Many children bring happiness, a shameless start

"Jessica, I think I've heard enough about smuggling. If there's nothing else, I'll head out." Lip smiled as he prepared to leave.

"Lip, you bastard!"

Jessica's eyes instantly reddened.

"What's wrong?"

"You asked me to be your woman, and I agreed. You wanted to know the secrets of smuggling, and I told you everything. But now you're just slapping me on the butt and leaving?"

"Uh… that doesn't seem fair," Lip admitted, an awkward smile on his face.

Who cares? he thought. We kissed her until even the cashier couldn't get mad.

Lip pulled Jessica into his arms and kissed her passionately.

After a few minutes, Jessica collapsed in Lip's embrace, her face flushed.

"Now, are you satisfied?"

Jessica nodded shyly.

"Lip, I'm willing to share you with the girl downstairs and be your second wife."

"Uh… Jessica, you'd actually be the third."

"What?! You already have a girlfriend? Believe it or not, I'll kill them both!"

Jessica's eyes blazed with anger as she glared at Lip.

"I believe you," Lip said calmly. "But even if you did, you'd never get me—neither my body nor my soul."

Jessica's face fell, and her tone softened.

"Men especially hate women who think they're too smart or self-righteous," Lip added.

"So, what kind of woman do you like?"

"One that attracts me, inside and out."

Jessica looked thoughtful.

"Lip, can't you stay a little longer?" she asked, her tone suddenly coquettish.

"Woman, don't push your luck," Lip warned.

"Hmph!"

Frustrated, Jessica broke free from Lip's arms and stamped her foot.

"I'm leaving," Lip said, standing up. He began walking downstairs.

But as he reached the door, Jessica hugged him from behind.

"When will you come see me again?"

"Maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after, or maybe one day when you're least expecting it. If you behave, I might just show up out of nowhere."

"Do you think I'm a child who'll believe that?"

"Believe it or not, I really have to go."

Lip gently pried Jessica's hands off him.

"Fine, you can go, but give me your contact info first."

"Deal."

Lip handed Jessica his phone number, gave her a polite fist salute, and left.

Downstairs, Lip rejoined Karen and Carl and escorted them home.

Jessica stood on the second floor, staring dreamily after him until his figure disappeared at the end of the street.

After dropping off Karen and Carl, it was nearly 2 p.m. Lip decided to head to the Milkovich house—this time to see Mandy.

He'd been thinking about Mandy for a while now.

On the way, he stopped by a flower shop and a convenience store, picking up a bouquet of sunflowers and an armful of snacks.

Knock, knock, knock!

Lip rapped on Mandy's door.

Creak~

The door opened, and Mandy, dressed in a casual yet cool outfit, peeked out.

When she saw Lip, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh my God! Lip, what are you doing here?"

"Didn't I say I'd come by and take you out?"

"Hehe, so you were serious!" Mandy's cheeks turned pink.

"Of course. When a man makes a promise to his woman, he keeps it." Lip handed Mandy the sunflowers and snacks.

"Thank you! Do you want to come in and sit for a while?"

"Better not—I don't want to make Mickey and the others uncomfortable."

"Wait here for a bit," Mandy said happily, shutting the door.

"Sure."

Lip sat down on the steps and pulled a cigarette from his pocket.

Hiss… Puff…

He exhaled a cloud of smoke, watching it drift lazily into the cold winter sky.

About ten minutes later, Mandy reappeared, her face glowing.

When Lip turned around, his eyes were immediately drawn to her legs, pale as snow and impossibly smooth.

"Does it look good?" Mandy asked playfully.

"It looks amazing."

"Want to touch?"

"I do."

Mandy giggled, sat next to Lip, and grabbed his hand, placing it on her thigh.

"How does it feel?"

"At first, it's a bit cold, but now it's smooth, soft, and warm." Lip stroked her thigh for a moment, then withdrew his hand.

"Why'd you stop?"

"Fool, let's get going. If I come back late, Mickey might shoot me."

"He wouldn't dare! No one messes with my boyfriend."

Hearing Mandy's fierce defense, Lip felt like he'd struck gold.

He stood, took her hand, and they started walking down the street together.

"Lip, what are we doing first?"

"First, we'll get your hair done. Then we'll buy you some new clothes, and finally, we'll grab something delicious to eat."

"And after that?"

"Well, then it'll be time to take you home."

"I don't need to go home."

"Mandy, what do you mean? Don't tell me…"

Lip trailed off, staring at her flushed cheeks. If he didn't understand what she meant by now, he'd have to be a fool.

"Hehe… Mandy, are you sure you don't want to go home tonight?"

Mandy nodded shyly.

Lip grinned, and Mandy hugged his arm tightly.

The two walked down the street, wrapped in each other's warmth.