Chapter <b>296 </b>


    She looked around. “Where are we?”


    “This is where <b>I </b>grew up.” Xander frowned slightly. He took an umbre from his car and sheltered Mnie with it. “Let’s go.”


    Xander led Mnie a few hundred yards into the alley, then stopped in front of a door.


    A chubby middle–aged woman came out with a basin of water.


    Xander saw her and called out, “Aunt Fiona.”


    Fiona was taken aback for a moment before she saw Xander clearly. She immediately beamed with surprise and said, “Xander! When did you get back?”


    She pulled Xander and Mnie into the door, and Mnie realized that it was actually a


    restaurant. There were a few tables and customers scattered around.


    Xander said, “Aunt Fiona’s cooking is amazing.”


    Mnie nodded. “It does smell good.”


    Fiona then looked at Mnie. “Did you bring your girlfriend here, Xander?”


    Xander said softly, “She’s not my girlfriend. Just a friend.”


    Fiona raised her eyebrows slightly as she led them to a table and sat them down. “Anyway, any friend of Xander’s is a friend of mine! This meal is on the house.”


    She was very friendly and passionate, hurrying to the kitchen as she spoke.


    Mnie asked Xander, “Did you just say you grew up around here?”


    “Yes, my grandfather’s house is nearby. My mother used to bring me here when I was young.”


    Mnie vaguely remembered Stephen saying that Xander’s mother was overseas.


    She asked, “Is your mother still overseas?”


    “Yes, she’s abroad for treatment.”


    “She’s sick? What illness is it?”


    Mnie had just been trying to find a topic of conversation, but Xander suddenly fell silent. After a moment, he said, “She’s in a psychiatric hospital. She’s not quite stable mentally.”


    Mnie paused. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”


    Xander was always silent when his mother was mentioned. Mnie did not know what to say, so she just quieted down.


    It was only when Fiona came to serve the dishes that the two of them exchanged a few more


    words.


    Fiona was definitely a good cook. Xander filled Mnie’s bowl with some soup. “Her cream of wild mushroom is a bestseller.”


    Mnie thanked him. Then, she heard Xander say slowly, “Is this meal not enough to cheer you up?”


    Mnie stopped and looked at Xander. “No, I’m feeling alright.”


    “Then why aren’t you eating too much? Is it because your hand hurts?” Xander’s brows slowly furrowed, as if he was conflicted. “This is my first time bringing a girl out to eat alone, so I should have thought it through more. I guess I should have brought you to the hospital first.”


    He had a solemn and conflicted look. Mnie was stunned for a moment before she suddenly


    chuckled.


    She asked Xander, “Are you doing this on purpose?”


    “Doing what?” Xander shot back.


    Mnie shook her head. Her appetite was much better now, and she ate much more enthusiastically.


    Xander, on the other hand, did not eat much. He only nced at Mnie from time to time.


    Once they were done eating, Fiona refused to ept any money. She said it was her treat.


    She looked at Xander and sighed. “Xander, how has your mother been all these years?”


    Xander nodded. “Better than before.”


    “Your grandfather was sick some time ago. You know he’s very stubborn. We all asked him to contact you, but he wouldn’t do it. If you have time, go back and visit him.”


    She even added, “Bring your girlfriend along. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see that you’re doing well.”


    Since Xander had mentioned his childhood here, Mnie thought he must have been close with his grandfather.


    Unexpectedly, he said, “No, I’m too busy for that.”