He had only just arrived.


    After sorting out the mess at the Arms Agency, his first thought wasn''t to return to the Shepherd family, so he took a flightsting over a dozen hours to get back here.


    However, James had no intention of voicing this.


    Upon hearing what James had said, Mirabe raised an eyebrow, released him, and increased the distance between them, looking at him and asking, "Why didn''t you call me when you arrived this afternoon?"


    James met her gaze, her dark eyes sparkling with mirth, which made him cough slightly.


    At some point, Buster had run back, tilting his head to look at them, his amber eyes clean and pure, tail wagging happily.


    Mirabe picked up Buster''s leash, holding it in her hand, and asked again, "Have you had dinner yet?"


    James nced at the silly dog at the other end of the leash, and took Mirabe''s other hand, his voice tinged with mncholy, "No..."


    Mirabe had guessed as much. Annoyed, she took out her phone intending to order delivery, only to find that many ces were already closed, and those that were open had poor ratings.


    She gave up on ordering delivery and instead looked up at James, "How about going to my ce? There should still be some food left."


    "Maybe not, I fear being kicked out," James said with augh. After a pause, he suddenly remembered something and added, "I know a ce where we can eat."


    ...


    Soon, they walked out of the residential area with Buster, who was not small by any means.


    Near the residential area was a row of shops. Although most were closed, a few were still open.


    James took Mirabe to a dumpling restaurant. The owner was from out of town and hadn''t gone home for New Year''s, so he kept the business open, watching the New Year''s G with his family in the shop.


    The owner was surprised to have customers, especially a very attractive young couple, and the rule about no pets allowed was swiftly ignored.


    Thinking that no other customers woulde at this time, the owner didn''t say much. After asking what vor of dumplings they wanted, he


    \*


    went to the kitchen.


    As soon as the owner left, Mirabe looked at James with a smirk, "Mr. Austin, out


    for dumplings, who would believe it?"


    Buster quietlyy under the table, well-behaved.


    "I''m just an ordinary guy." James


    poly raised his eyebrows, leisurely


    pouring the youngdy a cup of buckwheat coffee, and said just that.


    Mirabe clicked her tongue lightly, only then noticing the evident


    weariness between James''s brows,


    and Couldn''t help asking at


    did


    youe from?"


    Even flying from Riverdale would only take a couple of hours, not enough to justify his tired appearance.


    "The States," James didn''t hide it.


    No wonder, Mirabe nodded. It would indeed be strange not to be exhausted after a dozen hours on a ne.


    Her heart warmed slightly, Mirabe lowered her eyshes, the bright lights in the shop casting a soft glow on her face, serene and gentle.


    Before long, the owner brought over a te of freshly cooked dumplings, perhaps because it was New Year''s Eve, he also offered two side dishes.


    Mirabe had already eaten, so she simply sat there quietly, watching James eat.


    Midway through the meal, her phone rang; it was Zach, asking why she hadn''te back yet.


    Mirabe nced at James and simply said into the phone, "I''ll be backter." Then she hung up.