Zuko was momentarily distracted and accidentally choked on the drink.
After closing the supermarket for the night, Lina locked the door and headed home with Zuko. Everyone in the
family had already gone to sleep.
Zuko was about to move the folding bed to the porch when Lina softly stopped him. “Um…”
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Well, are you hungry?” Lina lowered her head. “Let me prepare something for you to eat before you sleep.”
Upon saying that, she turned and entered the kitchen.
Zuko stood alone on the porch, feeling a gentle breeze blowing. There seemed to be a sweet tinge in the air.
After a while, Lina came out of the kitchen with a late-night snack. When Zuko caught a whiff of the aroma, his
stomach could not help but growl.
“Come and eat!” Lina smiled and handed him a spoon.
The late-night snack was lobster risotto. Zuko paused for a moment, and Lina explained, “The lobster you bought
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthat day, my dad didn’t eat it, and it’s been in the fridge.”
He nodded and scooped a spoonful into his mouth. The first bite left him a bit stunned. He had never known that
risotto could be so delicious, especially with the addition of lobster meat and garlic flavor. It was incredibly flavorful.
“How is it?” Lina asked, smiling.
Zuko replied with a muffled “Mm.”
A hint of dissatisfaction flashed across Lina’s eyes. “What do you mean? Is it not good?”
Zuko did not answer but showed through his action of devouring the rice that it was incredibly delicious.
Lina pouted and was about to say something when the door to the master bedroom downstairs opened, and
Melissa walked out, yawning.
“Lina… what are you doing?” Melissa glanced into the kitchen.
Seeing the scene of the just-cooked meal and the plate of risotto being eaten, she instantly understood what was
going on.
She gave her a meaningful look. “Lina, come to the kitchen and heat up a cup of milk for me!”
“Mom, can’t you do it yourself?” Lina protested.
“Just do what I asked! Why so much nonsense?” retorted Melissa.
Lina was puzzled and followed Melissa into the kitchen. Melissa closed the door behind them and scolded with a
slightly irritated tone, “Not sleeping and making food for him in the middle of the night? Are you treating this person
as your husband or what?”
“Mom…” Lina blushed and looked at her reproachfully.
Melissa grabbed her daughter’s hand. There were a few red marks on the back of her fair and tender hands from
the speckles of hot oil. She felt her heart ache.
“Oh, your hands… got burned like this! I raised you all these years just so you could serve someone?”
Lina pursed her lips, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart and unable to hold back her smile.
Her parents had always cherished her. Although their family was not wealthy, she was their precious girl. Growing
up, she never even had to wash any cutlery. Only after she went to university did she slowly learn to cook a few
dishes from her mother. Sometimes her parents were busy with their store and could not come back in time to take
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmcare of her.
Her parents loved her in every possible way, but now she was making late-night snacks for someone else. No
wonder Melissa was anxious and upset.
Zuko was tall, handsome, and exuded a strong masculinity. He had helped their family several times. Girls often had
a hero complex, especially Lina at the age of blossoming love, who had never been in a relationship before.
Suddenly encountering someone like him, it was hard for her not to lose herself…
Melissa was worried that her daughter would be deceived and not find happiness.
She held her daughter’s hand and earnestly advised her, “Lina, we haven’t figured out this person’s background
yet. You must keep some boundaries with him and take care of yourself, understand?”
Lina felt a bit embarrassed. “Mom, what are you saying?”
“What I mean is, girls should protect themselves!”
“Alright, alright, I understand!” Whenever this matter came up, Lina could not help but recall that night, feeling
uncomfortable, as if worms were gnawing at her.
“Oh, I think he finished eating.” Melissa peeked outside and made a clicking sound. “Oh my… such a large plate and
it’s already finished in no time! Not only does he eat fast, but he also eats so much! Should we ask him for money
for future living expenses?”