Who Is He Thinking About
Old friends reunited, the atmosphere was especially warm.
Lily Evans sat down, visibly delighted. She sized up Leonard Li, noting he still looked every bit the carefree young lord, his gaze and manner full of playful mischief—he hadn't changed a bit.
Lily Evans chuckled and teased, "Young Lord, you came to our Eight Treasures Bistro in Prince Hayes's estate—aren't you worried your father will find out and break your legs?"
Leonard Li grinned, slapped his thigh, and said, "What’s there to be afraid of? Isn’t your father the legendary Dr. Lin? If my legs really get broken, your dad can just fit me with fake ones made of iron. Let my father hit me all he wants!"
Lily Evans burst out laughing. Leonard Li was still the same incorrigible character, unchanged in the slightest. It made her feel as if nothing had shifted between them, despite not seeing each other for quite a while.
Leonard Li clicked his tongue twice, "Actually, I snuck out to come here. Every time I visit, I come quietly, keeping a low profile—just in case my father finds out. Ah, the things I risk for a good meal! I’m constantly living under the threat of broken legs. Tragic, isn’t it?"
Lily Evans raised an eyebrow, "Young Lord, are you really just here for the food?"
Leonard Li’s face flushed, but he quickly caught himself and tried to cover it up with a laugh, "Hey, I’m famous in the capital for being a foodie—wherever there’s good food, you’ll find me. Your Eight Treasures Bistro offers eight major cuisines, and there are so many delicious dishes that it’d take me half a year to try them all. So yes, I’m always thinking about the food here!"
"Oh really? Just thinking about the food at Eight Treasures Bistro?" Lily Evans grinned slyly, her laughter full of mischief.
Leonard Li saw the look in Lily Evans’s eyes—it was as if she could see right through him. He knew explanations were pointless, but still struggled to defend himself, "Of course! Of course! Who wouldn’t love the food here when it’s so delicious?"
"Tsk, Young Lord, I think what you’re really interested in is the person cooking the food, isn’t it? Hmm? Hmm?" Lily Evans winked, smiling like a sly fox.
Leonard Li’s face turned beet red, like a boiled shrimp. He tried to act calm, "A-Li, what nonsense are you talking about? I don’t understand a word you’re saying."
"Oh... is that so? I was just saying whatever came to mind." Lily Evans laughed, leaning back casually in her chair. Leonard Li, trying to cover his nerves, poured himself a cup of hot tea and sipped it slowly, his eyes darting around—clearly flustered.
"Ah, the real reason I came to the Bistro today was for Bella Bell," Lily Evans said, smacking her lips, pretending it was a casual remark.
The moment he heard the name Bella Bell, Leonard Li’s ears perked up. He refused to admit anything, but his body betrayed him—he immediately gazed at Su Li with eager anticipation.
Seeing Leonard Li’s expression, Lily Evans found it highly amusing. She deliberately teased him, "Bella Bell isn’t so young anymore. A grown woman ought to marry! As her master, I’ve picked out a suitable young man for her from a good family. He’s quite decent. I’m planning to arrange the wedding after spring comes."
"Pfft—" Leonard Li spat out a mouthful of hot tea, his hands shaking so badly that the teacup slipped and drenched him. Flustered and panicked, he blurted out, "Lily, did you say—you found a match for Bella Bell?!"
"That’s right!" Lily Evans blinked and nodded solemnly. "Our Bella Bell is beautiful and talented, my personal apprentice and the manager of Eight Treasures Bistro. The line of young men wanting to marry her could stretch from the capital all the way to Greenfield City! I picked the very best for her. Once she’s married off, I’ll finally be able to set my mind at ease!"