Chapter 12 You Smell Like Cheap Perfume!

• "Ryan, why don't you come in and sit down. Have some supper with us before you go!"
• Clara linked her arm with her mother's. She intended to decline, but to her surprise, Ryan nodded. "Okay!"
• The small house of about 80 square feet was tidy, accommodating just the mother and daughter. Now, with the addition of Ryan, it felt slightly cramped.
• "Please excuse the shabby place. Clara, make Ryan comfortable while I serve the soup..."
• "Alright!"
• Clara didn't really want Ryan to come inside but didn't want to go against her mother either. As her mother headed to the kitchen, Clara quietly said, "Wait a moment, I'll get you a cushion!"
• Clara knew that Ryan was a germaphobe and was worried he might dislike her place. She instinctively thought to find a brand-new sheet or cushion to put on the sofa before he sat down, even though the sofa cover was new and hadn't been used for long.
• Just as she moved, she was surprised to find Ryan already sitting casually on the sofa. She stood still for a moment.
• "What are you daydreaming there for? Are you planning to sit on my lap?"
• Ryan's teasing made Clara blush. He really knew how to flirt.
• Just then, Mrs. Hull came out carrying a bowl of soup. Seeing Clara standing there in a daze, she couldn't help but scold, "Clara, can't you even pour a glass of water? This is the chicken soup I made. It's calming and helps with sleep. You young people stay up late and receive a lot of pressure from work. Drinking this is good for your health!"
• "Mom, it's getting late. You should go to bed! I can take care of him!"
• After all, Ryan was not an ordinary man. Clara was worried that he might offend her mother and hurt her feelings, so she always made an effort to keep them from interacting directly.
• "Alright, alright, then I won't disturb the two of you!"
• Mrs. Hull, though simply dressed, still exuded grace. With her warm smile, she gave off a very pleasant vibe.
• Before she turned around, Ryan lifted the bowl and took a sip, smiling slightly as he said, "Thank you!"
• "Have more if you like!"
• After giving her daughter a knowing look, Mrs. Hull went back to her room.
• For Clara, the entire night felt like a battle. She was so exhausted, even while sitting down. She didn't expect Ryan to show her such courtesy by finishing the soup down to the last drop.
• Regardless of whether he was actually being sincere or was simply just putting on an act, at that moment, all Clara felt was an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
• As she walked Ryan to the door, she didn't just say "thank you" this time but said, "Drive safely on your way home! Goodnight!" with much sincerity instead.
• For some reason, even though Ryan thought her place was small and stifling, he didn't want to leave. He replied with a nonchalant "Yeah," clearly feeling dissatisfied that she didn't even try to persuade him to stay.
• "Make sure to pack your things this week!" Ryan said and left without waiting for her response.
• Clara, you stupid woman, you're so clueless about romance, maybe you deserve to be dumped, after all! Clara sighed softly, realizing that, indeed, she had made Ryan unhappy.
• She then clarified the misunderstanding about her pregnancy with her mother, but to her surprise, her mother completely accepted the marriage and even expressed her intention to move in with Ryan, raising both hands in agreement.
• Finally, the usual calmness had returned after a brief turbulence, Clara felt a bit relieved.
• They moved into the Lavender estate, it was Ryan's private residence, a small European-style villa.
• However, it wasn't as luxurious as the Wallace family estate, which was filled with servants. The Lavender estate was more simple and understated.
• It was clear that Ryan did not often visit the place, as the housekeeper and maids only came to clean periodically, and the kitchen didn't look like it had been used much.
• So at night, Clara cooked for herself and usually ate alone, while Ryan would occasionally come home for dinner.
• Clara got used to this solitary life. After changing her clothes, she headed to the convenience store.
• She picked out some vegetables and shrimp. Looking at the meager items in her shopping cart, she couldn't help but sigh, "I really don't understand the world of the wealthy. Groceries here are twice as expensive compared to where I'm from. I'll have to shop elsewhere next time!"
• Back home, while cooking, Clara lamented about the cost, "I wonder which country these shrimp are from, they are so expensive! If I'd known, I wouldn't have bought them!"
• It's all my fault for being distracted and not checking the price tags properly!
• Just as she set the dishes on the table, she heard the door open. Sure enough, Ryan had entered the living room:
• "Have you eaten? Want to have some food?"
• "Yeah." Ryan loosened his tie and responded casually.
• Seeing the steaming hot food served on the table filled him with warmth, and this warmth could be clearly seen in his eyes as well.
• After finishing their meal, Clara was about to head to her room for a short rest when she noticed Ryan frowning at her.
• "Go take a shower!"
• "I already showered!" Clara replied, looking confused.
• "Then shower again! You smell like cheap perfume!"
• Instantly, Clara felt like her head was about to explode.
• He's the one who keeps all these flowers in his own house, and now he's complaining about my scent? Did he hurt himself in the head?
• She rolled up her sleeves and extended her arms toward him: "What do you mean? Smell me! I'm clean! There's nothing!"
• Ryan leaned back to avoid her, but Clara kept leaning in for him to smell. In her clumsiness, she either tripped over her own clothes or something else, and with a stumble, she lunged forward…