CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: THE GARDEN’S TREASURED GIFT PRESENTED ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER

The lunch with Julian Rivera was set for Saturday noon, at a restaurant he chose.

A place called The Mulberry Garden Restaurant.

Serena Sinclair had lived in Aethelgard for many years, and she hadn’t even heard of the place, let alone visited it.

She followed the navigation for quite a while before finding the main entrance. Staring at the antique courtyard gates that reminded her of a traditional courtyard house, Serena double-checked her conversation with Julian and reopened the navigation, finally confirming she hadn’t gone the wrong way.

She mentioned she was here for lunch, and the woman in a qipao at the door smiled apologetically, "I’m sorry, we’re not open to the public."

She said she had a reservation at The Purple Bamboo Pavilion, and the woman in the qipao finally realized, "Are you Ms. Sinclair?"

After confirming her identity, the woman in the qipao led Serena through the courtyard.

All along the way, there were pavilions and terraces, small bridges, and flowing water.

After turning a corner in the winding corridor, there was a moon gate ahead.

Stepping through the moon gate, the scene opened up delightfully before her eyes.

Serena was certain; this was her first time here.

Yet everything seemed so familiar, as if she had visited it countless times in her dreams.

When she walked into the small courtyard of The Purple Bamboo Pavilion, she saw the lush bamboo grove outside the window.

Serena stopped in her tracks.

She finally understood where the sense of déjà vu came from.

During her freshman year, she had participated in a literature club for a year and published many essays and poems in the school magazine.

For a time, modern poems by Haizi were all the rage, "I have a house, facing the sea, with spring blossoms..."

Serena desired a courtyard.

A small courtyard with pavilions and terraces, small bridges and flowing water, bamboo groves, and flower fields.

She wrote a little poem about it, submitted it, and forgot about it.

Afterward, when Selene Summers had her incident, she withdrew from the literature club.

All the romance of that time turned into mere fleeting clouds of the past.

Serena never dreamed that the small courtyard she once longed for truly existed, and that someone was actually living the life she yearned for.

"Sis, come on in, what’s got you daydreaming?"

In the open window, Julian called out to her.

Serena entered and sincerely admired, "Only Young Master Rivera could find such a romantic place!"

"Do you like it, sis?"

"I do."

Serena nodded, taking the tea Julian handed her, unable to resist asking, "This restaurant, could it be also owned by someone you know?"

"Indeed..."

Now that they were here, there was no reason to continue the lie.

Julian admitted frankly, "In an unfamiliar place, I wouldn’t suggest it to you, would I?"

The waiter served the dishes.

Julian, his head down, quickly sent a WeChat message, [Bro, where are you?]

The response came quickly, [Soon.]

Julian set his phone aside and introduced each dish as it arrived.

The lunch was more like Julian formally entertaining Serena rather than her treating him.

"Young Master Rivera, have you gotten your vaccine?"

"Not yet. My brother said the doctor would come to vaccinate 2S next week, and I’ll go too. It’s just a convenient thing, so I won’t bother going to the hospital."

"..."

The person who was supposed to appear never showed up, even by the time they finished eating.

Julian felt too exhausted to even complain.

When his phone rang, Serena lowered her head and saw a message from Evan Cole.

[Serena, are you free this afternoon? I need a favor!]

[What kind of favor?]

[It’s my mom’s birthday next week, and I’m going to choose a gift at the counter. Could you help me pick one?]

[Sure. How about The Zenith Mall?]

[Sounds good. I’m heading out now and will be there in half an hour.]

[Alright, see you soon!]

When she looked up again, she saw Julian also fiddling with his phone.

Serena smiled, "Young Master Rivera, can I pay the bill now?"

He wanted to say there was no hurry, but Serena’s intention to leave was quite evident.

On the other side, after saying ’soon,’ Wyatt Hawthorne had gone silent again.

Julian understood that something or someone must have held him up, otherwise knowing Serena was here, Wyatt would have darted over faster than a rocket.

Julian stood up, "Of course!"

A few minutes later, Serena was left speechless by the handwritten bill handed over by the waiter.

Even if it were $199...

In the territory of someone they knew, and a familiar gathering.

Thanks to Julian, they got a discount so steep, it was almost a friendly token.

She could understand.

But what did $19.9 even mean?

Serena looked back at Julian.

He flashed a standard smile showing eight teeth, a look that said "Just a gesture, sis; giving him face is giving me face."

Sighing helplessly, Serena thanked him once again, "It seems there’s no hope of treating Young Master Rivera to a meal outside. Well then...maybe next time I’ll cook and invite you over!"

???

Clearly not anticipating such a delightful surprise, Julian laughed, "Sis, when will that be?"

Serena: ...

Turning back, she saw Julian push a palm-sized bamboo box towards her, "Sis, this is a little gift from your brother, please accept it!"

Serena politely declined, pushing the box back, "Young Master Rivera, this isn’t appropriate!"

"Of course, it is!"

Julian pushed it back, "Sis, it’s a little token from your brother. Rejecting it would hurt me. Besides, it’s nothing expensive."

The box opened to reveal an Agarwood Bracelet.

With a subtle woody fragrance.

Serena took one look and fell in love with it.

Not refusing further, Serena respectfully put on the bracelet around her wrist.

Indeed, Julian’s expression said, "Sis, your liking it honors your brother."

As time was running out, Serena didn’t linger, saying her goodbyes to Julian, and left The Mulberry Garden Restaurant.

The taxi drove away, followed closely by a roaring Maybach, which stopped in the alley.

Setting out to rush over, he had already given up hope.

But hearing from Julian that Serena had just left made Wyatt Hawthorne’s already foul mood even worse.

Julian wore a proud look, "Bro, I gave your prized treasure of the venue to sister-in-law, you won’t blame me, will you?"

Wyatt abruptly looked up.

Julian crossed his arms, arrogantly leaning back on the sofa, "Well, tell me, didn’t your brother handle this like a champ?"

Wyatt gave him an icy glance, but his mood had visibly improved, "You said it was my prized treasure. Wouldn’t I have given it myself? Did I need you to present it?"

"Then why haven’t you given it yet!"

Julian ignored him, swaggering with his self-satisfaction, "Sister-in-law put it on right away and even said she’d cook a feast for me next time!"

Wyatt: ...

On the first floor of The Zenith Mall, when Serena arrived, Evan was already there.

Mrs. Cole’s birthday was the following Wednesday, and Evan was too busy to fly back. Moreover, as it wasn’t a major birthday, he had already informed her that he wouldn’t return.

But a gift was indispensable.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Not much. As long as she knows I didn’t forget her birthday, it should be fine."

"...Well, what’s your budget?"

"Around 200,000."

After asking about Mrs. Cole’s general preferences, Serena had an idea.

She took Evan straight to the jewelry counter on the 6th floor.

In the end, they took a liking to a perfectly round, flawless white South Sea pearl necklace.

Under the bright lights of the counter, each full pearl on the necklace emitted a gentle but dazzling glow.

The price was just about right.

Evan turned to Serena, "Can you try it on for me?"

Serena nodded.

The sales associate, wearing black gloves, picked up the necklace.

Serena was leaning her head down, letting the associate clasp the necklace around her neck, when a sharp insult shouted from behind her.

"Serena, you little bitch!"

Her hair was pulled.

Serena turned her head around.

Slap!

A fierce slap swung at her face.