Chapter 65 A Trap with a Smile

Wendy realized she’d been too naive, so she twisted her words with a sly smirk. “Okay, I take that back. Not her boyfriend, her companion.”

Nora gave a meaningful smile. She’d only come to campus on a hunch after hearing Yunice might be around – and sure enough, Wyatt was with her.

Who else could share that level of intimacy with Yunice but him?

Nora glanced at the restaurant again. Wyatt didn’t even like this cuisine. If he was eating here, it was because Yunice liked it.

She turned her gaze back to Wendy. “I apologize on Yunice’s behalf. Why don’t we add each other on WhatsApp? I’ll treat you two to a meal – consider it an apology.”

A cousin siding with outsiders, not her own family? Apologizing for Yunice?

Wendy’s eyes narrowed as she schemed. She wasn’t about to turn down a chance to meet Yunice’s relatives. Maybe this woman could give her some inside info.

She tilted her head and smiled sweetly. “Sure.”

The three of them walked across the street into another restaurant.

An hour later, Nora stood at a half-open window on the third floor, watching as Wyatt and Yunice exited the restaurant – with Tommy trailing behind them.

From behind, Wendy sidled up to her eagerly. “You’re so much easier to talk to than Yunice! Honestly, I already like you more.”

Nora offered a gentle smile. “My cousin didn’t grow up with a father. Her upbringing was lacking. Since you’re classmates, I hope you’ll help keep an eye on her. If anything happens, just let me know on WhatsApp – I’ll take care of it.”

Wendy nodded enthusiastically. “Of course! We already added each other.”

Nora smiled again and turned back to peer out the window.

Down in the alley, Wyatt abruptly glanced up – sharp and alert, as if he had eyes on the back of his head.

Nora instinctively shifted to the side, hiding behind the edge of the window frame.

Yunice followed Wyatt’s glance upward but didn’t see anything.

At the corner, Tommy waved goodbye – he had to leave to tutor someone else.

With him gone, Wyatt and Yunice visibly relaxed.

Hand in hand, they strolled down the student district, surrounded by the lively air of youth.

If they went back to the hotel now, Yunice would probably dive straight into her research notes again.

Wyatt’s eyes lingered on the storefronts with groups of girls coming and going. Girls like shopping, right? he thought.

“Wife.”

Yunice flinched. That word still made her ears tingle.

Wyatt stopped in front of her. “Your family’s been thinking about you. Don’t you think you should bring them something?”

He added gently, “I’m heading back tomorrow. I can pass it along for you.”

Yunice had considered bringing gifts home – just not yet. She’d thought she’d buy them closer to the end of the month.

And she hadn’t even decided what to get.

Wyatt said, “Mr. Carl doesn’t need anything. His gift needs to feel right. We should look around and find something that speaks to us.”

That made sense.

“Yeah, that could work,” Yunice agreed thoughtfully.

Wyatt looked ahead at the long street lined with shops. “Shall we just walk around a bit?”

The university district was basically a tourist spot now – fully commercialized with nothing really unique. Boutique stores felt cheap, and the clothing shops weren’t worth browsing.

But then Wyatt’s gaze landed on a handcraft store. “Mr. Carl likes tea. What if you make him a teapot?”

Yunice frowned. “I’m all thumbs.”

She wasn’t exactly gifted with her hands – barely managed in the kitchen, had average artistic sense, and was hopeless at crafts. If anything, her best handiwork was tying clean butterfly bows and neat surgical sutures.

Clay? Not her thing.

But Wyatt had already stepped inside. “Try it. If it turns out well, give it to Mr. Carl. If it fails, I’ll keep it.”

Yunice had no choice but to follow him in.

The shop was surprisingly large, with everything from pottery to plaster dolls, embroidery, and knitting.

Once she caught up, Wyatt led her straight to the pottery section.

Most of the tables were occupied by couples, huddled together sketching designs, molding clay, painting colors.

It clearly wasn’t something you could finish in under three hours.

Wyatt was loving every second of it.

A blushing clerk came over to help. “Would you two like to try a project together?”

Wyatt pointed at one of the most complicated porcelain sets on display. “That one,”

Yunice took one look at the intricate shapes and felt dizzy. She whispered, “…Weren’t we doing a teapot?”

“Practice first,” Wyatt said.

“A plate would make more sense for that,” Yunice muttered.

Wyatt accepted the materials from the staff. “Then we’ll make a plate too. We’ll put this set on the plate and turn it into a centerpiece.”

“…Shouldn’t have said anything,” Yunice mumbled, realizing she’d just talked herself into more work.