Chapter 413: Butterscotch for the Young Man!!
Evening had settled over Beijing by the time the car began taking them back toward the hotel.
The city outside the window had changed again.
The bright daylight of the tourist districts had slowly given way to illuminated streets, glowing storefronts, and long ribbons of traffic passing beneath the deep blue evening sky.
Chloe rested comfortably against the seat.
Her shoes had already been removed.
One heel lay near her feet while she gently moved her toes after an entire day of walking.
She looked outside for a few seconds.
Then sighed happily.
"We visited so many places today."
Miles looked toward her.
"Tired?"
Chloe turned.
A proud smile appeared.
"I have to say..."
She leaned slightly toward him.
"My husband doesn’t let me get tired."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Really."
Chloe started counting.
"You carried the bags."
"You kept finding places for me to sit."
Miles smiled.
Chloe continued,
"And you kept asking if my feet hurt."
Miles slowly leaned over.
Then rested his head against Chloe’s shoulder.
He closed his eyes.
"But I’m tired."
Chloe laughed.
"Of course you are."
She gently touched his hair.
"You were running around for me all day."
Miles murmured,
"Hmm."
Chloe smiled.
"Bringing my umbrella in the sun."
"Buying cold drinks."
"Looking for places I wanted to see."
"Taking pictures."
Miles remained comfortably against her.
Chloe looked down at him.
"Let’s slow down."
His eyes opened slightly.
"What?"
"We don’t need to see everything."
Chloe gently moved her fingers through his hair.
"I don’t want this trip to become a checklist."
Miles listened.
"I just want to enjoy the moments."
She smiled.
"With my husband."
Miles’ expression softened.
"Okay."
"No rushing tomorrow?"
"No rushing."
"No twenty places?"
Miles smiled.
"Maybe nineteen?"
Chloe immediately pinched his cheek.
Miles laughed.
"Okay, okay."
She released him.
Then asked,
"So what are the dinner plans?"
Miles sat upright again.
"There’s a good restaurant near the hotel."
Chloe looked interested.
"I already made a reservation."
"Of course you did."
Miles smiled.
Chloe looked toward the city again.
"Then let’s eat."
She stretched slightly.
"And rest for the day."
Miles nodded.
"Yes."
...
Gentle piano music drifted through the restaurant.
The place was quiet without feeling empty.
Warm lights reflected from polished tables.
Large windows overlooked part of the city, and soft conversations from other diners blended naturally with the music.
Miles and Chloe sat near the window.
Their table was simple.
No unnecessary extravagance.
Just carefully arranged dishes, elegant cutlery, and the faint aroma of freshly prepared food.
The restaurant was famous enough that its head chef rarely came out personally.
But that evening...
He did.
A middle aged Chinese chef approached their table carrying the final dish himself.
He placed it carefully.
Then explained the ingredients and the cooking process in English.
Chloe listened with obvious interest.
Miles nodded occasionally.
The chef smiled.
Then remembered something.
"Mr. Sterling."
Miles looked toward him.
"Yes?"
"The waiter told me you sent the wine back."
Chloe looked toward Miles.
The chef continued politely,
"Was there any problem with it?"
"If the selection wasn’t suitable, we would be happy to serve something better."
Miles immediately shook his head.
"No issue with the wine."
The chef waited.
Miles smiled.
"We simply don’t drink alcohol."
The chef understood immediately.
"Of course."
He nodded.
"My apologies."
"No need."
Miles smiled.
The chef looked toward Chloe.
"Then please enjoy your dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling."
Chloe returned the smile.
"Thank you, Chef."
He left them alone.
Dinner continued peacefully.
The food was excellent.
But Miles realized something after a while.
He wasn’t paying much attention to it.
He was watching Chloe.
She had been cheerful the entire day.
Excited over little things.
Taking photographs of old architecture.
Stopping beside street stalls.
Laughing whenever Miles misjudged how long she wanted to stay somewhere.
Even now...
She was carefully examining every dish before tasting it, as if dinner itself was another place on the trip.
Eventually, Chloe noticed him staring.
She put down her chopsticks.
"What?"
Miles smiled.
"Nothing."
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
"You’re staring again."
"I can stare at my wife."
"That’s not a legal defense."
Miles chuckled.
Chloe picked up another bite.
Then suddenly smiled mischievously.
"Do you want me to feed you, Mr. Sterling?"
Miles immediately leaned forward.
"Yes, please."
Chloe laughed.
"You didn’t even hesitate."
"No."
She lifted the bite toward him.
"Here."
Then opened her own mouth dramatically.
"Say aaa."
Miles obediently replied,
"Aaa."
Chloe placed the bite into his mouth.
Then started laughing.
"You really are being a baby now."
Miles chewed.
Then nodded seriously.
"Yes."
Chloe shook her head.
He swallowed.
His eyes briefly moved toward another table.
A little boy sat beside his father.
The child seemed tired.
Instead of letting him struggle with the food, the father quietly fed him while speaking to him.
The boy smiled after every bite.
Miles watched them for a moment.
Then smiled faintly.
Chloe noticed.
"What is it?"
Miles looked back at her.
"Nothing."
"You were looking over there."
Miles glanced toward the father and son.
Then quietly said,
"It’s good to be a child."
Chloe looked toward the table too.
Her expression softened.
Then she looked back at Miles.
"Alright."
She pushed his plate slightly closer.
"Now eat yourself, Mr. Sterling."
Miles looked offended.
"What happened to feeding me?"
"People are watching."
Miles glanced around.
Several diners had indeed looked toward them more than once.
He sighed.
"Yes."
"Too many eyes."
Chloe smiled.
"Exactly."
The rest of dinner passed with easy conversation.
Before leaving, Chloe stopped to speak briefly with the chef again.
"The dishes were wonderful."
The chef smiled proudly.
"I’m glad you enjoyed them."
Chloe nodded.
"Especially the second course."
The chef immediately explained the traditional preparation again.
Miles listened quietly, occasionally smiling at Chloe’s genuine enthusiasm.
Eventually...
They thanked the staff.
Then walked outside together.
The evening air was cooler now.
Miles had taken only several steps when he suddenly stopped.
"Oh."
Chloe looked toward him.
"What?"
Miles checked his pockets.
"My phone."
"You lost it?"
"I think I left it inside."
Chloe smiled.
"Go."
"I’ll wait here."
Miles nodded.
Then casually looked toward the side.
One of the Sterling Security agents Charles had assigned to the city was standing at a distance, dressed like an ordinary pedestrian.
Miles caught his eye.
A slight movement of the fingers.
Watch her.
The agent understood immediately.
Miles turned.
Then walked back into the restaurant.
...
He entered the interior corridor.
Past the main dining section.
Past the private rooms.
Then...
Stopped.
The same father and son from the nearby table were walking toward him.
The little boy held onto his father’s hand.
Miles stepped into the middle of the corridor.
Blocking the way.
The father stopped.
The boy immediately moved behind him.
Miles stared at the man.
"So?"
The man looked confused.
"May I help you?"
Miles didn’t move.
"What is it?"
The man’s expression remained polite.
"I think there is some misunderstanding."
He slowly turned.
Then stopped.
Another man stood at the opposite end of the corridor.
Sterling Security.
The father understood immediately.
Miles sighed.
"I won’t make this difficult."
His eyes moved toward the boy hiding behind the man’s leg.
"Your kid is with you."
The man’s expression changed slightly.
Miles continued,
"So tell me."
"Who sent you?"
Silence.
Then...
The man smiled.
"You really are clever."
Miles’ eyes narrowed.
The man continued,
"Just like Mr. Chen said."
Miles exhaled.
"Why bring a kid?"
The man looked back at his son.
Then smiled awkwardly.
"I thought you wouldn’t suspect a father traveling with his child."
Miles stared at him.
"That was your plan?"
The man shrugged slightly.
Miles shook his head.
"Get to the point."
His tone became impatient.
"I’m on vacation."
"I don’t want trouble."
The man immediately nodded.
"Mr. Chen knows."
Miles waited.
"He doesn’t want to disturb your vacation."
"He just wants to meet an old friend."
Miles’ expression changed slightly.
The man continued,
"Only for a few minutes."
Miles remained silent.
Then suddenly asked,
"Is the ice cream shop near the lake still open?"
The man smiled.
"Yes."
Miles nodded slowly.
"I’ll walk there."
He looked directly at him.
"Tell Mr. Chen to meet me there."
"Alone."
The man understood immediately.
"No assistants."
"No people following him."
Miles glanced toward the boy again.
"And definitely no creative ideas like this."
The man smiled apologetically.
"Understood."
Miles added,
"I don’t want my partner feeling uncomfortable."
"I understand."
The little boy remained partly hidden.
Miles looked toward him.
Then remembered something.
He reached into his pocket.
Earlier that afternoon, an elderly woman running a small stall had given Chloe and Miles a few candies after they bought something from her.
Miles still had one left.
He crouched slightly.
Then extended it toward the child.
The boy looked at the candy.
Then up at his father.
The father gave a small nod.
The boy slowly stepped forward.
He accepted it carefully.
"Thank you, Brother."
Miles smiled.
He gently ruffled the boy’s hair.
"Sorry for scaring you."
The child shook his head.
Miles stood again.
He gave the father one final look.
Then turned.
"Tell him not to keep me waiting."
The man nodded.
Miles walked away.
...
He returned outside quickly.
Chloe was exactly where he had left her.
She looked toward him.
"Found your phone?"
Miles pulled it from his pocket.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Where was it?"
"Under the table."
Chloe chuckled.
Miles looked suspicious.
"What?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing."
"What?"
Chloe smiled.
"Sometimes..."
"It feels good seeing you like a normal person."
Miles blinked.
"Normal?"
He pointed toward himself.
"Am I abnormal?"
Chloe immediately shook her head.
"No."
She took his arm.
"You’re always perfect."
Miles raised an eyebrow.
Chloe continued,
"And that’s the problem."
Miles stared.
"A little imperfection is good for life."
Miles laughed.
"So losing my phone makes me more attractive?"
"Maybe."
Miles smiled.
Then looked toward the road.
"There’s a lake nearby."
Chloe looked interested.
"Lake?"
"Yeah."
He pointed down the street.
"We can walk."
He smiled faintly.
"Last time I was there..."
"There was an ice cream stall."
Chloe’s eyes immediately brightened.
"It’s really good."
"Ice cream?"
Miles laughed.
Chloe grabbed his hand.
"Yes, yes."
"Let’s go."
Miles intertwined his fingers with hers.
And together...
They walked.
...
The lake looked completely different at night.
City lights reflected across the water.
Small ripples broke the colors into soft lines of gold, white, and red.
The nearby path remained busy enough to feel safe but quiet enough for couples and families to walk without being crowded.
Trees moved gently in the cool breeze.
Above them...
The sky was clear enough for a few stars to remain visible despite the city lights.
Miles and Chloe walked slowly.
No hurry.
No destination they urgently needed to reach.
Chloe kept one hand wrapped around Miles’ arm.
After a while, she asked,
"Tell me something."
Miles looked toward her.
"What do you want me to tell you?"
She smiled.
"Who were you with the last time you came here?"
Miles answered immediately.
"Alone."
Chloe looked surprised.
"Alone?"
"Yes."
She tilted her head.
"How old were you?"
Miles thought for a moment.
"Sixteen."
"Maybe."
Chloe stared.
"You were walking around Beijing alone when you were sixteen?"
Miles smiled.
"Something like that."
Chloe sighed.
"Is there any country you haven’t visited?"
Miles thought.
Then shook his head.
"Probably not."
Chloe stared at him.
"Visiting almost every country at that age is an achievement by itself."
Miles immediately smiled proudly.
"Aren’t I amazing?"
Chloe laughed.
"Very."
Then her expression changed.
"So..."
Miles became cautious.
"What were you doing here?"
He waited.
Chloe continued,
"Something dangerous?"
Miles looked toward the water.
"Dangerous..."
He considered it.
"You could say that."
Chloe tightened her grip on his arm.
Miles continued,
"But I wasn’t supposed to get involved."
"Oh?"
"I was told to stay away from the danger."
"Just watch."
Chloe looked at him suspiciously.
"Did you actually just watch?"
Miles looked toward her.
Then smiled.
Chloe sighed.
"That smile answers enough."
Miles laughed.
She became more serious.
"So you don’t have any bad memories here, right?"
Miles slowed slightly.
"Bad memories?"
"Yes."
He thought.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Chloe watched him carefully.
Miles repeated,
"No bad memories here."
She visibly relaxed.
"Good."
Miles noticed the small reaction.
His smile softened.
Then he pointed ahead.
"There."
Chloe followed his finger.
A small shop stood near the lake.
Warm lights hung above it.
The design was simple.
Almost cute.
Wooden counters.
A small roof.
A bright menu.
Several stools nearby.
Miles smiled.
"The ice cream stall."
Chloe immediately pulled him.
"Let’s go."
They approached.
Chloe looked around happily.
"Such a cute little shop."
Miles smiled.
Before either of them could order...
A man’s voice came from near the counter.
"One butterscotch for the young man."
Miles stopped.
The voice continued,
"And for the young lady..."
A man stepped into the light.
Older now.
White hair visible near the temples.
He looked toward Chloe.
"Hmm."
"What flavor would you like, Miss?"
Miles sighed.
"Mrs. Sterling."
The man looked toward him.
Then smiled.
"Mrs. Sterling it is."
Chloe looked between them.
Confused.
The man repeated politely,
"What flavor would you like, Mrs. Sterling?"
Chloe still didn’t fully understand what was happening.
But she answered,
"Chocolate, please."
The man looked toward the actual shopkeeper.
"Chocolate for Mrs. Sterling."
The shopkeeper nodded quickly.
"Understood, sir."
Miles stared at the man’s hair.
Then smiled.
"Mr. Chen."
Chen looked toward him.
Miles continued,
"I see white hair."
Chen laughed softly.
"Mr. Sterling, I suppose."
Miles shook his head.
"Miles Sterling."
Chen’s expression changed slightly.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
A real name.
Finally.
Miles continued,
"Just Miles."
Chen smiled.
"Miles."
He nodded.
"Finally..."
"You have a name."
Miles smiled.
Chen looked him over carefully.
"I heard you retired."
His eyes moved briefly toward Chloe.
Then back toward Miles.
"Looks like you found your reason to live like a normal person."
Miles glanced toward his wife.
"Yes."
The answer came without hesitation.
Chloe looked at him.
A small smile appeared.
Miles gestured toward Chen.
"Chloe."
She turned.
"Meet Mr. Chen."
Chen nodded politely.
Miles continued,
"The Chen family owns several private museums and auction houses across the country."
Chloe immediately smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Chen."
"The pleasure is mine."
Chen looked between the couple.
Then smiled apologetically.
"I hope I’m not disturbing your evening."
Chloe shook her head.
"Not really."
Then she smiled at Miles.
"Actually..."
"It’s a relief to know my husband knows people here."
Chen laughed.
"I completely understand what that means."