Come in 159
Posted on July 08, 2025 ยท 0 mins read
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Chapter 159

The next day, as Yannis drove Zinnia to the Jenkins residence, she looked at him and said softly, โ€œIโ€™m going to the Jenkins residence today. Make sure you eat properly while Iโ€™m gone.โ€

โ€œZinnia, are you really worried about me?โ€ Yannis kept his eyes on the road. Stopping at a red light, he turned to look at her, his deep eyes shining with affection.

โ€œYannis, Toby told me you get so busy with work that you forget everything. When Iโ€™m not staying at your place, you donโ€™t even bother to cook,โ€ Zinnia said, recounting what Toby had told her during her last office visit.

โ€œHow dare he tell you? Iโ€™ll cut his pay when we get back,โ€ Yannis said, playfully raising an eyebrow.

Just then, Zinnia tugged on his sleeve. โ€œI was the one who asked Toby to tell me, so donโ€™t cut his pay,โ€ she said, giving his sleeve a soft shake.

Yannis looked at her fingers holding his sleeve, his voice full of fun. โ€œZinnia, why are you being so cute again? Looks like I canโ€™t say no now.โ€

Yannis couldnโ€™t help but wonder if she had figured out he was a pushover when it came to her. Last time, she tugged his sleeve for snacks; now, she was interceding for Toby.

โ€œHow about I pay for what youโ€™re going to cut from Toby?โ€ Zinnia suggested after a momentโ€™s thought.

Yannis shook his head. โ€œNo way.โ€ The light turned green, and the car moved forward.

โ€œHow can I make sure you donโ€™t cut his pay?โ€ Zinnia begged, sounding worried. โ€œHeโ€™s already poor. Any cut would hurt him.โ€

โ€œWhy donโ€™t you tell me what exactly you were thinking when you looked at me yesterday?โ€ Yannis teased, still curious about a look he couldnโ€™t decipher. Now was the perfect opportunity to get her to talk.

โ€˜Honestly, I looked at him several times yesterday. How would I know which look heโ€™s talking about?โ€™ she wondered.

โ€œCan you at least give me a hint about which moment you mean?โ€ Zinnia asked.

Yannis grinned, teasing her. โ€œSo what youโ€™re saying is, youโ€™ve been looking at me many times, you even remember when?โ€

โ€œGo ahead and cut Tobyโ€™s pay,โ€ Zinnia said. โ€œItโ€™s not my money. I donโ€™t care. If anyone gets upset, itโ€™s Toby, and if thereโ€™s a grudge, blame his stingy boss.โ€

โ€œIf Toby knew you gave up on saving his paycheck so fast, heโ€™d probably cry,โ€ Yannis teased, amused by her easy surrender.

โ€œIf you cut his pay,โ€ Zinnia said, โ€œheโ€™ll be clinging to your leg and crying. Not mine.โ€

โ€œAlright, Iโ€™ll give you a hint,โ€ Yannis said. โ€œIt was when you and Jackson teamed up against me.โ€ He gently encouraged Zinnia to elaborate.

โ€œWe werenโ€™t ganging up on you,โ€ Zinnia protested. She hadnโ€™t teamed up with Jackson; they were simply stating facts.

โ€œAlright, if you say so, Iโ€™ll trust you,โ€ Yannis said. โ€œBut what were you thinking at that moment?โ€ He wanted to know her perspective.

Zinnia hesitated, then looked at him. Remembering her thoughts from yesterday, she said, โ€œI donโ€™t think youโ€™d want to hear it.โ€

Yannis thought, โ€˜Iโ€™ve already lost all dignity in front of you. Whatโ€™s worse?โ€™

โ€œAre you sure you want to hear this?โ€ Zinnia asked sincerely.

โ€œGo ahead,โ€ Yannis encouraged.

Zinnia paused, searching for the right words. โ€œI just thought you seemed pretty down-to-earth,โ€ she said softly, choosing her words carefully.

Chapter 159

Yannisโ€™s smile froze. Zinnia added, โ€œMaisie said, when people hold in their feelings until they break, they tend to go a little crazy.โ€

โ€œGreat, now I am a guy who freaks out,โ€ Yannis thought, his smile fading, his mouth drooping.

โ€œI told you that you wouldnโ€™t want to hear it,โ€ Zinnia whispered, stealing a quick look at his dark face.

He thought, โ€˜Look what sheโ€™s done to my sweet girl. Her words are getting bigger, but theyโ€™re all weird.โ€™

Yannis took a deep breath and said, โ€œZinnia, how about I move you to another class? I can set it up. Sheโ€™s really not good for you.โ€

โ€œYouโ€™ve been spending too much time with Maisie.โ€

โ€œNo way!โ€ Zinnia shook her head firmly. Yannis was only joking; he didnโ€™t really want to move her to another class.

She had learned phrases about people parting ways, which made him uneasy.

Zinnia looked at him carefully and asked softly, โ€œAre you really still going to cut Tobyโ€™s pay?โ€

โ€œIf I say I will, will you call me a liar?โ€ Yannis asked, a little annoyed. She was still worried about Tobyโ€™s salary.

Toby only said those things because Yannis had given him silent approval. But Zinnia didnโ€™t know that. She was really worried Yannis might cut Tobyโ€™s pay.

Zinnia didnโ€™t say anything, but her steady gaze showed that was exactly what she thought. Yannis got annoyed but held tight to the steering wheel.

Zinnia saw his upset face and took a piece of candy from her bag. She fed it to him, softly saying, โ€œDonโ€™t be upset. Here, have this.โ€ It was a special treat from her master.

She could only have one a day, but she gave him the one meant for herself. โ€œZinniaโ€™s trying to cheer me up?โ€ Yannis asked, looking at the candy and her earnest face. Instantly, his mouth curled up into a smile.

Zinnia stayed quiet. She thought, โ€˜Was I trying to cheer him up? I didnโ€™t know. Iโ€™ve never been good at this. But I just upset Yannis, and I didnโ€™t want him to stay upset.โ€™

Her silent effort made Yannis smile happily. He took a bite of the candy. โ€œWhere did you get this candy, Zinnia? Itโ€™s really good. Tell me, and Iโ€™ll buy more,โ€ he said kindly. The special flavor of the chocolate melted in his mouth.

It was surprisingly tasty. He noticed a hint of hesitation in her eyes; she clearly didnโ€™t want to give it up but still offered it. Just thinking about that made a warm feeling spread through his heart.

Yannis thought, โ€˜So I do have a place in her heart. Sheโ€™s trying to cheer me up. Though sheโ€™s kind of awkward about it. Maybe sheโ€™s never done this for anyone before. Maybe Iโ€™m the first. That makes me happy.โ€™

Yannis thought he couldnโ€™t refuse her attempt to cheer him up, but he could always buy more for her later. โ€œThis was a giftโ€”made by someone special. You canโ€™t buy it anywhere,โ€ Zinnia said.

Though she felt a little sad giving it away, the feeling soon passed. She truly didnโ€™t mind giving it to Yannis. The candy worked its magic, and a bright smile returned to Yannisโ€™s handsome face.

Yannis thought for a moment and said, โ€œHow about we copy it? Or I could pay your friend to make more for you.โ€

Yannis suddenly felt bad about taking the candy, but it was gone. All he could do was think of how to make it up to her.

Zinnia smiled softly, her eyes bright and clear, โ€œDonโ€™t worry, I still have plentyโ€”more than enough for myself.โ€

Zinnia thought, โ€˜I donโ€™t even know where Master is. Heโ€™s always the one who contacts me. But I still have a whole jar of candies left. Once I finish them, he will come back. With that, the wait didnโ€™t seem so long anymore.โ€™

Chapter 160


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