Chapter 261
Liam guided his younger brother over and sat him down beside Suzy.
Noah ended up squeezed between the two of them, licking his lips impatiently as the irresistible aroma of the dumplings filled the room.
Suzy handed a fork to Liam while picking up another one herself. She selected a dumpling, blew gently on it until it cooled, dipped it into the mild sauce, and caught it carefully in a small bowl before holding it out to Noah.
"Here, try it. Tell me what you think."
Noah opened his mouth and took a bite.
The temperature was perfect. The moment he chewed, his eyes lit up like stars.
"It’s amazing!" His voice nearly cracked with emotion. "It’s so good!"
For a second, he almost wanted to cry.
How long had it been since he last ate something hot?
And these weren’t just ordinary dumplings. The filling was incredible––savory, fragrant, and bursting with flavor.
The dipping sauce elevated everything even further, making each bite somehow several times more delicious.
At that moment, Noah was convinced these were the best dumplings he had ever eaten in his life.
"Then eat as much as you want."
Suzy laughed at the blissful expression on his face. She picked up another dumpling, this one with a different filling, and held it out to him.
Noah devoured it in a single bite. His cheeks puffed out as he chewed enthusiastically.
Looking past him, Suzy turned toward Liam.
"You should eat too."
Liam still held his fork, but from the moment he sat down, he had barely moved. He remained frozen in place, quietly watching.
"Why are you just staring?" Suzy teased. "Do I need to feed you too?"
Liam’s eyes widened instantly. The tips of his ears flushed red.
"No." The response came far too quickly. "I don’t."
Suzy grinned. "I know. I’m joking."
Her bright eyes lingered on him. The attention only made him more self-conscious.
Looking away, he hurriedly reached for a dumpling. His movements were a little rushed, a little shaky. He nearly dropped it before managing to pick it up.
Skipping the sauce entirely, he popped it straight into his mouth.
The instant he tasted it, Suzy saw his eyes brighten. The transformation was immediate.
"Pretty good, right?" She asked eagerly.
Truthfully, she already knew the answer from his reaction alone. Still, she wanted to hear him say it.
After all, every ingredient had come from the system, and she had personally prepared the filling herself.
There was no way the dumplings could taste bad.
Liam nodded vigorously before he had even finished swallowing.
"Very good." The words came out slightly muffled. "They’re delicious."
"I’m glad you like them." Suzy smiled. "Try the sauces too. They’re excellent."
There were more than enough dumplings for the brothers to eat their fill.
Watching them finish three or four in rapid succession filled her with a surprising sense of satisfaction.
Seeing them enjoy the food so much made all the effort worthwhile.
"Suzy, you should eat too."
Noah suddenly realized he had been doing all the eating while she sat there watching.
Embarrassed, he offered the suggestion.
Suzy glanced at the time––fifteen minutes had already passed. Originally, she had planned to spend only five minutes dropping off the food before heading home. Instead, she had stayed three times longer than intended.
Leonard and the others were still waiting for her.
"I should get going."
The moment she stood, both brothers stopped eating.
"You’re leaving already?"
Liam rose as well.
Noah’s cheerful expression immediately collapsed. Even the dumplings seemed less delicious now.
"Do you have to leave so soon?" His voice became pitiful. "I don’t want you to go."
Suzy rubbed his head affectionately.
"I’ll come back another day and spend more time with you then. Everyone’s waiting for me at home."
His crestfallen expression tugged at her heart. For a moment, she almost reconsidered. Then she remembered Thomas and Derek waiting upstairs, and her resolve returned.
If she delayed any longer, their dumplings would probably be cold.
"Noah," Liam spoke gently. "Don’t make things difficult for her."
The boy’s lower lip drooped. This time, he refrained from whining or pleading further.
"I’ll walk you out."
Liam turned toward Suzy.
"It’s fine," she waved him off. "You two should keep eating before everything gets cold."
As she headed toward the door, both brothers followed anyway.
Suzy could not help laughing.
Liam stepped forward and opened the door for her.
"We’ll stop here."
She turned toward them.
"Go back inside. It’s freezing out here."
Then she reached out and pinched Noah’s soft cheek. His face was rosy from the warmth indoors, cool and velvety beneath her fingers.
"When are you coming again?"
He gazed at her hopefully.
"Soon." Suzy smiled. "I’ll come again soon."
"When is soon?" Noah was not accepting vague answers. His stubborn eyes remained fixed on her.
"I’ll come when I have time."
"When is that?"
Clearly determined to extract an actual date, he refused to let the matter go.
"Noah..." Liam sighed. "Enough. She’s busy. She’ll come when she can. Don’t pressure her."
"Fine..." The boy wilted immediately.
Like a frost-bitten vegetable, he visibly deflated.
Seeing him look so pitiful made Suzy’s heart soften.
Without thinking, she blurted out, "How about tomorrow?"
Noah’s head snapped up.
"I should be free tomorrow."
His entire face brightened. "Really? You’re really coming tomorrow?"
Before Suzy could answer, Liam spoke as well.
"What time tomorrow? Will it be around noon?"
Suzy nodded.
"I’ll come around lunchtime."
Then she added with a grin, "Don’t bother preparing lunch. I’ll bring something good."
"Deal!" Noah looked excited.
"I’m leaving now."
Suzy waved and started up the stairs.
After climbing several steps, she glanced back. Both brothers were still standing in the doorway.
One tall. One small. Both watching her leave with identical hopeful expressions.
Suzy froze.
For some inexplicable reason, she suddenly felt like a heartless woman abandoning her husband and child.
It was entirely their fault. The way they were looking at her made it impossible not to think strange thoughts.
"It’s cold out here." She pointed toward the apartment. "Go back inside already."
"Okay," Liam answered, but neither of them moved.
Noah stood just as stubbornly beside him.
Only after Suzy’s figure disappeared around the corner did they finally turn and head back inside.
As she climbed the stairs, images of their eyes kept replaying in her mind.
Without realizing it, she reached her own door.
She entered the passcode and stepped inside.
Warm air immediately enveloped her, chasing away the chill that had settled into her bones.
After hanging up her coat, she rubbed her frozen cheeks.
Just fifteen minutes in an unheated apartment had left her face numb from the cold.
"I’m back."
Her voice echoed through the room.
The moment she stepped past the entryway, she spotted Thomas approaching.
She had expected him to ask why she had been gone so long. Instead, his gaze settled on her flushed face, and concern softened his features.
"You must be freezing."