Chapter 149: Aunt Ella's "Extra Lesson" and Mary Sue's Eavesdropping (1)
Shia had already set out for his third destination.
With practiced ease, he took out a key and turned it. The door opened with a soft click.
This time, he had come to visit Ella, who was still recovering from her injuries.
As the door swung open, the first thing he saw was the widow, sitting primly in the living room. She wore a simple, snow-white dress, her figure radiating an air of quiet elegance.
Ella was seated on the sofa, holding paper and pen, meticulously preparing lesson plans.
When she lifted her head to see Shia entering, her expression remained indifferent. She promptly looked back down, pretending not to notice him.
Shia walked over and sat down beside her, his arm naturally sliding around her soft waist. He gently stroked it as he leaned in close.
"Aunt Ella, I came to see you."
The tickling sensation on her waist made Ella instinctively want to pull away, but she restrained herself. Instead, she let out a soft scoff, twisting her body to turn her back to him.
"And what exactly do you take me for?" Her voice carried a trace of disdain.
Today, Ella was dressed in a fitted, sleeveless white dress that accentuated her slender arms and delicate collarbones. The ruffled hem rested over her thighs, but her black stockings stretched tightly against her full legs, the fabric nearly translucent under the strain.
Her stunning face was free of makeup, yet her cheeks carried a natural rosy hue. Her lips were an unpainted crimson, and her brows arched gracefully. She was as breathtaking as ever—an elegant beauty whose charm had not diminished in the slightest.
Yet there was a coquettish undertone in her voice.
After their relationship had progressed further, Ella had grown more comfortable with being playfully expressive.
"What do you think, Aunt Ella?"
Shia's voice, low and slightly raspy, carried the vitality of youth, tinged with a hint of teasing.
Ella shot him an exasperated glance before rising to her feet. Her movements were graceful, her figure swaying slightly as she walked away with poise.
It had only been a few days, but the demure and subdued woman she once was had completely disappeared, replaced by the confident, radiant version of herself.
When she returned with two cups of tea, Shia gave her a once-over.
"You've recovered well, haven't you?"
Ella's face flushed as memories of the past days surfaced. The sound of the cups clinking against the table was a little louder than usual.
She shot him a reproachful glance, her back straightening with a subtle sense of pride.
That look—it was as if she was flaunting her recovery.
Shia felt provoked.
"I can still remember how you looked that night, tearfully begging for mercy."
He leaned in close, whispering in her ear. His breath was warm, his voice laced with amusement. The intimate tone and the meaning behind his words sent shivers down Ella's spine.
"Do you need me to mimic it for you?"
His teasing struck a nerve, and a vivid, inappropriate image instantly formed in Ella's mind.
'Boom!'
Her heart felt like it had exploded. Her face turned bright red as she twisted away, unwilling to meet his gaze.
For an older woman to be ridiculed like this by a younger man—it was mortifying.
'These cursed memories are attacking me again!'
Ella resolved right then and there: no more alcohol!
Drunken mistakes were the worst—especially the thought of how she'd poured out her long-buried feelings that night. It made her even more embarrassed.
'Why couldn't I keep my mouth shut? Why did I say all that?'
'My image, my dignity—it's all ruined!'
Would Shia laugh at her? Those immature worries she'd confessed were far from graceful or composed.
Her lips pressed together, her eyes filled with inner turmoil as she wrestled with her embarrassment.
Thankfully, Shia didn't push further. He knew when to stop and shifted the conversation toward the real reason for his visit.
With Ella's loyalty level now over 50%, he could trust her completely.
As much as he had grand plans, his current status as a student posed limitations. The predatory merchants and wineries he planned to deal with would likely underestimate him.
Even if he proved his abilities, it would cost unnecessary effort.
This was where Ella came in. Her expertise in internal affairs made her the perfect candidate for the role he needed filled.
After listening to his request, Ella remained silent, her expression attentive.
Then she raised an eyebrow.
"That's all?"
"Yeah, that's all," Shia replied matter-of-factly.
Ella's eyes narrowed, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face.
'Hmph, what a heartless little man!'
Her gaze carried a trace of resentment. He'd come to her just for help with business connections and nothing else. Not even a gesture of affection!
Feeling slightly downcast, the grieving widow sulked silently, lost in her thoughts.
This scene amused Shia greatly.
Hooking a finger under Ella's chin, he gently tilted her face toward him. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he teased her.
"Aunt Ella, don't you think you're acting a bit… pitiful?"
Ella blinked, momentarily stunned.
'Huh?'
What was this little brat talking about?
Before she could react, Shia leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Are you that desperate for my praise… hmm?"
As his words sank in, Ella's face flushed a deep red.
'This little brat was teasing me?!'
Thinking back to how she'd been waiting for his approval, only to get nothing, she felt utterly humiliated.
Her hands clenched her dress hem in frustration, resisting the urge to stomp her foot.
'He's doing this on purpose!'
'No, I can't let this brat get the upper hand!'
As an older, more experienced woman, she couldn't let herself be so easily toyed with. She needed to reestablish her authority!
Her eyes scanned the living room for inspiration until they landed on the lesson plans resting on the coffee table.
An idea struck her, and she couldn't help but feel a bit smug.