Chapter 183: A Foodie
“Where did you get the balloon and lollipop from?” Raylee asked, her eyes wide and red, looking at Percival in astonishment.
“At the entrance of the park, and they cost me thirty!” Percival joked. “The cost of goods isn’t even three. Oh! Such high returns on a small investment! I’m even considering changing my career. Maybe I should set up a stall at the entrance too!”
Raylee was amused by him and laughed. “Dr. Shapiro, with your exceptional medical skills, if you dare to change professions, I bet the wealthy folks in Jexburgh would probably throw you into the ocean. By the way, why are you here?”
“My lab is just nearby. I was up all night working on an experiment and feeling a bit dizzy, so I decided to take a walk. I didn’t expect to run into you,” he said. Percival furrowed his eyebrows. “Raylee, what’s up with you? Why have you started crying while sitting here? I remember you haven’t been back from Musmeynia for long, right? You’re a lucky one, blessed with good fortune. Just make sure you don’t cry your luck away.”
Raylee was nonplussed. “Apart from treating patients, do you also study mysticism, Dr. Shapiro?”
“Of course! I’m a top student when it comes to academics. However, my favorite subject to delve into is always gastronomy. Let’s go!”
Suddenly, Percival pulled her along, heading toward a bustling food street outside the park.
All of Raylee’s cravings came to the surface as she inhaled the tantalizing aromas of various dishes. She couldn’t help but gulp, her stomach grumbling even louder. After her release from prison, apart from the day she had a blind date with Jeremiah and had taken a brief stroll around, she hadn’t really taken the time to properly explore the streets.
Four years had passed, and the changes within Jexburgh were so vast that Raylee almost couldn’t recognize it. When did such a large-scale food street open up here! Every form of entertainment and indulgence was available there. Dishes sold included barbecue, stew, pastries, crepes, chili con carne, and so on. It was so dazzling it could make one’s eyes spin.
Raylee was already salivating in anticipation, and she was just about to indulge in her favorite chili con carne. Before she could speak, Percival beat her to it, saying, “Raylee, I’ll take you to have some authentic homemade chili con carne. Most of the shops here mainly use artificial ingredients and additives. However, there’s one shop that’s different. Their ingredients are natural. I personally tested the composition of their dishes, and they’re guaranteed to be healthy.”
With that, he led Raylee to that store. The chili con carne restaurant was modestly decorated and tucked away in a remote location, appearing far less conspicuous than the other flamboyantly adorned establishments. However, there was a crowd of diners, and the aroma was quite normal, devoid of any scent of technology or strenuous labor. Raylee had nearly ordered every dish she liked.
“Dr. Shapiro, your recommendation is spot on. This store’s chili con carne is truly delicious!” exclaimed Raylee as she enjoyed her meal.
“Eat as much as you like. It’s rare to have something you truly love in life, whether it’s a person, a hobby, or food. As long as you still love it, life will never lose its joy.”
“Dr. Shapiro, you’re right. I really do love eating chili con carne. Come to think of it, it’s been five or six years since I’ve had it,” Kaylee said.
“Halsahat! Did you stop having it after that bout of gastroenteritis when you were seventeen?”
Raylee exclaimed in surprise, “How did you come to know about that?”
Percival recalled with a smile, saying, “Casimir once mentioned you in passing, saying that your parents were strict and didn’t allow you to eat junk food. Yet, you sneakily went out to eat chili con carne. Unfortunately, you ended up eating spoiled ingredients, which led to gastroenteritis. You were rushed to the hospital and narrowly avoided a misdiagnosis that could have resulted in an unnecessary appendectomy! Back then, I even teased Casimir, saying that he was going to marry a real foodie.”
“How do you still remember something like that?” Kaylee was taken aback. “Dr. Shapiro, you really must have nothing better to do.”
“Exactly! Back then, I just thought you were so adorable. A prominent young lady sneaking out just to eat chili con carne. You must really love chili con carne to do something like that!”
Percival’s words stirred up a flurry of thoughts in Raylee’s mind. Back then, when Waverly hadn’t yet returned to the Goodridge residence, her family took great care to protect her. Anything that could harm her was kept out of her reach. However, things had changed with time. The love that the Goodridge family had for her had long since been transferred to Waverly. All the beautiful moments from the past had become untouchable memories etched deep within her heart. Every time Raylee reminisced, her heart ached. It seemed as though she was the only one who couldn’t let go of those beautiful memories. How could the Goodridge family, after eighteen years of kinship, just abandon me so easily? Could their hearts possibly be made of stone?
“Why the sudden gloomy face? Did I bring up something that upset you?” Percival hurriedly asked.
Raylee shook her head. “No. I was just reminiscing about the year I was seventeen. Back then, I was a carefree young lady, the beloved darling of the Goodridge family. However, in less than a year, I was thrown into prison…”
Observing the girl’s sorrowful expression, Percival gently patted her shoulder, soothingly saying, “It’s all in the past now. You’ve faced so many challenges and yet, they couldn’t break you. From now on, you’re an invincible survivor! Living well and better is the best punishment for those who have hurt you!”