Chapter 145: Respecting You
A relentless barrage of lectures.
Agnes, in professor mode, was a force to be reckoned with.
Lena hated being lectured, but since it was Agnes, she could only endure…
“What do you want for dinner?”
“Barbecue,” Agnes replied without hesitation. “I haven’t had it in a while, it reminds me of my student days.”
Back then, she had often been too busy to eat proper meals, simply grilling whatever she could find over a fire before returning to her studies. Those were fond memories.
“Alright, barbecue it is. There’s a self-service barbecue place upstairs, also owned by a Falmouth branch family.”
“Your family’s business is everywhere…” Agnes said, slightly surprised.
“Of course, so, Professor, why not consider pursuing me? I wouldn’t mind a passionate teacher-student romance… the success rate is 99.99 percent!”
Lena feigned shock, covering her mouth dramatically.
Her comedic act didn’t amuse Agnes, and upon reaching the fourth floor, they discovered the so-called barbecue place was actually a high-end, members-only restaurant.
“You investigated me!” Agnes stood at the entrance, fuming. “We agreed that I would plan today’s itinerary, what do you take me for?!”
“But Professor said you wanted barbecue, and here it is,” Lena grinned. “I didn’t say anything, it was all your idea.”
“Then I’m leaving!!”
Agnes’s chest heaved, her beautiful face flushed.
Even when angry, she was still beautiful, Lena thought, sighing.
“Don’t leave, Professor, I’ve already made a reservation, let me at least fulfill my duties as a host.” Lena tried to persuade her.
Agnes stopped, but didn’t turn around. “You’re too domineering, Lena, you broke our agreement, this date was supposed to be planned by me…”
It was her first date.
Agnes didn’t want to be controlled; that would be no different from Corvus.
Freedom and independence, that was Agnes’s view on love, respecting each other’s wishes, allowing love to blossom.
“Fine.”
Lena shrugged.
“Since Professor insists, I’ll cancel the reservation, we can’t let such trivial matters ruin our date.”
She turned to speak to the manager.
“Wait,” Agnes called out, hesitating. “Um… will canceling the reservation cost a lot?”
“Of course, I’ve already paid the deposit, and they’ve prepared the ingredients, it would be a loss for them if we just leave.”
“Even as the head of the Falmouth family, I still have to pay when dining at my own establishments, that’s the rule. I’m a rule-abiding person, even with privileges, I still have to follow the rules.”
Lena’s words made Agnes feel guilty, as if she were in the wrong.
But for Lena, it was just a small sum. In fact, she had already made arrangements with all the shops in the Golden Guild. No matter which one Agnes chose, it would be part of Lena’s plan.
Knowing your enemy, Mines had already gathered all of Agnes’s personal information, so Lena knew Agnes liked barbecue and had made a reservation at this restaurant.
“It’s just a small amount, Professor, don’t worry.”
Lena waved her hand dismissively, calling over a waiter and whispering a few words.
The waiter nodded, assuring Lena everything was taken care of.
The head of the Falmouth family’s presence brought honor to their humble establishment.
The waiters lined up, bowing respectfully.
Soon, the manager also rushed over, shaking Lena’s hand enthusiastically, showering her with attention, leaving Agnes on the sidelines…
…
“Sorry for the wait, I was held up.”
Lena returned, her hands in her pockets, lowering her sunglasses, a smile on her face.
“Let’s go, let’s find another place, somewhere less formal, somewhere you like, Professor…”
She respected Agnes’s choices, just as Agnes had said, a date was a two-way street, controlling everything would defeat the purpose, like an arranged marriage, an outdated custom.
“Maybe… I should just go with your plan, food is food, wherever we eat,” Agnes said, concerned about the cost, although she wasn’t the one paying, it still felt inappropriate for a student to bear the expense.
Between her principles and her desire to compromise, Agnes chose the latter.
After all, it was Lena’s goodwill, wasn’t it?
“It’s fine, I’ll listen to Professor, whatever you say.”
Lena acted graciously, seemingly accepting Agnes’s words.
“Let’s go somewhere else, this place has bad feng shui.”
“What a lame excuse…”
“It’s true, I just spoke to the manager, he said he’ll learn from this experience and turn this place into a more casual eatery.”
Lena smiled, revealing the surprising news.
Agnes was once again amazed by the Falmouths’ influence, and Lena’s power.
A single sentence, turning a high-end restaurant into a casual eatery?
What could be more surreal?!
“Don’t worry, it’s just a figure of speech, the manager actually wants to quit, he’s already submitted his resignation.”
“That’s even more terrifying, Lena…”
Agnes, prone to overthinking, immediately conjured up a dramatic scenario.
A domineering CEO firing all the staff out of spite, his little wife giggling and burping…
No, no, no, she felt sick.
Agnes stopped her wild imagination.
“Where are we going, Professor?”
Lena, being led by Agnes, was about to leave the guild, escaping her carefully laid trap, so she called out softly.
“There’s a love hotel up ahead, is Professor so impatient that you’re finally going to make a move on me?”
Ara~ how scandalous~
“Here we are.”
Agnes led Lena to an inconspicuous alley, a hidden gem even Lena, a local, wasn’t aware of.
A cool breeze blew through the alley.
“Let’s have some noodles, I often come here, the food is quite good.”
A small shop, the smell of grease and sweat Lena’s first impression, her second being a desire to escape this unpleasant place.
“Heh… Professor, your taste is truly…” Lena grimaced.
“Unique?”
“Indeed, I never imagined the renowned Professor Agnes would prefer such a… down-to-earth place…”
Lena let Agnes order first, needing some fresh air before her stomach revolted.
For the first time, she wished time would slow down…
Lena waited at the end of the alley for ten minutes, then, as a cold breeze lifted her skirt, she returned to the shop, frowning.
