Chapter 257: Not Suitable for Opening a Shop

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Raven grasped May Parker's hand, her gaze tinged with a cold sharpness.

A look of surprise flickered across May Parker's face, but upon meeting Raven's eyes, she immediately understood.

This woman liked Mike.

If it were just a fondness, that would be one thing—but this woman liked him. She loved him.

"Hello, I'm May Parker, a friend of Mike's."

Raven released May's hand and, letting go of the suitcase she'd been dragging, took two steps forward. To May Parker's stunned expression, she wrapped her arms around Mike's neck and planted a fragrant kiss on his lips, even gently biting them.

Then, with a firm swipe, she wiped the flour off Mike's face and lightly tossed the flour ball onto the floor before turning to May Parker and saying, "Raven, Mike's woman."

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

May Parker suddenly smiled and said, "Mike's a good guy. He even talks about you a lot."

Raven paused, a smile spreading across her face. "Really?"

She glanced sideways at Mike, her eyes full of tender emotion.

May Parker reached out, looked at the flour on her hand, and awkwardly withdrew it. "Mike's noodles are really delicious. I'm actually learning to make them from him."

"Hehe!" Raven laughed happily. "Is that so?"

Holding Mike's hand, she said, "He can make all sorts of things, you know."

Mike cleared his throat softly. "Why did you come back all of a sudden?"

Raven looked up at Mike, her gaze slightly cold, but her words were sweet to the point of cloying.

"Because I missed you, darling."

Mike shivered. "Haven't eaten yet, right? Want me to make you a bowl of noodles?"

"Sure."

Raven smiled, dragged her suitcase away, and casually grabbed May Parker's hand. "Come on, May, wash your hands. I liked you the moment I saw you."

May Parker smiled faintly, showing no hint of reluctance.

Watching the two leave the kitchen, Mike exhaled in relief.

That had been tense.

But thinking back to what Raven said just now, he couldn't help but smile.

My woman, huh?

Did she really feel threatened by May Parker?

Well, that was good—Raven was indirectly helping him reject May Parker. Otherwise, he really wouldn't have known how to turn her down.

Soon, two bowls of noodles were ready.

Mike glanced outside and saw Raven and May Parker sitting together, chatting and laughing comfortably. He let out a soft breath and carried the noodles out.

Raven took a bowl and handed one to May Parker with a smile. "Try it. Mike's cooking is pretty good."

May Parker smiled as she accepted the bowl, and when she saw Mike adding cilantro and chili to Raven's noodles, a hint of envy showed in her eyes.

Raven slurped a mouthful and praised, "Even better than before."

Mike handed Raven a napkin. "Eat slowly. How many meals have you missed like this?"

"One day."

Raven whispered, her eyes flickering as she glanced at Mike. When May Parker looked down, Raven nudged her subtly.

If it weren't for this, would I have really gone hungry all day?

Mike shook his head with a smile.

After a while, Raven and May finished their noodles and chatted some more before May Parker left.

She was a smart and rational woman. Although she liked Mike, after seeing Raven and the way Raven looked at Mike, she decisively gave up.

Rather than making another enemy over an inevitable loss, she chose to walk away with reason and make a friend instead.

After May Parker left, Raven lunged at Mike, biting and nibbling fiercely on his face. "Let me bite your face up so you won't go seducing anyone else."

When she saw the photo Gwen sent her, she really thought Mike and May Parker were an item and that she and Mike were done for. At that moment, she realized Mike meant far more to her than she had thought.

Mike laughed and hugged Raven. "Leaving now?"

"No," Raven said seriously. "I want to watch over you."

Setting Raven down, Mike winked. "Then you better keep a close eye."

"Hmph," Raven gave a soft hum.

"Let's go home." Mike lightly patted Raven's bottom, producing a crisp sound, and murmured, "Today's definitely not a good day to open the shop."

...

When night fell completely, Clark drove home.

He was in a good mood today.

Besides work, he had saved more than a dozen people.

Pushing open the door, Clark caught the aroma of food and couldn't help but smile.

"Brother!"

Gwen bounced over with a smile, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the living room as she happily said, "Guess who's here?"

Clark blinked, looking up at the woman standing and smiling at him.

"Aunt Raven?"

He called softly and walked toward Raven. They embraced briefly. "It's so good to see you."

Raven sized Clark up, pinching his arm lightly and smiling. "Clark, you've become more handsome and stronger."

Clark scratched his head with a smile. "Why did you come back all of a sudden? You didn't even give me a heads-up—I could have picked you up."

Raven pouted. "If I didn't come back, your dad would have been kidnapped."

"What?" Clark exclaimed in surprise. "Someone could kidnap him?"

Raven stroked Gwen's head. "This time, we owe it to Gwen's tip-off."

Gwen proudly lifted her chin.

Clark sat down, curious. "Come on, tell me all about it."

With that, the three sat together whispering, occasionally bursting into soft laughter.

"What are you talking about? You all look so happy."

Mike approached the trio.

"We're not telling you!" Gwen giggled before running into the kitchen.

Raven and Clark smiled at Mike and then walked into the kitchen, leaving Mike confused.

Watching the three, Mike touched his face, puzzled. "Do I have something on my face?"

When the food was served, the four sat down at the table, eating dinner and chatting. When the topic turned to Raven's plans, Raven looked at Mike and said, "I've decided to go to Charles's school."

"Charles will be very happy," Clark said with a smile.

Gwen, ever the little trickster, looked at Raven and teased, "And you'll get to watch over Dad too, hehe!"

Raven's face grew serious. She nodded firmly. "I have to keep a close eye on him. Gwen, let's work hard together!"

The two high-fived.

Clark teased Mike, but after receiving a glare, he obediently lowered his head and ate.

Raven stayed at Mike's house for three days, and Mike's shop was closed for those three days as well.

Only after Raven left for X school did Mike lazily reopen his shop.

Raven had already informed Charles in advance about her plan. Mike had originally intended to escort her, but she refused, saying she wasn't a child.

Life returned to its normal rhythm.

Until half a month later, when Gwen brought home a man.

(End of chapter)