Chapter 219 The Taste of Something Simple
“You know this place well?” Nolan asked.
“I’ve been here a few times. This is what real food tastes like.”
Eliza led the way into a small local eatery called Happy Café. The whole place was run by a single family- the kitchen staffed by a husband and wife, the cashier managed by their child, and waitstaff made up of their relatives.
The restaurant was small, with just a few tables in the front and a few more in separate rooms behind- each room only had four tables. It was the very definition of a humble hole–in–the–wall.
Knowing how clean Nolan liked things, Eliza pulled out a pack of tissues from her purse and wiped down the table and chairs for him. “You sit here, I’ll sit across from you.”
Nolan didn’t complain about the place at all. He simply took his seat, perfectly at ease.
“Boss lady! Taking orders!”
Eliza called out cheerfully.
Soon after, someone brought over a menu.
She ordered all of the restaurant’s signature dishes and handed the menu back without fuss.
There was no formal service here–everything was self–serve.
The disposable forks were stacked nearby, and the noise level was high. People at neighboring tables were drinking and talking loudly, practically drowning out the entire room.
Eliza went over to the fridge by the counter and grabbed two drinks.
“You want orange or grape?”
“Plain water.”
“…Alright.”
She put the grape soda back and grabbed a bottle of mineral water.
Nolan didn’t seem the least bit uncomfortable in the cramped, noisy space.
What surprised him was that Eliza liked eating at a place like this.
“Their food comes out really fast. Ten minutes tops and everything’s on the table.”
As if on cue, the first dish–shrimp in garlic sauce–arrived piping hot.
Next came braised fish and deep–fried pork strips.
“Try this. It’s seriously amazing.”
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Every dish was steaming, full of that rustic, homey aroma.
This was the kind of food that felt alive.
Back home, Nolan mostly lived on instant noodles. He rarely cooked for himself–only when Eliza was around would he buy groceries and cook a proper meal.
He took a bite of the braised fish just as Eliza leaned forward, eyes glowing with curiosity.
“Well? How is it?”
When he looked up, he saw the light in her eyes.
“… It’s good.”
“I knew you’d like it.”
Eliza smiled. “This place is my little secret. Most people wouldn’t think to bring someone here.”
She even poured him a glass of water.
Just watching her, the irritation Nolan had felt earlier completely melted away.
“I actually don’t like eating at five–star restaurants,” Eliza said between bites. “Those fancy places always look great, but the food? It’s usually cold by the time it reaches the table. By the time you’ve talked a little, you can’t eat any of it.”
She paired each dish with a bowl of rice, eating with gusto.
Nolan looked at her–dressed in a high–end gown, sitting in this tiny place, cheerfully devouring her food -and suddenly found the whole scene oddly amusing.
A smile tugged at his lips before he could stop it.
Eliza looked up and caught it. She paused, startled.
“You smiled.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“You totally did.”
She glanced down at her elegant dress and joked, “Do I look that ridiculous in this outfit?”
“You don’t.”
Truth be told, Eliza looked beautiful–and the dress suited her perfectly.
It just didn’t match the surroundings.
Even when they first walked in, some of the patrons had been staring at her.
She looked too put–together, too refined–more like a celebrity than someone out for a casual meal.
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Chapter 219 The Taste of Something Simple
If it hadn’t been for Nolan’s icy glare, they probably would’ve kept staring longer.
Finished
“These portions are huge. We definitely can’t finish everything. I’ll ask for boxes later so we can take the
rest home.”
“…Alright.”
Nolan’s gaze drifted to the small kitchen through a back door. The couple inside was working together, moving in harmony.
The scene was quiet. Domestic. Peaceful.
And Nolan fell silent.
Maybe, he thought, a life like this… wouldn’t be so bad.
Eliza noticed him zoning out and waved a hand in front of his face. “Nolan? What’s up?”
He blinked, coming back to himself. “Nothing.”
“But you were totally spacing out.”
“…You saw wrong.”
He lowered his head and kept eating.
Eliza rested her chin in her palm and grinned. “You know, you’ve got a really nice smile. You should smile more often in front of me. I’ll even take a picture and show you–you’ll see.”
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