Seraphina Vaughn paused with the straw in her mouth, then put the cup down with a look of disdain: "It’s so sour."

Julian Bishop immediately followed up: "It sounds like you’re having a daughter."

Upon hearing this, Seraphina rolled her eyes dramatically.

A man and a woman sat on a bench across the street.

A young couple, evidently in the throes of passionate love.

The girl wore the boy’s jacket, snuggling in his arms, occasionally lifting her head to smile and say something to him. The boy had a doting smile, gently tapping the girl’s nose.

Seraphina noticed this scene and instinctively glanced at Julian sitting beside her. There was roughly a person’s distance between them; anyone unaware might think they didn’t know each other at all.

Her mind involuntarily imagined herself in the mode of the couple across from her; the thought of her acting cute made her get goosebumps.

Thinking further about leaning against Julian, she was embarrassed enough just imagining it to want to dig a hole and hide.

Suddenly, feeling awkward sitting on the same bench with Julian, she stood up and said in a spoiled tone, "I’m going back, amuse yourself."

With Seraphina gone, Julian naturally wasn’t going to stay either. He stood up, blankly looked around, and picked up the juice cup left on the bench.

Seeing an empty car drive past Seraphina, she didn’t wave it down, so Julian asked: "Walking back?"

Seraphina walked ahead with her hands behind her back, murmuring in response: "Mind your own business."

Julian didn’t ask further, just trailing half a step behind, following Seraphina at a leisurely pace.

Seraphina saw a couple walking towards them, fingers interlocked. She frowned slightly and glanced back at Julian, unexpectedly meeting his gaze.

Quickly, she looked away, frustrated, and quickened her pace.

Julian was a bit puzzled, thinking that he hadn’t said or done anything, wondering how he upset this little madam.

Watching Seraphina maintain a competitive walking pace for half a minute, Julian couldn’t help but remark, "Slow down, no one’s chasing you."

"Don’t talk to me." Seraphina trudged onwards, unable to articulate why she was annoyed, just feeling suddenly uncomfortable.

It seemed like conflicting emotions were clogging her heart, making her unable to sort them out, thus appearing slightly irritable.

She vented this frustration as anger towards Julian.

Julian’s patience surprised her, thinking that everyone has a threshold even if pretending.

However, over the past few days, she found that this man seemingly has no threshold.

No matter how harsh her words or unreasonable her actions, Julian consistently responded with care and kindness.

She thought even her own mother didn’t have this much patience, getting annoyed would result in a good scolding.

After several minutes of silent walking, Seraphina started feeling a bit breathless, her feet growing weak, forcing her to slow down.

Julian observed her taking deep breaths and handed her his drink without a word.

Seraphina halted, glanced at the drink handed over by Julian.

Deep down, she wanted to act tough and turn away, but she felt dry-mouthed now, and the drink actually tasted quite nice when she tried it before.

Thus, she stared at the straw already near her lips, hesitated for two seconds, didn’t reach out for the cup, but directly took the straw in her mouth, taking big sips.

Julian suddenly retracted his hand and said: "Don’t drink too much after exercise, just moisten your mouth. If you’re tired from walking, we can take a cab back."