Elora picked up her chopsticks and went straight for the drunken chicken, lifting a small piece of tender chicken to her lips.
The rich aroma of wine enveloped her senses, mingling with the fragrant marinade that had seeped into the delicate meat, creating an irresistible flavor that was both crisp and succulent. It was a culinary delight, one that almost made her bite her own tongue in the process of savoring it. Elora's eyes narrowed in enjoyment, her lips curling into a satisfied smile, as she subtly licked them, her expression lingering with an air of reluctant pleasure.
"Vixen, how do you think they managed to create such an exquisite dish?" Elora communicated with Vixen telepathically, her hands still busy as she continued to sample the dish. Her mouth was stuffed full, her cheeks puffed comically, a picture of pure enjoyment.
"Lora, I wish I could taste it too!" Vixen replied, clearly salivating at the thought.
"You're already so plump, and you're still thinking about food? To help you maintain that slim figure, I'll sacrifice my stomach. The food is all mine—you can only smell the fragrance and watch me eat!" Elora couldn't suppress a chuckle at the sight of Vixen's hungry expression. The sound of her laughter seemed to make the room shine brighter, as if the very sunlight was dancing in response.
...
As soon as Lucas entered the restaurant, his gaze fell upon a scene that could only be described as enchanting. The young woman, bathed in sunlight, had her eyes squinted into two crescent-shaped arcs, her smile radiating a mischievous satisfaction, resembling a cat who had just caught a tasty morsel.
Ding "Target's affection +5, current affection value: 35!"
Elora was startled by the sudden surge in affection points. Why did her affinity increase all of a sudden?
"Target has appeared at the entrance!"
Elora glanced up and immediately recognized Lucas. He stood tall, his slender frame accentuated by the sleek black suit that draped his body perfectly. With his cold, aloof aura, he drew the attention of everyone in the room, commanding the space with effortless grace.
"Elora, fancy seeing you here?" Lucas strode over to her with his long legs, stopping right in front of her, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Yes, what a coincidence. Are you dining here too?" Elora quickly regained her composure and, with a bright smile, said, "Sorry, I was lost in thought and didn't notice you earlier." She gave her clothing hem a small tug, her face tinged with a hint of pink.
Lucas observed her flustered demeanor and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
This fiancée of mine is quite amusing. We used to play together often when we were younger, as our families were close. I'm three years older than her, and my parents always told me to look out for her.
I once thought she'd be a handful, but she turned out to be a quiet girl—disinterested in much, only fond of reading. It certainly spared me a lot of trouble.
Back in high school, we would often engage in deep discussions. But after she went abroad for her studies, we lost touch. It's been about four or five years since we last saw each other. My parents mentioned that she had returned after graduation, and they wanted me to meet her at the family estate, discussing the idea of arranging an engagement.
I don't have anyone I'm particularly fond of, so since I have to marry, why not someone familiar? I agreed without much thought.
However, I didn't expect to be so rushed during our last brief meeting. I barely had time to speak to her and didn't really get a good look at her. I'm surprised by how beautiful she's become.
Though the engagement ceremony hasn't taken place yet, both families have discussed it, and it seems all but certain that she will be my fiancée.
With these thoughts in mind, Lucas's tone softened unconsciously. "No worries." Then, recalling his own responsibilities, he gave Elora an apologetic look. "I have some matters to attend to. I must leave now, but let's catch up when we have the chance."
"Alright, take care of your business. We'll talk later!" Elora nodded understandingly, signaling that it was fine for him to go.
"Goodbye," Lucas said courteously, offering a polite smile before turning and heading toward the private rooms on the second floor.
Though he had prepared himself for a chance encounter, he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. This outing had certainly been worth it.
Once she had finished her meal, Elora rose to settle the bill.
"Miss Carter, your bill has already been taken care of," the waiter paused, then added, "It was Mr. Ridge."
Elora nodded in understanding, appreciating the gesture. "Thank you."
As she stepped outside, Elora gently rubbed her full stomach, feeling pleasantly stuffed. Perhaps a stroll through the nearby shopping district would help her digest.
With that thought, she turned in the opposite direction and made her way toward the pedestrian street...