“Just because there are many people doesn’t mean it’s good,” Callie said seriously, resting her face on her hand.
The boatman laughed at her naivety. “Everyone has their desires. If you have one, you can try.”
Callie didn’t answer. Instead, she turned to look at the tall man sitting on the deck with no place to rest his legs. “Mr. Oconnor, do you have any?”
Nelson glanced at her, clearly unwilling to answer.
She continued, “Of course, you’re so wealthy, you have everything you want. You don’t need to make wishes. Let me guess, do you wish for Charlotte’s well-being?”
Regan had mentioned that this matter was already the talk of the town. Charlotte hadn’t left her house for days, and Marilyn was gloating.
Nelson frowned. “Callie.”
He wasn’t angry but was already impatient. He didn’t lose his temper, but his cold demeanor made her unsure of his thoughts.
Callie was getting frustrated. He could afford to waste time, but she couldn’t.
She was eager to leave.
However, the boat moved slowly, and time passed just as sluggishly.
Nelson seemed to take advantage of the secluded area, keeping her there. When he had free time, he visited art galleries, and when he was busy, he locked her in a room to accompany him while he worked.
When the boat docked, he suddenly became interested in exploring the streets and tasting local Ylosea snacks with her.
This season had few tourists, and most shops were closed. The shopkeepers were napping inside. They finally found an open shop, which was clean and had a menu with clear prices on the wall.
Nelson looked at the menu for a while. Callie, already exhausted, sat down first and ordered, “Satay noodles, sweet cakes, and a serving of taro duck.”
The shop owner quickly wrote down the order and praised her in the local dialect, “Such a good choice for a young girl.”
Callie smiled and replied in dialect, “I’m a local.”
The shop owner turned to the distinguished-looking man and asked with her eyes, “What would you like?”
Though he didn’t look much older, she instinctively used a respectful tone.
Nelson frowned slightly and looked at the woman already seated. “The same as her.”
These dishes were all sweet. Nelson never liked sweets, so after a few bites, he stopped eating. Callie, on the other hand, enjoyed them thoroughly, especially the taro duck. She took several bites.
Nelson mocked her, “Do you always have such an indiscriminate appetite?”
Callie looked up. “For a moment, I couldn’t tell if you were talking about people or food. Sorry.”
His expression darkened further.
She continued eating. “I love sweets. They give me hope. When I was in school, Reuben often bought them for me. If I got good grades on my homework, I’d get ice cream. If I aced my exams, I’d get taro duck.”
“But Joaquin never had such treatment because he was a poor student.” She bit her spoon and smiled, reminiscing about the past.
Nelson didn’t seem to be paying much attention. He stood up abruptly. “I’m going to the restroom.”
The winding streets made it hard to find. The shop owner led him into her home, feeling a bit embarrassed that he might mind.
When Nelson came out of the restroom, he didn’t leave immediately but took a detour into the kitchen.
The shop owner was busy cooking with the exhaust fan roaring. She was startled when she saw Nelson appear. “Young man, did you lose your way?”
Nelson frowned deeply. He took out his phone and scanned a QR code before saying, “Ma’ma, could you please make another serving of taro duck?”