Chapter 31: Chapter 31: How Could She Not Be Embarrassed

Adrian Law and Cecilia Vaughn went to the food street next to Stellerton High School.

Stellerton High School is Cecilia Vaughn’s alma mater. It is managed quite strictly, with the vast majority of students living on campus. Since they arrived relatively early, there were hardly any students on the street.

At this moment, they stopped in front of an ordinary small shop.

The man looked at the sign stained with oil smoke and couldn’t help but frown.

— For no other reason, Adrian Law, at the age of twenty-six, had never eaten at a street food stall like this before.

Cecilia Vaughn knew he had a cleanliness obsession and felt a bit embarrassed, rubbing her palms together.

"Um... Adrian, believe me, it may not look impressive from the outside, but it’s really clean inside the restaurant."

"I’ve been having the spicy hot pot here for all of high school. The owner is very nice, and the taste is amazing."

...

Upon hearing this, the man caught hold of the most crucial information.

"Did you come here often?"

"Yes! Wholeheartedly recommended!"

Adrian’s dark eyes became even deeper.

"With whom... Tyson Law?"

Even he hadn’t noticed that when he said this, his jealousy was almost palpable.

"..."

Cecilia was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to consider that, and after pausing for a few seconds, she finally spoke.

"Not with him... with Mona Summers."

She had invited Tyson Law in the past, but it never happened before graduation.

Because Tyson always despised this kind of "junk food" and kept persuading her not to lower her standards, suggesting they go for Western cuisine instead.

But Cecilia didn’t understand; why does dining have to involve standards?

People eat grains and cereals, as long as it’s clean, why can’t a street-side shop be as good as, if not better than so-called Western cuisine?

...

Upon hearing that Cecilia hadn’t been here with Tyson Law, Adrian’s previously gloomy expression relaxed instantly.

"Okay, let’s give it a try together."

Before he even finished speaking, he took Cecilia’s hand and led her into the shop.

Cecilia, whose hand was being held, was both amused and exasperated. It was just a few steps, not like the last time in a throng of people. Was he afraid she would be abducted?

...

As they stepped into the restaurant, although there were very few diners, Cecilia and Adrian immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Their looks were truly exceptional. Cecilia was dressed rather casually, but Adrian, in a striped suit, looked every bit the social elite.

The man had long grown accustomed to such scrutinizing gazes. He calmly surveyed the meticulously cleaned tables and the sparkling windows, finally believing Cecilia’s words.

It seemed the restaurant owner indeed appreciated cleanliness, which reduced his initial discomfort a bit.

"How do we order?"

"Ha, so you really haven’t tried spicy hot pot before."

Cecilia chuckled and stepped forward to take a large plastic bowl provided by the restaurant, teaching Adrian how to select the dishes he liked directly.

"Hmm, add some enoki mushrooms, lotus root, bacon, lamb rolls, layered tofu, beef rolls..."

Watching Cecilia carefully pick the dishes, Adrian’s stern face softened a little.

The girl had a kind of magic; as long as he was looking at her, his mood would involuntarily improve.

He had indeed never eaten these things before, but as long as Cecilia liked it, he was willing to accompany her in trying it bit by bit.

He would give up the world for a smile from her.

If it were ancient times, he would probably be quite willing to be an indulgent ruler for Cecilia.

...

Soon, the owner prepared the dishes Cecilia had selected, placing them in a large stainless steel bowl, with each of them having a set of bowls and chopsticks.

The shop owner, after serving the food, seemed incredulous as he spoke to Cecilia.

"Is that you, Classmate Vaughn? My goodness, it’s been years since we last saw you, almost three years, right?"

Cecilia nodded with a bright smile.

"Uncle, you still look young, and Auntie is still beautiful."

The couple smiled humbly, then nodded somewhat formally at Adrian.

"Is this your boyfriend? He’s so handsome!"

"We never saw him before; did you meet in college? You both must be about to graduate from university. When are you getting married?"

Upon hearing this, Cecilia felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.

She... hasn’t even begun her university studies yet, let alone graduating. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Suddenly, a cool, pleasant male voice sounded in her ear, coming to her rescue.

"Cecilia and I are already married, thank you both for your concern."

"Oh wow, married already! What a handsome young man! Uncle and Auntie are happy for you too!"

"Come on, dear, bring out two bowls of sour plum soup for Cecilia. Didn’t you love drinking that before?"

...

Cecilia felt warmth in her heart, and she gratefully glanced at Adrian before hastily thanking the shop owner and his wife.

She set the sour plum juice in front of Adrian and picked up a beef roll for him.

"Adrian, try this; it’s delicious. The sour plum drink is also exquisite, personally brewed by Uncle and Auntie!"

The man’s gaze softened slightly. Although he had never tasted spicy hot pot, he ate it seamlessly, matching the girl’s smile.

"It’s delicious."

"I told you so!"

Cecilia was smug.

"Yes, if you like it, we can come here often."

The man watched the girl’s delighted face, the adoration in his eyes almost palpable enough to drown someone.

...

The meal warmed both of them, even though most of the dishes ended up in Cecilia’s stomach.

Although she was thin, she did have quite the appetite, possibly an ingrained habit from her time in ’prison’. Even leftovers had to be eaten cleanly, or she’d end up hungry.

"I’m so full; let’s go to Lakeside Park for a walk."

The man nodded with a smile, and the two strolled along the lake, brushing past flowers and willows.

Just then, an acute, twisting pain shot through Cecilia’s lower abdomen—so painful!

She clutched her stomach, suddenly collapsing.

"Ceci, what’s wrong?"

Adrian’s gaze sharpened, and he immediately reached out to support the girl’s delicate body.

...

Cecilia’s face turned pale instantly, beads of cold sweat emerging on her forehead. If she hadn’t been holding onto Adrian’s arm for support, she might have collapsed completely!

"Adrian... I think... my period has started..."

The girl bit her pale lip in slight embarrassment, fearing he wouldn’t understand, and added an explanation.

"I mean... I’m on my period..."

Adrian immediately helped Cecilia to a bench in Lakeside Park to sit down.

"Ceci, are you having cramps? I’ll go get you some medicine..."

Cecilia nodded but then swiftly grabbed the man’s arm.

"No, don’t buy medicine just yet. Could you first get me some... temporary supplies..."

As she spoke, her face turned red to her ears.

Asking a grown man to buy sanitary pads, how embarrassing!