CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: HOW ABOUT MARRYING YOU AND BRINGING YOU HOME?

In the apartment, Adrian Jennings is wearing an apron and personally cooking for Talia Rhodes.

Talia leans against the kitchen door, arms crossed, leisurely watching him.

"I never thought the young master of The Jennings Family could cook."

Adrian calmly washes the vegetables, "Didn’t you ask me last time where I bought the meals I sent you?"

He turns his head and gives Talia a quick smile, "I made them myself."

Talia can’t help but be surprised, "You made them yourself? Why do they taste exactly like the dishes my mom used to make?"

Adrian smiles knowingly, "I learned while freeloading meals at your house."

Talia expresses doubt, "No way, you only came over a few times and learned it?"

The first time she met him, she had just celebrated her tenth birthday not long ago.

And her mom passed away on her twelfth birthday.

During those nearly two years, Adrian went to her house for meals definitely no more than five times; how could he have learned her mom’s cooking skills?

"I don’t believe it." Talia eyes him skeptically.

Adrian slices the celery into strips and then cuts and marinates the beef.

"Didn’t I say last time I would take you to a place? That day, you were injured and couldn’t go, I’ll take you tomorrow."

Talia: "Is this related to cooking?"

"Yes, it is related."

"Alright."

Soon, Adrian prepared two dishes and a soup.

Celery beef stir fry, tomato scrambled eggs, and winter melon soup.

In the past, Talia usually ate very little at dinner, sometimes not at all.

But today, with Adrian personally cooking, and the dishes fitting her taste, Talia astonishingly finished an entire bowl of rice, and the dishes on the table were completely eaten by the two of them.

After the meal, Talia wanted to wash the dishes, but Adrian stopped her, "You sit down, I’ll wash them."

Talia teased him with a grin, "Wow, Adrian, you’re so virtuous! Should I marry you and bring you home?"

Adrian smiled and flicked her forehead lightly, "I’ll marry you."

After cleaning the kitchen, Adrian sensibly did not suggest staying overnight.

At the farewell, Talia leaned against the door frame, looking at his handsome face, wondering: Why didn’t he suggest staying overnight? Is she not attractive to him?

Thinking this, Talia instinctively glanced down.

Hmm, not bad in shape either.

Adrian’s eyes were filled with laughter, "What are you looking at? Why do you look so preoccupied?"

Talia awkwardly coughed, shaking her head, "Nothing, take care while you’re on the road."

"Hmm, see you tomorrow."

Adrian turned away, carrying the trash.

Talia watched his back, the corners of her mouth curving.

This man is so upright it’s almost sinister, not a hint of ’wicked thoughts’.

...

Ethan Grant was brought to the police station to give a statement.

He was supposed to be detained, but his assistant came to post bail and got him out.

The two walked out of the police station entrance; it was already four in the morning.

The assistant looked pale. He had just returned to the hotel and taken off his pants when he suddenly received Ethan’s call to come to the police station.

His girlfriend had specially come to Oakhaven to accompany him. During the day, he was busy working and had no time to accompany her. By evening, he finally had a chance to indulge in some shameless couple’s activities, but hardly had he started when Ethan’s call summoned him away.

This guy, really his alive parent, had just gotten out of the hospital and was arrested for fighting again, ending up in the police station.

Great, he’s out now, but his girlfriend is threatening to break up with him.

The assistant sighed helplessly and got into the car, taking on the role of the driver, "Sir, where to now?"

Ethan looked weary, "Back to the hotel."

Hotel suite.

Turning on the light, Ethan looked at the vast room, empty and silent.

Ethan walked to the window, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag.

The smoke seeped into his organs, painfully stagnant.

He looked at the cold and empty room.

No vintage ceramic vase on the glass round table, nor any fresh flowers.

The fridge wasn’t stuffed with delicious food either.

No small decorations on the walls, and the curtain’s color wasn’t the kind she liked...

Ethan closed his eyes momentarily; the image of Talia entwined with that man appeared in his mind again.

At this very moment, could they be doing it?

The heartache was so clear.

Before he came, he had imagined all sorts of possibilities, except that Talia had already been with another man.

They say heartbreak comes twice in a relationship.

The first time is when you break up.

The second is when you see her with someone else.

Turns out to be true.

...

The next day, the autumn air was high and brisk, the clear sky stretched out.

Talia had arranged to go out with Adrian Jennings, so she slept until she woke naturally, then got up for a simple breakfast and began grooming herself.

Today she wore a black vintage long dress made of velvet with long sleeves, her wavy long hair cascading down her shoulders.

The vivid red lipstick matched her black dress very well. She has a strong beauty, deep contours, a high nose bridge, thick brows, and almond eyes, making her makeup even more striking and overwhelming, giving off an awe-inspiring impression.

Adrian Jennings’ black Cullinan was parked downstairs.

Talia went downstairs and saw him leaning against the front of the car, talking on the phone.

Seeing her approach, Adrian’s eyes brightened for a moment, then he wrapped up the call in a few sentences. Looking up, he smiled slightly at her, "Today’s outfit and makeup suit you well."

Talia smiled warmly, opened the passenger door, and sat inside.

"Where are we going?" She fastened her seatbelt and asked him.

"You’ll know in a bit."

Today he didn’t bring the driver, choosing to drive himself.

The Cullinan passed through the bustling city and drove toward the suburbs, gradually leaving tall buildings behind, never to be seen again.

Oakhaven’s landscape is flat, and the scenery after leaving the city becomes beautiful, with under a vast blue sky, fields of golden rice stretching far and wide, with farmers scattered here and there harvesting their crops.

Occasionally, they passed by small farmhouse courtyards, where trees in front had shed all their leaves, leaving bare branches.

Talia half-opened the car window, allowing the fresh wind to blow in, carrying a subtle scent of osmanthus, making her feel relaxed and delighted.

"Mm, so pleasant." Talia closed her eyes, took a deep breath, savoring the fragrance of the wind.

Adrian focused on driving, "We’re almost there."

The car traveled for about twenty more minutes along the winding narrow country cement road before stopping in front of a three-story village self-built house.

"We’re here." Adrian turned off the engine and looked at Talia.

The girl looked surprised, "Where is this?"

Adrian’s lips drew a straight line, his voice slightly smiling, "Get out and see."

Just as they got out, the house’s owner came to greet them.

The man initially looked puzzled, but upon seeing Adrian, his expression quickly turned to surprise, and he walked over with a smile, "President Jennings, what brings you here?"

As he spoke, the man offered a cigarette.

Talia noticed the cigarette box, it was Yellow Crane Tower.

Talia doesn’t smoke, but she’s often seen this brand in convenience stores and supermarket cigarette counters, costing two to thirty yuan a pack.

She saw the elegant and dignified man beside her take the cigarette, and the man opposite, looking about forty with dark skin, already lit it for Adrian Jennings.

The man said somewhat apologetically, "Sorry, President Jennings, I didn’t know you were coming today, there’s nothing prepared at home, only this."

Talia found it intriguing, watching Adrian with great interest.

He actually smokes this kind costing two to thirty yuan.

From the reaction of this stranger, Adrian must come here often.

"Who is this?" The man’s gaze turned to Talia Rhodes.

"Miss Rhodes," Adrian responded calmly.

The man showed surprise in his eyes, "Miss Rhodes, you’ve come!"

"Mom! Mom—Miss Rhodes is here!" The man excitedly shouted twice at the house.

Talia slightly tilted her head to look at Adrian Jennings, her eyes showing confusion.

Does this family know her?