Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
âBut Natalia has already been adopted by Professor Romanka.âGong Jie reminded the boy kindly.
Youyou was unimpressed and retorted, âThatâs not adoption, itâs abuse!â
Alice agreed earnestly, âGoing by international law, Professor Romanka would not be considered to have violated adoption-related laws. His adoption relationship with Natalia would also be perfectly justifiable. There would be no way for us to interfere. And there would be no way for your uncle to adopt Natalia directly because the conditions for adoption would not be met.â
The boy was naturally saddened to hear that. Alice noticed this and was intrigued. She squatted in front of him and tugged gently at his little hand.
âDo you like her?â
Youyou immediately blushed and looked away awkwardly with a snort. âNo!â
âThen⦠why are you so concerned about her?â Alice grinned, probing to get to the bottom of it.
âHa!â Gong Jie rubbed his nephewâs head indulgently. âOur boy is in love. Are you attracted to the girl?â
The boyâs face was flushed as he emphasized. âStop talking nonsense! Itâs just that I feel so sorry for Natalia that she has to go through such abuse!â
He couldnât help but think of his own childhood. As a child, he, too, had been imprisoned in such a world, he was without freedom. But then, Natalya was different from him. She was a healthy child.
It was hard to imagine that sheâd been abandoned when she was born. Sheâd survived bad luck in that kind of winter, and sheâd been healthy, but sheâd been held prisoner in a hospital like this, subjected to these disguised experiments.
She was clearly not someone with a split personality, but she had been created to be one. She could have been carefree, like the other children, out playing, or eating delicious candies. But instead, she was locked in a cold, miserable ward where freedom was a luxury.
âProfessor Romanka doesnât deserve to be her father.â With that, Youyou turned his brooding gaze on Gong Jie.
The man cleared his throat. âYou donât⦠really want me to adopt her, do you?â
The boy continued to look at him.
The man spoke again. âIâm not marriedâ¦â
âGirls love a man with a kind heart and sense of responsibility.â
ââ¦â
The kid was clearly trying to get him involved in this matter. Still playing dead, Gong Jie looked up into the distance. The boy continued to look at him. The uncle and nephew faced each other silently.
The boyâs gaze was so sharp that Gong Jie finally gave in. âI surrender. Please donât glare at me like that. You could have gotten your dear daddy to adopt her. Then youâd have a lovely sister!â
The boy pursed his lips. âBut Daddy and Mommy have already adopted Lisa.â
âIt doesnât matter. Your daddy can afford to adopt any number of Natalia.â
âThatâs different!â The boy folded his arms and said matter-of-factly, âI think youâre the best person for the job.â
Gong Jie fell silent. This kid clearly wanted to push him into the pit of fire, right?
Alice said quietly, âAdopting her wonât hurt you. Itâs not going to reduce you to a pauper. You might as well agree!â
The manâs face turned ashen. âI donât know how to take care of a child at all. How am I supposed to do that?â
Nataliaâs gaze, noble and inviolable as a Ragdoll catâs, appeared in his mind. He felt that this little girl was arrogant and definitely not easy to get along with. He had no experience, especially when it came to pacifying children.