Yannis never expected to have Zinnia stay here. No one could have predicted what happened with the Shaw family. But now that she was here, he felt it was his responsibility to take good care of her.

Zinnia shook her head and said, “Don’t bother with renovations. It’s already perfect. I’ll find a place and move out as soon as possible, so I won't burden you for long. There’s really no need to redecorate just for me.”

Zinnia had no intention of staying at Yannis’s place for long. She didn’t want to trouble the Lynn family or the Jenkins family, and agreeing to stay at Yannis’s place was just a temporary measure.

She thought, ‘I don’t want to bother him. Tomorrow, I’ll start looking for a place. I’ve got enough money to rent my apartment. But since I’m new to Jinston, I’ll need to ask around. I don’t know if Lydia knows any good places.’

Yannis said, “Zinnia, don’t feel burdened staying here. It’s just me in this big house, all alone, with no one to talk to. Having you here brings some life into the place. Won’t you stay and keep me company? I don’t want to be alone.”

His voice was low and tinged with sorrow. His long lashes drooped slightly, his whole being radiating an unmistakable air of loneliness.

His words weighed on Zinnia’s heart. She gazed at Yannis.

Yannis wore a slate-blue shirt. His features were refined. His eyes, once so lively, now shimmered with loneliness. Without his usual smile, his gaze was calm and solitary, as if the whole world had wronged him, a sight that instantly softened Zinnia’s heart.

Seeing Yannis like this, Zinnia felt an inexplicable pang in her heart. Before she could think it through, her mouth moved faster than her brain as she blurted out, “Okay.”

Realizing what she’d just agreed to, Zinnia pressed her lips together as a wave of belated regret washed over her.

But one look into Yannis’s eyes, and she just couldn’t bring herself to take it back. She knew what it was like to be alone and how much that hurt.

She thought, ‘Yannis had helped me time and time again, whether it was standing up for me at school, shielding me when Howard came looking for trouble, cooking for me, or bringing me little gifts every single day.

‘He even helped me with my guardian issue today. I know exactly how good he’s been to me, and honestly, I just can’t bring myself to refuse his request. Forget it, I’ll just keep him company until I leave.’

Seeing that Zinnia agreed, Yannis beamed. He said, “Zinnia, why don’t you get settled first? I’ll go make dinner.” With that, he headed for the kitchen.

Zinnia thought, ‘Something feels off. Is he this easy to please?’

After Yannis left, Zinnia glanced around. The guest room’s decor wasn’t much different from the rooms downstairs, except this one felt cool and impersonal, while those downstairs were warm and inviting.

The bedding and pillows were brand new. Though no one usually stayed here, the housekeeper kept everything spotless, making it ready for use at any time.

Zinnia rummaged through her suitcase and took out the box her Master had given her recently. Gazing at the note lying quietly inside, she gently ran her fingers over it. She murmured, “Master, when on earth will you come back?”

Zinnia finished unpacking and stepped out of the room. The mouthwatering aroma of food filled the air. Just then, Yannis emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate.

He said, “Let’s keep it simple tonight. I just made some spaghetti. Tomorrow, I’ll cook you something delicious.”

It was already past nine, too late to cook anything elaborate. So Yannis quickly made some spaghetti to tide Zinnia over for now.

Zinnia sat at the dining table with Yannis across from her. After taking a bite of spaghetti, she paused. She looked up and gently reminded him, “Yannis, remember to simmer the Soothing Soup and drink it.”

Since she had promised Raymond and the others that she would help restore Yannis’s health, Zinnia was determined to give it her all.

Meeting Zinnia’s earnest, determined gaze, Yannis replied, “Alright.” The thought of having to drink the Soothing Soup later made his lips tighten imperceptibly.

Raymond and the others had good reasons to worry; Yannis truly hated taking medicine. He’d always just tough it out whenever he got sick.

But the mere thought of Zinnia giving him that skeptical look—"Seriously? A grown man afraid of medicine?"—was enough to make his head throb.

Yannis thought, ‘Better not stir up more trouble. I’ve already got enough labels stuck on me. If I let Zinnia keep adding more, God knows what I’ll end up being in her eyes.

‘Just think of it as some soup, not medicine. That will make me feel better.’

Zinnia lowered her head to eat the spaghetti again. She thought, ‘Isn’t Yannis quite obedient? Why were Raymond and the others so surprised to hear that he drank the soup?

‘By the way, Yannis is amazing in the kitchen. Even a simple bowl of spaghetti becomes a treat in his hands.’

Moments later, as Zinnia was doing her homework, a knock came at the door, followed by Yannis’s voice. Since her door wasn’t completely shut, his words drifted clearly into the room.

Yannis said, “Zinnia, I had some new clothes delivered for you. Just make do with these for tonight. I’ll have more sent over tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Zinnia said as she opened the door and took the bags from Jackson.

She thought, ‘I’m treating him with expensive herbs. The cost of these clothes should balance things out. If that’s not enough, I can always make it up to him with something else later.’

Yannis replied, “No need to be so formal with me.” If he ever found out Zinnia was secretly drawing boundaries between him, he’d probably blow a fuse.

Even though Jackson had already prepared plenty of outfits for Zinnia downstairs, something Maelis said bothered Yannis, so he simply called and had several fresh sets sent over.

The full set of outfits, along with matching accessories, shoes, and bags, will be delivered the next day. For tonight, Yannis just had a few sets sent over so Zinnia would have something to change into.

Zinnia reminded, “Yannis, take the Soothing Soup and finish up whatever you need to do. I’ll give you a massage later to help you relax.

“Medicine alone won’t fully restore your health; the root cause is your sleep disorder. If we don’t address your sleep problems, your health will keep deteriorating.”

Noticing the subtle aroma of herbs in the air, Zinnia realized Yannis had prepared the medicine as she’d asked. Still, she couldn’t help but worry about his health.