Chapter 290

Zinnia listened to their conversation. Every time she finished her bowl, more food would magically appear. She had two bowls, both shaped like Intia rabbits. One bowl was for chili con carne, and the other was for crayfish meat.

At that moment, her bowl was filled with perfectly peeled crayfish meat. She followed the direction of the delicate hands. Yannis was wearing gloves and was peeling another crayfish. His movements were so smooth and practiced.

Feeling her gaze, Yannis glanced down. “What’s up?”

“I want the spicy ones.” Zinnia smiled. When she used to live with Yannis, he always took care of her, so she never had a chance to do it herself.

“Here, you should eat this too.” Zinnia picked up a piece of beef that Nathan had just added to her bowl and offered it to him. Yannis was still wearing gloves and hadn’t even had a chance to eat himself.

Yannis placed the peeled crayfish into her bowl before taking a bite himself. The other two people, seeing the interaction between them, exchanged smiles.

“Yannis, you eat too. Don’t worry about her. I’ll peel it for her.” Nathan lowered his eyes, put down his fork, and put on gloves to start peeling the spicy crayfish that Zinnia had specifically asked for.

“It’s cool. No rush.” Yannis smiled, but his peeling speed didn’t slow down at all.

“Zinnia, dig in. Here, shrimp.” Jackson scooped up some shrimp and added it to her bowl.

Zinnia’s cheeks were puffed up like chipmunks. She said, “Thanks, Jackson.” The group was having a lively meal.

The family was having a lively and cheerful meal together. By the time they finished eating, the night had fully settled in.

As night fell, a beautiful burst of light suddenly exploded outside the large, transparent floor-to-ceiling windows. Zinnia looked over and her eyes lit up with delight. “Someone’s setting off fireworks!”

Zinnia got up from her seat and trotted over to the windows. She watched as the fireworks outside bloomed one after another, her eyes sparkling. “So beautiful! Come over here and look.” The men got up from their seats and walked over.

“It’s so beautiful.” Zinnia’s eyes were glued to the stunning fireworks shooting up into the sky.

And from where they were standing, they could also see a bunch of balloons rising from somewhere below. The area downstairs was packed with people, all waiting for the New Year’s countdown.

“Wanna set off fireworks?” Yannis noticed the excitement sparkling in her eyes.

“Is it okay if I do?” Zinnia really wanted to set them off. Everyone loves beautiful fireworks. Zinnia sure did.

“Sure, if you want to.” Nathan ruffled her hair.

“I’ll call and have them delivered.” Jackson took out his phone and contacted his assistant. “Let’s finish eating first. Once we’re full, we’ll head to the rooftop and set off fireworks.”

It was still early, just after eight. With winter setting in, the days had gotten shorter and dinner time had moved up earlier. “I’m done. I’m full. You guys go ahead and finish up,” Zinnia said.

Zinnia returned to her seat and sat down, holding a cup of milkshake. She was full and couldn’t eat anymore.

Yannis looked at her. “Are you really full? Or are you just too excited about the fireworks to eat?”

“I’m done. You guys eat,” Zinnia said, holding her cup. She hopped off her chair and went to stand by the floor-to-ceiling window to keep watching the fireworks.

When they were in the small town, she and Nathan would also set off fireworks. If she were still in the town, Zinnia would definitely be in the courtyard with Fiona and the other kids, setting off fireworks together.

“Master, when are we going back to the small town?” Zinnia sat in her own little swing chair, looking out at the beautiful scenery.

“Do you want to go back already?” Nathan looked up at Zinnia.

“Yeah.” Zinnia wanted to go back and take a look.

“Alright, we’ll go back when you’re on vacation.” Nathan also wanted to take her back there to stay for a while.

“Okay,” Zinnia nodded.

The guys kept eating, glancing over at her every now and then to make sure she didn’t need anything. Only after confirming she was okay did they continue with their meal and conversation.

In less than half an hour, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it.” As Yannis was about to get up to open the door, Zinnia jumped off her swing chair and trotted to the door.

Seeing her lively demeanor, Nathan softened his eyes and smiled.

Zinnia opened the door to see Jackson’s assistant standing outside. Behind him were two people, each holding a huge stack of stuff. From the peek she got, Zinnia could see the words “sparkler sticks” on the boxes.

“Ms. Shaw, the fireworks have been bought. The larger ones have already been placed on the rooftop terrace. These here are the smaller ones,” the assistant said. He recognized Zinnia.

Zinnia pointed to a spot by the door. “Alright, thank you. Could you just put them there?”

The assistant gestured to the men behind him to place the items down. “Then Ms. Shaw, see you.” The assistant led the others to take their leave.

Zinnia squatted down to look at the sparkler sticks. “So many beautiful sparklers! Master, this looks like the kind you bought for me before. The fireworks you used to get for me were really expensive. I feel like such a spendthrift.”

Zinnia looked at the familiar types of fireworks. Most of them were ones she had played with before, but there were also many new varieties that had come out this year.

Every year during the New Year, Nathan would also buy her fireworks. He always indulged her, buying fireworks for her every year and making sure she had just as much as any other kid.

Every New Year, her fireworks were always the prettiest. The town kids loved to follow her around. Zinnia would also share her fireworks with them.

But back in the day, Zinnia had no idea how expensive these fireworks were. Just a few days ago, she and Maisie were still discussing what kind of fireworks to get this year.

Maisie and her group have their favorite brands, and they even dragged Zinnia to check them out a few days ago. A single sparkler stick can cost over a hundred dollars, and a box is at least a thousand dollars.

Nathan always bought her so many sparklers. Especially the smokeless ones, which were even pricier. A single stick could cost over a thousand dollars. When she was little, Nathan would buy her fireworks that she could play with for half a month. He probably spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on fireworks for her every year.

Zinnia slapped her forehead. She felt like such a spendthrift back then. That money could have bought her so many cups of orange juice, probably enough to last her a lifetime. Nathan really spoiled her.

Nathan chuckled. “If you like it, we’ll go have fun. Let’s change your clothes and head out.” Watching her squatting there, beaming with joy as she held the sparklers, he knew her happiness was more important than anything else.

“I’m on it!” Zinnia put down the sparkler stick and trotted off to her room.

At home, she was wearing her bunny pajamas. As she ran past them toward her room, she was so cheerful. They could see the two long bunny ears on the back of her hood bouncing along with her. Just watching her made everyone smile.