Chapter 280 |
Haley rolled her eyes at Leon. She was already used to his habit of lying through his teeth without blinking. Still, since Leon had given her a way to save face, she wasn’t about to kick it away and start arguing.
“So, can we still take pictures?” Leon asked, seeing that the sweat on Haley’s forehead had been wiped away and her breathing had calmed.
“Not in the mood right now—unless you go get me something to drink.” Haley tilted her chin at him. “I’m thirsty.”
“Want bottled water?” Leon pulled a bottle of mineral water from his bag without hesitation. As a seasoned traveler, his backpack was never short of food or water.
“I don’t want tasteless water.” Haley was briefly stunned that Leon actually had water on hand, but quickly changed her request.
“Then try this.” Leon put the water away and took out a freshly washed American raspberry, holding it out to her.
“Wow, where did you get a raspberry? And so fresh? It’s not even raspberry season yet.” Haley eyed the bright red berry with curiosity.
“A friend gave it to me.” Leon didn’t tell her the truth.
He knew Haley well enough to guess that if she found out the raspberry came from a Fruit Bat–Mushroom Cave, she’d put at least five meters between them in an instant and glare at him like he was contaminated.
Leon remembered she disliked such things, but he thought the American raspberry was delicious—especially enhanced by Brother Bear’s Bear’s Knowledge. “Why not try just one?” he coaxed.
“No.” Her refusal was swift and firm.
“Oh.”
Twice was enough. Leon enjoyed teasing Haley, but he wasn’t the kind to force someone to eat what they disliked.
Since she didn’t want it, he wasn’t going to waste it. He popped the berry into his mouth, savoring the unique flavor.
Haley, watching his blissful expression, couldn’t help but frown in doubt. She’d tried raspberries before, but never remembered them tasting anywhere near good enough to make someone look like that.
“Is it really that tasty?”
“Normal raspberries, I can’t say. But mine aren’t normal.” Leon was confident. With magic from Brother Bear, his raspberries rivaled the finest cultivated fruits.
“What’s different? It’s still just a berry. Though… yours is bigger than usual.” She pressed.
“There’s magic in it,” Leon said in a mysterious whisper close to her ear.
His breath brushed her ear, making her shiver slightly as a flush spread across her cheeks. But curiosity outweighed shyness. “Magic? What kind of magic?”
“You’ll know when you try it.” Leon pulled out another raspberry, holding it in his palm for her to see.
He wouldn’t force her—but if she was curious, that was another matter entirely. He liked seeing this shift in her. As the internet liked to joke: men have two great hobbies—leading good girls astray and convincing wayward girls to walk the straight path.
Haley was a perfect example of the first.
As Leon expected, she was torn. Part of her desperately wanted to know what a magically enhanced berry would taste like; the other part still resisted.
But when Leon’s hand drew closer, nearly touching her lips, she finally closed her eyes and bit down.
“Mmm—”
The berry’s juice burst in her mouth, forcing her to keep her lips closed so as not to stain her dress. The unique blend of sweetness and a hint of tartness hit her tongue, making her eyes widen. As a die-hard sweet tooth, this was right up her alley.
Now she understood why Leon looked so satisfied eating one. This was a raspberry unlike any she’d imagined—sweet, tangy, and brimming with a special flavor that completely rewrote her opinion of the fruit.
“Good, right?” Leon grinned, watching her lick her lips after swallowing.
“It’s… average.” Though she liked it, Haley played it cool.
“Oh? Then I’ll eat the rest myself.” He popped another American raspberry into his mouth.
Haley’s teeth ground in mild frustration. She wanted another, but after claiming it was only “average,” she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Leon, satisfied with her reaction, pulled out another berry and offered it. “One isn’t enough. Have another—just make sure you take a really good picture of me afterward.”
“Well, since you insist, I’ll accept your kindness.” She took it with mock reluctance, biting gently and savoring the taste.
When she finished, still eyeing him for more, Leon said quickly, “That was the last one. I’m out, so don’t give me that look.”
“No big deal. Why explain?” She glanced around. “No one’s around here. Let’s go somewhere with more people for photos.”
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