Chapter Eighty-Five: Huh? Why Does It Taste Different?

What are you doing here? As soon as Willow entered, she saw Mira leaning against Adrian’s shoulder, pointing at the computer screen.

“Huh?” Mira instinctively withdrew the hand that had been resting on Adrian’s shoulder. “I was just taking a look...”

“Done looking? Then go back!” Willow mercilessly shoved Mira out. Staring at the door as it closed, Mira angrily waved her fists a few times.

“Go make dinner,” Willow said from the bed, nudging Adrian with her foot. You’re already out of the running, so what are you still looking at other people for?

“Wait. What do you want to eat tonight?” Adrian asked, brushing at the little foot behind him.

Willow, unconvinced, kicked him twice more. “Anything!”

Adrian could only shrug helplessly. The most troublesome words a woman could say were always “anything.”

He closed the laptop and went to check the refrigerator, only to find there was hardly any produce left. With no choice, he changed shoes and prepared to go out and buy some. Hearing the movement, Mira opened the door and happened to meet his eyes.

“Going out? Take me with you!”

Adrian thought it over. He was still short one pair of hands to carry things, so he nodded.

...

On the way to the market with Mira, Adrian realized something was off. The vendors’ looks toward him were rather strange.

He did not dwell on it, though. After choosing a pile of vegetables, he was about to head back when he spotted the fish laid out in the corner.

Curious, he walked over to have a look. They were ordinary carp, probably caught from a pond.

He bought two and asked the owner to clean them, planning to take them home and make fish soup. Lina would probably like it.

After Adrian and Mira left, behind them—

“See that kid? Every time he comes to buy groceries, he brings a different girl!”

“Exactly! I’ve seen three already!”

“Impressive. Unlike us, who can’t even find a woman!”

“Didn’t someone introduce one to you last time?”

“Don’t even start! That girl is already in college.”

“Isn’t that perfect?”

“Get back to selling your vegetables! Too much nonsense!”

...

Mira carried the fish in one hand and looped the other around Adrian’s arm. After all, being alone with him was still the most comfortable thing. She did not want to go back...

In the kitchen, after Adrian finished stir-frying the dishes, he took another pot to pan-fry the fish, then set up a stool and kept a low flame simmering the fish soup beside him.

Not long after, Lena seemed to catch the smell too. She brought a little stool over and sat beside Adrian.

“I want some already!” she said, licking her lips and looking at her older brother expectantly.

“Don’t rush. It’ll be ready soon.” Adrian reached out and ruffled Lena’s hair twice, making it a mess. She did not say anything about it. That was all you had anyway—such a coward.

Soon after, Adrian used a slotted spoon to strain out the dregs and carefully poured the fish soup into a bowl, giving one bowl to Lena first.

Seeing how happily she drank it, Adrian could not help but smile.

“Is it good?”

“Mhm!” Lena smacked her lips with childlike delight. “I like everything you make!”

...

Starting Wednesday, the school held a three-day sports meet, bringing a little surprise to the students who had only recently begun the term.

Although Adrian and Lena were not interested in the events, Willow had entered the women’s five-thousand-meter race, while Mira was naturally up on the announcer’s platform reporting the results.

Lena leaned shamelessly against Adrian’s shoulder, bored as she watched the competition. If it were not for Willow’s race, she would have wanted to sneak out for a snack already.

Only when the announcer declared the next contestants did Lena sit up straight.

Seeing Willow, the two of them waved at her from the track to cheer her on. Willow naturally saw them as well and raised a tiny fist toward them.

Adrian then led Lena down to the field and stood at the side to watch Willow.

There were no preliminary rounds for the school’s five-thousand-meter race, so he watched her pass in front of him lap after lap. At first she seemed fine, but later Willow was still slightly open-mouthed, breathing hard. Seeing the sweat on her forehead made Adrian feel a little sorry for her.

When she finally finished the race, Adrian hurried forward and pulled her into his arms, then helped her sit on a chair nearby.

“Drink some water.”

Willow felt she was still all right and smiled at him. Unfortunately, she only came in second. Looking helplessly at the first-place finisher’s broad, robust build, she thought, Fine, you’re impressive.

Anyway, Willow had only entered this one event. After resting for a while and feeling the sticky sweat on her body, she decided she should go back and take a shower.

“Lena, are you heading back?” Although slipping away early was not ideal, Adrian glanced around and feared that not even half of one class had come.

“No. You guys go ahead. I’ll come back with Mira later,” Lena said, shaking her head.

Halfway back, Willow looked at the oblivious Adrian. I’m already this tired! Don’t you know to carry me?

In the end, Willow still got her wish and jumped onto Adrian’s back... while he was tying his shoelaces...

“You’re really heavy,” Adrian said, weighing her on his back, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

“You!” Willow smacked his head angrily. “Last time you said I wasn’t fat!”

“Just kidding. You’re not heavy at all!” Fearing she would dwell on it, Adrian denied it repeatedly.

Willow rested against his shoulder, feeling wonderfully secure.

Passing by the street, Adrian even bought her a cup of warm milk tea.

“Turn around. I’ll feed you,” Willow said after taking a sip, keeping the tea in her mouth without swallowing.

Adrian turned his head, and just then Willow leaned in as well.

“Is it good?” After swallowing the mouthful of milk tea, Willow asked with a bright smile.

“Good!” You really know how to play, Adrian thought, savoring the taste. Delicious.

“Of course!” Seeing his reaction, Willow said it as though it were only natural.

Back home, Willow took her clothes into the bathroom. Adrian glanced at the milk tea she had left on the coffee table and, possessed by some strange impulse, took a sip.

Huh? Why does it taste different?

Puzzled, he wanted to ask Willow about it, but could not quite bring himself to speak.

When Willow came out, she was walking while drying her long hair with a towel. So wet and annoying.

“Adrian! Come help blow-dry my hair. I’m exhausted and don’t want to move!”

He had been in the room playing on his phone. Hearing her call him, he tossed the phone aside and went out at once.

Sitting on the sofa, Adrian held the hair dryer and stared blankly at Willow’s waist-length hair.

It had to be said, her hair was truly beautiful, and there was so much of it. She probably would not go bald later, would she?

He dried her hair while combing it out with a brush.

“Adrian~”

Leaning forward in comfort, Willow suddenly said, “From now on, will you always blow-dry my hair for me?”

Adrian froze, even the movement of his hand stopping for a moment.

“Okay.” He answered while smoothing her slightly dry hair.

After everything was tidied up, Willow tossed the clothes she had changed out of into the washing machine and lay down on Adrian’s lap, already feeling sleepy.

“Still want dinner?” Adrian pinched her little face and asked.

“When the two of them come back, let’s order takeout. Don’t go anywhere,” Willow said, lying there comfortably. She could not let such a perfect pillow escape.