Lost and Found: Return of My Mysterious Fiancee

Tina detected a hint of teasing in his voice. As she looked up, her gaze landed on his lips, now slightly more vibrant due to their moisture, and she felt momentarily dazed. She recalled the previous night, feeling her cheeks start to warm. Jared Farrell glanced at her and noticed how she delicately sipped her soup, her rosy lips nearly capturing his entire mind with their allure. He couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart. Recalling her mocking remark about his kissing skills from last night, he asked with a hint of jealousy, "Tina, have you ever had a boyfriend before?"

Tina blinked, surprised, "No, why?"

"Nothing, just that your kissing is pretty good," Jared Farrell remarked, pretending to be casual, though his tone betrayed a hint of sourness. He thought to himself that just because his girl had never dated didn't mean she hadn't kissed anyone. The mere thought of another man having kissed Tina sent an uncontrollable wave of jealousy through him.

Feeling slightly awkward, Tina's face turned even redder, "Just-during college, I watched some adult videos with my roommate."

Jared Farrell was speechless.

This-this girl was bold!

Tina playfully kicked his chair with her foot, "How many women did you practice with before?"

"One," Jared Farrell replied with a smile.

Tina paused, not really expecting Jared to have never been in love at twenty-eight. That he might have dated one or two women wasn't strange, but somehow, the expected answer still felt unpleasant. She stirred her pasta absently, no longer able to eat.

"With you," Jared Farrell added as Tina looked at him in surprise, "In my dreams."

Her mood instantly cleared like the sky after rain.

After breakfast, Tina changed Jared's bandage again. The medicine was effective, and his hand was almost no longer swollen, though she hadn't used the best ointment on purpose as a small punishment for him following her. Today was a weekend; Tina wasn't headed to school, and Jared wasn't going to their Ensford branch either. With nothing urgent to do, Tina convinced Jared to clear out two rooms; one to store spices and the other for blending them. Due to allergies caused by natural spices, many spices that were used years ago were now banned internationally, only to be replaced by synthetic ones. It had been a while since she touched perfume, and even though she didn't regard Sean, that clown, highly, she needed to familiarize herself with the new synthetic ingredients.

Meanwhile, Jared went to the second-floor study to work remotely, handling some affairs for the headquarters. Tina discovered that not only the second floor but the entire layout of the floor was Jared's, and he had even removed the ceiling to install a staircase that led directly downstairs.

The ground floor was a large duplex, nearly every room open and filled with bookshelves that stretched to the ceiling. As Tina toured the area, grabbing a few books at random-from astronomy and geography to economic philosophy, and even some valuable rare books-she was astonished, "You haven't been in Ensford that long, so how come you have so many books?"

"When bored, I buy them without thinking, and it just adds up," Jared Farrell replied nonchalantly as he typed on his computer, "Those books are to appease my grandfather."

After a pause, he added, "If he ever gets mad at you, just pick a book from here to smooth things over."

"Hmph, how could I possibly get mad at Tina," Logan, on the other end of the video call, interjected indignantly. "Tina is such a sweet girl. I am always pleased to see her, unlike you, you troublemaker."

"Grandpa Farrell," Tina only then noticed Jared was video chatting with Logan, and walked over to greet him.

"Ah, Tina," seeing her, Logan's face lit up with joy, "I heard you moved in with Jared?"

"Yes, he got injured, and I came over to take care of him for a few days," Tina responded.

"A few days is hardly enough," Logan shook his head, "That wasp sting is very poisonous. Although the swelling has gone down, the toxins are still in his body, and could flare up anytime. So, you better stay here permanently." Watching Logan exaggerate brought a flush of embarrassment to Jared, but Tina indulged Logan, smiling and agreeing to everything he said.

After some more conversation, Logan chuckled, "Tina, about that incident at your school, grandpa heard about it. Go get him, beat that Sean!"

Tina laughed, perfume-making wasn't anything like boxing.

She wandered off to the side, not wanting to disturb their serious talk, and skimmed through Jared's bookshelves. She randomly pulled out a small box from a corner shelf, its padlock intriguing her. The box was dust-free, clearly frequently handled and wiped. She glanced at Jared, who was occupied with his headphones and computer, and quietly started to crack the code.

Testing Jared's birthday first, then Sophia's and Logan's-none matched. On a whim, she tried her own birthday, and surprisingly, it worked.

The box opened, revealing a slender ankle bracelet adorned with silver bells-the very same one her mother had given her on her seventh birthday, which she loved and wore daily until it was lost. How did Jared Farrell end up with it?

As she was about to stealthily replace the bracelet, Jared appeared behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, his low laugh warmed her ear, "Tina, what are you looking for?"

"What is this, Mr. Farrell?" Tina turned, holding the anklet while facing him with a playful smile, pretending to inquire, "You've kept it so carefully tucked away, is it perhaps a token from a girl you liked?" "An old friend's," Jared Farrell didn't elaborate, but held Tina closer, a touch of irritation in his voice, "Tina, apart from calling me by my full name and Mr. Farrell, can't you call me something else?" "Something else? What would you like me to call you?" Tina tilted her head up to look at him, suddenly stern, "Should I call you-Uncle Farrell?"