"Poppy! You’re like a princess!"
"We love you, Poppy!"
"Poppy! Co and eat!"
Exploding cheers and loud applause welcod Calliope, Calix and Leslie once Director Li opened the door of the dining room. Stunned, they froze montarily.
"Wow~ So pretty! Everyone, so pretty ah! Thank you!"
Eyes widening, Calliope excitedly took in lively transformations of the dining room. Splashes of colors ca from the hanging balloons and strears, followed by a large banner spanning across the cross.
’Fly Ho, Calliope! Good Luck!’ was written on the white cloth, clearly hand-painted by the children and the staff. The alphabet A in Calliope’s na was changed into a red heart, expressing their love for the child.
"Look! We have so much food!"
Her friend’s words lured Calliope’s attention to a direction.
"Oh? Wow~ So delicious!"
Two long tables were placed in the middle of the room. They were often used to serve the dishes for the children during any dining ti.
A pink-checkered tablecloth adorned the wooden surfaces, a different vibe from the usual cartoon ones. Several plates and bowls of the kitchen team’s creations were served on the tables.
Bowls of fresh fruits, cute-shaped sandwiches, colorful cupcakes, honey-glazed fried chicken, and butter rice were among the delicious treats. The drinks consisted of fruit punch, chocolate drinks and strawberry juice.
"They really did well," praised Calix, pleased and touched to see the amount of effort the children and staff had poured into preparing this celebration, "It’s really a day to rember."
"You’re right..." Leslie chuckled, also sharing the sa feelings as Calix, "It’s bittersweet but... worth to be rembered... all her life..."
"Poppy! Co here!"
"Look at your cake! Grandpa Mo made it for you!"
"Oh? Where?!"
Ruby and Daisy, Calliope’s roommates pulled her hands, urging her to go to the center of one of the long tables. The little girl’s pink tulle dress billowed around her.
Calix, Leslie and Director Li followed along. He carefully pushed the wheelchair toward the long table. Mrs. An tagged from behind.
Mr. Mo and the staff waited for Calliope at the table where the cake was placed. They put a chair for the little girl to use.
"Careful," Debby helped Calliope climb the chair, "Look! Isn’t it cute?"
"Wow! Wow! It’s so cute! Foxes and strawberries!"
Calliope’s squeals echoed in the dining room once she looked at the cake properly. Her glimring eyes reflected the pure bliss enveloping her small heart.
The rectangular cake was layered with a white frosting. Red strawberries and little red fox figures decorated the edges, creating a border. They were also scattered randomly on the cake without crowding the surface.
’We Love You, Calliope’
Calliope’s na and the greeting were written using a bright pink frosting. Two foxes were placed on the left side, seemingly holding the huge strawberry in between them.
"Hehe, do you really like it?" asked Mr. Mo, pride beaming on his countenance, "I wanna get bunnies or kitties but, foxes are better I think. Like your toy, isn’t it?"
"Yes! Mimo!"
Calliope pointed to the toy Mimo, now in Leslie’s lap. She, Calix and Director Li had already reached the table. Everyone made sure she could easily access the area, taking her condition into account.
"It’s very cute. Your favorite strawberries and little Mimos," Calix pointed out as he pushed Leslie next to Calliope’s chair. He glanced from the cake to the joyful Calliope, "What should you say to Grandpa Mo?"
"Hehehe~ Thank you, Grandpa~"
Calliope sweetly thanked Mr. Mo. She lifted her short arms, wanting to hug the only grandfather figure she had known in the past five years.
Mr. Mo had a stern appearance but, his big heart easily won over the children. He patiently coaxed them when they cried looking for their parents and accompanied them when they were afraid of thunders.
"Oh, you’re welco..."
Mr. Mo wanted to return Calliope’s hug instinctually before he rembered Calliope’s parents were with them. He stiffly glanced at Calix and Leslie, being conscious of his actions.
They were from a high-profile family ah. How could a re old man like him hug their precious daughter?
What if they mistook him for being uncouth?
Understanding the look of worry in Mr. Mo’s eyes, Calix stepped in. He placed one hand on Calliope’s back while concentrating on the old man. His lips curled into a smile.
"Mr. Mo, you’re one of the figures who have watched our daughter growing up. My wife and I can’t thank you enough for everything."
"Ah... I just did what I’m supposed to..."
Mr. Mo was flustered. He didn’t expect to receive gratitude from this young master despite knowing how well-mannered the latter was.
The husband and wife had never used their high status to look down on them. Instead, they channeled various kinds of assistance to relay their gratitude.
As the head cook, Mr. Mo was more than happy to see the children well-fed by the continuous funding. None of them had to worry about running out of necessities anymore.
"Our daughter will surely miss you," Calix softened his voice as he saw the old man’s eyes start to redden. He glanced at Calliope, "Right, Poppy? You wanna hug your Grandpa Mo?"
"Yes! Poppy will miss Grandpa Mo and everyone ah. Grandpa, huggie~"
Calliope spread her arms wide, eagerly wanting to hug Mr. Mo. Under Calix’s smiling gaze, the old man shifted his eyes to Leslie. He received a smile of reassurance from her.
"...yes."
Mr. Mo bent down, awkwardly embracing Calliope as if he had never done it before. The little girl pressed her small face on the old man’s chest, her laughter resonating in the air.
"Thank you for the cake, Grandpa~ Poppy loves you."
"Hehe, yeah... Grandpa loves Poppy too."
Pursing his lips tight, Mr. Mo felt a rush of sorrow overflowing from his heart. This might be the last ti he hugged this little girl, the one whom he had been watching over all this ti.
Fly high, Calliope.
Even if you were gone, you still belong here.
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