Chapter 389

Mike overheard their conversation and interjected. "Mr. Corden," he said.

Lily stood and nodded. He gestured for them to sit, holding a small boy in his other hand.

"Hello, everyone," Nick greeted pleasantly. His voice was crisp and clear.

"Hello, Nick," Lisa replied with a smile. She knew him well.

Lily nodded and said, "Hello."

The little boy held a neatly wrapped box. After releasing his father's hand, he approached Lily and gave her the box.

"Ms. Christian," he said, "My father said you saved me. I can't repay you for saving my life, but this is a small gift. I hope you like it."

Despite his age, he spoke articulately. Lily might have refused the gift if Mike had offered it, but a child's offering didn't seem extravagant; the box was small. She couldn't refuse him and accepted it, saying, "Thank you!"

Nick, well-behaved, immediately returned to his father's side once Lily accepted the gift. Lily was impressed by the child.

It was distressing to consider his allergies.

Once everyone was seated, Mike asked, "Have you ordered food yet?"

"We wouldn't dare to eat without you, would we?" Lisa replied playfully. He smiled. "You should have ordered first. I'm sorry I'm late."

He then skillfully ordered several dishes without looking at the menu, turning to Lily and asking, "Is there anything you dislike? Or any favorites? I was worried you might not be used to the food here, so I ordered a variety."

"I'm not picky," Lily replied. She wasn't fussy when eating out, especially since this wasn't a social gathering.

"Are fries okay?" Mike asked Nick softly. Nick nodded.

"Can we get ketchup on the side?"

Mike's brow furrowed slightly. He didn't reply immediately. Nick looked nervous, but relaxed when Mike finally nodded and said, "Okay."

Lily noticed the subtle shift in the child's expression and remembered Lisa's comments about his past. Recalling that he was conceived not out of love but as a means to obtain it, she felt even more distressed. "Actually," she interjected, "Avoiding allergens should be fine."

Mike looked up. "We're not sure what his allergens are, though."

Lily was surprised. "What do you mean, you're not sure?"

Dairy, nuts, seafood, pollen—allergens are common. Avoiding them usually suffices. Yet Mike claimed uncertainty about Nick's allergies.

Could it be that Mike wasn't well-informed about his son's health?

After ordering, Mike poured Nick a glass of warm water. "Nick's allergies are unusual," he explained. "His first reaction was at age two—goat's milk. So I thought avoiding goat's milk would be enough. Then it was bread, then peanuts. He's reacted differently to the same foods at different times, so it's hard to say what he's allergic to now."