Chapter 20 — Milk Tea, Seafood, and Sassy Insults

"Waiter."

Julian raises a hand as soon as the three step into the upscale restaurant.

"Yes, sir!" a staff member hurries over, bowing politely.

"Arrange a table with the best view in the house."

"Right away."

Moments later, they're seated at a panoramic window overlooking the city skyline.

Another waiter arrives with menus. Julian takes a brief glance and starts pointing: "We'll have this, and this. Oh, and this too."

He then lifts his gaze to the girls: "Anything you two want?"

Sunny immediately perks up: "Yes! I want a mango cream cake!"

Skylar pauses, hesitant: "Um... can I choose?"

"Go ahead."

"Then... I'll have seafood fried rice, lemongrass steamed clams, and squid in coconut juice."

Sunny suddenly bursts into laughter.

Skylar and Julian exchange a look, both visibly baffled.

Julian arches a brow: What's up with her?

Skylar tilts her head: Did... did she short-circuit?

Sunny clutches her stomach dramatically: "Skylar, you're amazing! Ordering that much food… I wonder if a certain young master over there can afford it. This place is pricey, you know. And I eat a lot too!"

She snickers like a mischievous chipmunk.

Skylar squints at her: "What is your deal? Why are you always teasing him?"

Sunny grins: "Because his reactions are hilarious. Just like yours, Little Angel."

She abruptly stands, pointing at Julian: "But Julian! I'm serious—if you ever make my Little Angel suffer, I will personally beat you into a pancake."

Julian raises both hands, mock surrender: "Got it, got it. That's never going to happen. Not in a million years."

Sunny flips her hair dramatically: "Better keep it that way."

Skylar giggles behind her hand, looking like a kid who just pulled a successful prank: "Careful or you'll end up with cross-eyed Baby Three."

Sunny snorts: "Your friend isn't that unlucky."

A waiter approaches: "Everything is set. Please wait about 15 minutes for the dishes."

Julian waves dismissively: "Hurry it up. We're starving to death here."

"Of course!"

Eventually, the dishes arrive. Skylar gasps in excitement, eyes sparkling like she's discovered treasure.

"Can I eat now?"

Julian chuckles, fondness flashing in his eyes: "Go ahead."

He reaches for the shrimp: "Let me peel them for you."

Skylar nods with childlike joy: "Okay! Peel away."

"Peel some for me too!" Sunny pipes in.

Julian spins toward her: "Peel it yourself. Don't you see I'm busy?"

Sunny covers her mouth, pretending to whisper: "Oooh, busy peeling shrimp for Little Angel. Got it. Sorry to interrupt."

Julian glares but doesn't argue. She's technically not wrong.

He watches Skylar eat happily, and something inside him twists: Why… why did I treat her so poorly before? She looks so happy now… but I can't even enjoy it.

"This is amazing!" Skylar exclaims with a full mouth.

"Eat slower. No one's stealing it from you, dummy," Julian says gently.

Skylar mumbles with puffed cheeks, "Yo' shmile ish weiyerd. Don' shmile."

Sunny joins in instantly: "Yeah, your smile is tragic. Stop it."

Julian clutches his chest in mock pain: "What is this bullying? Can't you compliment me for once? This smile is worth more than thousands of diamonds!"

Sunny waves a finger: "To others, maybe."

Skylar adds without missing a beat: "To us? It just screams fake and awkward."

Julian squints. "You two need your eyes checked. And possibly a brain scan. I'll book an appointment for you both. My treat."

Skylar sets down her fork. She smirks: "Our vision is perfect, thanks. Maybe you should get your brain checked instead. That smile? A crime against humanity."

The tension builds like a thundercloud. Sunny flails her arms: "Okay okay! Everyone's got issues! Let's all go get examined together!"

"Examine your head!" both shout in unison.

One second… two… three… then laughter breaks out, and they return to their meal, now lighthearted again.

After finishing, they head home on foot.

At Sunny's gate, she turns around dramatically: "Bye! See you at school tomorrow! Take good care of my Little Angel! And thanks for the treat!"

"Later…" Skylar waves.

"We heard you the first ten times," Julian sighs.

Sunny disappears into her house.

Julian glances at Skylar: "Shall we head back too?"

Then he pauses, eyes lighting up: "Oh! There's a bubble tea shop nearby that's supposed to be amazing. Wanna go?"

Skylar tilts her head, innocence pouring out: "What's bubble tea?"

Julian freezes. That answer hits harder than he expects. He wishes she'd say: 'Yeah! I've tried it! It's great!' But… that seems far off.

One day, she'll be able to say that.

"Huh? What did you just say?"

Julian startles. Skylar's suddenly too close—her face inches from his.

He jumps back, ears tinged pink.

He coughs, then explains: "It's a sweet drink, super tasty. Comes with toppings like chewy pearls and jelly."

"I've never had it either. Guess we'll try together," he adds quickly.

Skylar beams: "Let's go!"

She hops like a bunny all the way to the shop.

"What flavor are you getting?" Julian asks.

"Hmm… chocolate! I think they have that one. Sounds yummy."

Julian nods, shoving his hands in his pockets. His cool-boy walk draws stares from nearby girls.

Skylar throws verbal shade, voice sugary sweet but razor-sharp: "Who are you trying to impress? Quit posing, my eyes are burning."

It's like a brick drops on his head. Julian spins around: "Can't you NOT ruin my vibe for once?! Is this your idea of fun?!"

Skylar whistles: "Yes. It is my refined hobby."

Julian fumes silently: I treated her to lunch, and now I'm buying her bubble tea. And she does this to me?! JULIAN JIANG, IS THIS WHAT YOU DESERVE?!

He slumps in despair, looking utterly ridiculous.

Skylar pokes his arm: "Careful, your dignity is slipping."

"Yeah yeah! I KNOW!" he snaps, stomping to the counter.

After buying the drinks, he returns and hands her one.

Skylar takes it with the reverence of someone handling treasure.

"Thanks."

"What flavor did you get?" she asks.

"Classic milk tea."

"Ooh. Let's go sit in the park."

"Sure."

At the park, Skylar suddenly jumps in front of him, eyes wide.

But her gaze locks not on Julian… but his drink.

"Can I try yours?"

Julian recoils: "But—"

She bats her lashes. Julian melts: "Fine. But you let me try yours too."

"Deal."

They swap drinks for a moment.

Skylar lights up: "So good!"

Julian nods: "Yours too."

"Let's go home?"

She nods.

The two walk under the golden sunset, side by side.