Lily and Ryan finally settle on a high-end western restaurant with a membership system. There are no
idle people there. This kind of environment is what Ryan needs.
At seven o'clock in the evening, Lily goes into the booked private room with Adair. The waiter brings
two glasses of lemonade juice. Adair doesn't like water and insists on juice lately. Lily follows his
preference.
"Mom, when will Ryan come?" After waiting for less than five minutes, the boy can't wait anymore and
becomes anxious.
It's been too long since they last met, and Rex is not by their side. Though the kid doesn't say anything,
in his heart he yearns for someone to accompany him.
Lily caresses his little head and raises her wrist to look at the time. "Very soon."
Ryan is never late. She has come a little earlier today on purpose to make sure they will meet on time.
About a dozen minutes later, the door of the private room is pushed open again from outside. A tall
figure appears at the door.
He's wearing a formal suit, a champagne-colored silk scarf, and a pair of handmade black leather
shoes. He looks light, neat, and full of elite style.
They haven't seen each other for a while, but he still maintains his usual demeanor.
"You're here." Lily stands up and greets him. Before she can say more words, Adair jumps out.
"Uncle Ryan!" He crashes into the man's embrace intimately, his fleshy little arms wrapping around the
man's waist.
Ryan cuddles Adair's little body and says, "You've grown taller."
Adair raises his head and blinks his big bright eyes. His face is filled with excitement as he looks at the
man. His delicate voice is cute and shy. "Ryan, I miss you so much...."
"I miss you too," Ryan replies straightforwardly.
Lily looks at them and heaves a sigh of relief in her heart. On the way here, she's worried that after
such a long time and since Rex has reclaimed Adair as his son, the kid may feel a little embarrassed
about Ryan. Now it seems she's overthinking.
Adair finally sees Ryan. His heart is solely on him, and he insists on sitting with him while eating. Ryan
won't refuse, of course. He has been spoiling Adair ever since the boy was young, it's just he has never
been this obvious.
"Check the menu." He unbuttons his cuffs and hands the menu to her.
Lily takes it over. She knows what he likes and orders a T-bone steak for him and two filets, one big for
Ryan and one small for her and Adair. The other side dishes are already paired.
The waiter leaves the room with the menu and the vibe becomes more relaxed.
"How have you been lately?" The man's voice is soft and gentle, his arms slightly bent, his elbows
resting on the table. The muscles on his shoulders are all protruding, full of manliness.
Lily's gaze falls on his. From the moment she saw his subordinates, she knows Ryan has been aware
of her misfortune during the past few days.
This question is to tell her that although he knows everything and will protect her, he won't interfere with
her life.
"Not bad." Lily understands and says casually.
Ryan examines her small face. From the moment he entered the door, he can tell that she has lost
quite a lot of weight. It must be too tiring to take care of the kid and run a shop while worrying about the
man on the hospital bed.
Ryan withdraws his gaze and hides his pity that is about to overflow from his eyes. "That's good."
"Ryan, how are you doing?" Adair doesn't understand the subtle vibe between adults and simply cares
about him.
Ryan's heart softened by his childish voice. "Great. I'm just a little lonely when I miss you."
The boy tilts his head and offers a solution. "You can come to see me. I'll be waiting for you!"
Ryan feels warm and the corner of his lips curves. "I'll stay for a while before leaving this time. I'll take
you out at the weekend."
"Yeah!"
The steaks are served quickly and the meal is in a warm vibe amidst the chirping sounds of the man
and the boy. However, the two adults have talked much like they use to.
After they pay the bill, Adair follows the restaurant manager to the children's area to choose a souvenir,
while Lily and Ryan stand side by side at the elevator entrance and wait.
Ryan casts a glance aside. After hovering in his mouth over and over again, this belated greeting is
finally out, "You've lost weight."
Lily is caught in a trance. She looks at her reflection on the elevator door and doesn't care. "It's good to
lose weight. It makes you look more energetic."
Ryan frowns at her remarks. He asks her in a low voice, "Do you think you look energetic now?"
Lily doesn't say anything. She looks slightly uneasy. Anyone who sees her will probably feel upset.
The vibe is a little awkward. Fortunately, Adair comes over. They go underground to pick up the car.
Ryan drives Lily and Adair back to the Imperial Villa. Before getting off, Adair has fallen asleep.
Lily calls for Fanny to take the kid inside and doesn't leave.
Ryan looks at her in surprise, his gaze fixed on her slightly anxious face. "What's wrong?"
"You'll stay for a while this time, won't you?"
"Yes." He nods, not wanting to hide anything.
Lily bites her lips and asks hesitantly, "You know what happened to Rex, don't you?"
"Yes."
The truth is, he not only knows but also has spoken to Rex. But he has promised that man that he
won't tell her anything.
She smiles bitterly. The night wind blows like scattered sand. "Ryan, I seem to have troubled you
again."
She's grateful that Ryan has accompanied and helped her every time she and Rex had a fight. But
she's also aware of the man's feelings for her. This is torture for him.
Because he likes her, even if she's with Rex, he's still willing to protect her while Rex is away. No one
can do as much as he does for her. She owes him too much.
"Not only for you, but also for the kid. If this is what you want to say, then go in." The man takes out a
pack of cigarettes from the drawer of the car. He tries to light it, but thinking of her, he throws it aside.
He doesn't want to hear words of appreciation from her. They'll sound distant.
Lily doesn't say anything. To be exact, she doesn't know what to say.
The windows of the car are rolled down and the cold air in the car dissipates. The mild night wind
outside blows in and warms up the cold vibe.
"I've been thinking lately." Ryan turns his head to look out of the window. He pauses for a moment
before continuing. "When did I begin to like you?"
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