Chapter 74
โZinnia, you seem really happy today. Whatโs going on?โ On Monday, her classmates couldnโt help but notice how cheerful she looked.
โReally?โ Zinnia tilted her head, confused. She thought, โAm I really that happy? I donโt think soโฆโ
After receiving a message from her master, it was like a spark had been lit inside her. She seemed so much more energetic, no longer resembling the dejected, listless puppy she had been before.
Just thinking about her master reaching out sent ripples of quiet joy through her heart.
โYou totally are! Look at that little smile on your face,โ Haisle teased, pointing at the corners of Zinniaโs lips that had curled up without her even realizing it.
When Maisie first met her, Zinnia had been like a gloomy kitten, abandoned and left to sulk.
She was quiet and well-behaved, never showing any obvious signs of unhappiness, but Maisie could just feel that she wasnโt in a good place.
Now, though, it was clear something had shifted. She seemed lighter, like she had something to look forward to.
Zinnia touched the corner of her lips thoughtfully. It did seem like there was a faint smile there.
โHey Zinnia, did you finish your homework?โ Ethan asked, spinning around in his seat.
After parting ways with Maisie, who had repeatedly promised to ace the monthly exams so they could sit together, Zinnia reluctantly shuffled back to her seat.
Unbeknownst to her, Bettyโs words caught someoneโs attention. As soon as Zinnia sat down, Ethan turned around with a grin.
Zinniaโs smile froze instantly. She thought, โWhy is it always about homework on the first day of school? Canโt they ask something more interesting for once!โ
Before she could respond, Brian leaned over, propping his head on one hand. โCome on, does she look like someone who actually finished her homework?โ he teased, his handsome face brimming with amusement.
โI did!โ Zinnia shot back, baring her teeth in a defiant grin. โEven if I didnโt finish, I canโt lose face here!โ she thought. โWellโฆ most of it, anyway,โ she muttered under her breath.
Zinnia wasnโt exactly a fan of homework. She procrastinated whenever possible, and last night had been a frantic rush to get it done.
She managed to finish the humanities assignments, but when it came to the sciences, she spent half the night staring at the pages, unable to write a single word.
โIf you havenโt finished, youโd better hurry. Williamโs class is first, and you know he always checks homework,โ Ethan said, his lips twitching as he tried to hold back a laugh. At least he was kind enough to remind her.
Without a word, Zinnia sighed and pulled out her homework, starting to fill it in.
Even the intense study vibes at school couldnโt spark the slightest bit of motivation in her.
Clutching her pen, Zinnia poked at the paper absentmindedly. โSenior year. Just endless exercises, day after day. How am I supposed to survive this for a whole year?โ she thought, feeling utterly hopeless.
Science fried her brain, and humanities made her hand cramp. No matter the subject, it was all a struggle.
โI could really use some milk tea right now,โ Zinnia grumbled to herself. She felt like a cup of milk tea was exactly what she needed to recharge.
She hadnโt had any milk tea all weekend since she hadnโt gone out.
Now that she was back at school, Zinnia decided sheโd grab a cup from the campus milk tea shop after class. Her brain deserved a little reward for all the effort it was putting in.
Ever since leaving the Shaw residence, Zinnia had realized how cheap things were outsideโa cup of milk tea was just a few bucks.
With one million in her account, she figured she could drink milk tea every day for the rest of her life. Sheโd happily cut back on meat if it meant unlimited milk tea.
She also remembered the last time she went out to eat with Maisie and the others. They ordered so much food, but Zinnia thought everything in Jinston was way cheaper than back in her small town.
Thanks to the money she earned from selling ginseng, as long as she avoided buying the extravagant dresses Betty flaunted, she had enough to live comfortably for ages without worrying about food or drink.
โMilk tea is non-negotiable. My brainโs been working overtimeโI deserve this!โ Zinnia thought, convincing herself as she prepared to stand up.
Just as she was about to move, a warm touch brushed against her arm. She turned her head and met a pair of delicate, serene eyes.
The owner of those eyes wore a simple white cotton T-shirt. Her pale, almost translucent skin revealed faint blue veins, and her slender wrist held a cup.
โStore-bought milk tea isnโt great. Try this instead,โ Evelyn said softly, her voice calm yet tinged with a gentle warmth, like a quiet stream flowing along the riverbank.
โLydia! You made this for me? Youโre amazing!โ Zinnia exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she quickly took the cup with both hands. She popped in the straw, took a sip, and practically melted. โThis is incredible!โ
Lydiaโs skills were top-notchโthe milk tea she made was absolutely delicious.
Hearing Zinniaโs praise, Lydiaโs eyes, partially hidden behind her bangs, curved slightly in a subtle smile.
โIโll teach you,โ Lydia said, her voice clear and soft.
Even though teaching Zinnia a single problem often required dozens of explanationsโsince Zinnia lacked basic knowledge and understanding of many conceptsโLydia never seemed to mind.
โSure!โ With the allure of milk tea, Zinnia found herself less resistant to homework. Although she still struggled to fully grasp Lydiaโs explanations, she managed to follow the steps and write out the answers.
Even if she didnโt understand everything afterward, at least she could get through the assignments for nowโwriting her own answers felt better than copying someone elseโs.
After several days of working together, Zinnia had started to absorb a tiny bit of Lydiaโs explanations during their study sessions.
Lydia scooted her chair closer to Zinniaโs desk, while Zinnia sipped her milk tea, listening to Lydiaโs gentle voice as she read out the problems.
Zinnia couldnโt help but feel gratefulโLydia was more than just a desk mate; she was like a quiet guardian angel. Not only did she share delicious cookies, but she also patiently helped her with her studies.
Lydiaโs patience and kindness reminded Zinnia of her masterโboth had a way of making her feel cared for, like she mattered.
Evelyn made her milk tea.
After a full day at school, Zinnia packed up her bag, ready to head home.
โZinnia, letโs head home together,โ Maisie said as she finished packing her bag, giving her a cheerful invitation.
โMaisie, Iโm not going back to the Lynn residence anymore,โ Zinnia replied casually.
โYouโre not going back to the Lynn residence? What happened? Are you okay? If you donโt have a place, just come to my house!โ Bettyโs voice was filled with worry.
Maisie thought there was something serious happening to Zinnia.
Hearing the conversation, Lydia, who was still tidying up her books, and the boys in the front row, Ethan and Brian, turned their heads. Their faces showed concern. โZinnia, is everything alright?โ
โI told Jackson I wanted to move out. Itโs my senior year, and studying is my top priority. The Lynn residenceโs place is a bit far from school, so I decided to live closer. I live in Cloud Harbor now,โ Zinnia explained, meeting their worried gazes.
โCloud Harbor? No way!โ Ethan blurted out, his voice filled with disbelief.
โMy dadโs been trying to get a place there forever but couldnโt even qualify,โ he muttered, still in shock. That neighborhood only had five households so far, and Zinnia was living there too.
Looks like Jackson really spoils Zinnia. Everyone felt relievedโit was clear there hadnโt been any drama like what happened with the Shaw family.