Chapter 267

Seeing how the night's plans were basically locked in, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Julian's eyes. He gave the bubbling hotpot a glance, then gently said, "It's ready." Anna's eyes lit up instantly. She wasn't about to stress over some careless joke she'd just made. Her attention was fully on the thin slices of lamb swirling in the pot. Julian fished out the lamb with his chopsticks and passed it over in front of her. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, Anna leaned in and took a big bite with a playful "Ahh"—straight into her mouth. Straight out of the pot, the lamb was piping hot, still glistening with chili oil. Anna squinted through the heat, cheeks puffing as she blew on the meat, thin beads of sweat already forming at her hairline. Right then, she thought, this is what life's all about. Nothing beats hotpot on a freezing winter day. Nothing! "Slow down," Julian chuckled, handing her a glass of cool water he'd set aside earlier. "No one's fighting you for it." Anna nodded