Chapter 051: Carefree

On the Ferris wheel, the two sat opposite each other.

Seraphina truly rarely visited such lively places as amusement parks. As the Ferris wheel ascended, the light in her eyes grew brighter. If it weren't for her reserved nature, she would have likely gasped in wonder at the scenery below.

Neither of them spoke, but while Seraphina was looking at the view, Solas was different.

Since boarding the Ferris wheel, his gaze was almost entirely fixed on Seraphina.

They had arrived at the amusement park after lunch and had spent time on many rides; by now, the day was drawing to a close. The afterglow of the setting sun spilled through the glass, landing on the girl's beautiful, smiling face...

Time was quiet and beautiful.

Solas’s gaze was soft.

Descending from the Ferris wheel, Seraphina asked, "Do you want to play anything else?"

"It's getting late. I'll take you back first. We can come back together next time for the rides we missed."

Solas was indeed reluctant to part ways; heaven knew how long he had looked forward to being alone with her. But it was indeed late now. The Pierce family was a prestigious one with deep heritage and likely valued rules; even if her parents pampered her and wouldn't mind much, it wouldn't be good for her to return too late.

He wanted more than just the present moment.

"Your family is likely waiting at home to have dinner with you, so I won't ask you out for a meal tonight. Let's do it next time," Solas added.

Seraphina hadn't planned on having dinner with Solas either.

Her phone was dead, and her family didn't know her whereabouts; if she returned too late, they would probably worry.

It wasn't that she hadn't thought about borrowing Solas’s phone to call home, but after some thought, Seraphina decided against it. Her family wasn't actually that strict with her; in fact, they wished she would go out more instead of being such a shut-in. Getting home before dark was sufficient.

However, she couldn't go back after dark. Wishing she would go out was one thing, but being unable to reach her after nightfall was another.

With eyes curved like crescents: "Alright, then let’s set another date."

From the amusement park back to the Pierce residence, including the time spent in traffic, it took nearly an hour.

"We’re here," Solas said.

Seraphina unbuckled her seatbelt but didn't get out immediately. Instead, she asked Solas, "Would you like to come in for a bit?"

Solas was slightly stunned.

Then, the corners of his mouth curved up gently: "No, maybe next time." His first visit to the Pierce home shouldn't be so casual, but he was happy she had proactively invited him.

Today was indeed a happy day.

It was worth his hurried trip from the capital.

"Then, I’m off?"

"Mm."

"Be safe on the way back."

"Alright."

Seraphina got out of the car and waved at him.

Solas started the car and was about to leave when he suddenly looked at her. "Sera."

Hearing his sudden use of her nickname, Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat. Recovering, she quickly composed herself and asked with a light smile: "Yes?"

"...It’s nothing. I'm going." Actually, there was something.

He originally wanted to ask when she would be free so he could ask her out again, but in the end, he didn't ask.

After all, they had only officially met today. To have spent so much time alone and even gone to the amusement park together, he was already very satisfied.

One must know how to be content.

With her, he had to take things step-by-step and not be too rushed.

Seraphina waved at him again with a smile.

Solas saw that she seemed to be waiting for him to leave before going inside. It was nearly autumn; although it was still hot during the day, a breeze at night would still be a bit chilly.

He didn't want her to stand there in the cold wind, so he drove away first.

Only when the car disappeared at the end of the bend and was no longer visible did Seraphina turn to go inside.

With a light smile and light steps, she carried her bag, her gait almost "bouncy." This was so different from her usual dignified and refined self that Leo Pierce, who was catching the cool breeze in the courtyard, almost doubted his eyes.

Staring intently, he confirmed he wasn't hallucinating.

That person radiating a youthful aura was undoubtedly his "lady of the house" sister.

So happy—did she run into something good?

Standing up from his lounge chair, Leo called out: "Sis, you're back?"

"Mm. Where are Mom and Dad?"

"In the living room watching the news." After answering her question, Leo added: "Sis, you seemed to leave the event very early today. Did something happen?"

Leo asked because he knew Seraphina wasn't someone who liked to leave things half-finished. Since she said she was going to the school for the anniversary, she wouldn't leave midway without a reason.

If she left, something must have happened.

"No, I just happened to run into an acquaintance and we caught up."

As for who the acquaintance was, Seraphina didn't say, and Leo didn't plan to ask.

"I see."

"Are you hungry? Auntie Du has finished the meal and is just waiting for you. Mom tried calling you earlier, but your phone was off."

"If it's ready, you guys should eat first. You couldn't reach me because my phone was dead; what if I didn't come back until late at night?"

"If you weren't coming back, you would have called home long ago. With your IQ, Sis, would you forget the family's phone numbers?"

The two siblings chatted and laughed as they walked into the house.

Hearing the commotion, Mrs. Pierce stood up from the sofa. "Sera, you're back?"

Seraphina nodded with a smile and greeted: "Mom, Dad."

"Go wash up and eat," Peter Pierce said.

No one asked where she went today or what she did.

They had absolute trust in Seraphina.

The family finished dinner in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Around 10:30 PM, Seraphina had just finished her nightly two-hour martial arts session with Leo and had showered. She hadn't been sitting at her computer for long when she heard a knock on her door.

Her typing paused, then her fingers moved rapidly across the keys again. In a moment, the content on the screen was replaced by a standard search page.

"Come in."

Leo, wearing black pajamas, pushed the door open.

"Sis, are you going to sleep?"

"It's still early, I'll sleep in a bit." She usually slept between 11:00 and 11:30 PM.

Leo entered the room and closed the door behind him.

He looked at Seraphina with a hesitant gaze.

Seeing this, Seraphina kicked the swivel chair to turn toward him and asked, "What is it?"

After a moment of hesitation, Leo finally said: "...The stuff you sent me this morning, I’ve read it all. It’s... very helpful to me."

"That’s good then," Seraphina said nonchalantly.

This made Leo even less able to let it go.

"Sister."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow slightly: "If you have something to say, just say it. I'm your sister, not an outsider. Don't stutter."

She could probably guess why Leo came to find her late at night with such an obvious "I want to ask something" expression.

Aside from a helpless sigh, Seraphina didn't feel much else.

Back when she personally started teaching Leo combat, she had anticipated this day would come.

Her brother had always been very smart.

Hearing her words, Leo was slightly stunned and asked: "Will you... be in danger?"

Skills as good as hers were definitely not something an ordinary person could have; the data she gave him was also certainly not something an ordinary person could easily find.

Seraphina thought Leo would ask her how she acquired these skills, but she never imagined he would ask this instead.

Compared to her hard-to-explain abilities, her brother cared more about her safety?

Seraphina’s eyes suddenly felt very hot.

Her heart felt warm.

With a shallow smile: "No."

Leo bit his lip and lowered his gaze: "That’s good then."

"Don't worry, Sis. I'll help Dad look after the Pierce Group well, and I'll learn the skills you taught me properly. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to sleep. Don’t stay up too late, Sis."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Looking at the closed door again, Seraphina laughed silently.

This was actually quite good.

After leaving the Pierce residence, Solas received a phone call on his way back.

"I heard you went back to Seahaven again?"

Solas held the steering wheel with one hand and the phone with the other. "Mm."

"I also heard you rushed back to Seahaven in a hurry?"

"Monitoring me?" Solas's tone carried a hint of nonchalance; one couldn't tell if he was pleased or angry.