"Am I passing the test with that answer, Ms. Madden?"


    Lizetta smiled and nodded, "Your answer was very objective."


    Shawn let out a sigh of relief.


    As Lizetta and he continued to chat, she learned that Shawn''s family also had a long history in medicine-his grandfather was a renowned surgeon.


    Suddenly, Lizetta remembered asking Mr. Daisynes for help with her grandfather''s acupuncture. Without hesitation, she probed Shawn for some information.


    Shawn indeed knew Mr. Daisynes and shared some of his likes, including his appreciation for young people knowledgeable in Western medicine. Grateful, Lizetta asked Shawn to rmend a couple of books. Then, the conversation turned to pulse diagnosis, something Shawn had picked up through exposure. He took Lizetta''s hand to demonstrate, inadvertently making it look as though they were holding hands.


    From a distance, Remington rushed toward the restaurant, his presence dominating as he entered. He caught sight of Lizetta and Shawn through the floor- to-ceiling windows, their hands still together, and his expression darkened further.


    "It''s really not that mystical," Shawn was exining. "The key is practice. Even the basic pulse types can be discerned with some experience..."


    Lizetta leaned in, absorbed in Shawn''s exnation, only to feel something soft brush against her cheek, obstructing her view.


    The sudden blockage created a moment of alienation and panic, prompting Lizetta to instinctively pull her hand back.


    Focusing on the object that had


    interrupted her view, she recogniset


    the familiar object-a creamy bear plush, carrying the


    iqueddy


    scent


    of a cologne she knew all too well.


    The teddy bear, snugly ced between Lizetta and Shawn, seemed to be greeting her with its nose nuzzling against her face.


    Without looking, Lizetta knew who it was.


    Following the line of the bear, she saw the broad shoulders of a man. Dressed in a crisp business suit, he exuded a sense of authority. The teddy bear he''d been carrying around now felt oddly fitting despite its contrast with his serious demeanor.


    "Excuse me, sir, could you please move a bit? You''re somewhat interrupting," Shawn''s voice chimed in smoothly.


    Yet Lizetta couldn''t help but feel amused, as Remington remained beside the table, seemingly oblivious to his intrusion.


    Shawn seemed unaware of the intentional nature of Remington''s actions.


    Turning to Shawn, Remington finally spoke, his tone cool, "Such a cute toy, why would you mind it?"


    Shawn and Lizetta were left speechless.


    At that moment, a server


    approached, her surprise at Remington''s mismatched appearance evident. Initially frozen at his entrance, she now regained herposure and asked respectfully, "Wee, sir How


    many in your party? Would you like a private dining room?"