Michelle Fuller blinked in shock when she heard Renee. "Isn’t this a bit too much like a soap opera?"
Renee tilted her head to look at her and said softly, "But Willow doesn’t see it that way."
"Huh?" Michelle tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Renee frowned slightly. "Something’s not right about Willow’s mother abandoning her two children."
"What’s not right about it?" Sean didn’t quite understand. "My parents used to leave me and my sister all the time."
"It’s different," Renee said slowly. "Even though your parents weren’t home, you still had plenty of people there to take care of you."
Sean nodded in agreement. "That’s true."
"Then why did Willow’s mother just abandon them and leave?" Michelle couldn’t help but frown.
"It is strange," Renee said, pouring some dried mealworms for Inky. "Could you help me keep an eye on the siblings when you have a moment?"
Inky bobbed its little head enthusiastically. "Of course! You can count on me!"
Renee smiled. "Thank you. I’m so glad to have you."
Inky grew a little bashful. "I’m even luckier to have you!"
After eating, Inky played at Renee’s for a little while before leaving.
It was heading off to keep watch near Willow and Glenn’s house.
That evening, the siblings Michelle and Sean were still staying with the Jennings family.
After dinner, everyone went out for a walk. They enjoyed the cool breeze and gazed at the round moon, starting to look forward to the coming Mid-Autumn Festival.
Michelle announced, "I’m calling it now—I’m buying the Mid-Autumn Festival lanterns for Zane and Jasmine this year."
The two little ones immediately cheered with delight.
"Thank you, Sister Michelle!"
"Hooray for Sister Michelle~"
Not to be outdone, Sean chimed in, "In that case, I’ll take care of the mooncakes for the festival this year."
Zane and Jasmine didn’t seem particularly excited about mooncakes.
Sean: "..."
Dalton Jenson chimed in supportively, "In that case, get the five-nut mooncakes. I like those."
Rhea Dempsey: "I don’t!"
After their walk, they returned home, and everyone went to their rooms to shower.
After her shower, Renee headed straight for the study.
She was streaming tonight. It had been a week since her last one, and she was nearly drowning in private messages from viewers demanding a stream.
When Renee came out after her shower, Michelle eyed her outfit and teased, "You’re going to stream looking like that?"
She was wearing a gray knit sweater with a pair of black plaid pajama pants.
"Yep," Renee said while drying her hair. "They’ll only see my top half anyway."
Michelle nodded. "Good point."
After drying her hair, Renee patted Michelle’s head. "You go get your shower. I’m heading to the study."
"Okay," Michelle nodded. "I’ll bring some snacks over in a little while."
"Okay, I’ll be waiting." Renee opened the door and stepped out, spotting Sean’s back. "Sean, what are you doing standing here?"
Sean turned around, a good-natured, bashful smile on his face. "Renee, can I... can I watch your stream like my sister does?"
"Of course," Renee nodded. "Come on."
The two of them went into the study together.
Renee pulled a stool over for him. "Sean, you can sit here next to me."
"Okay!" Sean agreed, delighted.
"Did you bring any snacks?"
"No," Sean shook his head.
"It’s fine. Michelle will bring some later," Renee said, turning away and tapping at her phone. "I’m about to start the stream."
"Okay." Sean quickly scooted over to the side.
The moment Renee started the stream, comments from her viewers began flooding the screen.
[She’s here! She’s here!]
[Good evening, Ms. Jennings.]
[Finally you’re here, thank god I never gave up~~~]
Renee smiled and chuckled. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. I’ll take a drink as an apology."
She picked up her mug and drank half of the water inside.