Chapter 1754


    Maja shed a bright smile at Shirley. "Come on in, saved you a seat."


    Shirley unwrapped the lightweight cashmere scarf from her neck and immediately spotted Abner,


    dressed in ck.


    Abner sat ramrod straight, not looking her way.


    A twinge of inexplicable sourness hit Shirley''s heart as she followed Maja into the private dining


    room.


    Maja pulled out a chair for her, and she murmured a "Thanks."


    Just moments ago, Abner had been sarcastic with Ian, but now he was as still as a statue, utterly


    silent.


    Shirley took the initiative to break the ice.


    “Abner, long time no see.”


    Abner''s posture stiffened even more, and it took him a few seconds to grunt out a response. "Yeah."


    Regret crept into Shirley''s mind foring here; her presence seemed to have stirred an awkward


    tension in the air.


    Maja handed her some silverware, and she thanked her again.


    The atmosphere in the private room was indeed delicate. After a long pause, Abner mustered up


    the courage to speak.


    “It’s been a while.”


    Ian thought Abner was quite the actor, probably had been keeping tabs on Shirley for some time.


    Rumors painted Abner as a madman, merciless when dealing with rivals, even capable of going to


    extremes when provoked.


    Now he seemed lost, staring into his te, clearly ufortable.


    Shirley had always looked out for Abner, the epitome of a caring elder sister, so instinctively, she


    wanted to pour him a cup of tea.


    But before she could act, Abner had already poured one for her.


    She offered a wry smile.


    “I almost forgot, you’ve grown up now.”


    Her voice carried a hint of mncholy. Sometimes, in the blink of an eye, years pass by.


    Abner''s hand froze, unsure of what to say.


    Maja suddenly felt that she and Ian should excuse themselves, but there was no easy way out.


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    She coughed softly, pushing the house specialty towards Shirley.


    "Shirley, this is what you ordered. Dig in."


    Shirley''s smile could thaw the coldest hearts, a warm spring in her eyes.


    “Thanks.”


    Everyone began to eat.


    Maja discreetly probed Shirley with a few questions, like when she nned to get married, if her


    family was pushing her to go on dates.


    Abner pretended not to care, but his ears were pricked up.


    "They are. My mom hopes I''ll settle down by next year."


    Next year, huh.


    Maja''s nce shifted involuntarily to Abner.


    Abner''s lips were pressed tightly together, his brow slightly furrowed in thought.


    She didn''t dare to pry further when Ian blurted out offensively.


    "Abner, what about you? Don''t you have someone you''re into? Heard you were head over heels.


    How''s that going?"


    Maja''s mouth twitched in annoyance, understanding why Abner found Ian intolerable.


    Such a direct question in front of everyone, probably not the first time, no wonder he wasn''t well-


    liked.


    Abner''s face shifted, his grip on the cutlery nearly snapping.


    Almost reflexively, he looked at Shirley, who was also looking his way. Their eyes met, and he


    recoiled as if burned.


    "Shut up!"


    Ian served Maja a helping of food, continuing to tease, "What''s the matter, shy? At your age, you


    should be having a passionate romance, not just holed up with your guns and boats."


    Abner''s chest heaved with irritation.


    Shirley was surprised, "Guns?"


    The room fell silent.


    Maja quickly deflected, "It''s a survival game the guys like to y – it involves guns, boats."


    "So, Abner, you y video games?"


    It was as if she''d discovered a new side of him. "That''s good, keeps you connected with your


    peers."


    Abner retorted, "You make it sound like you''re old or something."


    Maja cringed inwardly, giving Ian a fierce pinch.


    Ian''s face contorted in pain, but he had to swallow it silently.