Chapter 20

“Don’t be upset! I’m actually praising your eating style. Just watching you makes it seem like you’re indulging in a gourmet feast, and it’s tempting me to join in!”

Zachary looked at Serenity, momentarily speechless, before shifting his focus back to his bagel sandwich. He was eating slowly, struggling to adjust to the food.

Once they finished their meal, Serenity took the lead. Instead of heading directly to the florist, she opted to stop by a nearby 24-hour ATM for some cash. Zachary observed as Serenity retrieved her debit card from her purse. With a sharp memory, she effortlessly recalled the PIN he had noted down earlier. After inserting the card into the machine, she entered the PIN and checked her account balance. To her satisfaction, it showed ten thousand dollars—more than enough for her to purchase essential houseware.

“If you find the money isn’t sufficient, just let me know, and I’ll transfer some more,” he offered.

“It’s way more than enough,” Serenity replied. “For a two-person household, we won’t need much. I was just curious about the balance to help me stay within budget.”

She had to reserve some funds for living expenses alongside the furnishings. Serenity had already placed an order for kitchenware, which was scheduled to arrive the next day. She was excited about cooking for her in-laws when they visited.

“Now, let’s head to the florist,” she said, tucking her debit card back into her purse before guiding Zachary to a nearby flower shop.

There were several florists around the market, and they were thriving. Given their prime location next to the market, they opened early to cater to the high foot traffic in the mornings and evenings.

Serenity first inquired about Zachary’s flower preferences, but when she learned he had none, she selected a variety of potted plants that appealed to her. She also picked up two plant stands to assemble later at home.