Chapter 41: Touching Her Face

The car soon stopped at the Kingston Estate.

Luna Hayes didn't single-mindedly flatter Grandpa Sterling.

She understood the principle of doing everything in moderation.

She walked over to Willow Avery's side and hooked her arm through hers.

She whispered, "Willow, what does your uncle do for a living? I haven't looked into it yet."

Willow answered her, "He’s a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine."

"Traditional Chinese medicine?" As Luna spoke, she recalled their previous chat and it finally clicked. "He couldn't be that elder you mentioned who needed a gift, could he?"

"Yes." Willow shot her a resentful look. "That great idea of yours caused me to experience a very awkward situation."

Luna let out a couple of dry laughs. "It was my stereotype. I thought doctors of Chinese medicine were all old men with white beards."

Who could have imagined that the dignified third young master of the Kingston family would go study traditional Chinese medicine.

And not a single word of it had leaked out.

Perhaps because the first two of the Kingston family were far too high-profile, this younger brother was exceptionally well-protected.

There were no photographs available, and his name was vague.

Although the Hayes family was quite well-off, they were completely insignificant in front of a top-tier wealthy family like the Kingstons, which was why she hadn't been clear about the reality of this member of the Kingston family before.

"Willow, say a few good words for me in front of your uncle later." She looked at Willow coaxingly. "I’ll buy you a bag, okay?"

Before Willow could speak, Grandpa Sterling had already called out to them.

"Willa, Luna, what would you like to eat tonight? I'll have the kitchen prepare it."

"Anything is fine with me, Old Mr. Kingston!"

Luna ran over like a gust of wind. "I'm exceptionally good at brewing black tea. Would you like to try some?"

Willow watched her support Grandpa Sterling into the house, and that uncomfortable feeling gradually magnified.

Luna's attentiveness was a bit off-putting.

Just as she was about to follow the two of them, the sound of a car came from behind.

Closely following it were familiar footsteps.

Leather shoes stepping on the stone slabs, steady and powerful.

"What are you doing standing here in a daze? Are you unwell?"

The man's voice came from behind her, and Willow's body stiffened.

Her mind uncontrollably conjured up the moment she woke up from her fever that day, and he called her name:

"Willa."

Lingering and sexy.

Her heart hammered wildly at this instant, and her entire being felt as if she were burning up.

Only when the man reached her front did she squeeze the words out of her throat: "No, I'm very well."

"Your face is so red. Has your fever returned?"

Julian Kingston frowned, raising his hand to touch her forehead.

Willow took a step back ahead of him, scrambling for a random excuse: "No, I just exercised a bit. Oh, right, my classmate has come to visit the estate. Uncle Julian, do you want to go see her?"

Julian swept his gaze toward the main building but saw no one.

So he asked, "Male or female?"

"Female. I don't know if you've seen her before, Uncle Julian," Willow said while walking forward. "Her name is Luna Hayes."

Was she the girlfriend she had huddled together with the old man to talk about introducing to him?

Thinking of this, Julian spoke calmly: "Not interested."

Willow: ?

Did this answer have any connection to what she had just said?

...

When the two entered the villa, Luna Hayes was setting out the teacups.

Hearing the commotion, she instinctively lifted her head.

The moment her gaze met Julian’s, she grew incredibly excited: "Mr. Kingston, we've met before. Do you still remember me?"

Originally, after her failed confession that day, she had intended to give up on him.

But he actually turned out to be a member of the Kingston family.

Everything was different now.

It was worth it for her to lower her posture and persevere.

Julian’s voice carried its usual coldness: "I don't remember."

His complete lack of consideration for her feelings was within Luna's expectations.

But she still couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Seeing this, Grandpa Sterling hurriedly smoothed things over: "Well, you remember her now, don't you? Alright Julian, don't always wear that cold face. The girl is in the same class as Willa, and they both eat fat-loss meals. You show off your skills for her tonight."

"Busy."

Julian spat out a single word, turned around, and was about to walk toward the bedroom.

Hearing this, Sterling didn't force him either: "Then forget it. The chef responsible for the fat-loss meals took leave today."

He said to Willow, who had just walked in, "Willa, you’ll just have to wrong yourselves and eat home-cooked food with Grandpa Sterling tonight."

"It's fine, Grandpa Sterling," Willow waved her hands. "I'll just eat a little less."

Upon hearing this, Julian turned his footsteps around and walked toward the kitchen.

Grandpa Sterling asked in bewilderment, "Didn't you say you were busy?"

Julian: "No matter how busy, one still has to eat."

Watching from the side, Luna asked curiously, "Are Willow and Mr. Kingston on very good terms?"

"Mm," Grandpa Sterling took a sip of the black tea. The technique was ordinary, but compared to the other socialite daughters in their circle, it was considered quite good. He praised, "The tea is quite good. Luna, you’re a guest, don't keep yourself busy. Just wait to eat."

Luna nodded, then chatted with Grandpa Sterling for a while. When the time reached seven o'clock, the butler came over to invite them to dine.

Luna sat down beside Willow, and looking at the food on the plate in front of her, she was incredibly surprised.

Sour and spicy lemon shrimp, salmon avocado, fruit oatmeal salad.

Every dish looked exceptionally delicious.

"Were these... made by Mr. Kingston?"

Julian pulled out his chair: "No speaking while eating, no speaking while sleeping."

Hearing this, Grandpa Sterling couldn't help but look at him.

He usually saw him talk plenty at the dining table; could it be that Luna Hayes simply didn't catch his eye?

But she was a guest after all. He glared at Julian before turning to Luna: "Luna, he’s a doctor of Chinese medicine, please understand."

"It’s fine, it’s fine."

Luna picked up a piece with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth, unable to stop herself from praising: "Mr. Kingston, what you made is far too delicious, isn't it?"

It was better than what the chef at her own home made.

Julian didn't respond to her, his gaze remaining fixed on Willow's face the entire time.

Seeing that the corner of her mouth was smudged with salad dressing, he pulled out a tissue, stood up across half the table, and touched her face.