StartNovel15:17 Fri, Oct 10
Chapter 465
Chapter 465
56
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Yannis had no idea how long he'd been in a daze. When he finally snapped out of it, the classroom was filled with
wild, thunderous applause that jolted him back to reality.
He glanced down at the phone in his palm and quickly stopped the recording, so the enthusiastic clapping was
no longer being captured.
Yannis looked toward the classroom. Zinnia rose gracefully to her feet and offered an elegant curtsy of gratitude,
her delicate, heart-shaped face radiant with a captivating smile.
Though it was just a simple, makeshift stage, the girl at its center seemed set apart, as if in her own world.
Bathed in the spotlight, her slender, delicate figure becthe sole focus of every gaze-her petite silhouette
the only reflection in their eyes.
The classroom lights snapped on. Students swarmed around Zinnia, buzzing with excitement and showering her
with endless praise. As her performance concluded, the afternoon’s Christmas event cto a perfect close,
signaling the end of the school day as everyone got ready to leave.
As the curtains were drawn back, Yannis standing outside the classroom cinto view. The voices in the room
hushed as Zinnia followed everyone’s gaze and met his deep, affectionate eyes through the window.
Was it just her imagination, or did those eyes truly hold only her? Realizing who it was, Zinnia’s lips curved into a
wide smile, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Yannis locked eyes with her, his lips curving into a smile as warmth rippled through his eyes like gentle waves,
spreading outward in tender layers.
As Zinnia slipped back into her beige cashmere coat and walked out of the school with Yannis, she asked, “Why
are you here? The school didn’t invite family to the show, did they?” She was sure family members weren't
invited.
Zinnia suddenly recalled Yannis asking about her performance tearlier. ‘Could he have cjust to see me?’
she mused inwardly, feeling a little smug at the thought.
“Just here to take you home. Was dropping off sdonations and happened to run into you,” Yannis said,
straightening her collar.
“I see,” Zinnia said. She felt a pang of disappointment when she realized that Yannis was there only to drop off
donations and not to watch her performance.
She quickly pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself that someone as busy as he was wouldn't make tjust
for her.
In fact, she had expected to see him only after school, so running into him there already felt like a stroke of luck.
Zinnia was easily pleased, and just seeing Yannis show up gave her a little thrill.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“When did you get here?” Zinnia looked up at Yannis, her eyes shining with anticipation. What she really wanted
to ask was, “Did you see my performance?”
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Chapter 465
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“I got here during your performance-just in tto catch your show,” Yannis said, his deep voice laced with
undisguised amusement.
Immediately, Zinnia felt her cheeks flush inexplicably, while a small, indescribable delight bubbled up inside. her.
‘So he really did watch my performance,’ she thought giddily to herself.
As Yannis settled into the car beside her, he asked gently, “It’s Christmas and we've still got plenty of time. Do
you want to head home, or is there somewhere you'd like to go?”
Zinnia would have loved to go out and soak up the Christmas spirit-the city was beautifully decorated and
buzzing with life. But if Yannis was busy, she didn’t mind heading hinstead. She asked gently, “Are you
busy? If so, we can just go home.”
“Not busy at all. Let's enjoy Christmas outside today,” Yannis said with a gentle smile, shaking his head. He knew
Zinnia would want to be out for the holiday, so he'd cleared his afternoon just for her.
“Great! Maisie toldthere's a huge Christmas tree at Lyency Alley, and they just opened a nice restaurant
there too.” Zinnia nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
The driver took them straight to Lyency Alley. On Christmas, every street corner, every sidewalk, every inch of
space was packed with bustling crowds.
As they stepped out of the car, the street sparkled with twinkling fairy lights and festive apple-shaped decals.
Outside the dazzling storefronts, towering Christmas trees stood proudly on display.
The long street they were on had been meticulously decorated. Delicate string lights were strung overhead,
looking like a shower of glistening threads in the air.
The ground was blanketed with artificial snow, while snowmen in bright red scarves, candy gift boxes, and Santa
figures dotted the sidewalk, creating a truly magical holiday atmosphere.
This was Zinnia’s first Christmas in the city. She darted her gaze left and right, marveling at everything- wide-
eyed wonder.
“Easy there. It's crowded. We've got all day—let’s take our time,” Yannis said, taking her by the wrist and pulling
her into his arms, shielding her from two people rushing past.
Zinnia found herself pressed against Yannis’s warm embrace, the faint scent of mint lingering in the air. The
fabric of his clothes was incredibly soft and comforting against her skin.
Her cheek pressed against his chest, the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat seeping into her awareness
through her ear.
Caught off guard as she was pulled into his arms, she felt momentarily dazed, her palm still tingling from the
lingering warmth where he held her wrist. Looking up, she whispered shyly, “Yannis...”
Yannis released her wrist, gently ruffled her hair, and looked down at her with a soft gaze. He said, “Someone
was about to bump you just now. Well, you don’t have to rush. I've finished all my work-today, I'm all yours.”
There were times when Yannis would pick Zinnia up after school, and the two of them would steal a few
moments together wandering outside.
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Chapter 465
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But sometimes, urgent work matters
would arise unexpectedly. Yannis
would always pus ig tasks @sldé to
be with Nef ahd Tater at night, Zinnia
would often see the light in his study
burning long after everyone else had
gone to bed. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
After going through this a couple of
times, Zinnia developed the habit of
rushing through their qfings; 45ers
trtake Wévelylring around them as
5 3 )
quickly as possible—so she wouldn't
ad q
take up too much of Yannis's time,
even if he had work waiting for him.
“Mm.” Zinnia murmured softly, meeting his gentle gaze.
“Let's take it slow, no rush. If anything catches your eye, we'll get it,” Yannis said softly. Only after Zinnia nodded
did he reluctantly release her, his touch lingering for a moment.
Zinnia no longer rushed from place to place as before. Instead, she strolled leisurely, with Yannis pace beside
her.
keeping
Noticing Zinnia had stopped in front of a trinket shop, Yannis asked gently, “Would you like to go in and look
around?”
“Yes!” Zinnia nodded eagerly. No girl could resist a shop brimming with all sorts of pretty trinkets.
But the shop was packed with
people. Zinnia glanced back at
Yannis, worried he Right not Want to
oo Cc . oo
gpm NrdyBewe should just skip it
: f ’ ‘
this time," she thought. ‘I can always
cback with Lydia or Maisie
’ q
another day.’ The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Then let's go in,” Yannis said before Zinnia could speak. He glanced at the crowded shop, took her by the wrist,
and leaned in so his voice was just for her. “It’s pretty packed in there, Zinnia.
“You'd better hold on tight to me, or | might lose you in the crowd.”
Zinnia looked down at their joined wrists. ‘Wait, wasn't | supposed to be the one holding him? How did it end up
with him holding me?’ she wondered, puzzled but not resisting.
With so many people inside, it would be easy to get separated. “Okay,” she murmured.
AD
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