After lunch, Seira and Keira played for a while with Big Brown before taking a nap.

In the afternoon, after they took a shower more precisely, Vex invited Seira, Keira, and Big Brown to play pyramid-making using playing cards while waiting for dinner time.

For dinner, at Seira and Keira's request, Vex ordered stir-fried bamboo shoots with mushrooms and prawns, Sichuan-style omelet rolls, chicken salad, and Hong Kong-style chicken rice. It seemed that Seira and Keira's diets were greatly influenced by Lan Yan'er.

After dinner, the pyramid-making game continued until 9 o'clock. Then, after making sure Seira and Keira brushed their teeth and put on diapers, Vex led them up to the bed.

Seira and Keira fell asleep easily. However, in the early hours of the morning Vex woke up to find Seira not in bed. After fixing Keira's blanket, he then came out of the room.

In the dim living room, he found Seira sitting in the corner sobbing, while Big Brown gently rubbed his head against her arm. This was the first time Vex had seen a six-year-old girl sobbing in the middle of the night. So he felt a little awkwardness in his heart.

Even so, without hesitation Vex approached Seira, who immediately wiped her tears and hid the photo she was watching.

Vex sat beside Seira before asking, "Do you miss your father?"

Seira gave a small nod before saying, "Seira often dreams of Daddy coming home but, before Seira and Keira can hug him Seira wakes up first."

Most young children may not be aware of how difficult it is to accept that they can no longer meet people they loved. While some of them feel that the pain is very intense and unbearable.

Sadly, Keira is in the group of unfortunate kids who realize how painful it is to lose their loved ones.

"Lucan, don't tell Big Sis Lan that Seira cries because Seira misses Daddy."

"Okay."

Vex then pondered for some time before saying, "Well, talking about missing someone, it reminds me of my daughter."

"Lucan, you have a daughter?"

"Yes, and unfortunately because of a fatal mistake now I can not see her anymore."

Vex took a deep breath before continuing,

"I also dream of her when I miss her. Then, when I wake up there will be a tightness in my chest that won't go away if I don't cry. So at night sometimes I cry alone in bed, at the dining table, or in the bathroom."

Seira looked at Vex while tilting her little head. "You cry a lot too?"

"Yeah, and for your information, in this world there are many adults who often cry alone. A very wise man has also said that people who never cry alone are people who don't understand the bottom of their hearts."

Seira nodded slightly before asking, "Lucan, is Daddy all right in heaven?"

To be honest, Vex doesn't know for sure. Even so, he still answered firmly, "I'm sure he's fine. So you don't have to worry about him."

Since Seira seemed to have calmed down, Vex then took the initiative to change the subject.

"Can you tell me why you and Keira like Big Brown so much?"

"Before Daddy went to Berril Plain, he promised that when he came back he'd buy a dog to play with us."

Vex's heart skipped a beat as he realized that he had just led Seira to the topic he wanted to avoid. Luckily, Seira seems to have gotten out of the sad mood. What's more, he also gets crucial information that Big Brown is a bridge to strengthen Seira and Keira's last memories of their father.

Vex then calmly said, "You and Keira can take Big Brown if you want."

Vex thought Seira would cheer when she heard his offer, but she shook her head before speaking softly, "We can't bring Big Brown home. Big Sis Lan is afraid of dogs because she was bitten by a dog when in elementary school."

Reflexively, Vex smiled from ear to ear because the opportunity to adopt Seira and Keira is now getting bigger.

"Lucan..."

"Yeah."

"Do Seira and Keira have to go back to California and live with Jessie?"

This is the second time Vex has heard the name Jessie, and he can vaguely guess the woman's identity.

"Don't you two want to stay with Jessie?"

"Nope, Jessie always got angry and forbade Seira and Keira to play in the park. Sometimes she also didn't come home for a few days and left us alone in the apartment. So Daddy picked us up quietly and brought us here. Besides, Daddy was buried here. So Seira and Keira don't want to leave Daddy alone. Living with Big Sis Lan is a lot of fun too. "

A black cloud briefly adorned Vex's face when he heard that Seira and Keira were very happy living with Lan Yan'er. However, he had no intention of influencing Seira's preferences.

Softly Vex said, "Honestly, you don't have to worry about Jessie. You can also stay here as long as you want."

"Mhm."

Seira nodded slightly while Vex continued.

"The night is still long, so we better go back to sleep."

Seira naturally climbed into Vex's arms. While Big Brown who usually sleeps on the sofa, for some reason follows Vex and Seira then lies down beside the bed.

On the way to the bedroom, Vex saw a reflection of NVG in one of the QRF Barracks windows opposite the mini-cottage 01.

However, he waited until Seira fell asleep before radioing the head of his security detail.

"Grim, who is the fecking amateur watching my room from QRF Barracks, 2nd floor, third from the left?"

[Lieutenant Lan Yan'er and a female captain from Military Police, Sir. Five members of Military Police were also seen in QRF Barracks's lobby. They have been there since this afternoon. Do you want me to reprimand them?]

"No need, let's ignore them."

[Understood]

- - - - -

Room 0203, QRF Barracks

0730, 22 Aug 2025

QRF personnel rotate in small groups every 4 days. So QRF Barracks is designed with a minimalist concept. Each room can accommodate 9-18 personnel, depending on the unit occupied, with furniture consisting of a folding metal bed with a mattress pad, and a fabric wardrobe with a foldable frame.

Even if elements from Harley Quinn involved in Operation Gemini have been pulled out, more than half of QRF elements from Magwurt City are still in Fort Cambia. Therefore there are many empty rooms in QRF Barracks, and because Lan Yan'er knows the Major in charge of QRF Barracks, she easily gets access to a room across from mini-cottage 01.

Last night, Lan Yan'er watched mini-cottage 01 like a farmer guarding their field against ferrets. But luckily, the thing she was worried about did not happen.

Lan Yan'er takes an extreme step to ensure Vex's appropriateness in adopting Seira and Keira, because she didn't manage to get Vex's profile.

Nate from IDG is one of Lan Yan'er's fanatical fans, who are willing to do almost anything to prove his sincerity. Even so, Nate still couldn't provide Vex's profile.

The answer Nate gave was, "XO doesn't have a profile."

Nate's answer led Lan Yan'er to draw several conclusions, and one of them was: 'Vex may have a serious criminal record that could affect TF Amethyst's dignity.'

Lan Yan'er slowly opened her sleepy eyes, yet she had no intention of getting up. She had watched the mini-cottage 01 until five in the morning. So she decided she wouldn't wake up until noon. After all, until tomorrow she is still on leave.

However, as soon as she turned around, Lan Yan'er's gaze was greeted by Seira and Keira who were playing snake and ladder quietly in the next bed.

Judging from their clothes, it seemed Seira and Keira had already showered and probably had breakfast as well.

Lan Yan'er immediately sat up. "Where's XO?"

Seira answered immediately, "Lucan went to Amethyst Merchant HQbecause of an urgent call."

Lan Yan'er nodded before asking again, "Have you had breakfast?"

"Yes, and we brought Big Sis's tuna-mayo sandwich and tea box."

"Thank you."

With a gentle smile, Lan Yan'er accepted a paper bag that Seira handed her, then she cheerfully enjoyed her breakfast.

- - - - -

Counseling Quarter, QRF Element Complex.

1030, 22 Aug 2025

For more than three hours, Vex and TF Amethyst higher-ups discussed the latest situation in the southern tip of the Southeast Triangle, which lately requires more attention. Even though Vex doesn't like it, he had to admit the meeting has made him realize that he is not the ideal figure to adopt Seira and Keira.

As a second-highest officer, Vex has to give up 85% of his time for TF Amethyst. Meanwhile, the remaining 15% won't be enough to ensure Seira and Keira grow and develop to their full potential.

Although a part of him wasn't willing, in the end Vex hardened his heart.

"Lieutenant Lan, I think you should cross me off from potential foster parents for Seira and Keira. I have to go to the southern end of Southeast Triangle immediately and don't know when to come back."

For some time Lan Yan'er stared at Vex before saying, "XO, do you realize that you are the only potential candidate to become a foster parent for Seira and Keira. You are the only person who managed to make Seira and Keira laugh cheerfully since they lost their father, and they also did not refuse when I left them to you."

"Lieutenant Lan, don't you realize that you're also a potential candidate for Seira and Keira foster parent?"

Seeing a huge question mark appearing on Lan Yan'er's forehead, Vex immediately continued, "Seira told me that she and Keira are very happy to live with you. They are also very worried that they have to return to California and have to live with their mother.

"Also, what made Seira and Keira laugh cheerfully was Big Brown, not me. Before Specialist Hebert went to Berril Plain he promised to buy Seira and Keira a dog. Unfortunately, Specialist Hebert never came back to fulfill his promise. Therefore in Keira and Seira's heart there is a hole that Big Brown happened to be able to close. When they went to find me, what they were looking for was Big Brown.

"As for me, they are just a means of projecting my longing and loving care to my daughter."

Lan Yan'er tapped her finger on the table before saying, "I don't know if what you're saying is the real thing or just a plausible excuse. Also, I know I can't force you to be a foster parent for Seira and Keira but, at least you have to hand Big Brown over to me."

Vex pondered for a moment before asking, "I heard you're afraid of dogs. So are you sure about your request? Because I can leave Big Brown to Lt. Col. Slane so Seira and Keira can still play with him."

With firm determination Lan Yan'er answered, "For Seira and Keira I'm ready to do anything. Also, I hope you don't mind leaving Seira and Keira without saying goodbye. Because if you say goodbye to them and you don't come back, then the damage Seira and Keira will receive will be very heavy."

Tightness filled Vex's chest, because he already intended to bring Seira and Keira to lunch before he left. But in the end, Vex managed to harden his heart.

"Understood, but please don't give Seira and Keira reasons that would make them hate me."

After Lan Yan'er nodded slightly, Vex then went to the window and looked at Seira and Keira, who were playing frisbee with Big Brown and laughing cheerfully.

At the same time, Lan Yan'er somehow caught on to the melancholy enveloping Vex's heart. She then approached him.

"It's amazing that in a very short time you can realize your feelings for Seira and Keira are just a projection. However, it is not as bad as usually shown in melodrama or movies.

"Because most of the sentiments in people's hearts are a reflection of sentiments towards other people. It's just that they don't realize it or don't want to admit it. Besides, the door to deeper relationships begins with recognition and awareness that the sentiments they feel are not completely pure, but mixed with ego, motives and various other things.

"So XO, in the future if you have time to play with Seira and Keira, please don't hesitate to come by."

"Of course," Vex replied firmly while his hands clenched hard. 'I'll definitely come back to play with them.'

*****