Chapter 170
As emotions deepened, footsteps and a conversation between a man and a woman came from the bend in the path:
“Baby, I was just so mad earlier! Your junior clearly knows we’re together, and he still dares to confess to you? I’m already being polite by not hitting him p>
“But I’ve already explicitly rejected him! Isn’t it bad for you to splash water on him? What if he gets mad and hits you back p>
“But his hand was almost on your waist! I was just about to… alright, alright, I was wrong, baby. Next time, I’ll find a place where no one’s around to… don’t be mad, how about a kiss p>
“You’re awful! You can’t do this again next time p>
“Mm… um p>
The girl’s voice was soft, with a hint of teasing, quickly followed by a familiar whimper.
Holly and Blake Sinclair exchanged glances, finding embarrassment in each other’s eyes.
The two got up in tacit agreement, quickly leaving from the other side of The Lakeheart Pavilion, walking much faster than when they arrived.
Leaving Sage’s Lake, they got closer and closer to Cafeteria Three.
Holly gently tugged on Blake Sinclair’s sleeve: “Want to try the famous Cafeteria Three at Beldon University? The sweet and sour ribs and oil-braised prawns by the cafeteria uncle are unmatched p>
However, Blake Sinclair didn’t answer, his gaze lingering on the reddened tips of her ears, amusement hidden in his eyes.
“What are you thinking about?” Holly asked.
Blake Sinclair looked at her, his tone serious: “I was thinking about what that guy said earlier. Holly, do you think I should’ve splashed a bottle of water back then too p>
“Huh p>
Holly was momentarily stunned, then reacted, laughing and crying.
She smiled and tapped his arm, “Blake Sinclair! Why are you competing with a little boy? You’re an adult p>
The latter sentence was muttered under her breath, but Blake Sinclair still heard it.
He lightly pinched the soft flesh on her waist, his tone dangerous: “Holly, are you disdaining my age p>
“I wouldn’t dare p>
Holly was ticklish and laughed, dodging to the side, quickly rectifying, “A man in his thirties is like a flower! You’re at your most charming now p>
She laughed and ran forward two steps, then turned around to face him, her hands behind her back, beginning to walk backward.
Blake Sinclair watched her backward steps, not daring to stay too far away, constantly mindful of the road behind her.
His hands hung at his sides, ready to catch her if she were to fall.
Holly also knew well that as long as he was there, she could safely walk backward.
One stepped back with a smile as radiant as a flower, the other followed closely, eyes full of affection.
The wind brushed the treetops, the sun was just right.
Cafeteria Three was quite far from the School of Finance, and with fewer students choosing to dine in now, the cafeteria wasn’t crowded.
They found a quiet corner on the second floor to sit.
Blake Sinclair let her sit and wait, and soon two trays of food were on the table.
It had been a while since Holly had eaten school food, making this meal particularly enjoyable.
But Blake Sinclair wasn’t helping her peel the shrimp or pouring her drink; it was only when she was almost finished eating that he started to use his chopsticks.
When she’d nearly finished eating, Holly put down her chopsticks and had just picked up a napkin when Blake Sinclair’s hand had already reached over.
A few students nearby were sneaking glances their way, making Holly feel a bit embarrassed.
They didn’t linger long, leaving after they finished eating.
Two tables behind them diagonally, Isaiah Lynch frowned at the person in front of him, who was stabbing at his rice with chopsticks: “Ethan Collins, can you eat properly p>
Ethan Collins sighed heavily, pounding his chopsticks on the tray with frustration: “Aren’t you supposed to be my buddy? Can’t you see I’ve just had a breakup? Do you think everyone is like you, carefree p>
Isaiah Lynch looked at him with a gaze reserved for idiots, giving him an annoyed glance: “If I haven’t remembered wrongly, this is your fifth unilateral breakup this week p>
“This time it’s different p>
Ethan Collins clutched his chest, grief-stricken, “Just now at the library entrance, it was love at first sight! That charisma, that smile, but she’s already married p>
He pointed towards the staircase where Blake Sinclair and Holly had left, thinking of the provocative look Blake Sinclair gave when he wiped Holly’s mouth.
“The grievance of losing a wife is irreconcilable p>
Isaiah Lynch turned back in the direction he pointed, only catching sight of a man and woman walking side by side down the stairs, the man’s back looking somewhat familiar.
Ethan Collins was still angrily using his chopsticks to dismantle a chicken leg, as if it were his rival in love: “If it were another man, your brother might have still had a sliver of a chance! But that thief, that thief is actually Blake Sinclair p>
Isaiah Lynch’s hand paused with the chopsticks, the corner of his mouth twitched.
Blake Sinclair?
Then the person next to him must be the other owner of the Lunar Lotus Studio, Holly Crowe?
Ethan Collins was still lost in his fantasy of battling Blake Sinclair for three hundred rounds, but saw Isaiah Lynch already standing and preparing to leave.
“You’re eating so quickly? Got a stream this afternoon p>
“Yeah,” Isaiah Lynch replied lightly, “promised a certain… little boss p>
“Isaiah!” Ethan Collins grabbed his arm, “Don’t sell your dignity for five bushels of rice, don’t sell your looks p>
Isaiah Lynch expressionlessly shook off his hand, turned, and left.
The news of Holly and Blake Sinclair dining in the cafeteria somehow got posted on the campus forum.
Soon, the comment section turned into a game of tag.
Everyone eagerly shared photos of their encounter with the two on campus today.
Holly learned of this on the way back, when Celia Stiles sent her the forum link.
She opened it and realized that their itinerary today was almost entirely under everyone’s watch.
The photos included ones of them in the lecture hall, gazing at each other from across a sea of students, with the students in the middle intentionally blurred, creating a truly predestined feeling.
There were also pictures of them holding hands as they ran from the café to Sage’s Lake, her hair flying as she held Blake Sinclair’s hand.
The photo with the most likes was of them on the tree-lined path to the cafeteria, her smiling and retreating as he followed indulgently.
The lighting and composition were perfect, amplifying the atmosphere.
The comment section was flooded with “I’m dying”, “So well-matched”, “What divine love” and similar comments.
Even Holly herself found the picture so beautifully unreal that she instinctively saved it.
At the same time, from the corner of her eye, she noticed Blake Sinclair beside her was also looking at his phone, on the very same post.
Blake Sinclair silently saved the candid photos taken by the netizens onto his phone.
Just about to exit, he paused upon seeing a comment below: [This older man’s daddy vibe, I really like it! Holly is so lucky p>
Older man?
Daddy?
Yet another jab at his age?
Blake Sinclair frowned and, unwilling to concede, opened his album, looking at himself in the photos, his eyes slightly narrowed in thought.
His suit was custom-made, his hair neatly styled, no wrinkles on his face, so how did he become a daddy?
Suddenly, Holly’s muffled laughter came from beside him.
He turned his head, pinching her cheek, “Very funny p>
Holly quickly shook her head, but couldn’t help herself, laughing even more happily.
In another part of the city, in a dimly lit room with drawn curtains.
Daniel Alden placed a cup of water on the table, squatting in front of Mia Chapelle pleadingly: “Mia, I bought a ticket back to my hometown, it’s quiet there, let’s leave here together and start anew, okay p>
Mia Chapelle seemed not to hear his words, her gaze fixed relentlessly on the phone screen.
On the screen were the photos of Blake Sinclair and Holly Crowe from Beldon University, walking hand in hand around campus.
Those blessing and envious comments below were like needles, piercing deeply into her heart.
Why?
Why does Holly Crowe get to have all of this?
Identity, status, blessings, and that man’s unreserved affection?
While she had to end up in this wretched state like a rat in a gutter?
She clutched the phone tightly, staring at Holly in the phone.
Daniel Alden continued to persuade, “We’ll go back home, find stable jobs, and in the future p>
“I’m not going back!” A fierce light flashed in Mia Chapelle’s eyes, the scar on her chin terrifyingly stark, “Why should I leave? It’s not me who should leave p>
She caressed Holly’s face on the screen, a strange smile curling her lips.