Charlene reached out to hold her steady, preventing her from tumbling over.


    As soon as she got close, the familiar scent of Vesta''s perfume wafted into her nose again.


    Charlene took Jasmine''s backpack and ced it gently on the sofa. Just as Jasmine dashed toward the bed, Charlene grabbed her by the arm and asked, "Have you taken a shower?"


    "Yes, I have." Jasmine said.


    If she had showered and still carried Vesta''s scent, it suggested one of two possibilities: either Vesta was living with her and Thorne, or Thorne and Vesta had together dropped her off. Evidently, they had chosen not toe into the building with her. Charlene said calmly, "You''re all sweaty. How about changing into some fresh clothes?"


    Jasmine remembered she had been running around after her shower and might have sweated a bit. She nodded and obediently headed to the bathroom to change.


    Meanwhile, Charlene continued sorting through her papers..


    When Jasmine emerged, now in clean clothes, she rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a small bunny-shapedntern. "Mom, look! Antern!" Charlene paused and looked at it. "This is-"


    "Daddy bought it for me! Isn''t it cute and pretty?!"


    Charlene replied, "... Yes."


    Jasmine then dashed over to turn off Charlene''s room lights, flicked on thentern, and excitedly shared, "Doesn''t it look even prettier with the lights off?!"


    Charlene agreed, "... Yes, it does look prettier." After a moment, she asked, "Do you really like it?"


    "Yeah, I love it so much!" Jasmine eximed. Then she produced anotherntern. "Daddy got me two, and! saved this one for you. Will you take a walk downstairs with me, carrying ournterns?"


    Charlene sighed, "I''ve already had my shower, maybe tomorrow. You just changed too; you don''t want to get dirty again."


    Jasmine''s enthusiasm was slightly dampened by Charlene''s response. Her excitement and joy took a small hit. "Oh..."


    But it had been a month since Jasminest saw Charlene. Realizing Charlene wasn''t very interested in thentern, she stopped trying to sell the idea and instead put thentern down, running over to hug her. "Mom..." Charlene set her papers aside. "Yes, what is it?"


    Initially, Jasmine remained quiet, but then she slipped off her shoes and climbed into Charlene''sp. "I missed you so much," she murmured as she wrapped her arms around Charlene''s neck and delivered two swift kisses to her cheek. Breaking into a giggle, she added, "Mom, you smell so nice."


    Charlene''s arms tightened around her slightly. She paused, then gently stroked Jasmine''s cheek without saying a word. She could tell Jasmine''s face had matured a little, her features shifting slightly, looking a bit more like Thorne.


    Lowering her gaze, she noticed Jasmine wasn''t wearing socks. She ced her on the bed and covered her feet with a nket. "How long will you be staying here this time?"


    Jasmine shrugged. "I don''t know. Daddy just told me to wait here for him toe back."


    Charlene murmured an acknowledgment and didn''t pursue it further.


    Jasmine, however, remembered something else and jumped off the bed to find her backpack. "Mom, I got you a


    09:55


    little gift when I went overseas."


    She retrieved a snow globe she had bought for Charlene and handed it over, her eyes full of hope.


    Ever since Jasmine had grown close to Vesta, it had been a long time since she thought of giving Charlene any gifts.


    Charlene epted it, feeling a calm gratitude, and said, "Thank you, sweetie. I love it."