Chapter 15
After a few seconds of silence, Emily answered honestly.
“Mary, Harold and I really can’t go back. I still can’t get over that hurdle in my heart. Maybe in five or ten years I’ll be able to, but by then we’ll both have new partners.”
Mary hurriedly denied it for Harold.
“No, I know Harold well, he’s stubborn. Now he knows he cares for you, and if you can’t forgive him, he’ll never let you go.”
“Emily, I’m not forcing you, it’s just that you loved Harold so much before, so give him a chance to love you now, okay?”
Emily was about to answer when the door was knocked urgently.
Mary, probably hearing the noise from Emily, said thoughtfully, “Emily, think it over, I won’t disturb you anymore.”
After saying that, Mary hung up the phone.
Emily straightened her clothes, which were messed up from rolling around on the bed, and got up to walk to the door.
As she flung the door open, Keith, about to knock, raised an eyebrow at her.
“Emily. I’m hungry.”
Where was the cold and handsome guy from their first meeting? He was clearly just a golden retriever wagging its tail. Emily couldn’t help but
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Chapter 15
burst out laughing.
Keith was a bit confused but still laughed along with her.
When they’d laughed themselves out, Emily rubbed her aching face and asked him. “What are you laughing at?”
Keith blurted out without thinking.
“I don’t know, seeing you laugh made me laugh too.”
Hearing this, Emily felt Keith was cold outside but a puppy inside.
Keith seemed very familiar with Riverside Town. He smoothly guided Emily through winding alleys before slipping into a quaint little lane.
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Noticing her confusion, he explained, “My mother’s from Riverside Town, so I visit often.”
Under Emily’s amused gaze, Keith’s ears flushed pink as he excused himself to order.
Watching his near–fleeing figure, she surveyed this elegant hideaway nestled in the city’s heart. An antique display shelf served as a partition.
–
Inside unfolded another vista – walls draped with cascading seasonal
roses.
At some unnoticed moment, Keith reappeared beside Emily and began explaining softly.
“This one’s called Pink Eden Rose. Walk further, that’s Pink Dragon Rose. Besides these, there are Golden Canary, Blue Rain, Juicy Balcony and more. That’s why this place is called ‘Spring’s Glory‘.”
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Spring’s Glory.” Emily repeated the name, studying Keith’s profile.
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Chapter 15
“How do you know so much? Bring colleagues here often?”
Keith seemed to disapprove of her words, blinking slowly.
“This shop means a lot to me. I only bring kindred spirits here.”
Emily froze at the phrase “kindred spirits” again.
She teased, “Believing in fate like that–are you a monk or a priest? Teachers don’t believe in superstition, you know.”
Keith shot her a sideways glance, his tone cool.
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“If you don’t believe it, why did you wear the Traditional Formal Dress during the National University Entrance Exam send–off? And why did you offer the first blessing offering at the Cathedral for your students?”
Emily narrowed her eyes.
He seemed to realize his slip and quickly said. “The food’s ready. Let me take you upstairs.”
The window seat on the second floor overlooked both the vibrant garden blooms and the distant Scenic Lake.
Keith poured Emily a cup of Floral Infusion Tea just as the server arrived. with dishes.
Plate after plate featured floral elements: Crispy Chrysanthemum Fish, Rose Petal Consommé. Jasmine Blossom Scramble, Southern Magnolia Fritters… Finally, a Miniature Ornamental Tree appeared. As spring rain pitter–pattered, its tightly furled peach blossoms burst into bloom.
Emily couldn’t help but marvel at the shop owner’s brilliant ingenuity.
Keith watched her, a faint smile dancing in his eyes as he spoke smugly.
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“So? Can you forgive what I just said?”
If Keith hadn’t brought it up, Emily would’ve been completely captivated by the aromatic feast before her. But his words reignited her curiosity.
“So how did you know about me?”
That happened during her second year married to Harold, when she taught her final graduating class. Three years had passed–how could Keith know?
Keith stayed silent for a long while before finally looking up, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on Emily.
“Emily, you watch the scenery from the bridge, while someone admires ‘you from the window.”
