Chapter 796

Ryan got all awkward. “Sorry. Maybe you should go upstairs and change?”

“I didn’t bring any clothes with me,” I said.

Ryan gave me a faint smile. “I actually got you two outfits. Go upstairs and check them out.”

I turned to look at him. “You even got clothes ready for me? So you’d already made up your mind to have me come over.”

“If I’d called you, you wouldn’t have come…” Ryan looked down, folding the leaf in his hand over and over, his voice getting softer.

“I always thought you were naive, but turns out you’re actually pretty calculating,” I mocked.

Ryan looked taken aback, his gaze growing anxious. “I never tried to scheme against you. I just… I just wanted us to be closer.”

I ignored him and headed upstairs. I’d just gotten over a cold, and I didn’t want to stay in wet clothes.

In the master bedroom’s walk-in closet, an empty section had been set aside for me. Two dresses hung there, and next to them were some carefully chosen, freshly washed underwear.

The dresses hugged my curves and had a fitted waist, made from really nice fabric. One was beige, the other was covered in little flowers—both looked great.

I picked the beige one, quickly changed, and headed back downstairs.

Ryan stood by the stairs like a guilty kid, still clutching those two lettuce leaves, his deep eyes gazing up at me.

As I walked down, I slowed my steps, looking down at him from the stairs.

When Ryan looked up, his jawline looked even sharper—he was good-looking, with a touch of youthful innocence.

Memories I thought were long gone suddenly resurfaced, burning in my chest. No matter how hard I tried to ignore or erase them, the vivid colors Ryan brought into my life always made those memories stand out.

I quickly looked down at the stairs, avoiding his gaze.

His voice floated up, soft and a little sad. “When I was a kid, I used to help Grandma wash veggies. She always called me clumsy, and I’d argue with her. Looks like she was right after all. Vic, are you annoyed with me?”

I was caught off guard—who would’ve thought washing veggies would make him think of his childhood?

“No way. Everyone’s awkward the first time they try something,” I said, not wanting to make him feel bad.

Ryan’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “I knew you’d say that, Vic.”

I was about to say something, but seeing him grinning like that, I just couldn’t ruin the moment.

By the time we finished cooking—rice and three dishes, one meat and two veggies—it was already past four in the morning. Finally, Ryan and I sat down for a late-night meal.

Ryan looked genuinely happy, and he couldn’t stop smiling while he ate.

I, meanwhile, was just quietly focused on my food, taking my time with each bite.

“Vic, your cooking is still as amazing as ever,” Ryan said with a grin.

“If you like it, go ahead and eat. Honestly, I’m just here playing the maid,” I said calmly.

“No, that’s not true. I never saw you as just the help. I just really wanted to see you,” Ryan said quietly.

“With all your family’s power, what’s the difference between me and a maid? I’m just here at your beck and call,” I said, my voice tinged with self-mockery.

“I’m sorry,” Ryan apologized immediately.

“No need to apologize. I know where I stand,” I said, then looked up into Ryan’s eyes. “If something bad ever happens in the future… would you help me?”

Ryan held my gaze and said softly, “As long as I’m here, nothing bad will ever happen to you.”

I was about to breathe a sigh of relief.

But then my phone rang, shattering the quiet in the dining room.

Ryan and I both looked over at the phone sitting on the coffee table in the living room.

I got up and walked over, and Ryan followed closely behind. Just as I reached for the phone, he was right there with me.

Ryan asked with a pout, “Did you set a special contact name for Uncle Ryan in your phone?”