Chapter 321
“Simon, you’ve got such a good memory. You still remember what I looked like half a year ago?” Zinnia said with a smile, taking the bowl of chicken soup he handed her.
The aroma was wonderful. Giselle really knew how to make chicken soup, and Zinnia absolutely loved it.
Zinnia couldn’t help but smile at Simon’s grown-up mannerisms. The boy was only six, yet he still remembered exactly what she looked like back then.
Feeling challenged, Simon pouted. “Of course, I remember!” he insisted.
“Zinnia, how could you doubt me? Here, eat some more,” Simon insisted, handing her another fried meatball.
At the adults’ table, Nathan was surrounded by everyone. They were piling food onto his plate and urging him to eat more.
“Nathan, make sure to eat well and don’t let work take a toll on your health,” Giselle said with concern.
The once quiet and subdued reunion dinner soon turned lively with everyone’s arrival, filled with cheerful chatter and laughter.
Having wolfed down their meals, the kids swarmed around Zinnia, running circles around her in excitement. “Zinnia, let’s go play with fireworks!” one of them shouted.
“Sure, I’ll take you to get them,” Zinnia said, sliding off her chair and gathering the excited children around her as they headed out.
The adults couldn’t help but smile as they watched the little ones trailing after Zinnia.
With the kids gone, everyone’s eyes turned to Nathan. As people aged, they couldn’t help but worry about their children’s marriages. Nathan was no spring chicken himself. He’d be hitting thirty in just a couple of years.
“With Zinnia gone, there’s suddenly so much more room!” someone said.
“Nathan, you’re not getting any younger. Have you thought about settling down?” another asked.
“I’m in no hurry. Zinnia’s still young,” Nathan said softly with a faint smile on his face.
“Zinnia’s all grown up now and has found her family. It’s time you started thinking about yourself, Nathan,” Giselle said. “Just look at you. You’ve lost so much weight since I last saw you. You really need someone who truly cares for you.”
“Alright, I’ll start looking when I’m free,” Nathan replied, knowing they genuinely cared about him.
“Exactly! Nathan, you’re such a good guy. Your medical skills are top-notch. You’re sure to find a wonderful wife,” Giselle added, and everyone else smiled warmly.
When the kids pulled Zinnia along, Fiona watched and cautioned, “Take it slow. Don’t make her fall.”
“A wonderful wife? Isn’t Fiona a good choice here? You two are about the same age. You grew up together and clearly shared a special bond,” Chandler said. At his words, everyone turned to look at Fiona and Nathan.
“I remember it was Fiona who first brought Nathan and Zinnia to our small town back then,” someone said.
“Exactly. You’re both at the right age. Fiona’s working at a law firm now, and she’s such a beauty. You two make such a perfect match,” another added.
Hearing everyone’s matchmaking remarks, Fiona couldn’t help but glance at Nathan, who was sitting near her.
“Chandler, we’re not right for each other. Fiona deserves someone better,” Nathan said gently, his brows slightly knitted.
Tessa glanced at Nathan, who had such a great personality, and then at the gorgeous Fiona near him. ‘What a beautiful couple! And they’ve been together since they were kids,’ she thought.
She asked, “Not right for each other? Are you worried Fiona will mind your disfigured face? Come on. She’s not the shallow type who judges by appearances.”
Thinking Nathan was worried about being rejected because of his scarred face, Tessa tilted her head toward Fiona and said warmly, “Fiona, would you ever mind Nathan’s scars?”
Nathan had never removed his mask in the small town, so none of the townspeople had seen his true face.
Fiona glanced at Nathan. His chin was the only feature visible beneath the thin mask. Through it, she could see his gentle eyes, warm as ever, yet devoid of romantic affection.
She forced a smile. “I don’t mind at all. But really, stop playing matchmaker. We’re both focused on our careers right now.”
Hearing her words, Nathan turned to look at Fiona, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Zinnia emerged with an armful of fireworks, a group of kids trailing behind her. She was clearly their ringleader.
“Wow, Zinnia. Your fireworks are so pretty, even prettier than the ones my mom brought back from the city,” a child exclaimed.
“Pick whichever ones you like to play with, but be careful, okay? Don’t burn yourselves,” Zinnia said as she led them to an open area outside the courtyard. She kneeled down and carefully set the fireworks on the ground.
Even though Zinnia hadn’t asked for fireworks this year, Nathan still went out of his way to get her plenty. But unlike before, she hadn’t touched a single one. They’d just been sitting in the storage room, gathering dust.
In previous years, Zinnia would have been the first out playing with the other kids in the small town.
Now, the kids were eagerly picking out the prettiest sparklers.
“Zinnia, aren’t you gonna play with us? You always loved playing the most before,” one of them said.
The kids had always looked forward to playing with fireworks with Zinnia more than anything else each year. But now, as they looked up at her, they found that she stood off to the side, not joining in their fun.
“Go ahead and play. I’ll watch,” Zinnia said with a gentle smile.
Simon walked closer to Zinnia, his face full of worry as he looked up at her. “Zinnia, did something happen? You don’t seem happy.”
Zinnia had barely smiled all evening, her expression clouded with unspoken worries. Kids were remarkably perceptive, and it didn’t take long for them to notice she wasn’t happy.
“No, not at all,” Zinnia replied, passing out sparklers to the little ones. She paused for a beat at Simon’s comment, wondering if she was really that transparent with her unhappiness.
Fiona walked over and crouched down beside Zinnia, giving her cheek a gentle poke. “You look like a little sourpuss,” she teased. Then, softening her tone, she added, “What’s wrong? Tell me what’s going on.”
She noticed Zinnia looking totally droopy, like the most miserable little pickle on the planet.
Zinnia shook her head and glanced at Fiona beside her. “Nothing, Fiona. Are you done eating?”
Fiona had been busy herself over the years. Ever since college and then starting her career, she came back less often. She was about the same age as Nathan, and had basically grown up together with both him and Zinnia.
When Nathan was busy and couldn’t take care of Zinnia, he would entrust Zinnia to Fiona. Since they were little, Zinnia had always been Fiona’s little shadow, following her everywhere, and Fiona treated her like a beloved younger sister.
“I’m done eating. So I came to see why you are not happy,” Fiona said, holding out a plate of popcorn and popping one into Zinnia’s mouth.
Fiona lowered her gaze, carefully studying Zinnia’s expression. “Did you have a hard time with your new family?” she asked gently.
Everyone in the small town knew the Shaw family had taken Zinnia back. They thought Zinnia must have had a tough time with her gentle nature since that family looked so hard to get along with.
When Nathan left, Fiona had originally planned to take Zinnia to live in Gernmiland. But Nathan insisted Zinnia should have the chance to experience life with her family since she had never stayed with her real family.
Trusting that Nathan would surely make proper arrangements, Fiona had finally put her mind at ease.
Fiona had been swamped with work at her law firm in Gernmiland, and the distance made it impossible for her to look after Zinnia properly.
Whenever they spoke on the phone, Zinnia only shared the good news. It wasn’t until Fiona heard that Nathan and Zinnia had returned that she dropped everything and flew back from Gernmiland today.
Hearing Fiona’s question about her family, Zinnia munched on popcorn and replied, “No. They’ve all gotten what they deserved.”