Chapter 149
Chapter 149 Caring for Him
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Leighton was only the second person whose cooking could nearly match her mentor’s.
“Eat as much as you like. I’ll be swamped with work the next few days and won’t have time to make you dinner. I’ll have someone drop meals off for you instead p>
Leighton peeled a shrimp and set it on her plate.
He’d just gotten back from overseas not long ago, buried under endless company meetings. He’d worked overtime late the night before, caught only a short nap, then headed straight back to the office.
His day was filled with back-to-back meetings. Later, after getting a message from Hallie, he’d immediately arranged for staff to gather evidence, draft a full report, and send it over to her.
He already had surveillance footage as well, but one girl in their class was sharp and capable enough to handle things on her own. He saw no need to steal the spotlight. His role was simply to tie up all loose ends and make sure everything was settled securely.
“Mhm p>
Zora was too busy enjoying her chicken to pay much attention to his words.
Handsome and talented at cooking, Leighton really had it all.
Zora couldn’t help wondering how lucky his future wife would be, getting to eat such amazing home-cooked meals every day.
“You should eat more too. Your mental state is completely worn out. If you don’t take better care of yourself, that constant tension in your mind will snap sooner or later. Your body won’t hold up.
“At the very least, you could end up in a coma, worst case, permanent brain damage. You haven’t had a proper night’s rest in ages. A couple of good nights’ sleep won’t fix you right away. I’ll put together some vitality pills for you when I get back, to heal you slowly. Don’t worry-I won’t let anything bad happen to you p>
Zora picked up a piece of chicken and set it on his plate.
She suddenly hesitated, wondering if he would even take it. She’d heard wealthy people were usually very particular about manners and disliked food handed to them by others.
It only dawned on her after she’d already set the food down. Leighton came from an elite old- money family far more prestigious than the average wealthy heir-someone who would surely care deeply about social etiquette.
Zora pressed her soft lips together, feeling a little flustered.
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Chapter 149 Caring for Him.
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The Knox household followed strict formal dining etiquette: eat only what is placed directly in front of you, never help yourself repeatedly to the same dish, and keep conversation polite and subdued throughout the meal.
Zora had always felt constrained by these rigid formalities.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you, Zora p>
Leighton knew perfectly well how fragile his health was. It was why Jensen and his dad constantly worried he might collapse from overwork one day.
He’d sat through meetings all day, barely grabbing a quick bite at noon, and was genuinely hungry now.
Watching Zora eat with such obvious enjoyment only stoked his own appetite.
He took a piece of the chicken and took a bite.
A small smile tugged at Zora’s lips.
He hadn’t turned her down.
“This one’s delicious too. You’re a grown man now, so you have to eat more. Part of the reason you can’t sleep is that you’re malnourished, and your body’s vital energy can’t keep up p>
Feeling relieved and happy, Zora served him another portion of grilled chicken breast.
The dish was rich, savory, and just the right level of spicy-one of her favorites.
Funny enough, even though Leighton had cooked everything, Zora acted as if she knew exactly which dishes tasted the best.
Leighton didn’t turn down a single bite she served him. He ate whatever she put on his plate, even as the grilled chicken breast made beads of sweat form on his forehead and tint his lips a brighter shade. He never stopped her once.
The grilled chicken breast was clearly one of her favorites. She piled generous helpings onto his plate and ate plenty herself.
The cold, spacious house echoed with the bright, lively sound of the young girl’s voice.
A ray of warm, ordinary joy had slipped into Leighton’s quiet life.
He found himself thinking this simple daily routine felt surprisingly nice.
After dinner, Leighton walked Zora back home.
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Chapter 149 Caring for Him
Once she’d finished washing up, Zora pulled out her small medicine chest.
She was determined to mix a nourishing soup for him.
She would nurse his health back properly.
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She didn’t expect him to live forever, but he deserved to enjoy a long life well into his seventies and eighties.
Someone as kind as him ought to live well and happily.
Knowing Leighton would probably frown at bitter herbal medicine, Zora carefully sorted through her supplies, setting aside the bitter ingredients and adding sweeter, milder herbs instead.
Once she’d blended the formula, she wrapped each portion in kraft
paper.
At first, Zora had only wanted to help cure his insomnia out of consideration for Jensen. Now, she simply wanted Leighton to stay healthy and safe.
She took out a rare century-old wild ginseng, broke it into sections without a second thought, and placed the pieces into a stone mortar.
Next came premium reishi mushrooms, astragalus, and deer antler slices, followed by an assortment of other rare, valuable herbs. Working with straightforward, practiced movements, she began grinding everything into fine powder little by little.
Zora was fully set on nursing Leighton back to peak health, no matter what it took.
Beneath the warm lamplight, her small face was etched with total concentration. Her soft hands gripped the heavy stone pestle, patiently grinding every herb down to an even fine texture.
Machine-ground powder could never compare to doing it by hand.
The next day, Zora headed to school with obvious dark circles under her eyes.
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