Chapter 646: Chapter 646: Drunkard

A large crowd had gathered in the square ahead. They had built a bonfire, and young people were singing around it. It was a moment of brief relaxation and peace, a respite from their heavy work and exhaustion.

Evelyn Ford grabbed Ronan Kendrick and ran toward the main square. Strangers wished each other a "Happy New Year." Evelyn jumped and bounced around like a madwoman, whooping uncontrollably. Ronan, afraid someone might bump into her, formed a protective perimeter around her.

The fireworks at the base hadn’t finished yet. Strangers had smeared Evelyn Ford’s face with charcoal ash. When she was finally tired of jumping, she leaped onto Ronan Kendrick’s back and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"Ronan Kendrick, let’s go home."

Carrying the exhausted Evelyn Ford on his back, Ronan Kendrick made his way out of the crowd. People they passed grinned and greeted him loudly, and Ronan would nod slightly, replying, "Happy New Year."

Back at the cabin, Zoe and Annie were still outside playing with Fairy Sticks. Officer Graham had brewed a large pot of sobering-up tea. It was already one in the morning, and the new year had arrived. Evelyn Ford was leaning against the sofa, humming a song, while Ronan Kendrick patiently wiped her hands and held the cup of tea to her lips.

"Are you sleepy?"

Evelyn Ford shook her head. "Not sleepy. Just dizzy."

"Drink this tea, and then we’ll go get some rest, okay?"

Evelyn Ford nodded. "Okay."

"Evelyn Ford is wasted. She only had two small glasses of spirits—not even a few ounces—and she’s completely drunk. Her tolerance is abysmal."

"Quincy, are you bad-mouthing me?" Evelyn Ford squinted at Quincy, who was whispering with Wyatt Vaughn across from her.

Quincy waved his hands frantically. "What? No."

"You were too! I heard you say my name! Ronan Kendrick, get him."

Ronan Kendrick picked up an orange from the table and tossed it right at Quincy. Unable to dodge in time, Quincy caught it in his lap.

"You two are too much."

"You’re the one who’s too much! You were bad-mouthing me. Ronan Kendrick, keep at him."

Quincy quickly surrendered. "I’ll stop, I’ll stop! Ow, that one hit my head! Ronan Kendrick, you’re for real? Wyatt Vaughn, help me!"

Wyatt Vaughn just smiled. "I’m rooting for you."

"Are you going to bad-mouth me again?" Evelyn Ford demanded, planting her hands on her hips and glaring fiercely at Quincy.

Seeing her drunken pout, Quincy knew he was beat.

"I wouldn’t dare."

"Hmph. I figured you wouldn’t dare. Ronan Kendrick is really strong, you know. If anyone bad-mouths me, I’ll have Ronan twist their head clean off."

Quincy clutched his neck. ’This couple is vicious. Terrifying. I’d better keep my distance.’

After Evelyn Ford finished the sobering-up tea, Ronan Kendrick carried her back to their room. The moment they were gone, Quincy flopped onto the sofa, spread-eagled.

"Drunk Evelyn is a real menace."

"She recognizes Ronan Kendrick," Wyatt Vaughn pointed out quietly.

Quincy snorted. "Choosing her man over her friends."

"If they really chose lovers over friends, they never would have brought us burdens along," Wyatt Vaughn said, getting up and smacking Quincy on the back of the head.

"Ow! Wyatt Vaughn, you’re hitting me too?"

"Because you’re being an idiot. Maybe this will knock some sense into that thick skull of yours."

...

Inside the room, Evelyn Ford pressed her ear against the door, listening to the commotion outside. Ronan Kendrick called her name several times, but she didn’t respond.

"Ronan Kendrick, it sounds like they’re fighting out there. I want to go take a look."

Ronan Kendrick sat her down in a chair. "They’re just messing around. Sit still, and I’ll dry your hair."

Evelyn Ford watched him with a wide grin, her legs swinging back and forth.

"Ronan Kendrick, you seem to have gotten even more handsome."

Ronan Kendrick’s lips curled. "Oh, really?"

"Yes, yes! Especially handsome. No wonder they say a man at thirty is like a flower in full bloom. Ronan Kendrick, what kind of flower are you?"

"What flower does Felicity think I am?"

"You’re so handsome, you must be the most beautiful, most bewitching flower in the whole garden. You’re a Black Snowfall Dahlia."

Ronan Kendrick looked utterly baffled.

"The Black Snowfall is a type of double dahlia. It has tons of petals, and the flower is a deep red—so red it’s almost black," Evelyn Ford explained with a grin.

Ronan Kendrick raised an eyebrow. "Then we should plant some of those."

"I already have one."

Evelyn Ford stared at Ronan Kendrick, her gaze hazy. "Ronan Kendrick, you smell so good. You must be about to bloom."

With that, she fell backward and passed out cold.

Ronan Kendrick laid her on the bed, then took a bottle of hair oil and carefully worked it into her hair.

He suddenly let out a soft laugh and gently poked Evelyn Ford’s cheek. "Felicity, you forgot to water your flower."

‎

When Evelyn Ford woke up the next day, her head was splitting, but she hadn’t lost her memory. She remembered getting drunk, jumping and dancing in the main square, and she remembered spouting nonsense in front of Ronan Kendrick—even calling him a flower.

Evelyn Ford smacked her own head, regret written all over her face.

’The worst thing is a lack of self-awareness. I know perfectly well that I’m a lightweight, but I just had to show off and have two glasses. And now look at me. I don’t even dare to leave the room. Every moment of my drunken antics from last night is replaying in my head on a loop.’

Evelyn Ford thrashed around on the bed. She swore that if she ever drank again, she was a dog.

A lapdog, even.

Just then, the bedroom door opened, and Ronan Kendrick walked in carrying a cup of calming broth.

"Mr. Graham made this broth. Drink a little, and your headache will go away."

Evelyn Ford’s eyes darted around. "Is everyone up already?"

"The two kids are still sleeping in. Ethan Dawson, Miles Vaughn, Quincy, and Peter Owens are playing mahjong. Rhys Chase and Taylor Vance are still at their chess game—they said they couldn’t determine a winner last night. Liam Sterling is in the kitchen learning to cook with Mr. Graham. Wendy went to the lab, Joelle Finch and Wyatt Vaughn are crocheting slippers, and Mr. Lowell is still weaving bamboo baskets."

Evelyn Ford cringed.

"Why didn’t you wake me up when you got up?"

"It’s New Year’s Day; you’re allowed to sleep in. Besides, it’s only eight-thirty. Everyone else just got up, and breakfast isn’t even on the table yet."

Evelyn Ford took the calming broth, her expression one of utter despair. "I made a drunken fool of myself last night. Everyone’s going to make fun of me, aren’t they?"

Ronan Kendrick smiled. "They won’t. And if anyone dares to laugh at you, I’ll twist their head clean off."

Evelyn Ford’s face instantly flushed crimson.

After finishing the broth, Evelyn Ford went to the bathroom to wash her face. Since it was New Year’s Day, she found a red sweater to wear. She also dug a knit hat out of a forgotten corner. Once she put it on, her face looked even more fresh and clean.

When Evelyn Ford and Ronan Kendrick entered the living room, everyone greeted them normally. Evelyn Ford breathed a sigh of relief. ’Looks like everyone forgot about last night. Perfect.’

The moment she stepped into the kitchen, a few people in the living room couldn’t help but chuckle. Ronan Kendrick cleared his throat, and everyone quickly wiped the smiles from their faces.

"Mr. Vance, let me cook this morning. You all should rest. Everyone has been working so hard lately. I’ll take charge of the cooking this morning, so just tell me what you’d like to eat."

"No, no, we’ve got it. You go rest. Does your head still hurt? I can make you some lemon water."

"My head doesn’t hurt anymore, Mr. Vance. I haven’t cooked in a while and just suddenly felt the urge to get in the kitchen today."

Seeing Evelyn Ford’s insistence, Taylor Vance smiled. "Alright, then we’ll count on you for lunch. Just wait until I finish up breakfast and clean the kitchen, then you can come in."

"It’s no trouble at all. I love to cook."

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