Chapter 71

&#lt;p&#gt;&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt; A Bridal Carry
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Okay, then. I apologize for saying that.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;When Sophie and Tristan left Nocturnal, it was raining heavily outside.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“What awful weather!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;It was pouring, so even if the valet were to drive the car over, they would still be drenched when they
walked the short distance.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie rubbed her arms, for it was still rather chilly in Jipsdale in November. There was heating in the
bar earlier, so she didn’t feel it.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Right then, however, she was really cold.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Seeing that, Tristan removed the suit jacket from her waist and draped it over her shoulders.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Thus, his jacket enveloped her, covering even her bottom.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“What should we do now?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“How about going back into the bar first? If you don’t like to hang out with them, we can get a private
room for ourselves.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“No, I don’t have any issue hanging out with them.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Felix and the others aren’t the hateful kind of people.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Okay.”&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tristan didn’t ask further, for the person speaking was Sophie, and he respected her decision no matter
the choice.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Oh well, let’s just take shelter here for a while.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;There were quite a number of people taking shelter from the rain in front of Nocturnal then. Sophie
hadn’t experienced that in a long time, so she found it rather intriguing.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Are you cold?” she asked Tristan. He’s only wearing a shirt at the moment, so he’s probably freezing!
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Nope.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tristan, on the other hand, turned his gaze to her fair legs. I think she’s cold instead.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;He then made a call and had the driver bring them an umbrella.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;As the crowd grew, it became increasingly packed.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Some couples were already hugging, and others were even kissing.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;To protect Sophie from being jostled, Tristan kept her in his embrace.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;His chin came to just above the top of her head.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Such a posture was exceedingly intimate, with his warm breath tickling the top of her head.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Suddenly, someone jostled Tristan. He inched forward a fraction, upon which both their bodies
plastered together.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Uh…”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie abruptly felt that it wasn’t a wise decision to take shelter with him under the eaves.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;At that precise moment, the driver came with the umbrella.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The car was parked there, but the rain was coming down in torrents, so the curb was already flooded.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’ll carry you over.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“No, it’s okay. I can walk over by myself.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“You’ll ruin your shoes.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie initially wanted to say that she didn’t mind, but Tristan had already scooped her up.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Meanwhile, the driver opened an umbrella for her.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’ll carry her instead, Mr. Tristan!” he offered. How could I have Mr. Tristan doing such a thing?
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“What did you just say?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Glimpsing the look in Tristan’s eyes, the driver immediately shook his head and pretended that he
didn’t say anything earlier.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Oh my God, a bridal carry! Look, that’s the ideal boyfriend! In comparison, you aren’t even willing to
carry me.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Look at his girlfriend first. She’s as beautiful as a goddess!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“What do you mean by that?” The girl pinched her boyfriend’s ear.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;In response, the boy took her hand at once.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“No, no, you’re my goddess instead!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;When Tristan carried Sophie over, the driver promptly opened the car door.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;After placing her in the car, Tristan took the umbrella from him. He closed it before climbing into the car.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;It only took seconds, but his shirt was all drenched.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“How about I return your suit jacket to you?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;However, Tristan stilled her hand that moved to doff the jacket.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’m fine, so just continue wearing it.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The driver got into the car and turned on the air-conditioning in the car.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Where are we going now, Mr. Tristan?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Drive Ms. Tanner home.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Your shirt is dripping water!” Sophie pointed at Tristan’s shirt.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;At that, Tristan moved to the side slightly.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Now, it won’t drip on you.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“That wasn’t what I meant.” Honest to God, I didn’t mean that!
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Just then, Tristan sneezed.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Are you okay, Mr. Tristan?” the driver swiftly inquired in concern when he heard the man sneezing.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’m fine. I’m not that delicate.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Alas, no sooner had he finished saying that than he sneezed again.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’m fine.”&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;This time, Tristan sounded incredibly solemn.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I didn’t say that you’re sick. Sir, please step on it.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie merely instructed the driver to speed up.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;There was heating in the car, so it was actually quite warm already.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Nonetheless, she still felt that he should take a hot bath as soon as possible.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Shortly after, the car drove into Wisteria Apartments’ underground parking.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“You may go back,” Tristan ordered the driver after alighting from the car.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’ll just wait for you here, Mr. Tristan.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“No, it’s okay. I’ll go back by myself.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Since he had said as much, the driver had no rebuttal left and could only leave.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Upon returning to the condominium, Sophie removed Tristan’s suit jacket.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Go and take a bath.” After all, it was easy to fall sick when one got drenched in the rain in such
weather.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Sure!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Anyway, Tristan felt very much ill at ease when he was all soaked.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;He went into the room and took out a change of clothes before taking a bath.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Outside, Sophie quickly found a piece of ginger and scraped the skin off. Then, she surfed the internet
for recipes for ginger tea.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Following the steps stated in Google, she prepared ginger tea.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Truthfully, she wasn’t good at cooking. When she was alone in Horington back then, she basically had
takeaway all the time.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;She couldn’t quite fathom which wires in her brain got crossed that day either that she was making
ginger tea for Tristan.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tristan soaked in the bathtub for twenty minutes before he came out.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Slipping on a white bathrobe, he blow-dried his hair before exiting the bathroom.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;He opened the door and went downstairs, only to see Sophie reading on the couch.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;She had already changed into casual attire that was creamy white.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;As the dim yellow lights illuminated her, it gave off a sense of warmth.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;After going downstairs, Tristan took a seat on the single couch.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;When Sophie noticed that he was only wearing a bathrobe, she couldn’t help averting her gaze.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“What are you brewing?” Tristan queried, breaking the silence in the room.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Ginger tea. It’s my first time brewing ginger tea, so I’m not sure how it’ll taste. It’s about ready now. I’ll
go and take a look.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Getting to her feet, Sophie went to check on the ginger tea.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Meanwhile, Tristan was at a loss for words.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Ginger tea? I positively loathe the taste of ginger tea. I don’t have a cold yet, no? Moreover, even when
I was really suffering from a cold in the past, I never drank ginger tea. But then, she prepared it
especially for me now.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;He likewise stood up and trailed after her.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie uncovered the lid of the earthen pot and watched as the color of the ginger tea darkened.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“It should be about ready.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Turning off the gas, she snagged a cloth, planning to pour the ginger tea in the earthen pot out.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’ll do it instead.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tristan took the cloth from her. Wrapping it around the earthen pot, he poured the ginger tea into a
bowl.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“It looks pretty good.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie seemed extremely satisfied with the fruits of her effort.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Yeah, it’s indeed pretty good.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;While saying that, Tristan couldn’t help gulping.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Oh God, ginger tea really tastes strange! It’s bitter, astringent, and spicy!
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Are you not drinking it? I prepared it especially for you!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Sophie gazed at him expectantly.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;At her hopeful look, Tristan simply couldn’t bring himself to decline.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Well, I reckon that as long as she gazes at me with such a look in her eyes, I’ll drink it without
hesitation even if it’s poison!
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“It’s too hot, so I’m leaving it to cool for a bit.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Phew! I thought you lack confidence in my cooking skills, so you don’t dare drink it.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The expression on the man’s face was really interesting, causing the corners of Sophie’s mouth to turn
up inexorably.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“It’s cool enough, Mr. Tristan. If it’s too cold, we’ll have to heat it up again. That’d be troublesome.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;I’ve got to make it clear that I’m only doing this for his own good. I’m not at all pulling a trick on him!&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;