Chapter 1261


    Zuko’s face was as dark as the inked squid in the owner’s aquarium. The owner’s smile changed from


    mischievous to forced, then to a grimace. He then carried the te of oysters to other customers.


    Zuko pursed his lips in exasperation. The oysters were freshly caught that morning,rge, meaty, and


    perfectly grilled—undoubtedly delicious. But what would he do after eating them? His libido would be


    boosted, yet he would have no outlet to release it.


    He turned to look at Lina, who was eating a small scallop. She chuckled softly when the delicate tip of


    her nose lightly touched the shell. The sparkling sea reflected her profile, and her eyes were filled with


    all the beauty in the world.


    Zuko’s heart raced a little as he licked his dry lips. He barely suppressed certain thoughts. He sat back


    beside her, but the fish didn’t taste as good as before


    “What were you doing just now?” Lina said with a smile, “So many delicious dishes were served. I’ll


    finish them all if you don’t start eating!”


    “Oh, it’s nothing.” He looked at her and said, “Don’t just focus on eating. Have some drinks, too.”


    Lina resisted a bit, resting her chin on both hands. “Don’t mention drinks to me now. I have a trauma


    about it!”


    “Silly girl.” Zuko ruffled her hair, smiling. “Don’t worry. I’ve already asked for it to be investigated. The


    results will be out soon.”


    “Are you so sure?” Lina asked.


    “I found an expert in this field!”


    Zuko peeled a nched shrimp and put it on her te.


    Lina suddenly thought of someone after seeing how confident Zuko looked. “You’re talking about Fred,


    aren’t you?”


    Zuko froze amidst peeling another shrimp and looked at Lina with a somewhatplicated expression.


    He wondered how she had figured it out so suddenly. There was no mystery left for her now.


    “Yes, I should have thought of him!” Lina’s eyes lit up. “He has several beverage forms from the


    Grists and is indeed an expert in this field! Moreover, regr people wouldn’t be able to do something


    like spiking beverages, so it must be someone from the industry!”


    Lina hugged Zuko happily and gently kissed his head.


    “Is this… a reward?” Zuko asked.


    “What else?” Lina asked back.


    “This little reward isn’t enough,” he said softly.


    Lina smiled. “Then what kind of reward do you want?”


    ‘The kind like after one has oysters, of course…’ Zuko coughed lightly and smiled without saying a


    word.


    At that moment, the sound of a car drew near.


    Arge truck was parked outside the restaurant, and a thin young girl started carrying boxes of seafood


    out of it. The boxes looked heavy, but the girl seemed to be managing.


    Lina jolted and carefully looked over. The girl wore a baseball cap, and the pointed chin under the brim


    seemed familiar.


    “It’s her?” Lina was a little surprised.


    “Who?” Zuko asked.


    “That girl, Lena!” Lina replied.


    Zuko followed the direction Lina pointed.


    Lena worked swiftly and efficiently, finishing the delivery in no time. The owner came out with a fish and


    handed it to her. Lena nodded without objection.


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    The weather was too hot, so Lena didn’t leave right away. She sat down in the shade outside the


    restaurant, took off her cap, and used it as a fan. She looked thoughtfully out at the sea.


    When the owner served the final dish, Lina curiously stopped him. “That girl…”


    “Oh, you mean Lena?” The owner smiled and said, “She oftenes over to do odd jobs for me.”


    “Odd jobs?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates…


    “Yes, she helps me with loading and unloading the goods. Heh! Don’t be fooled by her size. She’s quite


    strong and works just as hard as a man!”


    “She did so much for you, and you only gave her one fish?” Lina asked.


    “So what?” The owner frowned. “We agreed on the price beforehand. She unloads the goods, and I


    give her the fish. It’s a fair exchange!”


    Lina was taken aback, and she told Zuko after the owner left, “What kind of fair exchange is this? I


    think he’s taking advantage of her!”


    Zuko had a different perspective. “Both parties agreed to the terms willingly, so it’s not taking


    advantage of her.”


    “But…” He paused. “The girl might not know the market value or the worth of her physical strength, and


    that’s how he managed to take advantage of the situation.”


    Lina looked at Lena’s petite figure and felt sorry for her. The fish appeared less than fresh, likely


    leftovers from the day before, with flies buzzing around it. Despite this, Lena seemed disconnected


    from the world, wearing an indifferent expression.


    After discussing with Zuko, Lina gave the owner some extra money and asked him to pay Lena wages.


    Initially, he was reluctant, but not wanting to offend the two big spenders, he finally agreed. “Actually,


    don’t be fooled by her size. She’s quite remarkable!”


    “What do you mean?”


    “At such a young age, she works multiple jobs every day to support herself. Isn’t that remarkable?”


    Lina was stunned. “Doesn’t she have any family?”


    The owner pondered for a moment. “She doesn’t talk much,” he said. “It’s quite difficult tomunicate


    with her. But from what I can tell, she doesn’t have any family. Otherwise, how could she be doing all


    this work at this age when she should be studying?”


    Lina nodded and looked over to where Lena had been, but she was gone.


    As Zuko held her and was about to leave, someone suddenly rushed out from the corner. Lina was


    startled, and Zuko instinctively stood before her with his guard up.


    “Is this yours?” a young voice asked.


    Lina rposed herself and saw that it was Lena. She was holding the bills Lina had given to the


    owner.


    Before Lina could say anything, Lena spoke again. “Why did you give me money?”