Quentin Quinn instructed Old Zhang to bring dinner from a famous Chinese restaurant where the chef often prepared meals for Poe Vaughn when he was too busy to eat at home and had to dine out. The chef was highly skilled, and the dishes he cooked were very authentic. Thus, most of the meals Poe Vaughn ate were specially made by this chef. Tonight was no different. The sweet and sour ribs were very aromatic, and the scent was both tangy and sweet, reminiscent of being in love, making one’s heart flutter. Poe Vaughn looked at Ava Sterling’s expectant gaze and opened his mouth. Ava Sterling immediately fed him. His lips and teeth moved, and the sweet and sour flavor spread between them, then throughout his body. Ava Sterling watched his elegant and refined chewing, eagerly anticipating his opinion after tasting. So, once Poe Vaughn finished chewing the meat and spit out the bone into a napkin, Ava Sterling promptly asked, "How is it? Does it taste good?" His tone was calm, not sounding particularly enthusiastic, but the fact that he responded, and with a positive answer, indicated that the ribs were indeed well-made. Ava Sterling’s eyes sparkled. She loved the tangy and sweet flavors, as they were particularly appetizing in the summer when she had little appetite. After saying that, Ava Sterling put down her chopsticks, pulled Poe Vaughn’s hand, and said, "We haven’t washed our hands yet; let’s go wash them and quickly eat." Ava Sterling didn’t forget Poe Vaughn’s affection for cleanliness, so she quickly pulled him to the bathroom to wash hands. Once they washed their hands, they returned, and Ava Sterling immediately sat in her chair and quickly started eating dinner. She was really starving. Poe Vaughn slowly wiped the water droplets from his hands with a napkin, watching the person across from him eating with such enthusiasm and focus as if nothing else mattered more than eating. Even if the sky fell, it wouldn’t affect her. He picked up his chopsticks and naturally served food into her bowl. Ava Sterling, upon seeing the food in her bowl, flashed a joyous smile at Poe Vaughn and also served food into his bowl in return. Poe Vaughn lowered his eyes, picked up the food she served him, and ate it without minding her used chopsticks. The atmosphere during dinner was excellent. Poe Vaughn wasn’t one to talk much, especially adhering to the principle of not speaking during meals, while Ava Sterling was quite talkative. Once her stomach was slightly filled, her eating pace slowed down, and she began chatting with Poe Vaughn. She never ran out of topics, first asking Poe Vaughn where the food was made, as it tasted great and she wanted to try it next time. Clearly, this dish wasn’t made by Aunt Wei; the taste was entirely different. Poe Vaughn explained, and then Ava Sterling mentioned the acting lessons she’d had today, realizing that professional acting was different from what she’d imagined. The teacher’s explanations were clearer and more straightforward; things she hadn’t understood before were suddenly clear, boosting her confidence in her ability to perform well. Simultaneously, she shared her thoughts on how to act and her future plans. In any case, most of the conversation was her talking. While Poe Vaughn ate, he watched her speak, her animated expressions showing approval, admiration, seriousness, or earnestness—a lively variety. Gradually, the night came unnoticed, and most of the food was eaten. "Alright, finally full!" "I’ll tidy up and clean; then we can head back." Ava Sterling, satisfied and full, stood up to clean the table, unlike at the Qingshan Villa where she sat after eating. There was no helping it; Aunt Wei was at the villa, but not here—only Ava Sterling and Poe Vaughn. If not her, who would wash the dishes? Certainly not the esteemed client. So, Ava Sterling dutifully carried the dishes into the kitchen. Poe Vaughn sat there, watching Ava Sterling head into the kitchen, feeling relaxed and cheerful. He took out his phone and dialed Aunt Wei. Aunt Wei’s voice came through the phone, and Poe Vaughn spoke, "Pack some of my clothes; ask Old Zhang to send them to The Kestrel Apartments." Aunt Wei paused, "The Kestrel Apartments?" "Sir... are you staying at The Kestrel Apartments for a few days?" "Alright, I’ll pack them now." Aunt Wei hung up, and Poe Vaughn put down his phone, then went to Ava Sterling’s study. Ava Sterling was in the kitchen cleaning and organizing; she moved quickly, finishing the task in fifteen minutes. Holding a thermal container wiped dry, Ava Sterling looked around and called out, "Poe Vaughn?" He wasn’t in the living room anymore; where did he go? Ava Sterling blinked, placing the container on the table, and checked the rooms, the study, the storeroom, and the bathroom, trying to find him. Ava Sterling thought perhaps he was in the bathroom. Considering it was still early, he was unlikely to go to her bedroom, filled with stuffed toys that a grown man wouldn’t appreciate; naturally, he wouldn’t be in her room. So it must be the study, but the study didn’t have anything related to his work; he didn’t need to go there and no documents had been delivered, clearly indicating he wasn’t in the study. He definitely wouldn’t go to the storeroom, piled with various items she didn’t want to look at much, so the bathroom was the only option. Ava Sterling thought, deciding not to look anymore, and said, "Poe Vaughn, I’m done tidying up, we can go back now." There was still time to water the plants when they returned. She couldn’t forget the reward for him—it was valuable. Ava Sterling spoke, carried the thermal container to the entrance, and grabbed her bag and keys. But just as she picked up her bag, she saw him coming out of the study, and she looked puzzled. "Why... what were you doing in the study?" Ava Sterling saw the open door of the study and couldn’t comprehend. Her study had nothing special, just books, little gadgets, then the laptop and tablet, nothing else. What did he go to the study for? Ava Sterling was confused. Poe Vaughn looked at the person with the bag, and said, "Not going back tonight." Ava Sterling was dumbfounded. If not going back, then where? Ava Sterling’s mind flashed with something, suddenly understanding, "Are you going on a business trip?" He must have been on the phone in the study; it was quiet and suitable for calls. So, he must be going on a business trip. Come to think of it, it had been a while since he last traveled. Someone of his stature surely needed to travel often. Thinking that, Ava Sterling asked, "Where are you going for the trip? How long will you be gone? When are you leaving?" New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel⁂fire.net Poe Vaughn watched her, seemingly eager for him to leave right away, and after a few moments said, "Not on a business trip." Ava Sterling was again bewildered. If not traveling, why aren’t they going back? What is he planning? Ava Sterling figured it was best not to guess, as guessing was giving her a headache. Tossing her bag onto the sofa, she walked over and directly asked, "Why aren’t you going back? Do you have plans? Just say it."