Chapter 239
“It’s crowded out here. Don’t get separated,” Yannis said, still holding Zinnia’s hand with a faint smile as he gestured at the bustling crowd. “Come on, let’s get some roasted sweet potatoes.”
With the monthly holiday landing on a weekend, the shopping district was jam-packed. People were jostling against each other, and it’d be easy to get lost.
Zinnia glanced at the sea of people around them and nodded, letting Yannis lead her toward the sweet potato stand ahead.
The roasted sweet potato stand was packed, with the queue snaking out the door. Not in any hurry and not wanting to wander around, Zinnia and Yannis simply joined the end of the line.
For Yannis, who’d always had everything delivered to him since childhood, waiting in line like this was practically unheard of.
As their turn approached, Zinnia turned to Yannis. “What flavor do you want?”
Yannis glanced at the overwhelming menu, and then looked down at her. “What are you getting, Zinnia?”
“Oreo,” Zinnia replied honestly.
“Alright, let’s get that.” Yannis nodded.
“Wait, you want the same as me?” Zinnia asked, a bit puzzled.
Yannis shook his head. “Let’s just share one.”
Zinnia ordered one, and then, thinking of Emily and Stephen waiting in the car, picked two more popular flavors to go. She was about to pay, but Yannis had paid the bill in cash.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yannis asked, holding two bags of sweet potatoes. Zinnia, with her own portion in hand, stared at him with a curious look.
“I just didn’t expect you to actually pay in cash,” Zinnia said, confirming his suspicion without hesitation.
“Why do you think that?” Yannis asked, a bit speechless.
Zinnia scooped up some sweet potato before explaining. “It’s just, someone like you–whatever you want, people probably just hand it to you. Stuff like small transactions like that, I figured they’re not even in your world.”
Zinnia had always imagined that Yannis got everything delivered to him with just a look or a word. He grew up in pure luxury. Everything he used was top-tier. Even a random bottle of water at his house probably cost a fortune.
She’d always assumed he never used cash, especially not for small amounts. After all, he was a real tycoon with a “black card.”
She thought he’d always just say, “Put it on my card,” never actually using cash himself. So, seeing him pay in cash genuinely surprised her.
“I’m just from a rich family, not an idiot. I know basic life skills,” Yannis replied in a serious tone, falling silent for a moment. He wondered, ‘Should I complain to those web novel platforms for writing such ridiculous stuff? They’re going to rot people’s brains.’
“I always thought you’d just say, ‘Put it on my card, pack it up, deliver it to my house. I want this, and nobody else better touch it,” Zinnia said, making air quotes and nodding as if she finally understood.
She was just a small-town girl who’d never met a real tycoon before. She honestly thought a tycoon’s life was just like in romantic novels.
“Zinnia, maybe you should cut back on those web novels. Don’t let them rot your brain,” Yannis sighed, ruffling her hair affectionately. “You’re smart. Don’t waste it on those over-the-top CEO stories.”
“I haven’t read that many… just a few,” Zinnia mumbled.
They headed to their next stop—the candied apples stand right next door and joined yet another queue.
“Is it good?” Yannis asked from behind, watching as Zinnia spooned sweet potato into her mouth, one bite after another.
“Delicious!” Zinnia nodded vigorously. “No wonder there’s such a long line. These are firewood-roasted, not oven-baked. That smoky aroma makes all the difference. Seriously, so good.”
“Want a taste?” Zinnia asked, already scooping another bite of sweet potato into her own mouth.
“Sure,” Yannis answered instantly, almost as if he’d been waiting for her to ask.
His quick reply made Zinnia smile, so she lifted a golden spoonful toward him. The rich, caramelized aroma of the roasted sweet potato lingered between them as Yannis glanced at the offered spoon, and then leaned in and took the bite without a word.
Zinnia watched him. His head slightly lowered as his hair fell across her forehead, accentuating his sharp brow bone and high, straight nose. Her gaze lingered on his lips–rosy, perfectly shaped–as he took a bite of the golden sweet potato. She swallowed hard.
“Why do his lips look even more tempting than the sweet potato?” she wondered.
Seeing the two, the onlookers started to discuss. “OMG, he’s so hot. They’re both such a sight for sore eyes. Total eye candy! And they’re even feeding each other roasted sweet potatoes? The chemistry is off the charts.”
“That petite girl holding up a spoon, and that gorgeous guy lowering his head for her. He’s got that powerful, dominant vibe but he’s being so gentle. It’s just perfect.”
“Seriously, I feel the same way. They look just like the main characters from a novel. The orange-yellow light wraps around them like a halo, and even in the middle of a bustling crowd, they stand out on a whole different level.
“He’s so dashing, and she’s absolutely stunning. Every little move between them is just so romantic. I’m obsessed with that whole ‘powerful guy lowering his head’ trope.”
A few girls walked past and, upon noticing them, could barely contain their excitement.
With her baby fat gone, Zinnia’s facial contours had become more defined and delicate. Her eyes radiated a quiet confidence, making her seem as if she’d grown up overnight.
Yannis wasn’t that old to begin with. Without his suit jacket, dressed simply in a khaki button-down and slacks, he looked just like a college student.
With looks as striking as theirs, it was no wonder they turned heads wherever they went.
Amid the bustling crowd, Zinnia tugged playfully at Yannis’ hand, dragging him from store to store as he obediently followed. Yannis, a tall, long-legged young man, was so easily led by Zinnia, a girl who barely reached his chest. It was definitely a head-turning sight.
To make things even more striking, both were stunning in their own way. Anyone standing nearby who overheard their playful banter couldn’t help but smile.