Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 137 "You guys eat the meat, I'll just drink the soup."

Ethan rocked up at the door, lugging a bunch of big bags. We just stared at each other for a sec.

After the initial shock, I weirdly felt super chill. I figured it had to be either Martin or Jason who ratted me out.

Funny thing is, when I bailed, I was fuming, like a balloon ready to pop. But after a few days, the anger fizzled out, and now I felt kinda grounded. And seeing his face now, I realized I sorta missed him.

I dropped my gaze and grabbed the bags from his hands.

"Groceries are here. You can bounce now."

I set the bags down and went to shut the door, but Ethan stuck his arms out to stop me.

I shot him a glare, but he just looked back with this soft smile.

"In this freezing weather, you really gonna kick me out?"

Ethan's voice had this pitiful, almost begging tone.

"In this heavy snow, it's not easy for him to deliver groceries. Let him come in and warm up." Martin chimed in from behind.

I turned to see Martin still clutching the radio, lounging in the wicker chair, giving Ethan a look that screamed, "You had it coming, dude."

Since Martin had spoken, I couldn't really keep Ethan out.

So I let go of the door and bent down to grab the groceries, but Ethan beat me to it.

"They're heavy, let me handle it."

If he wanted to carry them, fine by me. I headed back to the kitchen.

After saying hey to Martin, Ethan brought the groceries into the kitchen.

I stood at the sink, washing veggies, trying to ignore him.

After setting down the groceries, Ethan patted Jason, who was working on the soup, on the shoulder and grinned. "I could smell that from outside. My mouth's watering." I paused, veggies in hand, and couldn't help but snap back, "Then keep drooling; there's none for you."

Jason chuckled, but Ethan stayed quiet.

I kept washing the veggies, but suddenly felt warm breath near my ear.

"Then you guys eat the meat, and I'll just have the soup."

Ethan whispered, his chin almost on my shoulder, his hair brushing my ear, tickling me.

I stiffened, trying to stay cool, and replied, "Fine, we'll let you have the Sopa de Lima we've already eaten."

Instead of getting mad, Ethan laughed and said, "Sopa de Lima is the heart of Mexican cuisine. If you leave the heart for me, they'll have something to say about it."

When the Sopa de Lima was ready, Jason brought it to the dining room.

Sopa de Lima was steaming, smelled

table, four

have you all here. Come on,

out,

Ethan gave

thought maybe

So, I mumbled, "Whatever."

the Sopa de Lima, laughed

the hospital for a few days

you before, you never listen and don't know how to take care of yourself. You get what you deserve." Ethan smiled helplessly and said,

admitting fault was

look of reproach mixed with a bit

cider that won't mess with your stomach. I'll go get it." In no time, Martin brought the cider, saying it was homemade by a fellow villager. Since Martin was retired from a big hospital, people often came to him for medical advice. Martin never charged them. So over time, people felt indebted and would bring him things as thanks, like freshly brewed apple cider

was well-liked in the village, and everyone respected

few glasses and poured a drink for

was

also loved to make Sopa de Lima. It didn't

table, I felt

all, I came here because I was mad at Ethan, and they knew it. If I acted normal, it would feel forced.

the meal, I was very silent, just focusing on

tomatoes, I threw a few into the Sopa de

about unforgettable memories from his youth, his stories interspersed with laughter. I stared at the pot, silently listening to Martin. Thinking

until Ethan and Jason each

actions were so in sync that

ignored Ethan and smiled at

was filled with the delicious aroma of

it, Martin went to grab

I wasn't really joining in, Martin kept showing

this is you when you were little. Who's this little girl next to

familiar," Martin

laughed and said, "Grandpa, the little girl in the photo is sitting right in front

it, looked at me, then at the

"Is it Emily?"

bit incredulous and handed the photo to

"Emily, is this you?"

look,

play with, but we lost touch after moving and going to different schools. Recalling those days, Jason smiled warmly and said, "You insisted on standing on the rock back then, refusing to

about those past days and our childish antics, I couldn't help but

I refused

started talking about

and I had known each other since childhood; he just fell silent

want to move back

looked at Jason in surprise. Jason just smiled and didn't

of Martin's comment, the atmosphere suddenly

of the apple cider in front of him and forcibly changed the subject.

felt a bit flustered and quickly drank the apple cider in front of

suddenly picked up a photo, looked at it again and again, and couldn't put