novelraw Chapter 126: I’ll Bite You to Death
Chapter 126: I’ll Bite You to Death
Luckily, the fridge was right next to the kitchen, not far from the dining table, so Emily came back quickly. Haley also fell silent when Emily returned.
With Emily back, the three of them resumed eating. From time to time, Emily chatted with Leon about work on the farm. Leon didn’t dampen the mood, and the atmosphere stayed pleasant.
“When I have the time, I’m definitely going to visit your farm.”
Emily suddenly spoke as they were almost done eating.
“You’ll have the chance. Next time, I’ll invite you over as a guest.” Leon, who had already been planning to invite Emily for a meal, replied naturally.
“Then make sure to let me know. I’ll prepare a gift for you.” Emily’s voice was bright with happiness.
“Speaking of gifts, I almost forgot.”
Leon finally remembered the present he had prepared for Emily and fished it out of his pocket, handing it to her.
“For me?” Emily took the gift with delight, but her eyes couldn’t help flicking toward Haley.
“I have one for you too.” Haley, naturally understanding her sister’s meaning, quickly helped Leon explain.“Mhm, I see you two get along quite well.” Emily relaxed. After all, if only one of them had received a gift, the other would have felt awkward.
Fortunately, Leon hadn’t played favorites, which made Emily truly happy. Given Haley’s personality, she didn’t have many friends in town. Now that she had Leon as a friend—one who also got along well with herself—perhaps the three of them could often spend time together in the future.
“Go on, open it and see if you like it,” Leon reminded her.
“Alright.”
With eager anticipation, Emily began unwrapping the box. Under Leon and Haley’s watchful eyes, she lifted out a yellow crystal.
“Wow, what a beautiful yellow crystal! This gift is perfect! Thank you so much, Leon.”
Holding the crystal up to her eyes, Emily admired its clarity and color. “The transparency is excellent, and there are barely any inclusions inside. This is a top-grade yellow crystal, Leon. You’ve really gone out of your way.”
“It’s fine. But Emily, you actually know how to appraise gemstones?” Leon asked curiously.
“Yes, I know a little. My mother taught me some of it. This must be a yellow crystal you gathered in the Abandoned Mines, right? If you find more in the future, bring them to me. I can help you appraise them so those greedy gemstone merchants outside won’t lowball you,” Emily offered.
“Thanks in advance, then.” Leon gladly accepted.
After all, the gemstone market fluctuated wildly. Even within the same type, differences in quality could mean huge gaps in value. For someone who didn’t know the trade, it was easy to get ripped off—whether buying or selling. The gemstone market was deep water.
“We’re friends, aren’t we? You can come to me anytime for appraisals. I’m usually home during the day, and at night, you can find me at the Starfruit Saloon.”
“Got it.” Leon nodded again. Then, seeing the plates nearly empty, he set down his knife and fork. “Looks like we’re done eating. Shall we clean up together?”
“No need, let me handle it. You already helped cook dinner, and I’d feel bad making you do more. Washing dishes is nothing.” Emily quickly stopped him from getting up, then nudged Haley.
“Haley, why don’t you entertain Leon for me?”
“My pleasure.” Haley agreed with a smile, but when she turned to Leon, her smile twisted into something more mischievous.
Leon raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. He waited until Emily was in the kitchen before quietly getting to his feet.
“Where are you going, Leon?” Haley stepped in front of him.
“Ate too much—just stretching my legs,” Leon replied evenly, sidestepping her and heading toward the door.
“Emily told me to entertain you. Don’t be in such a rush. Wait for me.” Haley followed close behind, her eyes drifting toward his neck.
Leon, feeling uneasy under her gaze, turned to ask, “What are you looking at?”
“I saw a program on TV once. A man got hit on the back of the head and forgot a lot of things. I’m wondering if I can recreate that,” Haley said, eyes full of mischief.
“Forget it. That kind of thing is a freak accident. You’d be more likely to kill me than make me lose my memory,” Leon replied, exasperated.
“That doesn’t sound so bad either,” Haley said, dead serious yet teasing.
“I don’t think you’ll get the chance,” Leon shot back.
“Why not?” she asked.
“Because you can’t beat me.”
With that, Leon quickly ducked behind her, slipping his arms under her armpits and locking them upward. In one move, he had her completely off the ground. If he wanted, he could have slammed her down in a heartbeat.
“You’re shameless! Attacking me from behind—let me down if you dare and fight me fair!” Haley kicked her legs wildly, trying to hit his knees, while protesting his underhanded tactics.
“This is called strategy,” Leon said, carrying her to the sofa and dropping her onto it. “Tell Emily I had to go.”
Before she could get up, he ran to the door, opened it, grabbed his bike, and was gone.
By the time Haley scrambled to her feet, her dress slightly mussed, Leon was already far down the road. All she could do was stomp her foot.
“That bastard! Next time I see him, I’ll bite him to death.” Yet even as she said it, her tone sounded more like she was pouting than making a threat.
Fuming, Haley went back inside, straight to her room. Standing before the full-length mirror, she tidied her dress.
As she smoothed the fabric, the scene replayed over and over in her mind, her cheeks growing redder. It had been the first time she’d ever been that close to a man. And unless she was imagining it, she could still smell a faint scent on her clothes—not her own perfume.
“Did he put on cologne? Strange I didn’t notice before. It’s… actually kind of nice.”
She had planned to take a shower, but now she felt reluctant to change out of the clothes carrying that scent. Still, the thought of it made her feel silly, so she finally flopped onto her bed, muttering to herself.
“Next time, I’m really going to teach that bastard a lesson.”