Chapter 409: If this isn’t fate, I don’t know what it is!

Zoren arrived at the restaurant early, not wanting to keep his woman waiting. As he sat, he heard a familiar voice outside the private dining room before the door slid open. From the newcomer’s scent alone, Zoren immediately knew who it was.

"Ray," he called out, snapping his eyes toward the entrance.

Ray’s face lit up as he hurried to take the seat next to Zoren. "Cousin, are you really going to introduce your wife to me?" His excitement was palpable, growing even more when Zoren nodded.

"Really?" he pressed, clasping his hands together. "Did she say yes?"

"Yes."

"Nice!"

Zoren smiled subtly, sensing just how pleased his cousin was. "Though you might need to behave yourself."

"Cousin, I am your only ally! Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you at all!" Ray reassured him, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

What was Zoren’s wife like?

From the way Zoren described her, she sounded like a goddess in his eyes—majestic. Ray could already imagine the kind of woman who could capture Zoren’s heart.

’Even so, I’m sure she’s no better than Penny,’ Ray chuckled to himself, not daring to say it aloud for fear of hurting his cousin’s feelings. ’I’m just glad he’s finally introducing her to me.’

Ray had already prepared a script for when he met Zoren’s wife. His plan was to make sure she understood that Zoren was one in a million—a precious man she should take care of.

Snapping his eyes back to Zoren, Ray sighed helplessly. "Cousin, I can’t believe I’m meeting your wife so soon."

"I didn’t think I’d introduce her to you this soon either."

"What changed?"

Zoren shrugged. "Benjamin."

"Huh?"

"I’m teasing him," Zoren said simply. "Anyway, my wife mentioned she’d try to help you with your love problems. But don’t expect too much from her. I’m her first... in everything."

"Don’t worry about that, Cousin. Any help is appreciated." Ray chuckled. "Besides, my future wife is feisty. Do you know she once held a cross in front of me to ward me off? She did it in front of a huge crowd!"

"..."

"She even threw a flowerpot at me—a literal one! I almost died!" Ray exclaimed, recalling how fiery Penny had been as a child. "She was a kid then, but now she’s an adult, and even feistier."

Zoren listened attentively and couldn’t help but ask, "Ray, are you a masochist?"

"Huh?"

"She humiliated you in front of a huge crowd and threw a flowerpot at you. Yet, you’re still pursuing her, knowing she can hurt you anytime she wants," Zoren explained flatly. "You’re a masochist."

Ray opened and closed his mouth, then blurted out, "She’s hot?"

"Huh?"

"Cousin, the hotter a woman is, the crazier she is!" Ray intoned, leaving Zoren confused about whether that was true or just a poor excuse for his behavior. "And even if she’s crazy, I don’t mind. Hehe."

Ray cupped his face, propping his elbow on the table as he grinned, daydreaming about how to win Penny over.

"She might reject my next proposal, but it’s alright. I can just buy her another ring," he giggled, making Zoren shake his head.

’He’s delusional,’ Zoren thought. ’I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes to me asking for help because she sued him for harassment.’

Still, Zoren didn’t have the heart to talk sense into him. Ray had always been like this—pushing boundaries to see how far he could go, and he was applying the same principle to wooing this woman.

"Ray, can I ask you a question?" Zoren asked, making Ray turn to him curiously. "Are you pursuing her because she’s the only one who’s never shown an interest in you, and you enjoy the thrill? Or do you genuinely like her?"

"Hmm." Ray hummed, rubbing his chin. "Well, I guess both?"

"You’re not even sure how much you like her, yet you’re proposing without even dating." Zoren shook his head, growing more disappointed. "You’re treating marriage lightly."

"Cousin, just because you’re married doesn’t mean you know everything! You didn’t introduce your wife to anyone in the family until now!"

"I was protecting her."

Ray huffed and shrugged. "Well, my love life’s going to be different."

"Whatever you say," Zoren muttered, reaching for the catalog Ray had brought. Even though the designs were blurry to him, it was better than continuing this conversation.

If the school found out their headmaster was a delusional, lovesick man, he’d definitely be kicked out.

Seeing this, Ray giddily scooted over to look at the rings with him. But just as he did, his phone vibrated. Seeing it was a call from the school administration, he gave Zoren a look.

"Cousin, I’ll just take this call, alright?" Ray excused himself, and as usual, Zoren responded with just a hum.

Ray stepped out of the private dining room, answering the call. In the middle of the conversation, his eyes moved to the hallway, and he froze.

His eyes widened as he stared at the beautiful woman approaching.

"I’ll call you back," he told the person on the other end before turning to the figure heading his way. "Penny!"

Penny, distracted by her phone, stopped in her tracks when she heard the familiar voice. She flinched when Ray suddenly jumped in front of her.

"Penny!" Ray called excitedly, his face lighting up. "What a coincidence! If this isn’t fate bringing us together, I don’t know what is."

Penny took a careful step back. "I don’t think it’s fate, Ray. It’s definitely bad luck."

"Oh, come on!" Ray giggled. "Why are you here?"

"To eat lunch?"

His smile grew even wider. "Then why don’t we eat lunch together?"

"Huh?"

"I’m with my cousin, so don’t worry!" Ray said, giggling, but Penny rolled her eyes.

"Out of the way," she hissed, trying to step around him. ’Renren already arrived thirty minutes ago. I don’t want to keep him waiting.’

But as Penny hurried along, Ray followed her, walking by her side.

"Penny, I know the other night caught you off guard. Don’t worry, I’ve reflected on it. If you’re worried that I’m inviting you to lunch with ulterior motives, that’s not the case," he rambled on until they stopped in front of a private dining room. "Eating alone is fine, but it’s always better to eat with someone."

Ray grinned, pointing to the private dining room behind him. "Eat with us?"

Penny glanced at the door he was pointing to, furrowing her brows. "This is where you’re eating?"

"Yes!" Ray nodded eagerly. "It’s better than going further, right? I’m with my cousin!"

’But this is also my...’ Penny’s thoughts paused as she stared at Ray incredulously. ’Don’t tell me his cousin is... oh.’

Penny looked at Ray before smiling deviously. "Sure."