novelraw Chapter 283 Rome Stories February 12 New Share
Chapter 283 Rome Stories February 12 New Share
At this moment, the town square was already packed with people. Not just Pelican Town residents, but also tourists from other places. Everyone had gathered in front of a small display stage.
Squeezing through the crowd with Abigail, Leon finally made it to the front, where he saw Lewis standing on the platform. Beside him were several baskets woven from vines.
“First, welcome everyone to Pelican Town to participate in our annual Easter celebration! In this traditional festival that celebrates the revival of all things, we can’t do without our signature Easter Egg Hunt. Now, will all registered participants please come up on stage? If you haven’t signed up yet but want to join, you can also come up and get a basket for your eggs.”
Just as they arrived, Leon and Abigail heard Lewis announcing that preparations for the Easter Egg Hunt were beginning.
Abigail immediately dragged Leon onto the stage. Maru, Vincent, Jas, a blond young man, and Alex also joined them.
Counting Leon and Abigail, Pelican Town had seven participants.
But they weren’t the only ones. From among the tourists, several more people stepped up—four men, two women, and a child half a head taller than Vincent—also totaling seven.
Under Lewis’s direction, everyone took a basket and stood to his left or right, ready for the hunt to begin. Only then did Lewis continue.
“I didn’t expect so many participants this year! That’s great news—it means the competition will be fiercer and the outcome more unpredictable. But remember, this is just a game. I hope you all enjoy the hunt and fill your baskets to the brim. And here’s a friendly reminder: any egg you put in your basket is yours to keep.”
Lewis smiled, then went over the rules Abigail had already told Leon—plus the one she had conveniently “forgotten.”“As for the fifth rule, which happens to be my favorite: the participant who collects the fewest eggs must wear the special rabbit mascot costume we’ve prepared and serve as this year’s Easter mascot for group photos.”
…
Hearing this rule, which Abigail had left out, Leon fell silent. At the same time, he fixed Abigail with a threatening look.
There was no need to guess—she had definitely “forgotten” it on purpose to prevent him from backing out, making sure she could take all his eggs without trouble and also enjoy the sight of him dressed as a bunny mascot.
Honestly, Abigail really understood the art of playing mind games with a “brotherly” touch.
Abigail realized she’d been caught and gave him a sheepish grin. “Don’t worry. Besides you, Vincent will be giving all his eggs to Jas. In the end, you’ll both have zero. All you have to do is keep one egg for yourself.”
“But wouldn’t it be safer if I stopped cooperating and played solo?” Leon grinned wickedly. “What do you think?”
“Leon, don’t you dare go back on our deal! We agreed beforehand, and without you, my haul would never beat a team effort.” Abigail instantly softened, grabbing his arm and shaking it.
“Please, Leon. I really want to win.”
“Alright, fine.” Leon had only been teasing her anyway. With Abigail looking like that, it was hard to say no.
He just couldn’t say no to softness.
“Hehe, I knew you’d help me. Don’t worry—I won’t let you become the mascot. Just keep one egg, and you’ll be safe. Last year’s mascot was Vincent, and unless something unexpected happens, it’ll be him again this year. With him as your safety net, what’s there to fear?”
Leon gave her a sideways glance but said nothing more. Her ability to change faces was scary—just a moment ago she was all meek and pleading, and now she was relaxed and trying to sell him on the plan. Truly, the perfect example of “polite before, proud after.”
While Leon and Abigail chatted, Lewis finished discussing the rules with the tourist participants. Once he confirmed that no one would quit over the fifth rule, he pulled out a whistle.
“Alright! Once I blow this, you’ll have fifteen minutes to find eggs. After fifteen minutes, I’ll blow it again, and you must return here within five minutes for the count. Late arrivals will be disqualified. Ready?”
“Ready!”
The unanimous shout made Lewis beam. He put the whistle to his lips and blew a sharp, high-pitched note.
At the signal, Leon and Abigail exchanged a quick glance before splitting up—Leon heading west, Abigail east—just like the route they’d planned yesterday.
While the others scattered around the square, baskets in hand, Leon was the first to dash out, heading straight for the grassy edge. With good daylight and the eggs’ bright colors, he quickly spotted one lying quietly in the grass.
He strode over, scooped it up, and dropped it in his basket before continuing south along his planned route.
He didn’t intend to search every corner. With more than two hundred eggs hidden, wasting time on the well-hidden ones wasn’t worth it.
After all, real-life Pelican Town wasn’t like the game—you couldn’t circle the square in a minute. The area around the square was wide and open. For example, walking straight from Harvey’s Clinic to 2 Willow Lane, where Emily and Haley lived, took around six minutes.
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