Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 176

Chapter 176 A Taste of Sweetness 

Ava’s expression stiffened for a brief second. D*mn, I jined it! 

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Finished 

“Hmmm. It’s neither a dragon nor a phoenix, but a rabbit,” Keith remarked dryly with a glance at the wheel. 

Caught out by him, she immediately flushed with embarrassment, but she was not one to accept defeat so easily. 

“That’s the rabbit from the Moon Goddess’s palace,” she said quickly. “You need quite a bit of luck to get it.” 

Chuckling at her self–comforting words, he lightly tapped the wheel again. “Want to try again?” 

He swiftly placed another order, then turned to the elderly craftsman. “Sir, please wait until she obtains the pattern she wants before making it for her.” 

The old man, whose face was lined with deep wrinkles, glanced at the couple and broke into a grin, revealing gums with several missing teeth. He was already 130; even with the extended lifespan of artificial- born humans, he didn’t have many years left. Looking a the young couple before him, he smiled warmly and nodded. 

“Fine, I’ll try again! I simply slipped up earlier. Watch carefully; I’ll definitely nail it this time! I’m getting that unicorn!” 

After saying that, Ava spun the wheel again. The wheel began to race. Staring intently at the wheel, she finally watched as the pointer came to a stop on the image of a swallow. 

Uh… Glancing up at Keith, she awkwardly forced a smile “Actually… swallows are great, too. I like it.” 

Keith couldn’t help laughing in amusement. In such moments, she seemed so vibrant and alive. He wished that she could always remain happy and innocent forever. 

He offered, “Want me to try?” 

“Are you sure you can do it?” She gave him a doubtful look. 

He nodded. “My hand has always been steady and precise. Tell me, which one do you want me to obtain?” 

“This one.” Half–skeptical, she shifted to the side and pointed at a mermaid. “I don’t believe your hand can be that steady or precise. 

“If you brag too much, you’ll get slapped in the face by your own words, you know?” She glanced at him with a look of challenge in her eyes. 

Smiling, he placed his hand on the wheel. “Then watch losely…” 

As soon as the words left his mouth, he spun the wheel. She stared closely at the rapidly spinning wheel, not even daring to blink, following its path intently until it finally slowed. “Looks like someone was talking big…” 

But her smile never had the chance to bloom. The pointer settled perfectly on the image of the mermaid— right on the tip of her tail. 

She froze, speechless. 

In the end, I’m the one who was slapped in the face by reality… 

1/3 

16:57 Fri, Jan 16 G G G 

Chapter 176 A Taste of Sweetness 

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Finished 

Her expression didn’t escape his notice. He gleefully said. “I’ve never bragged. I’ve always spoken only the truth.” 

Then, he turned to the elderly craftsman. “A mermaid, please.” 

The old man smiled at the young couple, amused by their playful banter. Clearing his workstation, he picked up his tools and carefully shaped the cotton candy with a spatula. It didn’t take long before a mermaid’s silhouette emerged. 

Ava stood silently beside Keith. 

The mermaid was soon completed. 

“Hold it carefully, young lady.” With a cheerful smile, the old man handed the cotton candy to Ava. “Your boyfriend does indeed have a steady hand.” 

Ava took the cotton candy, her cheeks flushing slightly. 

Keith took her hand again. “I’ll get you a bottle of water later. The candy is too sweet; it’ll get cloying fast.” Holding the mermaid–shaped cotton candy, she stared at the candy awkwardly. She wasn’t sure whether she should eat the candy or not–eating it didn’t feel right, but not eating it felt wasteful. There were many children in the area. They watched her curiously, almost as if saying, “Why is an adult eating that?” 

As he led her away from the crowded area, he noticed she hadn’t touched the cotton candy. “Don’t like it?” “It’s not that; it’s just… It’s something only children eat. I’m an adult now, so it feels embarrassing,” she explained. 

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? There’s no rule that only children can eat cotton candy.” 

She took a small bite and frowned. “It’s too sweet.” 

Since she didn’t like overly sweet things in the first place she quickly lost interest in the cotton candy. 

“Really? Let me see.” 

She pushed the cotton candy toward him. “What’s there to see?” 

Looking directly into her eyes, he gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist and leaned close. He pressed his lips to the spot she had just nibbled without breaking eye contact. “Yeah, it’s really sweet.” 

Her face immediately flushed beet–red. 

“Y–You…” she stammered. “H–How could you… T–That’s the part I just ate…” 

“Because…” He deliberately lowered his voice. “It’s sweet 

The deep, magnetic rumble of his voice tickled her ears His gaze was so intense that it almost seemed predatory. She couldn’t tell if he meant the candy… or her. 

Her heart raced. His lips hovered just above the cotton candy; his eyes locked tightly on hers. He whispered again, “Don’t you think it’s sweet?” 

16.57 Fri, Jan 16 GGG. 

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