Chapter 678: Chapter 678: Learning One’s Origins

Renee Jennings watched Blueberry’s proud little display, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

She set Pippi down, rose, and walked over to Blueberry. Scooping the cat into her arms, she nuzzled it affectionately with her cheek.

"Are you embarrassed, or just shy?"

Blueberry blinked its cat eyes, its heart feeling as if it had melted into cotton candy, all warm and sweet. Yet, it stubbornly refused to admit it. "What do you mean shy? I don’t get shy."

"Alright, alright." Renee stroked its head, smoothing its fur. She said with a grin, "You don’t get shy."

**

After New Year’s Day, Renee held a farewell party for Pippi at Eastgate Villa.

"WOOF WOOF WOOF! Pippi, you have to promise you’ll miss me!" Bella padded over, nuzzling against Pippi, unable to bear parting.

Pippi nodded vigorously. "WOOF WOOF! Don’t worry, Bella, I’ll definitely miss you!"

His friends lined up in an orderly fashion to say their goodbyes one by one.

After the send-off at the villa, Renee and Michelle Fuller left with Pippi to meet Freya Sterling.

They had arranged to meet at a Western-style restaurant. Freya Sterling had even brought gifts for all the other pets back at the villa.

Pippi’s tongue lolled out as he imagined how happy his friends would be when they got their presents.

’It’s just a shame I won’t be there to see it.’

"Renee, thank you again for taking such good care of Pippi!" As they prepared to part ways at the restaurant entrance, Freya Sterling held Pippi and bowed deeply to Renee once more.

"You’re welcome. Pippi helped me a lot, too." Renee helped her up and reached out to stroke Pippi’s head.

Freya Sterling said gently, "Pippi, is there anything you want to say to Renee?"

Pippi stared at Renee as the feeling of not wanting to leave surged in his heart again. "Renee, I’ll miss you. Renee, you have to promise you won’t forget me."

Renee’s eyes curved into crescents as she chuckled. "Don’t worry, Pippi. We’ll all miss you."

Michelle Fuller nodded as well. "Ginny and I will miss you, too."

"Then I can rest easy." Pippi’s tongue lolled out, and he grinned happily.

Renee’s lips curved slightly. "Stella, where are you headed? I can give you a ride."

"Oh, no, no." Freya Sterling quickly waved her hands. "Please don’t trouble yourself, Renee. The place I’m staying isn’t far from here. I was planning to take Pippi for a little walk first."

"Alright, then." Renee nodded and waved, her voice filled with a gentle warmth. "Stella, Pippi, see you next time."

She and Michelle Fuller turned and headed for the parking lot.

Pippi kept staring at their backs as they walked away.

Freya Sterling, still holding him, turned and started down another path.

Pippi turned his head back, still looking in the direction Renee had gone, and whimpered, "Renee, I’ll really, really miss you!"

Renee paused and looked back, but she could no longer see Pippi and Freya Sterling.

Back at the villa, Renee noticed the furry kids weren’t their usual cheerful selves. They were likely still sad about Pippi leaving their big family.

Renee frowned in thought for a moment, then clapped her hands, calling everyone over to play a game.

As expected, the furry kids were distracted, and they all gathered around Renee curiously.

An hour later, the game was over.

Renee watched them discreetly for a moment. Seeing that the gloomy mood had lifted, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Another week passed. The children started their winter vacation, and the villa was filled with lively chatter and laughter every day.

On the day of the Little New Year festival, Renee received a call from Henry Stark.

"Wendy Lowe and Phoebe Sawyer are back in the country. You should talk to Aunt Rae. I expect it won’t be long before Phoebe Sawyer finds out the truth about her origins."

Hearing this, Renee instinctively looked up. Rhea Dempsey was knitting little wool hats for the furry kids.

"Okay, I understand," she replied softly.

After hanging up, Renee was lost in thought about the news. She didn’t snap out of it until Willow spoke to her.

"Renee."

Renee collected herself and put on a smile. "Willow, what is it?"

Willow pointed at her notebook. "I don’t recognize these two characters. Can you help me look up how to pronounce them?"

"Of course." Renee helped Willow look up the characters, then went and sat next to Rhea Dempsey.

Rhea Dempsey glanced at her and smiled. "What do you think of this color? It’s for Cici’s little hat."

"It’s lovely," Renee nodded. "Cici will definitely like this shade of pink."

"I think so too. Cici is such a girly-girl at heart."

"Mom."

"Hm?"

When Renee didn’t say anything for a while, Rhea Dempsey stopped her knitting and turned her head to look at her. "Renee, why so quiet?"

Renee met her gaze, her lips parting as she spoke slowly. "Mom, do you want to see Phoebe?"

Rhea Dempsey froze for several seconds. "Phoebe?" she asked, her voice trembling. "She... she’s back?"

"Yes." Renee nodded, her voice gentle. "Phoebe’s back in the country. Do you want to see her?"

Rhea Dempsey opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

After a moment, she said hesitantly, "Would that be appropriate? What if I disturb her? No, it’s better if I don’t."

"Mom, what if we just watch her from a distance? What do you think?" Renee suggested.

Rhea Dempsey still shook her head. "No. Let’s drop it."

"Mom, I think if you want to see her..."

"Renee, haven’t you done a livestream in a while?" Rhea Dempsey cut her off, urging, "Go on, go stream. Your viewers are waiting."

Seeing her reaction, Renee had no choice but to drop the subject.

’But she knew, deep down, that her mother desperately wanted to.’

She returned to her study. Just as she was about to start her livestream, a call came in from Sylvia Brooks.

Renee answered the phone with a smile. "Summer, happy Little New Year."

On the other end, Sylvia Brooks’ voice was also full of cheer. "Thanks, Renee! A happy and healthy Little New Year to you too, and joy to your whole family."

"Calling me at this hour, you must need something, right?"

"You’re too smart. Guessed it in one."

"What is it?"

"I have a friend who just got back from abroad. She stumbled across your livestream once and needs your help with something."

Renee raised an eyebrow in surprise. "She found my stream while she was abroad? For real?"

Sylvia Brooks’ voice lifted. "Yep. You’re actually pretty famous among Chinese communities overseas."

"I really had no idea," Renee said with a laugh. "So, what kind of help does she need?"

"When are you free in the next couple of days? Let’s talk about it in person."

"Alright, how about tomorrow at three in the afternoon?"

"Great. Can I pick you up from your place tomorrow afternoon?"

"Sure."

"Great, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

After hanging up, Renee suddenly couldn’t remember why she had come upstairs, so she went back downstairs.

Rhea Dempsey was still sitting on the sofa, but she had stopped knitting the hat and was staring blankly into space.

Renee knew she was thinking about Phoebe Sawyer.

She didn’t go over to disturb her. Instead, she turned and went out into the garden.

The next afternoon, Sylvia Brooks arrived at Eastgate Villa carrying a few bags of pastries.

Glenn and Zane were in the courtyard playing with the furry kids. Seeing Sylvia Brooks from a distance, they waved their little hands and shouted a greeting.

"Sister Sharon!"

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