Chapter 492

When they arrived at the restaurant, the server led the four of them directly to a private room. They ordered the dishes, set up the barbecue, and started cooking.

True to Madison’s enthusiastic recommendation, the flavors were indeed delicious, and the ingredients were fresh, but the spiciness was intense.

Midway through the meal, Miranda went to the restroom. When she returned, there was a bowl of chilled dessert on the table.

Paul said, “It’s iced, to help with the spiciness.”

She smiled and thanked him, thinking to herself, “Dr. Jefferson is so kind, and so thoughtful.”

After they finished eating, Paul went to settle the bill. Nearby, there was a night market bustling with people, full of life.

Mindy expressed her interest in checking it out, and Lionel cheerfully accompanied her.

Thinking it would be rude if the three of them left without Paul, Miranda decided to wait at the entrance for him. Soon, Paul came out, carrying a paper bag.

“I noticed you liked this, so I asked the server to pack some for you. Eat it tonight, and throw away the leftovers. Melons that sit overnight can upset your stomach,” he said.

“Okay,” Miranda replied and nodded in agreement.

“Where are your mom and dad?” he asked.

She pointed toward the night market. “They went to explore.”

“Shall we join them?” he suggested.

“Yes, absolutely!” Miranda said eagerly. If she hadn’t been waiting for Paul, she would’ve gone with Mindy and Lionel already.

The two of them strolled side by side through the busy street, lined with stalls selling a variety of items—from food and drinks to clothes, accessories, and trinkets.

Passing by a small accessory stand, Miranda stopped and pointed to a gray hairpin. “How much is this?” she asked.

“Ten bucks,” the vendor replied.

“What’s the best way to secure it so it doesn’t come loose?” Miranda had used hairpins before, ones she bought online. Since her hair was thick, it always ended up in a big bunch, making it hard to keep secure.

She noticed that the hairpin on this stand was larger and sturdier than the ones she had bought previously, which is why she stopped to ask about it.

The vendor immediately demonstrated for her. “First, gather your hair, twist it up, then lift it slightly. Split it into two sections, slide your finger into the middle, twist, and secure it. Simple, right? In less than two minutes, you’ll be all set to head out looking fabulous,” she explained with a smile.

Miranda grew silent. She was watching her carefully but wasn’t confident she could replicate the technique.

Just as she was about to ask the vendor to show her again, two new customers approached, and the vendor turned to help them.

Miranda then hesitated, feeling awkward about asking again, but then she noticed Paul already paying for the hairpin.

He reached into the pile of hair accessories, picked up the gray hairpin, and said to her with a smile, “Turn around.”

“What?” she asked, startled.

“Turn around. I’ll put your hair up for you,” Paul said.

“Wait, what?” she stammered.

“What’s the hesitation?” he chuckled. “You didn’t quite get it, right? I did, so let me teach you.”

Miranda, who was still a bit dazed, turned around. The next moment, she felt Paul’s hands gently gathering her hair.

With her back to him, her senses heightened, making the touch of his fingers feel ten times more intense.

His hands were warm and dry, and every movement was gentle and deliberate, as if he was being careful with each strand.

As he twisted her hair up, his fingertips brushed against the back of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

“D–Dr. Jefferson…” she stammered, feeling flustered and wanting to move away.

“Don’t move,” he said softly. “Almost done.”

With those words, he secured the hairpin into her hair, holding it firmly in place.