Chapter 60

The group finally left the school. They followed Ethan through a maze of twists and turns until they arrived at a narrow alley. At the end of the alley stood a quaint, timeworn shop, its faded sign barely visible in the dim light.

Ethan led them inside, his enthusiasm evident as he began introducing the place.

He said, “Don’t let the shabby look fool you. This place is a hidden gem. Whenever Brian and I can’t figure out what to eat, we always come here. Trust me, even if you’re not hungry, you’ll find something you can’t resist.”

The dim glow of a distant streetlamp barely lit the narrow alley, where shadows danced across the cracked pavement. Zinnia glanced back at Lydia. She noticed that Lydia’s bangs covered most of her eyes, and she was also wearing glasses.

Concerned that Lydia might have trouble seeing, Zinnia offered, “Lydia, can you see alright? Watch your step. If it’s too dark, just grab my arm or something.”

“I’m fine,” Lydia said briskly.

Hearing this, Zinnia turned her focus back to the uneven path, completely missing the fleeting frustration in Lydia’s eyes.

Lydia clutched her books tightly, quickening her pace to keep up, her eyes fixed on the figures ahead.

“Hey, Alfred, Tessa!” Ethan called out as they stepped into the bustling restaurant.

The place was small, just about 215 to 323 square feet, but owning a spot like this in the prime real estate of Jinston was no small accomplishment.

“Ethan, you’re here! Go ahead and find a seat. The menu’s on the table; you can order directly from there,” Tessa’s voice rang out from the kitchen.

“Got it. You do your thing; we’ll find a spot,” Ethan replied with a nod, scanning the room for available seats.

It was peak lunchtime, and most of the tables were already taken. Eventually, Ethan led them to a window-side table, a spot Tessa and Alfred had thoughtfully reserved for them.

“You get them seated; I’ll grab the chairs,” Brian said to Ethan.

“Alright, we’ll sit over there,” Ethan said, guiding the group. He grabbed a chair and set it down, making sure the three girls had enough seats. Then he said, “If you want to order, just scan the QR code on the table. It’s super easy.”

The table was square-shaped. Zinnia and Maisie sat together on one side, while Lydia sat on Zinnia’s other side. Soon, Brian returned with two more chairs, and he and Ethan took the remaining seats on the opposite side.

“Zinnia, what looks good to you?” Maisie asked, holding up her phone.

“This one looks delicious,” Zinnia said, pointing to a picture of golden, crispy pumpkin pies on the screen. When Zinnia and her Master lived in the town, she had grown quite fond of pies and such.

Ethan noticed her choice and immediately grinned. He said, “Zinnia, you’ve got an eye for good food. These pumpkin pies are the real deal. Every time Brian and I come here, we have to order them.

“Tessa’s cooking is top-notch. The pie is perfectly balanced, sweet but not overwhelming, with a crispy shell and a soft, fluffy center that melts in your mouth. They’re so popular that they’re always in limited supply.”

Lydia glanced at the picture of the pumpkin pies and quietly snapped a photo with her phone.

Knowing how popular the pumpkin pies were, Tessa had thoughtfully included a detailed recipe on the menu.

“Let’s get two orders,” Maisie said, placing the order.

Since they arrived early, they were among the first customers at the shop and managed to snag the last two portions.

“What do you all want to drink? I’ll grab them for you,” Ethan said.

This shop didn’t have waitstaff; Alfred and Tessa handled everything, so customers had to fetch their drinks.

“Orange juice,” Maisie said casually.

“Coconut milk,” Zinnia said softly.

“Just plain water, thanks,” Lydia murmured.

Though they hadn’t known each other for long, their conversations were relaxed and informal.

“Got it! Ladies, hang tight. I’ll be right back,” Ethan said with a grin before heading off.

Brian went along to help, as Ethan couldn’t carry all the drinks by himself.

Ethan returned first, carrying the coconut milk and water. He handed the coconut milk to Zinnia and said, “Zinnia, here’s your coconut milk.”

“Thanks,” Zinnia said, accepting the drink with both hands.

“Finish it up, and I’ll pour you another,” Ethan said with a smile.

Everyone had picked different drinks. Some were kept in insulated containers, so one had to serve oneself if needed.

“Lydia, here’s your water,” Ethan said, placing a glass of warm water beside Lydia.

Just then, Brian came back. He handed the orange juice to Maisie. Then he tossed a can of cola toward Ethan as he said, “Here. Catch your soda.” He had a bottle of milk tucked in his pocket.

Ethan fumbled to catch the can, nearly dropping it in the process. He said, “Take it easy, Brian. You trying to knock me out?”

Brian shot Ethan a glance and sat down without a word.

Before long, Tessa arrived with the first dish. She was a kind-looking woman with a gentle smile that radiated warmth. She said, “Ethan, oh my, you brought your classmates along today.”

The first dish was a plate of golden pumpkin pies arranged on a white porcelain plate. The warm, sweet aroma of fresh pumpkin filled the air, a comforting scent that was worlds apart from the cloying sweetness of artificial flavors.

Ethan stood up to help with the plates. He said, “Tessa, we couldn’t decide where to eat, so we came straight to your place.”

Tessa said with a bright smile, “You’re always welcome here. I made some steamed lobster today; I’ll bring you a plate later. The lobster is fresh. You have to try it.”

“Thanks, Tessa, we’ll definitely dig in,” Ethan replied with a grin, not bothering to refuse her generosity.

After setting down the dishes, Tessa headed back to the kitchen to bring out more food.

Ethan placed the plate of pumpkin pies in front of Zinnia and said, “Zinnia, try it and see if you like it.” He couldn’t help but chuckle at the way her eyes lit up as Zinnia stared at the dish.

“Okay,” Zinnia replied eagerly. She picked up a piece of pie. The aroma alone made her mouth water. The pie was still hot, fresh from the pan. Zinnia blew on it to cool it down before taking a bite. She thought, ‘It is amazing. It tastes just like what Ethan has described. No, it is even better.’

Zinnia finished the piece in just a few bites. She said, “This is amazing. Can I get two more plates to go? I’ll pay for them.” As she spoke, she looked at Ethan with hopeful eyes. She wanted to save some for an afternoon snack.

It felt like forever since Zinnia had tasted something so perfectly suited to her palate. Back when she lived…the exquisite, handmade treats crafted by her Master.

They were exquisite, but her Master always limited her portions, never letting her indulge too much. Her Master’s culinary skills were unmatched, and over time, Zinnia’s palate had become quite discerning.

After moving to the Shaw family, the joy of eating seemed to fade. The meals were always bland and overly controlled, leaving her longing for the rich, indulgent flavors she once knew.

Even the desserts were strictly controlled, with every ingredient measured to ensure they wouldn’t harm one’s health. Zinnia never found much joy in eating them.