“As long as you behave, there won't be any need for punishment!” Arissa didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She wasn't addicted to punishing people after all.
“Mommy, we promise to behave and always prioritize our safety,” Zachary assured her sincerely.
“Mommy is the best!” Jasper rushed over to hug Arissa, planting a kiss on her face.
Jesse and Oliver also scrambled over to kiss her. “Mommy!”
“Thank you, Mommy!” Tim also leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
The children's kisses left traces of saliva on Arissa's face. Holding them in her arms, she laughed and said, “That's enough.”
Seeing her nearly overwhelmed by the children, Benjamin quickly stepped in to pull the children away.
“Stop bothering your mommy. Go take a shower now!”
Aware of Arissa's health concerns, the children held no ill feelings toward Benjamin. They joined Arissa, engaging in a pleasant conversation for some time before retiring to their own bedroom to take showers.
“If you have tasks to attend to, feel free to proceed. I'm about to sleep,” Arissa informed Benjamin as she lay down.
Benjamin glanced at her. “Aren't you going to the bathroom?”
Arissa shook her head, making herself comfortable. “I don't want to get up now. When I need to, I'll call you!”
“Mm!” Benjamin nodded, tucking her in before he left the bedroom.
Downstairs, Shaun, Ethen, Jack, and Bradley were casually chatting on the couch, while Edwin was in the kitchen preparing some supper for them.
Having completed a thirty-kilometer run with weights, they had essentially burned through their dinner. Consequently, their hunger had intensified considerably.
Upon seeing Benjamin come down the stairs, they all turned their attention to him, greeting him warmly.
“Mr. Graham!”
“Benjamin!”
Benjamin glanced at them. Noticing their dispirited appearances, he let out a soft snort.
“It's just thirty kilometers. Is that the extent of your capabilities?”
The others fell silent.
Shaun laughed awkwardly, ignoring the contempt from Benjamin. “Benjamin, I work at the hospital all day. How can I compare with you!”
Benjamin let out a chuckle as his gaze playfully scanned over them. “If you wish to avoid becoming the subject of Gavin and the children's jests, it's best to adhere to your morning physical training routine.”
“Yes, Mr. Graham. I will set a good example for the children in the future!” Jack declared with full vigor and enthusiasm.
Seated beside him, Shaun found himself nearly deafened by the volume. He inserted his finger into his ear and grumbled, “Was it really necessary to yell so loudly?”
Ethen and Bradley exchanged amused glances, sharing a laugh at the situation. Even though they were seated a fair distance from Jack, his loud exclamation had managed to startle them as well, evoking their sense of empathy for Shaun.
Ethen glanced at Benjamin and responded, “Mr. Graham, I will exercise daily whenever I have time. If possible, I'll invite the children to join me!”
Benjamin was just about to discuss this matter with them. Therefore, he took this opportunity to talk about the future training tasks for the children.
“For daily training, Ethen and Shaun are in charge. During the holidays, Jack will take over!”
Ethen harbored a sense of weariness that ran deep, yet he refrained from expressing his weariness aloud. Even with the challenges he faced, the prospect of sharing each day with the children brought him immense happiness.
Shaun had no problem with that as he was living here now. Taking care of the children's training tasks in the morning and evening was no problem for him.
“Benjamin, how long do we have to be responsible for this?”
Don't tell me he wants me to keep on training the kids after I return to the hospital to work.
Benjamin glanced at him. “Until they actually start studying at the base.”
Shaun parted his lips and pressed on, “When will that be?”
Is Benjamin really willing to send the children to the base?
“Did Arissa agree?”
“It depends on when they are able to get used to it.” Benjamin couldn't give them the exact time.
“They are still so young...” Shaun said reluctantly.
“By their age, I had already been training at the base for several years!”
During Benjamin's childhood, Darius had taken him to the military base. He subjected him to training akin to that of his own soldiers, paying no heed to the fact that Benjamin was still a young child.
Knowing that, Shaun fell silent.
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