"You guys go ahead. I'm almost ready. I just need to change my shoes."Madelyn walked over to the shoe rack and slipped on a pair of white cashmere shoes. Downstairs, Hayson was already seated on the living room couch.Today marked the Jent family's customary event. While Hayson wasn't as stringent with Zach, he had always held high expectations for Madelyn. However, since Jadie wasn't directly adopted by Hayson, she was excused from certain Jent family customs.Madelyn approached Hayson and said warmly, "I wish you good health, safety, and happiness.""Thank you," Hayson replied, handing her a gift card envelope.Madelyn took the envelope with both hands. "Thank you, Father," she said, revealing a sincere smile.Just after she received Hayson's envelope, Zach took out another envelope from his suit pocket."No need. Father already gave me something," Madelyn said."I already gave Jadie one," replied Zach.Madelyn glanced at Jadie. Jadie smiled and said, "Go ahead and take it.
"You're busy now, so I won't disturb you," Madelyn said.Ethan turned his attention to her. "You're not curious about what I'm up to?" he asked.Madelyn was taken aback for a moment. It did not seem necessary for him to tell her what he was dealing with. Besides, she was not one to pry into other people's private matters. Madelyn did not answer his question, she just casually said, "You better get busy. Don't miss your flight.""Alright. When I get back, I'll bring you a gift." His voice was calm.Madelyn quickly replied, "No need. You've already given me so much. I can't ask for more.""Madelyn... Do we really have to be this formal with each other?" His voice held a hint of deeper emotion.Despite everything, Madelyn always seemed to find a way to turn him down. He had hoped that the events of the previous night would bring them closer, but a single phone call had shifted Ethan's once-positive mood into one of frustration and disappointment.Madelyn held onto her dress hem. "I
Jadie shook her head, saying, "I remember a few days ago, after the last class, I brought the workbook home and left it on the desk. But now, it's gone." She paused, thinking for a moment, then shook her head again. "Actually, I might not have brought it home after all... I'm sorry, Zach... I really forgot."Jadie frowned, and Zach reached out to touch her long hair. "When the break is over, you can ask the teacher for a new one, okay?""I tried calling, but Mr. Newton has already left for Sinagora. And... there's an assignment I need to complete, or else... I'm sorry... I keep causing you trouble."Zach glanced at the closed door, then shifted his gaze back to Jadie. His tone grew more serious. "I can ask Yvonne if she can lend you her workbook."Jadie immediately grabbed onto Zach's clothes, her eyes pleading as she looked at him. "I don't want you to ask her, I don't like her."Zach gently removed Jadie's hand and checked the time on his wrist. "I'll be back before dinner is re
"Don't just stand there. Hop on the bike!" Forrest commanded.Madelyn pressed her lips together. "Actually, I'm not really in the mood to go out.""Still want to be cooped up at home? Come on, get on the bike, it's freezing out here!""Where are we going?""A nice place..."Reluctantly, Madelyn climbed onto his motorcycle. She had never been on a bike before.Forrest turned to look at her with a furrowed brow.Perplexed by his gaze, Madelyn asked, "What's wrong?"Forrest reached out, releasing her bun, and then placed a helmet on her head. He fastened the elastic band he had removed from her hair around his wrist.He instructed, "Hold onto me!"'What?!' Madelyn was taken aback.Perhaps due to his words or the chilly weather, a light blush dusted Madelyn's cheeks, and she softly grasped his clothing on both sides. "I'm ready. Let's go.""You really stubborn."Forrest reached back and grabbed her hands, guiding them to wrap around his waist. "Like this. Hold on and don't let
Forrest and Madelyn strolled into the bustling street market and spotted a monkey performing at the roadside. They paused to watch for a moment.Spectators were dropping money into a bowl, and when it filled up, the monkey picked it up and handed it to its owner. All the money found its way into the owner's pocket. Someone had a two-dollar bill in hand, and the monkey took it, giving a polite bow to the giver.Madelyn's interest was piqued. "Forrest, do you think it actually understands human speech?"Forrest shot her a look that said, "Are you serious?" and gently tugged her away.Protesting, Madelyn said, "What are you doing? I haven't seen enough!""What's so fascinating about a monkey act? Let's keep moving.""I want to watch a bit longer.""Not worth it.""But I've never seen anything like this before."Suddenly, Forrest halted and released her. "You really want to watch?"Madelyn nodded, insisting, "Just for a little while!""Fine, I'll give you five minutes. Otherwise
Yvonne propped her chin up with both hands, "So, this is your way of asking for a favor? Don't forget, you asked me to lend your precious sister a workbook! If you're not going to accompany me, I won't lend it to her. I can call my chauffeur right now and have him come pick me up.""Suit yourself." Zach was somewhat annoyed. He stood up, ready to leave.Yvonne panicked and immediately sat beside Zach, gripping his arm tightly to prevent him from leaving. Since her threats didn't work, she softened her tone, "Can't you just spend half a day with me? I'm feeling lonely this long break." She clung to Zach's arm, shaking it while acting coquettish, "Please! Zach!"Yvonne rarely called him by his first name. She usually addressed him as "Mr. Jardin" because he was about seven or eight years older than her.Forrest brought Madelyn to a place filled with food vendors, but the cleanliness wasn't great. Tables were covered in discarded plastic containers, and a few stray dogs were wandering
Madelyn didn't find the eatery unpleasant. She thought it was difficult to spot in a place like this.After only a little bit of time eating, the other people at the other tables were done with their food and left. Now, only Madelyn and Forrest were still in the restaurant.The person who owned the restaurant was an old man in his sixties. He had on reading glasses and seemed to be sewing something. He was having a hard time getting the thread through the needle. He went over to Forrest and asked, "Forry, could you help me? My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be."Forrest had just finished eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and got up, saying, "What do you need to sew? Let me check it out.""It's a piece of clothing. It got a hole from a nail last time, but it can still be fixed.""What about your wife?""She went out to walk the dog. She won't be back for a bit."Forrest took the place where the owner had been sitting, picked up an old, blue piece of clothing.Madelyn
Madelyn felt like Forrest had a point. She hadn't really planned on buying so many street snacks all at once. After thinking it over, she decided to hold off on getting more and focus on enjoying the ones she already had. She realized she might have gone a bit overboard with her shopping.In the midst of the bustling crowd, Madelyn couldn't shake the feeling that there were intense gazes fixed on her. But whenever she looked around, there was nothing there. She must have been imagining things.As the day started to turn into evening, the sky slowly got darker. Madelyn and Forrest left the market, feeling a bit disappointed that they hadn't been able to explore everything.Originally, Madelyn was supposed to head home, but she didn't really want to go back just yet. They found a spot outside a closed café in the park, finishing up the remaining snacks while watching the fireworks overhead.She turned her head slightly and glanced at Forrest, who was completely absorbed in the firewo