The black apron hugged his lean waist, paired with sleek black dress pants that showed off his long legs. His tie was gone, and the casually undone...

With a plate in one hand and a bottle of milk in the other, he moved with effortless ease, like he belonged in this cozy domestic scene.

Zinnia pressed her lips together, her gaze lingering on him. He looks so good in an apron, she thought. It was a completely different side of him, much more down-to-earth than the polished image she had in her head.

"What was it Maisie called this? Oh, right—husband vibes. Yeah, that’s it. He’s got that perfect husband energy," she mused.

"Zinnia, I don’t have any snacks here, just some fruit. Let’s have some fruit to tide us over. Make yourself at home—look around, do whatever you like."

Yannis walked into the living room and immediately noticed Zinnia sitting quietly, not moving at all.

He walked over, set down a fruit platter filled with strawberries, grapes, and neatly sliced kiwi, and placed a glass of milk beside it.

“Okay,” Zinnia nodded softly.

"What do you feel like eating?" Yannis asked, curious about her preferences.

"Anything’s fine," Zinnia replied. After all, when you’re eating at someone else’s house, you can’t be picky.

"Alright, then I’ll make some meat for you. I remember seeing you enjoy it last time," Yannis said, glancing at her. He knew they weren’t close yet—not like her and Jackson. Zinnia probably wouldn’t open up to him so easily.

Zinnia’s gaze shifted slightly, a hint of surprise crossing her face.

But when she heard he was going to cook, she looked up at him in surprise. "Wait, he’s..." she thought, wondering if he knew his way around a kitchen.

She thought he’d just order takeout or have someone deliver food. The fact that he was going to cook himself was unexpected.

"Alright, Zinnia, just relax for a bit. I’ll cook something up quickly. Or, if you want, you can start on your homework while you wait," Yannis said with a smile.

He glanced at the clock. It was already close to six. Zinnia had been out of school since five-thirty, and after a full day of classes, she was probably starving. At her age, eating on time was important for her growth.

As he left, Zinnia couldn’t help but remind herself of a harsh reality: homework still existed. Her fondness for the handsome and charming Yannis took a slight hit.

Homework. The ultimate charm killer. Even someone as good-looking as him isn’t immune, Zinnia thought.

Zinnia skewered a strawberry with a toothpick and popped it into her mouth. Grabbing her backpack, she slid off the sofa and sat cross-legged on the floor. She adjusted her skirt and draped a rug over her legs for warmth.

She pulled out a stack of senior year test papers from her bag. Endless tests, she thought with a sigh. Big ones, small ones, weekly ones. They just kept coming.

One person was busy cooking in the kitchen, while the other quietly worked on homework in the living room. There wasn’t much conversation, but the atmosphere felt inexplicably calm and harmonious.

Yannis glanced out of the kitchen, his eyes softening as he caught sight of the small figure sitting on the floor, completely absorbed in her work. A warmth he didn’t even notice crept into his gaze.

Chapter 76

The quiet was only broken by the faint sizzle of oil from the kitchen and the soft rustling of test papers being turned.

"Zinnia, take a break from your homework. Go wash your hands; dinner’s ready,” Yannis called out warmly after setting the table.

“Alright,” Zinnia replied, putting down her pen. She carefully packed her things into her bag, making sure everything was in order. Then, she took out her small medicine pouch and placed it within easy reach.

After washing her hands in the kitchen, Zinnia returned to the dining table. The sight of the dishes stopped her in her tracks. The vibrant colors, the rich aroma… it all reminded her of her master’s cooking.

The table was set with four dishes and a soup. They were simple, home-cooked dishes, but the generous portions of meat made them stand out. The aroma was warm and inviting, making her stomach rumble.

Zinnia glanced at each dish, her years of watching her master cook telling her they would taste just as amazing as they looked. Simple, hearty meats like these were all she ever needed to feel at home.

She thought back to her life in the quiet mountain village with her master. If she had her way, she’d still be there, digging for herbs on the hills during their free time, far away from the bustling city of Jinston.

In spring, they planted vegetables; in summer, they caught tiny shrimp in the streams. Autumn meant gathering golden ginkgo leaves, and winter was for building snowmen with carrot noses. They didn’t have much, but with her master, it was perfect.

Betty always said I wasn’t cut out for a life of luxury, Zinnia thought, her lips curving into a faint, self-deprecating smile. Maybe she was right.

She hated the city—the stiff formality, the way every word felt like a negotiation, and the constant fear of offending someone important just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

If she could choose, she’d trade everything for her master’s presence. From beginning to end, all Zinnia ever wanted was to have her master by her side.

She pushed aside the swirl of emotions in her heart and said softly, “It looks delicious."

"Go ahead, Zinnia, give it a try. Let me know if it suits your taste. If not, I’ll tweak the recipe next time.”

Noticing her mood seemed off, Yannis handed her the chopsticks. His strikingly handsome face carried a faint, relaxed smile, and his voice was smooth and pleasant.

Zinnia sat across from him but didn’t pick up her chopsticks. The dining table was rectangular, and Yannis followed suit, sitting down as well.

“Don’t hold back. Here, try this—it’s the one you kept glancing at,” Yannis said, noticing her hesitation. Using a clean fork, he placed a piece of stir-fried beef onto her plate.

I was quiet and well-mannered, nothing like the arrogant, malicious troublemaker people made her out to be. Those rumors were complete nonsense.

If only she were truly arrogant and domineering, wielding the Lynn family’s influence to her advantage. Then she wouldn’t have suffered so much injustice.

“Thanks, Yannis,” Zinnia said softly before picking up her bowl and taking a bite. The beef was perfectly tender, and some chives added a burst of fresh, savory flavor. Paired with rice, it was surprisingly delicious and comforting.

“So, how is it? Good?” Yannis asked.

“It’s really good,” Zinnia said with a small nod.

“Well, if Zinnia says it’s good, then this dish is honored. It’s been a while since I cooked—I was worried my skills might’ve gotten rusty," Yannis said with a playful nod.

Chapter 76

"Try the other dishes too. Let’s see if they’re good enough to impress you.” Yannis glanced at the other dishes on the table before looking back at her, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“Okay,” Zinnia picked up some stir-fried pork with peppers. The peppers were the mild kind, fried until they had a lovely charred texture.

The pork belly was sliced thin and stir-fried until it curled up beautifully, glistening with just the right amount of oil.

“Delicious," Zinnia said again, noticing Yannis waiting for her response. She looked up and nodded.

“Seems like my cooking’s not too shabby, getting such high marks from you!” Yannis chuckled.

Zinnia smiled slightly, her tone serious.