Chapter 979: A bunch of virgins

"Wow... if getting sick means having a feast every day, I’d rather—" Penny paused, catching the glint in Zoren and Allison’s eyes. She pursed her lips, cleared her throat, and flashed them a sheepish smile. "Thank you for the food!"

"If a feast is what you’d like, we’ll have a feast every day," Zoren remarked as he helped Allison set the pot down. "Just don’t get sick."

"Your husband is right, Penny. If you want to eat more, just tell me," Allison added. "I’ll send more foods here."

"Are you going to send me the restaurant’s leftovers?" Penny quipped, only to realize how that sounded. "I mean, I wouldn’t mind! But I’d prefer the restaurant’s daily special."

"I’m not sending you leftovers, but I’ll make you something fresh," Allison replied, shaking her head as she took a seat. She paused when Zoren quickly pulled the chair out for her. "Thank you."

Zoren answered with a quiet smile before sitting beside his wife. "You should eat so you can regain your strength."

"Mhm." Penny scanned the food in front of her, her cheeks flushing slightly as she giggled. "It looks delicious."

"It is delicious," Allison said proudly. "Zoren and I prepared it together, just the way you like it. So dig in!"

"Thanks, Mom," Penny said, casting her husband a grateful look. "Thanks, Renren."

Zoren nodded with a smile, and just like that, the three of them began eating quietly. As expected, Penny was in awe of the food, glancing between her mother and her husband. She couldn’t help but notice how their culinary skills had improved.

’Renren’s habit of making me breakfast every day must’ve helped, and Mom being in the restaurant so often probably did too,

As they ate, Penny noticed Zoren’s constant attention to her plate. He kept adding food, and though she didn’t mind—it was something she was used to—she decided to speak up.

"Uhm..." Penny cleared her throat to get their attention. When Allison and Zoren both looked her way, she gave them a conflicted smile. "Butler Jen mentioned that Uncle Wild and Aunt Jessa were here last night."

"They were," Allison replied with a smile. "They were very worried about you. But they had to leave early—Jessa needed to get back to the restaurant, and your Uncle Wild... well, he had something to do."

Penny blinked. "Today’s Uncle Wild’s day off. I don’t think he should anywhere to be except watching his favorite show."

Allison chuckled and glanced at Zoren. Seeing this, Penny’s brow furrowed as she slowly turned her gaze to her husband. At the same time, Allison and Zoren both shifted their eyes back to her.

"What is it?" Penny asked. "Why are you two looking at me like that? It’s making me nervous—hehe. Also, where’s Dad?"

"Dad had to go with all of them," Zoren replied, watching as confusion clouded Penny’s expression. "They said that if their love lives are something you’re worried about, they at least have to try."

"Huh?"

Allison chuckled again. "They all agreed to go to those blind dates you and Grandma Pierson arranged. So, you don’t have to worry anymore."

"What?" Penny’s face twisted in disbelief as she looked back and forth between her husband and mother.

****

[Flashback]

Last night, after Allison and Zoren stepped out of Penny’s room, they found everyone gathered in the hallway. Sensing the tension and worry they carried, Allison decided they all needed to calm down. She led the group to the dining room, suggesting they have dinner together since they hadn’t eaten while waiting for Penny to come home.

Despite the feast before them, the air in the dining room was heavy. Silence thickened as the seconds passed, and no one spoke. Everyone except Allison wore grim expressions.

’That’s enough,’Allison thought. Penny has a fever, but she’ll be fine.

Just as she was about to break the silence, Haines spoke first.

"Is it really that important to her?" he asked, his voice low. He glanced around the table. "The dating, I mean. For her to walk in the rain and catch a fever... I guess we do worry her."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’ll call Old Mrs. Pierson. We’re all going."

"What?" Wild gasped. "I’m not going to any of those stupid blind dates—I’m too old for this!"

"Uncle, if you want to go, fine, but do it on your own!" Slater exclaimed. "Why should I get dragged into this? I’m too young! Besides, if I wanted to, women would line up just to have an hour with me!"

"I agree with Slater," Atlas chimed in. "Penny isn’t that shallow. This can’t be why she’s upset."

Hugo tilted his head, blinking innocently. "What are you all talking about? Grandma Pierson’s message today? Isn’t she just bragging about her garden?"

Charles ruffled his hair in frustration. "Say what you want, but you’re all going. Your sister’s already sick. The least we can do is make her happy when she wakes up."

"No way!" Wild protested. "You’re just saying that because you already have a wife!"

"I have other priorities," Atlas muttered. "Besides, I’m not in a rush. I still have time."

"That’s right!" Slater added. "I’m still young—I’ve got plenty of time to explore life."

Hugo, however, clenched his teeth. Though he’d already agreed to the blind dates out of sheer laziness to decipher Grandma Pierson’s message, he didn’t want to be the only one going.

"If it makes Penny happy, why not just try?" he blurted out, ignoring the glares from his brothers. "Besides, none of you have ever dated. How do you know it won’t matter in a few years?"

Jessa leaned forward, studying everyone with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Wait... Don’t tell me... you’re all a bunch of virgins?"

And then silence fell, eyes wide at the mischievous Jessa, who shouldn’t be here, but was here for the sole reason of stirring trouble.

Charles, on the other hand, looked at everyone in dismay. "Is this true?! Are all my sons this pure?!"