CHAPTER 917: CHAPTER 917 DOG FOOD

This way, they didn’t have to give up their goals or choose between love and ambition. They could have both.

Of course, Hera, with her pure heart and kind nature, still thought it was a selfless sacrifice on their part. But none of them felt the need to correct her. If she believed they were doing it all for her, that was fine. As far as they were concerned, as long as she was happy, then they were happy too.

As soon as they arrived at the beautiful and breathtaking Pavilion, even Alexandre couldn’t help but admire the serene landscape and the refreshing air that surrounded the place. Despite being in the heart of the bustling city, there was no trace of the usual pollution, only calm and tranquility. It felt like a hidden oasis. For the first time, he understood why this place was so expensive. It wasn’t just about the food; it was the entire experience. And it was worth every cent.

When Alexandre settled into his seat, though it was a little farther from Hera since she was already surrounded, he was still able to see her clearly. Luke sat to her left, Zhane to her right. Rafael and Dave took the seats in front of her, making it easier to serve her food, while Xavier sat beside Zhane, ever attentive.

And just as they were getting comfortable, the servers began bringing in the food, already prepared and ready to be served.

"We called ahead before coming and asked the staff to prepare your favorite dishes," Zhane explained to Hera as he gently scooped some soup into her bowl. "We thought it would be hard to reserve a room, but to our surprise, they gave us Pavilion #1."

He added with a soft smile, "Since you still need to follow your diet plan, we sent them a few recipes in advance. They were more than happy to accommodate. That’s why there are two sets of dishes on the table, those with herbs are specially prepared for you, and the rest are for everyone else."

As he looked up to make sure everyone understood, the staff began placing the herbal dishes closer to Hera, while the rest were evenly distributed around the table for the others.

Alexandre couldn’t help but be impressed by how meticulous Zhane was, how thoughtfully he planned ahead just to accommodate Hera’s needs. He gave a small nod, as if silently taking notes from this small yet meaningful exchange.

While Zhane carefully served soup into Hera’s bowl, Luke reached for a shrimp with his long chopsticks. But just as he was about to grab it, his chopsticks were intercepted mid-air by Rafael, who narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips.

"Are you planning to attack me with a shrimp?!" Rafael said, clearly recalling the last time Luke had sent a shrimp flying across the table, straight into Gerald’s face, while peeling it. Now seated directly across from Luke, Rafael was on high alert, not wanting to end up as the next target, especially not in front of Hera. More than that, he wasn’t about to give Dave any new material to tease him with, or he just might end Dave right here and now.

But Luke looked indignant. He refused to believe he couldn’t handle something as simple as peeling a shrimp. He completely ignored Rafael’s subtle warning and had clearly forgotten the incident with Gerald. All he could focus on now was getting that shrimp, peeling it perfectly, and offering it to Hera.

Unfortunately, every time he reached out with his chopsticks, Rafael would intercept him like a defensive wall, blocking his attempt with practiced ease. Luke’s irritation flared, and he shot Rafael a glare, but Rafael, lips pressed tightly together, stood his ground.

He didn’t care if Luke could control the trajectory of the flying shrimp or if Dave ended up as collateral damage. One thing was for sure: he wasn’t going to be the target this time. It was simply too embarrassing.

While the two were locked in a silent standoff, Zhane had already finished serving Hera her soup. She lifted the spoon with her uninjured hand and began eating slowly, savoring each sip. Zhane watched her from the corner of his eye, and without saying anything, casually reached for the shrimp the others had been fighting over.

With steady fingers, Zhane peeled the shrimp with ease. As a skilled surgeon, his handiwork was clean and precise; every shrimp came out whole and perfectly presented. He arranged them neatly on a small plate and placed them in front of Hera.

"Try this, too," he said gently. "It was stir-fried with lingzhi mushrooms and a blend of herbs." He added a few slices of the mushroom on top of the shrimp, letting the sauce drip slowly over the glossy shrimp meat, making the dish look and smell absolutely irresistible.

Since she was still holding her soup spoon, Hera didn’t make a move to pick it up. Instead, she tilted her head and opened her mouth slightly, giving Zhane a coquettish look, silently asking to be fed.

Zhane chuckled under his breath and happily obliged, bringing the shrimp-wrapped mushroom to her lips as he fed her with tender care.

Hera tasted the fresh, sweet shrimp and the soft, tender lingzhi mushroom. To her delight, the chef had skillfully removed the earthy, musty undertones of the herb, instead highlighting its more delicate flavors while softening its natural bitterness. It no longer tasted like medicine, yet the herb’s beneficial effects remained intact.

She nodded in satisfaction, her eyes crinkling with genuine delight. The warm expression on her face made Zhane smile, pleased that she was enjoying the food he had thoughtfully prepared for her.

Then, noticing a bit of sauce at the corner of her lips, Zhane instinctively reached for a tissue, but halfway through, he changed his mind. With casual intimacy, he used his thumb to gently wipe the sauce instead. And then, locking eyes with Hera, he brought that same thumb to his lips and slowly licked it clean, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly in a teasing, almost seductive gesture.

The rest of the table pretended not to see anything, though the unspoken tension was unmistakable. They had just been fed another round of dog food, but instead of feeling bitter, they resigned themselves to it and redirected their attention back to the delicious spread laid out in front of them.

Hera blushed deeply in front of Zhane. No matter how close and intimate she had become with these men, she could never quite get used to their sudden advances. Just when she thought she had steeled herself, mentally prepared for anything, they would catch her off guard and leave her breathless all over again. They made her heart flutter far too easily, and she often found herself helpless in the face of their words and actions. Just like now.

She hadn’t expected it. Zhane, who was always composed and stern, had a way of making each of his moves land perfectly, like a quiet storm that swept her off her feet.

Then came his soft, magnetic chuckle, a sound so smooth it made her ears turn bright red. Embarrassment bloomed across her cheeks, and to hide it, she quickly pouted and turned her attention back to her soup, pretending to sulk like a child.

But to Zhane, her reaction only made it harder to resist her. She looked adorably flustered, and that little pout of hers made his heart itch. No matter how close they’d become, there was still this endearing innocence in her, something pure and unguarded that peeked through at unexpected moments. It was refreshing. And utterly irresistible.

Watching Zhane and Hera getting along so naturally, Rafael and Luke silently called a truce and turned their full attention back to Hera. Luke no longer insisted on peeling the shrimp; instead, he gently served her a portion of freshly steamed seabass. With deliberate care, he removed the fish bones and placed an intact piece of tender fish meat on her plate, offering her a soft smile.

When Luke smiled like that, his angelic features became even more striking, his golden eyes shimmering under the soft light, radiating warmth and tenderness. Hera couldn’t help but smile back. Then, just like a little bird waiting to be fed, she opened her mouth expectantly.

Luke chuckled softly and fed her the fish, his heart swelling at the sight.

Hera was usually so independent, often keeping a careful distance as if guarding her heart. But moments like this, when she let herself be pampered and leaned on them, meant the world to him. It wasn’t just affection. It was trust. And seeing her slowly open up, little by little, filled them with quiet joy.

And so, each of the five men eagerly served Hera a portion of the dish they thought she’d enjoy most. Knowing she was a seafood lover, they had made sure to reserve only the best of the best. Rafael offered her a perfectly baked scallop, while Xavier placed a tender portion of stir-fried baby octopus on her plate. Zhane, ever focused, continued peeling more shrimp with practiced precision.

They found their own rhythm effortlessly, and none of them tried to outshine the others or interfere. Instead, they moved in harmony, united by a shared goal: to make Hera feel cherished. She remained the center of their quiet devotion.

Watching this all unfold, Alexandre felt a sudden clarity. He wasn’t just witnessing affection; he was witnessing loyalty, patience, and the unspoken understanding between people who truly cared for someone. In that moment, something inside him shifted.