Chapter 185: Chapter 185

Dear Sweetheart Chapter 185 The Milk Candy Jefferson looked down and asked, “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” They were so close to each other that Rayna began to feel uneasy. She tried steadying herself, but the train jolted, causing her to fall into his arms again. This is so awkward!

Jefferson, on the other hand, did not feel uncomfortable at all. He grabbed onto the railing with one hand and held her shoulder with his other hand.

During their school days, he also used to take the subway with Rayna, but it was not as congested as it was currently.

Despite being constantly jostled by the passengers on the train, Jefferson was glad to be in Rayna’s company.

“Let’s get down at Cocculus Avenue. We’re just four stops away,” Rayna said something random to break the awkward silence, “I still don’t get why it was so difficult to get a taxi today.”

A young lady who overheard Rayna’s remark asked, “Were you at Acer Aureum Avenue when you tried to get a taxi?”

“Yeah. What’s wrong with that place?” Rayna asked.

The lady explained, “Ah, I thought so. The traffic congestion at Acer Aureum Avenue is so crazy that no taxi drivers would go there during the weekends. Besides, we’re celebrating the gourmet festival at Cocculus Avenue. Most drivers will station around the venue of the festival.”

Rayna nodded in acknowledgment. That’s why we didn’t manage to get a taxi.

The lady was a chatty person. She took Rayna’s response as a signal to continue the conversation. After learning that they came from another city, she told them places they should visit and avoid.

“Your boyfriend is very handsome.” Then, the lady turned her attention to Jefferson. If it weren’t for the fact that the lady’s boyfriend was right beside her, she would’ve squealed in excitement. ”Is he a celebrity?”

Rayna’s brows twitched. “Erm, no. We’re just friends.”

“Oh, friends. I see,” the young lady responded with a mischievous wink. “But who knows, things can change after this because tonight will be quite happening.”

“What do you mean?” Rayna failed to read between the lines. The train was overly crowded, but Rayna noticed that the lady’s boyfriend managed to keep the green rose in his hands in one piece. She could not help but ask, “Mind if I ask about the green rose? I noticed your boyfriend has been protecting it from the passengers. Is the flower expensive?”

“Oh, I nearly forgot you guys are not locals.” The young lady fished out a piece of candy from her pocket and gave it to Rayna.

“Here’s a piece of candy for you. I’ve got extra. Ask your boyfriend to think of a way to find the rose!”

“Wait, what?”

The train arrived at Cocculus Avenue, and passengers jostled to get down the train, muffling Rayna’s voice.

Before going in separate ways, the lady waved at Rayna and Jefferson before shouting, “Make a trip to Passerine Island if you have time. Good things will come to you should you find a heart-shaped rock!”

In the blink of an eye, the young lady and her boyfriend disappeared from the crowd.

The subway station was filled with passengers. Jefferson held Rayna’s hand tightly as they made their way out. Once they reached the exit, they took a deep breath of fresh air.

“Iced watermelon and honeydew for sale!” A street vendor’s voice emerged from a distance.

Another vendor exclaimed, “Come and try Hallsbay’s authentic grilled sausage!”

Street vendors selling different snacks lined the walkway outside the subway station.

Rayna retracted her hand and cleared her throat awkwardly when she noticed Jefferson was still holding it. In the meantime, she realized the candy the young lady gave her came with a wrapper that carried the image of an adorable pink rabbit.

Jefferson asked, “Which way?”

“Let’s follow the others,” Rayna said. She was taken aback by the crowd. “How come there are so many vendors and people around? I thought the gourmet festival would only start in the evening.”

Jefferson took a glance at the people and smiled. “Well, it’s the weekend.”

Rayna nodded. Yeah, that makes sense.

While they were walking along the street, the pleasant aroma of various types of street food wafted to their noses.

Jefferson would always be a step ahead to buy the food that Rayna set her eyes on before she could even say anything. His unsolicited actions made Rayna feel a little embarrassed.

All of a sudden, a girl with a blushed face dashed over and stood in front of Jefferson. “Can I give this to you?”

Rayna noticed it was a piece of candy with the pink rabbit wrapper. Oh? It’s the same candy given by the girl at the subway.

What does it mean?

“No, you can’t.” Jefferson did not even bother to look at the girl. He tilted his head to look at Rayna. “Thirsty? Do you want me to buy you an ice-blended drink?”

The girl walked away in disappointment.

After glancing at the girl for a moment, Rayna asked, “Why didn’t you accept her candy?”

“Someone might have poisoned it.”

Words eluded Rayna.

The further they walked, the livelier the street became.

Jefferson’s good looks made him the center of attention. Many girls came up to him, showed him the candy, and asked if they could give it to him.

“Why are they giving you candies?” Rayna did not understand the meaning behind the candy. She wanted to know why, but no one was willing to tell her, so she assumed that people would only give their candies to good-looking individuals. “Can’t they see I’m quite attractive too?”

Upon noticing how quiet Jefferson was, she nudged him. “Don’t you agree with me?”

“Yes.” Jefferson put his phone into his pocket and said nonchalantly, “We’ve been walking for quite some time. I’m a little tired.

Let’s find a place and rest.”

Rayna hummed in acknowledgment.

Not long after entering a beverage store, Jefferson went out again. Rayna had no idea what was on his mind. Didn’t he say he was tired? Where is he going?

“Miss, are you alone?” A tall, charming young man walked in Rayna’s direction.

Rayna replied, “I was with a friend. He just went out a while ago.”

Just when she was wondering if the young man was also mesmerized by Jefferson’s good looks, he presented a green rose to her and asked sheepishly, “Can I give you this?”

“M-Me?” Rayna pointed at herself.

The young man bobbed his head.

Rayna’s spirits were lifted. Ha! I knew it! I’m charming. Here comes a handsome young man!

“Sure—”

No!”

Someone gripped her wrist when she was about to reach for the flower.

“I said no,” Jefferson said in a hostile voice while shooting daggers at the young man. Startled, the young man murmured an apology before fleeing the scene.

“What is wrong with you?” Rayna swung his hand away and said unhappily, “Why are you stopping others from giving me gifts?

You’re not the only good-looking person allowed to receive gifts. You know that?”

Jefferson gazed into her eyes. “You’re the prettiest girl in the world. You don’t need a flower to validate your beauty.”

Rayna’s ears turned red from the sudden compliment. She quickly lowered her head and sipped on her drink.

“I can give you a flower if you like it,” Jefferson said. In a split second, he pulled out a green rose from behind. The faint floral fragrance wafted into Rayna’s nose.

The green rose looked like it was just plucked not long ago.

When Rayna was about to reach for the flower, Jefferson didn’t hand it to her right away. Instead, he said, “Give me your candy.”

“Why?” Rayna grew cautious. She could tell that everyone was in high spirits that day, and she felt their excitement had nothing to do with the gourmet festival. “Do you know something that I don’t?”

Jefferson adjusted his glasses and responded with a faint grin. “Green roses represent beauty. People will offer you a green rose if they think you’re pretty and worthy of the flower.”

“Why did you ask for my candy then?” Rayna questioned.

“I think it’s delicious,” Jefferson said in a serious tone. “I want to taste it.”

Rayna could tell something was amiss about his remark, but she could not quite put her finger on it.

Jefferson asked again, “Do you want the green rose or not?”

After glancing at the flower for a few seconds, Rayna gave him the milk candy.