Chapter 102 Grateful
Brad just smiled at me, listening to my endless chatter, his eyes sparkling with tenderness.
I was 22, a full-fledged adult. Normally, I came off as dignified and elegant to my classmates and teachers. Some younger girls even followed me around to learn my calm demeanor. But in front of Brad, I was just a spoiled little fool.
I didn't expect to run into Daniel.
He noticed Brad and I holding hands. Instinctively, I wanted to pull away, but Brad tightened his grip and walked over calmly.
"Brad," Daniel said quietly.
"Hey, have you eaten? Want to join us?" Brad asked.
Daniel hesitated, sent a quick message on his phone, and then followed us.
Regalia was bustling, unlike Sunhaven. High-end restaurants were everywhere, and Brad picked a Mexican place.
The restaurant had a great vibe, like a serene botanical garden.
In the four-person booth, Brad and I sat on one side, Daniel on the other.
Soft music played, and the air conditioning was perfect. I leaned on Brad's shoulder, looking at the electronic menu with him.
With Brad around, I felt more at ease with Daniel, not worrying about Zoe's criticism.
The food came quickly, and we started eating.
Brad didn't eat much, constantly putting food on my plate. Every time I looked up, I saw his gentle, warm gaze.
It felt like his eyes were only on me.
An inexplicable emotion stirred in my heart.
Daniel didn't say much, just ate quietly, but he didn't look happy.
After a while, I learned Brad had graduated from grad school when I was a freshman. During my last three years of college, he was pursuing his PhD and working as a teaching assistant.
I never asked Brad about these things, just enjoyed his care. Thinking about it now, I felt a bit embarrassed.
"So why did you come to National Capital University?" I asked.
"To take care of a little lazy pet in grad school, and also to work as a university teacher," Brad said, patting my head and feeding me a shrimp, his eyes full of affection.
"Who's the little lazy pet? I'm clearly a beauty," I said, catching his meaning.
"Alright, a beauty. Our Jane is indeed a beauty now," Brad said, flicking my nose affectionately. I wrinkled my nose at him in mock annoyance.
Brad and I had always been like this. He was my brother, and I was his sister, so it was normal for me to enjoy his affection.
"Why didn't you tell Mom and Dad about such a big decision?" Daniel asked.
Brad replied, "What's there to say? They wouldn't understand anyway. Even if I told them, I'd still make my own decisions. Besides, I think they'd be happy about my decision. They always felt they owed Jane, and having me take care of her would put their minds at ease."
Daniel didn't respond, just watched us coldly, drinking one glass of wine after another.
Halfway through the meal, I noticed Zoe outside, staring at Daniel. Annoyed, I tapped my plate with my fork to get his attention.
Daniel looked surprised to see Zoe and picked up his phone to leave.
Fed up with Zoe, I couldn't help but say, "Daniel, let's not meet again."
He stood there for a moment, said nothing, and walked away.
"Is it finally over?" Brad asked, holding his wine glass.
"Yeah, it ended a long time ago. Officially ended when he called me clingy and told me to stay away at that fall gathering."
"What are your plans now?" Brad asked.
"I'll be on the lookout for a guy who likes me as much as I like him," I said, pretending to scan the horizon. "I'm looking for my soulmate."
Brad's hand paused mid-air with the wine glass. He turned to look at me, then smiled and said, "Alright."
That smile was so charming, my heart skipped a beat.
Brad started his new teaching job at National Capital University today and was busy. He didn't have time to look after me.
With nothing to do in the evening, I took a walk alone in the small woods after dinner.
This place reminded me of the rose corridor near the graduate institute at the Northern Institute of the Arts. I came here often, and it became a habit. If I didn't come here for a day, something felt missing.
I loved deeply. Once I fell in love, it was for a lifetime.
Daniel was a variable in my life. Looking back, maybe my feelings for him weren't love. It was more like obeying my parents' wishes or admiring something beautiful.
I couldn't figure it out exactly. I couldn't remember how I felt back then. I had suffered, cried, and tried to hold on, but it was all in the past now, and I had no regrets.
After wandering for half an hour, I was about to head back when Daniel appeared. It seemed like he was waiting for me.
He and Zoe messed me up so bad that I was left with serious trauma. Just seeing either of them made me extremely uncomfortable, with a splitting headache.
I hadn't seen them together recently and thought we could finally be at peace. But unexpectedly, I ran into Daniel at noon and again in the evening. It was so annoying.
I didn't want to see him or talk to him, so I turned to leave.
Daniel, with his long legs, quickly blocked my way. "Jane, you're avoiding me."
I was so annoyed. 'Yes, I'm avoiding you. You know it, so why ask?'
I said impatiently, "Daniel, I've said it many times. Please remember. I owe you for helping me find Louis. I can't repay you now, but I will in the future. I keep my word. Let's not see each other again. Even if we run into each other on the street, please pretend we don't know each other, OK?"
Daniel asked, "Why? You used to love following me around. Why are you avoiding me now?"
"You said it yourself, that was in the past. For those past actions, I have already apologized to you in front of our elders. What more do you want? I've already stayed away from you. Please don't come looking for me anymore. It's really annoying." I couldn't suppress my anger and growled in a low voice, unable to control my irritation.
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