"Right, your dad's dirty jokes—I mean, French humor is really funny." Luca said while chewing on honeydew melon. "His red eyes are super cool. They look especially deep. I originally thought he wore colored contacts to look cool! But apparently not."

"Those are called eyes with stories!" Tommaso added with theatrical flair.

"It's hereditary." Dorian explained simply.

For the rest of the time, the four continued playing games, eating treats, and chatting boisterously. At one point, the Brazilian wandering spider Alice crawled in through the open window and paused briefly on the windowsill. Luca, who was drinking cola, nearly choked in fright.

＊

As evening approached, Lleuad knocked on the annex window. "Boys! Come help carry things!"

The four hurried out to the barbecue area in the east courtyard. Lleuad was stacking charcoal in the grill, while the nearby table was laden with various ingredients: large cuts of different meats, seasonal vegetables, fresh river seafood, and an array of sauces and seasonings.

"Is there anything we can do, Mr. Lleuad?" Andrea asked politely.

"Bring those chairs over there, and set out the tableware." Lleuad directed with the air of a commanding elder. He wore striking long earrings, a dark green V-neck fitted tee paired with cargo pants.

The boys sprang into action. Tommaso and Luca carried chairs while Andrea helped set the table. Dorian returned inside, first taking the picked-clean pastry and fruit plates from the annex to the main house kitchen, then helping Suolan carry other things.

"They're very polite and lively." In the kitchen, Suolan remarked while preparing salad.

"They're alright, just too noisy sometimes." Dorian picked up a stack of clean plates and napkins.

"Young people should be energetic. You could loosen up a bit more yourself." Suolan smiled.

When they returned to the barbecue area, Lleuad had already lit the fire and started grilling. The aroma carried far. The three boys sat around the table, watching him skillfully flip the food on the grill.

Luca mustered the courage to ask, "Mr. Lleuad, is your hair color natural?"

Although Lleuad always dressed fashionably, and it wouldn't be strange for someone so stylish to dye their hair, Luca felt the color looked remarkably natural. Even the roots were silver gray, with no darker tones or golden gradients.

"Yep, family genetics. It can appear every two or three generations." Lleuad answered casually. "Why, want to dye yours the same?"

"No, no, no, my dad would kill me! I just thought it was really unique!" Luca waved his hands frantically in clarification, deeply afraid this classmate's father might actually recommend some top-tier hair stylist.

Lleuad flashed a mischievous smile. "Being unique is good. What's fun about being ordinary? Go home and tell your dad: 'This way you won't have to worry about going gray young.'"

Suolan came out carrying salads, setting down plates of Caprese salad and panzanella before walking over to Lleuad's side to check the grill. "Is the meat almost done?"

"Two more minutes, darling." Lleuad casually wrapped an arm around Suolan's waist.

The three boys averted their gazes in unison. Only Dorian, expression unchanged, began serving the salad.

Dinner proceeded in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. They didn't turn on the outdoor projector for a movie, choosing instead to spend the time with each other. Lleuad told some interesting stories, with Suolan chiming in with details from time to time. The boys listened with rapt attention.

"So you two really met in Venice?" Tommaso asked curiously to confirm.

"Absolutely, love at first sight." Lleuad looked at Suolan, his eyes full of tenderness.

"It truly was love at first sight. After all, a certain someone invited me out for drinks right at the banquet." Suolan smiled sweetly.

"Because I could tell at a glance that you were the most captivating person there." Lleuad said affectionately.

"Your exact words at the time were, 'Venice has so many beautiful places worth exploring, yet I find your company more enchanting than any scenery. Would you be willing to leave with me and find somewhere more private to talk?'" Suolan blinked, casting a flirtatious glance back. "Quite the clever invitation."

"And it proved my judgment was spot on." Lleuad said smugly. "You replied, 'However, I must warn you, my passion for fine food might derail our conversation.'"

Dorian chewed his barbecue expressionlessly, treating his parents' sweet nothings as everyday table seasoning. His friends struggled to control their expressions, pretending to focus on the food on their plates, while inwardly marveling at the two adults' memory.

After dinner, darkness had fully descended. Everyone tidied up the barbecue area together. Once the place was restored to order, the three boys prepared to take their leave.

"Today was really fun! Thank you for having us." Andrea thanked them sincerely.

"You're welcome anytime." Suolan remained gentle as ever.

"Next time you can go swimming. I know you've all been eyeing our pool for a while." Lleuad suggested. The backyard pool was spacious enough for these youngsters to have fun.

"Really? That's awesome! Dorian, let's race to see who swims faster!" Luca excitedly threw his arm around Dorian's neck.

"Get your bets ready, the swimming champion has arrived!" Tommaso laughed with his hands on his hips, eager to show off his skills.

Dorian walked them to the courtyard gate, where the four chatted until the taxi they had booked through the app arrived. After finally seeing his friends off, he returned to the main house kitchen to find that his parents had already washed all the cups, plates, and utensils. The disassembled grill rack sat to the side, draining.

So Dorian went upstairs to the family room, where he found his two parents cuddled together on the long sofa watching TV.

"Did you have fun today?" Suolan asked.

"I did." Dorian sat down on the single sofa nearby. As he grew older, his expressions had become increasingly subtle, but his parents could still easily see through to his true emotions.

Dorian was genuinely happy right now.

"I meant to mention this last time, Andrea strikes me as particularly smart." Lleuad remarked.

"He really is one of the top students in our class."

"Having good friends is a blessing. Treasure them." Suolan smiled.

Dorian gave an obedient "Mm." Indeed, having ordinary friends who accepted his family's uniqueness was something worth treasuring. Even if they didn't know this family's true secrets, he could still enjoy normal moments of friendship.