Chapter 5

"What are you eating recklessly?" Suddenly, a low voice came from the doorway.

Ethan was elegantly leaning on the Japanese sliding door, staring disapprovingly at Bella who was enjoying her food.

"Wang Ji's Beef and Egg Porridge..." Ethan, who was far away, caught Bella stealing someone else's food, causing Bella to suddenly feel guilty.

Ethan narrowed his cold, stern black eyes disapprovingly. "Aren't you afraid of eating random things and causing stomachaches again later?"

This woman really lacks self-respect.

"It shouldn't be... that serious!" Bella stammered like a child who had done something wrong, lowering her head.

At this moment, Grace suddenly panicked and pointed at Ethan's nose. "Ah! You, you, you..."

"What about me?" Ethan raised his handsome eyebrows. This woman's fingers were trembling so badly, she was probably even worse off than Bella.

"Grace, when did you start stuttering?" Bella was greatly surprised.

"Bella, how could he know about your... that pain..." Grace pulled her aside in frustration. This was a woman's private matter that men shouldn't know about.

"I told Ethan," Bella's cheeks blushed a rosy hue.

"Bella, how could you tell a man about something like this?" This foolish Bella was simply embarrassing all women in the world.

Bella secretly glanced at Ethan standing by the door, unconsciously lowering her soft voice. "I didn't want to, but Ethan insisted on taking me to the hospital, so I had to agree."

She had no choice. Rather than being mocked by doctors and nurses, she'd rather face embarrassment at home.

"Then how will you face that man in the future?" Grace began to worry for her.

"It's okay! Ethan doesn't really count as a man," Bella said, not only carefree but also skilled in self-comforting.

"No way?" Grace exaggeratedly clutched her chest, looking heartbroken. "How can such a handsome man be gay? God must have made a big mistake!"

"Shh! Speak more quietly, Ethan might hear," Bella nervously raised her index finger to silence her.

"What are you afraid of? Typically, gay men are very gentle," Grace, in the midst of lamenting, couldn't help but directly admire his appearance. After all, there was nothing left to be shy about.

Ethan crossed his hands in front of his chest, his handsome face showing impatience.

These two women held hands and ran to a corner to whisper, constantly stealing glances at him. It was obvious they were talking about him. Did they really think he didn't know?

If it were before, he would have turned and left already. He hated it when women stared at him flirtatiously, but unfortunately, among the whispering individuals was Bella, which forced him to stay and see if he could eavesdrop on something.

"Grace, Ethan is not gay!" Bella defended him actively, but her soft voice lacked confidence.

Now that I think about it, Ethan does give off a gay vibe. He's neat, skilled, cares for animals, and disregards women's admiration, as if he doesn't like women much—just by how strict he is with himself, you can tell.

"You're the one who said he's not a man," Grace quickly withdrew her infatuated gaze.

"Ethan is much younger than us, so of course he's not a man. At best, you could say he's just a young boy," Bella replied with insulting words, which she could only keep to herself to avoid Ethan overhearing.

"What kind of theory is that?" Grace laughed and gave her a playful glare. "Alright, since you're fine, I'm going back to enjoy the air conditioning."

In order to see handsome guys, she decided to hold all future gatherings at Bella's house.

"Okay," Bella reluctantly watched her half-eaten silky beef congee. "Grace, can I return the thermos to you another day?"

"No problem." Who cares about that worthless thermos! "Bella, hurry and ask that handsome guy to walk me out."

"Oh, sure." Bella smiled flatteringly at Ethan, then unhesitatingly sold him out. "Ethan, can you do me a favor and walk my friend out?"

Ethan gave her a ruthlessly cold and killing gaze, then ignored her and walked away.

Bella and Grace couldn't help but look at each other in surprise.

"Bella, it seems like your 'little friend' is not giving you face!" Grace stared disappointedly at Ethan's back.

"Well..." Bella awkwardly chuckled, "Grace, I'm sorry! Ethan is a bit stubborn, I think you should just go out by yourself."

·······················

According to Bella's absurd theory, summer should be a joyful and laughter-filled time. But today, she had a gloomy face and wandered around the house like a wandering soul.

Cotton and Snowflake sat in a row on the wooden floor in front of the French window, their huge heads swaying as their owners moved around.

Finally, they got tired and bored, and lay down with their heads resting on their front paws, sporadically wagging their tails.

"What should I do..." Bella paced back and forth with a worried expression, occasionally tripping over her own skirt. "What should I do..."

Oh no! She was the least competent in dealing with this kind of situation. Two years ago, she had already been heartbroken and didn't want to go through it again.

"Damn it! This kind of thing shouldn't happen in the summer."

Bella clenched her small fists in anger and helplessness, kicked her feet a few times, and then weakly sat down between Cotton and Snowflake. 

"Cotton, what should we do?" Bella reached out and hugged Cotton's neck, burying her disappointed little face in its thick fur.

Why did this painful thing happen in the summer? It's so annoying!

Cotton let out a sigh and closed its eyes, unaffected. Snowflake, on the other hand, lifted its heavy eyelids and stared at its owner, drowsy and sleepy.

At that moment, there was a sound of keys turning in the front door.

"Woof woof woof..." The two big dogs immediately stood up, full of energy, and excitedly rushed to the door, leaving Bella behind.

"Traitors!" Bella pitifully flattened herself on the wooden floor, staring blankly at the wind chimes hanging from the ceiling, swaying in the breeze.

"When will you get rid of the bad habit of sleeping everywhere?" Ethan stood at the door, patting the heads of Cotton and Snowflake, soothing their excited emotions.

Bella pouted her lips.

She was about to be annoyed to death, but this guy still hadn't come to help her share her worries and relieve her burden. He only knew how to bribe her dog. What kind of hero is he?

"What's wrong with you?" Two big feet appeared in Bella's sight. "Your face looks so ugly and your body doesn't feel well?"

It should be her nap time now. She didn't lie on the bed and sleep soundly, but she was so awake. It can be said that something must have happened.

"Jinx." Bella muttered in complaint.

"Then why do you look like a widow, so lifeless?" Ethan sat on the clean floor, furrowing his brows. He was a bit uncomfortable seeing her lack of spirit.

Bella shifted her body a little, instinctively resting her head on his comfortable thigh.

"I have troubles."

"How rare. What troubles?" Big palm patted Bella's forehead, affectionately stroking her smooth dark hair.

Bella, like a sunflower, naturally belonged to the summer. Although she loved sunbathing, her skin was delicate, shiny, and undamaged.

"Adrian Lucas has returned to his country." Bella opened her mouth, melancholy.

"What kind of guy is that annoying person?" Ethan's deep voice seeped into the chilling air, displeased that another man's name escaped her lips.

Bella continued in a muffled tone, following his choice of words. "That guy is someone's first love."

"So he's the scumbag who moved on!" Ethan's black eyes emitted a displeased glare. "What does it have to do with him now that he's back in his home country?"

Bella sighed helplessly. "Adrian Lucas said he wants to reconcile with me and asked me out for dinner tonight."

Ugh! That man is still as domineering and arrogant as he was two years ago, unbearable to be around.

Ethan's large hand stiffened for a moment before resuming its gentle stroke through her hair.

"Do you want to reconcile with him?" he asked, struggling to hold his breath.

Damn it! He never expected to encounter a competitor in his pursuit of Bella. Her social circle was small, with only two or three friends. He had always believed that he could gradually integrate into her world, make her accustomed to his presence, and eventually make her fall in love with him. He never expected an detestable rival to appear midway.

How infuriating!

"I don't want to, of course," Bella answered him frankly. "I finally got rid of him!" If she agreed to reconcile, she wouldn't be so worried. She was too impulsive and selfish, not suitable for a romantic relationship, which is why her previous relationship ended in such a mess.

"Why didn't you just reject him directly?" Ethan breathed a sigh of relief, not understanding what the fuss was about.

"I did reject him! But he said my reasons weren't sufficient." Bella's head had been hurting since she received the phone call. In the past, she purely enjoyed the feeling of being in a relationship, so she didn't mind Adrian Lucas's arrogance. But now it's different. She's not his girlfriend anymore, so why should she tolerate his "authoritarianism"?

"What reasons did you give?" Ethan's deep, enigmatic black eyes glittered like obsidian.

"I told him I wasn't in the mood for dating recently and asked him to find someone else." Bella blinked her watery eyes seriously and earnestly.

"You fool," Ethan shook his head in exasperation and amusement. This woman is just too naive. "By asking him to find someone else, aren't you purposely provoking him?"

"Then how should I have said it?" Bella decided to swallow her pride and seek advice from the younger man, who was two years her junior. She knew his experience must be much richer than hers.

A mischievous smile tugged at Ethan's handsome lips. "You should have said you already have a boyfriend." If he didn't know how to seize the opportunity at that time, then he wouldn't be considered a man.

Bella sat up in surprise. "But I don't have a boyfriend, how can I lie?" Lying is not a good behavior. 

"If you don't want to get rid of that bastard, I have no objection," Ethan sarcastically said, but deep down he cared a lot. 

Bella rubbed her flushed cheeks, facing another dilemma. "But where can I find a boyfriend in such a short time?" 

"You can consider me as your boyfriend, I don't mind," a man compromised to such an extent, it's truly embarrassing. 

"You..." Bella first stared at him in astonishment, then looked him up and down, and sternly shook her head. "No! You're too young, anyone can tell you're fake." 

Ethan glared at her with gritted teeth. "Don't worry! As long as you keep quiet, that guy will never figure out my age." 

Damn it! Is age really that important? Besides, he looks much more mature than this carefree and naive woman who is two years older than him, no outsider can tell. 

"Oh! Fine then!" Bella was a little scared by his fierce face, so she reluctantly nodded. "I'll trouble you then." 

··························· 

"Why are you dressed so nicely?" Outside the room, Ethan stared at her disapprovingly, at her light and cool outfit consisting of a blue one-piece dress and white sandals.

"Where? I usually dress like this!" Bella's smile froze for a moment, and she couldn't help but look down at her dress. 

In the summer, she loves to wear sleeveless dresses, mostly in blue and white, because the one-piece outfit is especially comfortable, light, and easy to wash. 

Ethan leaned his tall figure against the jeep, ordering with a chill: 

"Go and change out of that revealing outfit." 

"Revealing?!" Bella looked at her clothes again, making sure she wasn't showing anything she shouldn't. "Where is it revealing?" 

"Your arms and toes are all exposed, how can you say it's not revealing!" Men clearly have stricter standards for what counts as revealing than women. 

Bella was startled by Ethan's yelling, and almost forgot to close her small mouth. 

What kind of fire did Ethan eat today? He never objected to her dressing like this before, why is he suddenly so strict and conservative? 

"Ethan, you're so strange! Who wears sandals without showing their toes?" Bella argued with reason. 

"Are you going to change or not?" Ethan's eyes flashed with a threatening cold light, looking like he was saying, "If you don't change clothes, forget about leaving."

Bella's righteous and strong attitude didn't last long before disappearing without a trace. She dragged herself back to the room to change clothes.

Shortly after, she added a white knitted cardigan and walked out, biting her lip.

"Ethan, is this okay? I couldn't find sandals to cover my toes," Bella smiled at him, trying to please.

Ethan scrutinized her attire and reluctantly nodded, opening the car door for her. "Let's go! Don't let that person wait too long."

"Oh!" Once in the jeep, Bella couldn't wait and asked the driver next to her, "Ethan, should we come up with a plan first?"

Ethan responded casually, "No need, just nod and smile. That's all you have to do." It wasn't that he looked down on Bella, but she wasn't good at lying and would give herself away as soon as she opened her mouth.

"That simple?" Bella was a bit disappointed that she didn't have a more important role, but knowing that she could fully enjoy the delicious food at "Blue Wind European Buffet," a smile reappeared on her beautiful face.

"Yes, that simple."

...

"Blue Wind" was located in the alleys of the city area, an elegant and prestigious European buffet known throughout the city for its exquisite and expensive delicacies.

Even in today's economic downturn, Blue Wind is still bustling with customers and doing well, making others envious. 

"Bella, when will you stop being late all the time?" A tall and handsome man frowned at Bella as he stood at the entrance of Blue Wind. 

"I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional." Bella's pleading eyes turned to Ethan. She had only been at Blue Wind for a few seconds and already felt useless in front of him. 

Ethan coldly glanced at Adrian Lucas. "Let's go! Aren't you always talking about Blue Wind's beef ribs?" With that, he took Bella's hand and walked her inside Blue Wind, completely ignoring Adrian Lucas in the middle of the road. 

"Hey!" Adrian Lucas chased after them in frustration. "Bella, who is this man?"

Bella could only turn around with the white plate in her hand and helplessly plead, "Can we talk about it later? I'm really hungry!" She was about to dig into her favorite beef rib area.

"You—" In order to win her back, Adrian Lucas had to forcibly control his temper. "Fine! Let's talk after you've gotten your food."

Bella stuck her tongue out at his back and proceeded to enjoy her delicious beef ribs.

By the time she returned to the four-person table with a full plate of beef, Ethan and Adrian Lucas had already taken their seats, glaring at each other with animosity like two silent bulls.

"Bella, who is this guy?" Adrian Lucas asked displeasedly, his angry expression resembling that of a jealous husband.

"Um..." Bella was at a loss, holding the plate. "He is..."

Ethan stood up and pulled out a chair for Bella. "I am Bella's boyfriend."

His beautiful black eyes gleamed with impatience. On what grounds did Adrian Lucas ask such questions with this attitude? He had lost the right to interrogate since the moment he fell in love with someone else. 

"Thank you," Bella sighed with relief and sat down. Ethan was right, she really wasn't suitable for dealing with this kind of problem.

"I don't believe it!" Adrian Lucas's facial muscles twitched. "Didn't you say this afternoon that you didn't feel like dating? How come a boyfriend suddenly appeared after just a few hours?"

Although their behavior seemed intimate and natural, he didn't believe a word of this man's nonsense - because Bella's guilty expression betrayed her. 

Bella's mind went blank. "Um...well..."

"We are getting married at the end of the year, so of course Bella has no intention of dating," Ethan gently brushed Bella's hair aside and took the opportunity to kiss her cheek, helping her out of her confusion. 

Blushing, Bella murmured in admiration, "Marriage...impressive..." Ethan was really skilled at talking nonsense with his eyes open!

"Impossible?! How could you possibly be interested in Bella?" Adrian Lucas angrily questioned. "Do you know how many flaws this woman has?"

What's the matter with you? So disrespectful! Bella's little face drooped halfway, so she had to attack the steak on the plate to comfort her wounded heart.

"I know Bella's shortcomings," Ethan pressed his lips together, very unhappy to hear another man criticize his Bella.

Adrian Lucas seemed to not hear Ethan's voice and continued to list Bella's shortcomings. "She's lazy and scatterbrained, all she does every day is sleep or play with dogs, she has no ambition at all. Do you know what her biggest goal in life is?" This careless woman is of no help to a man's career.

"Raise ten dogs?" Ethan guessed.

"Exactly! She wants to raise ten drooling dogs. Tell me, what hope does a woman like this have?" Adrian Lucas scolded, glaring at Bella, who was still in the mood to eat.

Bella lowered her innocent head and quietly added, "I also want to raise ten cats." She didn't want to be seen as lacking ambition.

"I like Bella the way she is. You're meddling too much, aren't you?" Ethan's cold jaw was filled with hostility, he couldn't even bring himself to say anything harsh to Bella. He didn't expect this uncouth bastard to criticize his Bella as if she had no worth.

What kind of man is he?

Since they have already broken up, everything should be left in the past. What is he trying to achieve by criticizing Bella now? It's simply lacking all sense of grace.

Bella smiled sweetly at Ethan, touched by his presence here to defend her. Otherwise, she would have ended up in a terrible state. Ethan is truly a good young man. 

Adrian Lucas's face turned pale and then green. "I'm warning you not to be too impulsive."

"Thank you for your concern," Ethan casually peeled the shells off the butter prawns with elegance, and asked deliberately, "Since Bella has so many flaws, why did you go back to her?"

Yeah! Bella raised her face from the pile of steak with suspicion. "Yeah! Why? I'm so terrible, why did you want to get back with me?"

This doesn't make much sense, 

Adrian Lucas's handsome face briefly displayed a look of embarrassment. "Actually... you're not that bad! At least you're not pushy, and you have a gentle and pleasant temperament. Being with you is almost stress-free, very comfortable and at ease."

The girlfriends he had in foreign countries were all assertive and strong-willed women. Although they were helpful for his future, their domineering nature was unbearable and not at all cute. Over time, he couldn't tolerate it anymore.

So as soon as he returned to the country, he immediately contacted Bella because he missed her weak and sweet nature, and her kindness was easy to be fooled by.

"Oh, thank you," judging from his tone, he must be praising himself! Bella couldn't help but feel smug.

"Here! The prawns today are very fresh, eat some more." Ethan piled all the peeled prawns onto Bella's plate, distracting her attention, so that this woman couldn't resist the temptation of sweet words and end up leaving him in confusion.

"Okay." Bella's eyes sparkled as she focused on eating the "heart" that Ethan had peeled for her. 

Ethan finally had some free time to deal with Adrian Lucas. "Unfortunately, you realized it too late. Bella is mine, and she is with me now." A hint of arrogance hung on his lips. 

He had been yearning to say this sentence for a long time, and today he finally had the opportunity to say it proudly. 

"Cough, cough, cough..." Bella was choked by the shrimp residue and suddenly coughed. "Cough, cough, cough..." Was Ethan's joke too much? 

"Be careful." Ethan patted her back with a helpless look on his face, and then fed her a sip of juice. Were his words really that shocking? 

Blushing, Bella awkwardly whispered in Ethan's ear, "Ethan, there's no need to exaggerate, right?" 

Well... how embarrassing! This guy shouted so loudly that probably half of the restaurant heard it. 

"Why are you afraid? I'm telling the truth." Ethan had had enough of this ambiguous relationship and decided to take a risk and say it out loud. 

"You're still talking nonsense, and I'm getting angry!" Bella blushed and gave him a glare, unable to resist his piercing gaze. 

"So, you two are really together now." Seeing their flirtatious and intimate behavior, Adrian Lucas couldn't believe it.

"I advise you to give up on this idea! Bella has been living with me." In order to strike at his romantic rival, Ethan was willing to do whatever it took.

"Living together?!" Adrian Lucas glared at Bella, feeling a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You wouldn't even let me kiss you before, and now you're casually living with another man? Do you think that's fair to me, Bella?" he asked indignantly.

"I... um..." Bella was suddenly at a loss for words, unsure if she should explain her true relationship with Ethan.

"Hmph! No need to explain, I won't believe a word you say anymore," Adrian Lucas said, throwing down his napkin in frustration. "And don't bother sending me any more invitations, I won't spend a dime on you two."

With that, he left in a huff.

Bella could only stare blankly at his angry figure.

What is happening now? She and Adrian Lucas had long been unrelated, so why was he suddenly so upset? It was all so strange.

"Did you really never kiss him?" Ethan curiously broke the silence, a suspicious smile crossing his handsome face.

"No!" Bella's delicate face couldn't hide her warmth and embarrassment. "Jake said that girls shouldn't be too casual, or they'll easily lose their value."

Though Jake was two years younger than her, he understood men's "dark side," so listening to him wouldn't be wrong.

"I finally didn't make a mistake in making friends." Ethan nodded with relief. Jake is usually a playboy, but he has a way of disciplining his sister Bella, and she almost obeys his every word.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Bella felt like she was in a foggy confusion after his nonsensical words.

"It's nothing, just eat a little more, don't waste this good food." Ethan changed the topic.

"Okay!" Bella had just nodded halfway when suddenly she exclaimed, "Ah!"

"What are you 'ah-ing' about?"

"Adrian Lucas forgot to pay." Bella pouted angrily.