Fortunately, this didn’t last long before Jodi returned.
“Guess what I brought you.”
The mont Jodi appeared, she walked straight over to Leon, hiding her hands behind her back as she asked.
“Food?”
Leon couldn’t see what she was hiding, but rembering their earlier conversation before she left, he figured this considerate lady must have heard his stomach rumbling and gone to fetch him sothing to eat.
“Being too smart isn’t always a good thing—you miss out on surprises.”
Jodi sighed in mock regret, then produced a basket of freshly fried French fries from behind her back. “Fresh out of the fryer. Have a few to fill your stomach first. I ordered a lot of good food for tonight, so don’t fill yourself up on just fries.”
“Thanks.”
Leon’s mouth watered at the sight of those golden, crispy potatoes. High-calorie food like this was exactly what he needed right now—and since it was Jodi’s treat as the host, he didn’t need to worry about politeness.
Of course, Jodi hadn’t prepared only one serving. Her other hand ca forward holding another plate of fries, which she placed in front of Leah and Maru. “Here’s another portion. Snack on these for now. It’s still a busy ti, and Emily can’t get away yet. We’ll need a little while before dinner starts.”
Leah and Maru visibly relaxed at Jodi’s arrival. Leah politely declined the offer, but Maru tried a few fries. Soon, the three of them were chatting again—mostly about Leon.
It wasn’t that they had any particular interest in him. They just wanted to know why the new farr looked so pale, and since Jodi seed familiar with him, it was easier to ask her than to ask Leon directly.
When they learned he had been so busy with farm work that he’d skipped lunch and ended up this hungry, the two won understood why Jodi had brought fries. They also gave him friendly smiles as he dug in.
“He’s a very straightforward person,” Leah said, watching Leon eat without the slightest concern for appearances.
“How can you tell?” Maru asked curiously.
“Well, if it were you—at a gathering with a bunch of won—would you eat like that even if you were starving?” Leah countered.
“No.”
Maru shook her head. If it were her, she would have endured the hunger for the sake of propriety.
Leah nodded thoughtfully. “Exactly. That’s why I say he’s straightforward. He doesn’t care about other people’s eyes. He follows his needs and does what he wants. I really admire people like that.”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit rude?” Jodi asked cautiously.
“Not at all. Eating when you’re hungry is basic human instinct. If I’d gone without food all day, I might look even worse eating. The only difference is, I probably wouldn’t have his calm under everyone’s gaze.” Leah smiled.
“I don’t think it’s rude either. In fact, watching him eat makes
feel a little hungry too,” Maru added with a laugh.
Jodi glanced between the two girls, then at Leon, and nodded silently. A faint, fond smile appeared on her face.
After finishing one serving of fries, Leon finally felt sothing in his stomach and his energy returned, sweeping away his earlier exhaustion.
Feeling more alert, he noticed the three won watching him. Wiping his hands, he said, “Sorry, my table manners probably looked awful. Please excuse .”
“It’s fine. If you’re still hungry, you can have mine.”
Leah pushed her fries toward him.
“No need. I have to save room for the main course. But thank you,” Leon replied, shaking his head.
Just then, Abigail returned—looking suspiciously sneaky. She slipped straight to Leon’s side and handed him a warm bun wrapped in oil paper.
“I brought you sothing to snack on. You can eat it in secret.”
“Huh? Didn’t you say you were going out for so fresh air?” Leon was touched by her little gesture. He wasn’t that hungry anymore thanks to the fries, but he had enough energy now to tease her.
“Yeah, but I figured if you fainted from hunger here, it’d be really embarrassing. As your friend, I can’t just watch that happen, so I brought you sothing.” Abigail sounded perfectly justified.
“Haha, alright. Thanks for the thought. But I already had so fries Jodi brought , so I’ll skip the bread. If I’m too full to eat Jodi’s dishes later, that would be truly embarrassing.”
Leon felt a twinge of disappointnt when Abigail didn’t get flustered by his teasing, and he lost the mood to continue.
“Fine. Looks like I worried for nothing. Jodi really takes good care of you. No wonder you like more mature won.” Abigail stuck out her tongue.
“What are you doing?” Leon asked, puzzled, when she moved to take the bread back.
“You’re not hungry anymore. What’s the point of keeping it?” she said matter-of-factly.
“I can save it for breakfast tomorrow.” Leon shalessly snatched the bread back.
“You’re so stingy—just like my dad,” Abigail muttered, though she didn’t try to take it again.
Leon grinned proudly. “This is called being good with money. It’s the fine quality of a mature man. If you et a man like
one day and he makes your heart race, don’t hesitate—marry him. He’ll bring you happiness.”
Abigail rolled her eyes and walked over to join Leah and Maru. She casually stole a fry from their plate and blended naturally into their conversation.
Leon quietly enjoyed the sight of four very different won chatting and smiling together—until Haley’s voice suddenly called from outside.
“Leon, co out for a second. I need to talk to you.”
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