Chapter 168: Worried That Janice Lacked Maternal Love

Denise couldn’t help sneering. She did not harbor hope that Janice would find her dog.

She didn’t say anything. She got in her car and drove out.

Janice stared at her departing car with a frown and walked toward her own.

Christopher was going through some documents in his office when someone knocked on the door.

He said, "Come in."

The door opened and Rob walked in. He handed over a document and said, "Mr.

Bateman, this is the project plan for the sponsorship you won at the exhibition.

Please take a look."

Christopher didn’t even raise his head. He just asked, "What project is it?"

Rob immediately said, "It’s a private project related to children’s education and retirement."

Hearing Rob, Christopher raised his head.

"Let me have a look."

Rob handed it over.

Christopher looked through the plan, but he couldn’t help frowning.

He was in the technology industry, why did he bid for a civilian project? This was not his specialty at all.

However, he remembered that it was because of Janice that he wanted to obtain it.

He put the document aside and rubbed his temples.

Rob seemed to have read his mind and said, "Your father has mentioned that he wants to exchange projects with you. Would you like to consider it?"

Rob gently asked him.

Christopher remembered such a thing, but he had refused and there was no need to go back on his word.

He said, "There’s no need for that. Since I bought it, I have to take responsibility for it. How about this: you find a professional team to appraise it, and if it’s up to standard, you can transfer the money."

"Yes."

Rob picked up the document and was about to turn and leave when Christopher spoke.

"Did you just say that there is something to do with children’s education?"

Rob replied, "Yes."

Christopher narrowed his eyes. That was a place where maternal instincts would definitely kick in.

He was worried that he wouldn’t be able to arouse Janice’s love for children.

He said, "Leave the children’s education project for now and take the rest for assessment. Remember, they must be assessed thoroughly."

"Yes." Rob left.

Christopher stroked his chin and dialed a number.

Janice was driving to the TV station from the police station when her phone rang. It was Christopher. She picked it up.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m on my way back to the TV station," Janice replied.

Hearing this, Christopher said, "Let’s have lunch together. I have something to tell you."

Janice glanced at the time. "Alright."

At noon, Janice met Christopher at the agreed restaurant.

As soon as they sat down, Christopher asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Janice replied, "You know that I don’t like to order, so feel free to get me anything."

As she spoke, she picked up her phone and looked at it.

Christopher had no choice but to order a few of Janice’s favorites. After the waiter left, he glanced at her mobile phone and asked, "What’s wrong? Do you still have work?"

Janice replied, "I wrote an adoption notice earlier and posted it. There are many comments now, and I’m screening them."

Hearing her words, Christopher frowned. "Leave that for later. I have something to ask you."

Janice put down her phone and said, "What is it?"

Christopher said "I won a civilian project at the exhibition. I want to ask for your opinion."

"What kind of opinion?" Janice was puzzled.

...

Christopher said, "It’s about children’s education. Do you have any good suggestions?"

Janice thought seriously for a moment.

"Speaking of this, I really do have some opinions."

"Oh? Tell me about it then."

Christopher showed his eagerness to listen.

Janice continued, "I’ve done research in this field, and I’ve also interviewed child education experts in the past. Actually, I personally feel that education shouldn’t be focused on accumulating knowledge, but it should be related to the children’s mentality. There’s a saying that goes, ’Some people use their entire lives to recover their childhood.’ I believe that we should pay more attention to young children’s mental health and not blindly yield to societal pressure. Then again, this is only my personal opinion."

Christopher. "Then how about you help me do it."

"But I don’t have much time recently," Janice replied honestly.

Christopher replied, "I don’t need much of your time. I just need you to spare some time every day."

As he spoke, he stared intently at her.

Janice hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"All right then."

Hearing her agree, Christopher heaved a sigh of relief.

He thought to himself, "Finally, you’ve entered into my trap."

He said, "Later, I want you to join me in visiting a nearby education base to take a look."

"Later? So fast?" Janice was surprised.

Christopher replied, "Of course, it’s summer vacation now. We’re in a hurry to complete."

"All right then."

Janice didn’t think too much about it.

After dinner, the two of them went to Tomaville’s largest children’s education base.

When they arrived at the door, Rob was already waiting there and immediately came up to them.

"Mr. Bateman, Ms. Gladwell."

Christopher glanced at the magnificent building and asked, "Is everything ready?"

Rob said, "Everything has been arranged according to your instructions."

Christopher nodded. He then looked at Janice and said, "Let’s go in."

Janice nodded and followed.

It was lunch break, and the whole compound was very quiet. In order not to disturb the children’s rest, they changed into special slippers upon entering.

The staff led the way, through the amusement area to the education area, and then to the living area. At each area, the staff made a careful introduction.

While listening, Christopher quietly observed Janice’s expression.

After all, he had brought her here with a clear purpose.

However, he discovered that Janice didn’t express any particular fondness, she was just earnestly observing.

Was she really just going to treat it as a tour?

Suddenly, Janice stopped in her tracks. He looked over in confusion and saw her standing in front of a doodle wall, silently looking at the doodles. She seemed to be very interested.

Seeing that something had finally piqued Janice’s interest, he quickly asked her. "What are you looking at?"

Janice didn’t say anything, but her eyes fell on a clear footprint among the scribbles. She stared at the out- of-place footprint, and a graphic image emerged in her mind. A group of children was drawing seriously. Suddenly, a naughty foot reached out and left a footprint.

Thinking of that scene, she couldn’t help smiling.

However, in Christopher’s eyes, this smile was inexplicable.

"What are you laughing at?" He asked again.

...

Janice reached out her hand.

"Look, there’s a cute little footprint over there."

Hearing this, Christopher followed her gaze and saw a small footprint in the midst of the chaotic doodles.

"It’s really cute."

"And these drawings are also very interesting." Janice sighed appreciatively.

Looking at her unconscious intrigued expression, Christopher thought, "It turns out that she does have maternal instincts."

Her eyes were particularly bright, as if she felt special towards those doodles.

He couldn’t help but ask, "You seem to be very interested in these scribbles."

Janice paused for a moment and said, "Mmm, I loved drawing when I was young and also liked doodling on the wall. My dream was to be a painter when I grew up."

Hearing her words, Christopher’s eyes were filled with curiosity.

"Oh? Then why didn’t you realize your dream?" he asked.

Janice did not speak. Her eyes were faraway for a moment before she sighed somewhat helplessly.

"Childhood dreams always come and go quickly. There wasn’t any particular reason why I stopped."

Although she said that, Christopher could tell that she was hiding something.

He leaned close and whispered, "Actually, you don’t need to have regrets. If you want to, it’s not too late to start learning now."

However, Janice smiled. "Forget it, learning art requires a calm heart. Do you think that I can calm down now?"

She shook her head helplessly.

Christopher suddenly had an idea.

"Maybe you can give birth to a child and let him help you achieve your dream."

Hearing this, Janice was stunned for a moment before she rolled her eyes at him. "Do you think that children are playthings?"

Christopher frowned and did not say anything.

"Forget it. I’m doing fine now, isn’t it?"

As Janice spoke, she continued to walk forwards.

Christopher stared at her with furrowed brows. She did not seem to have been swayed.

Since that was the case, why not be more direct?

Thinking of this, he crooked his finger towards Rob and Rob leaned close.

Christopher whispered a few words in his ear. Rob nodded repeatedly, then turned to the staff and said a few words.

The staff member nodded. "Mr. and Mrs. Bateman, the children’s rest area is just up ahead. Would you like to take a look?"

Janice asked, "Aren’t they taking their afternoon nap?"

"Ten more minutes and they wake up."

Hearing this, Janice glanced at Christopher, "Why don’t we go and have a look?"

Naturally, Christopher nodded in agreement.

Not long after, the two of them reached the rest area. At this time, little kids were standing by the bed and doing exercise.

With their little limbs and heads swaying back and forth, they looked very adorable.

After Janice got the approval of the staff, she took out her camera and took many photos.

Christopher noticed it and couldn’t help but ask when he was leaving. "How is it? What are you feeling?"

"How do I feel?" Janice naturally thought that Christopher was asking for her opinion on children’s education. She said, "I’m sticking to my previous idea and paying more attention to the children’s mental health."

Hearing her reply, Christopher frowned. It seemed that this trip was in vain.

"What’s wrong? Why do you look unhappy?" Janice looked at him and asked.

Just as Christopher was about to answer, his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up.

As he listened, his face became serious.

"I’ll be right there."