We found it! We're treasure hunters!" Lily cheered, throwing her hands up in victory.

The group ran back to the snack table David had prepared.

"Good job, treasure hunters!" David said with a grin. "Now it's time for some snacks. How was the hunt?"

"It was so much fun!" Mina giggled, grabbing a cookie.

"Let's do it again!" Lily exclaimed, already excited for another round.

The kids happily munched on cookies and drank juice, chatting about their adventure. As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, the children knew it was time to leave.

"Let's do this again sometime!" Hyun suggested.

"Yeah! Same time next week?" Joon added enthusiastically.

The children agreed, exchanging waves and promises as David saw them to the door.

---

Later that evening, after the fun-filled day, David and Lily sat down for dinner. They ate quietly, still savoring the excitement from earlier.

After dinner, they freshened up, and David gave Lily her medication before tucking her into bed.

"Dad, can we do this again next week?" Lily asked, snuggling under the blankets.

David smiled softly. "Yes, we can. Now get some sleep, sweetheart."

Satisfied, Lily closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. David stayed for a moment, watching her with a peaceful smile before heading to his own bed.

It was Wednesday, a day filled with anticipation for David as he prepared for his first official day back at the company. He woke up early, eager to start a new chapter in his professional life. As he buttoned his shirt, he accidentally nudged Lily awake.

"Ready for daycare, sweetheart?" he asked gently.

Lily yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Mmm… I have to go?"

David smiled, remembering their deal. "We made a pact, remember? You go to daycare, and I'll bring home ice cream."

Lily's eyes lit up. "I want strawberry!"

"Deal," David replied with a chuckle.

After getting Lily ready for the day, they sat down together for breakfast, sharing warm pancakes and laughter.

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Once breakfast was finished, David drove Lily to Daejeo Aeyook Won daycare. As they arrived, Lily hopped out of the car and rushed to meet her friends. David watched her run off, feeling a mix of pride and nostalgia. Before leaving, he greeted the teacher.

"We will take good care of her, don't worry, Mr. David," the teacher assured him.

"Thank you," David replied, feeling reassured.

Inside the daycare, Lily spotted Joon and waved.

"Joon! Over here!" she called, rushing toward him.

"Guess what! I get ice cream later!" Lily exclaimed.

"Lucky! Maybe I can join?" Joon replied, grinning.

---

Meanwhile, David arrived at his office, where he met his friend Jason.

"Hello, David! From now on, you'll be working as my assistant," Jason announced, shaking his hand.

David smiled, feeling excited about this new role. "Just take care of me!"

Jason guided David through their tasks for the day, outlining their project and the responsibilities he would take on.

---

Back at the daycare, Lily and Joon were engaged in an exciting game of hide and seek. They crouched together behind a slide, giggling quietly.

"Shhh! They'll find us," Joon whispered, putting a finger to his lips.

"This spot is perfect," Lily whispered back, trying to suppress her laughter.

They played happily until late afternoon, lost in their world of imagination and fun.

---

When David arrived to pick Lily up, her face brightened. She ran to him, bubbling with excitement.

"Dad, can Joon come with us for ice cream?" she asked, her eyes wide with hope.

Amused, David replied, "Let's ask the teacher first."

He approached the teacher and asked for permission, which she happily granted.

"Alright, let's go!" David said, leading both kids outside.

Before heading to the ice cream shop, he turned to Joon. "What do you want?"

"Strawberry!" Joon said eagerly.

David smiled and ordered two strawberry cones and one chocolate. They found a spot outside to sit and enjoy their treats.

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As they savored their ice cream, Lily exclaimed, "This is the best ever!"

"Strawberry is the best!" Joon chimed in, his face smeared with melted ice cream.

David watched them happily, grateful for these simple moments. After they finished, David dropped Joon off at the orphanage before heading home.

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Later that night, as Lily prepared for bed, she turned to David with a big smile. "Dad, today was the best!"

David's heart swelled with joy. "I'm glad, sweetheart."

"Can we play again?" Lily asked, yawning.

"Of course. Goodnight, Lily," David replied, tucking her in.

"Goodnight, Dad…" she whispered, her eyelids fluttering as she drifted off to sleep.

David kissed Lily's forehead and quietly left the room.