Chapter: 73

She didn't retain many memories from middle school, but her recollections of Jonathan were vivid. As they strolled past the school, she felt a surge of nostalgia and snapped a photo.

“Do you still play basketball?" she asked.

The sight of the newly constructed playground brought back memories of Jonathan's school days.

After games, the other boys would come back reeking of sweat, but Jonathan was always the exception. Even if it meant arriving late to class, he made sure to shower in the dormitory's public bathroom.

Back then, she hadn't realized he was meticulous about cleanliness.

She recalled how often she accidentally stained his uniform.

“Yes, sometimes," Jonathan answered, walking beside her. His tall figure partially obscured the moonlight, casting a long shadow beside her.

Suddenly, Bethany noticed the restaurant across from the school entrance.

It remained unchanged. During her junior high years, she worked there part-time. The establishment was run by a friendly couple who always welcomed her with kind smiles.

She appreciated that the shop remained open after her evening classes gave her the chance to enjoy her only relaxed meal of the day.

"I want to check it out!" she exclaimed, then dashed towards the restaurant without waiting for Jonathan's reaction.

To her delight, the same couple was there, busily mopping the floors as they got ready to close up for the night.

“Excuse me, could I get a bowl of noodles?" Bethany paused momentarily before walking up to them.

She knew that if she let this opportunity slip by, she might not return to Brokdon anytime soon.

“Of course, please take a seat," the woman replied, motioning towards an empty table. As she set out the cutlery for Bethany, she stopped short, a look of recognition crossing her face. "Why do you look so familiar?"

Bethany smiled and said, "I'm Bethany. I used to work here back in junior high."

"Oh! You're that little girl! No wonder you seemed familiar," the woman exclaimed, her face lighting up as she stood next to Bethany to chat. "You must have finished college by now!"

“It's actually been quite a few years since I graduated."

"You've become even more beautiful. I always thought you'd turn out to be a stunning young woman. It looks like I was right."

Bethany's smile widened, touched by their warm recollection. Despite the time apart, their kindness made her feel instantly reconnected.

"Why do you close the shop so early nowadays? I remember it used to be open late after my evening classes," Bethany inquired.

"We start to close as it gets dark." A memory seemed to strike the woman. “Oh, I just remembered! A tall, handsome boy used to pay us to keep the place open till ten every night."

"A boy?" Bethany said, startled.

Noticing Bethany's astonishment, the woman lifted her eyebrows and said, "Oh, you didn't know? I assumed he was doing it for you."