Chapter 403: Mutual Consent?

Chapter 403: Chapter 403: Mutual Consent?

But from Owen Warren’s perspective, there was Lily Hart, hands on her hips, head lowered to glare at him. She looked incredibly cute.

He couldn’t resist reaching out and patting her on the head. "What did I do? You’re the one who held it out to me."

Lily Hart was speechless. It was true. When he didn’t take a bite, she had even pushed it closer. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

She huffed. "You should have eaten it when I offered!"

Owen Warren chuckled, then boldly took her hand and started leading her upstairs.

’Yeah, Owen Warren sure is bold,’

Lily Hart thought.

’Even Frost Shaw had waited a long time before daring to hold my hand, and it took him forever to work up the courage for a kiss.’

’Oh well. I’m fine with anything, really. I like all styles, all types.’

The two of them arrived on the second floor, and Lily Hart was struck by how many people there were. Even though the space had expanded after the upgrade, it was more crowded than ever.

Everyone knew how great the bathhouse was, and most people set aside half a day to spend here.

First, they’d get a proper scrub-down to get rid of all the grime, then change into new clothes bought from the factory.

Then they could watch a movie, sing some karaoke, get a massage, and most importantly, eat as much as they wanted!

It was pure bliss!

But Lily Hart was curious. "Why’d you drag me up here? I’m not taking a bath right now."

Owen Warren shot her a look. If it weren’t for the crowds of people milling about, he would’ve stomped right over and taken a bite out of her.

’What was that supposed to mean? Did she think the only thing to do up here was take a bath?’

After the last upgrade and adjustment, Owen Warren had moved all the entertainment areas to the second floor.

For example, the movie theater, the karaoke rooms, and now you could even play pool or mahjong—all for pure fun.

The third floor, on the other hand, was for pure relaxation, with the massage rooms, soaking tubs, scrubbing stations, and showers.

Owen Warren led her straight to the karaoke area and into the small private room reserved just for her. "If you don’t want a scrub, how about some singing? Or maybe mahjong?"

She was somewhat interested in those two, but Lily Hart glanced at the time.

’It’s almost noon. Shouldn’t we be having lunch?’

Owen Warren seemed to read her mind. "We have everything to eat here!" he declared. "What do you want? I’ll get it for you."

"Whatever," Lily Hart said.

’Since he offered, I might as well accept. Got to give the young man—no, the young zombie—a chance, after all.’

That single word, "Whatever," landed on Owen Warren like a ton of bricks.

’Whatever? What kind of food is "whatever"? What if we don’t have that here?’

Owen Warren left, completely perplexed. He did a full lap around the food area and still had no idea what "whatever" was.

’This woman, I swear...’

He had no choice but to grab a tray and pick out some of the foods she usually loved.

Boiled shrimp, New Orleans-style chicken wings, and spicy grilled wings.

It was common knowledge by now that Boss Hart loved beef, chicken wings, and shrimp.

He came back with three huge plates full of food. Lily Hart was speechless when she saw them.

"What, do you think I’m a pig? I can’t eat all this. We’re supposed to have lunch soon," Lily Hart said, exasperated.

’Fine, I’ll just have this for lunch,’ she thought, shooting him a look. "Where are the chopsticks? And the dipping sauce for the boiled shrimp?"

’Chopsticks? Oh, right. Humans need chopsticks to eat, not like us zombies who just tear into our food with our bare hands.’

Owen Warren had just sat down. Hearing her words, he jolted back to his feet. "I’ll go get them."

’I have to admire Frost Shaw all over again,’ he thought. ’That guy always manages to take such perfect care of Boss Hart.’

’No way, I have to learn too. I can’t lose to him!’

This time, Owen Warren was smarter. He brought back chopsticks, disposable gloves, and the dipping sauce for the boiled shrimp.

Lily Hart selected a song and started singing happily.

Seeing this, the very perceptive Owen Warren started peeling shrimp for her, dropping them directly into the bowl of dipping sauce as he finished.

She finished her song, turned back, and stared in horror. "If they keep soaking in there... they’ll be so salty they could kill me."

"...No way." ’Could something really get that salty?’

Owen Warren frantically searched his memory. ’How does Frost Shaw usually do this?’

’Ohhh, right. He puts them in an empty bowl and lets Boss Hart handle the dipping sauce herself.’

’He cursed himself for not getting it. He’d thought he was making things more convenient for her.’

So Owen Warren used chopsticks to pick them out one by one and place them in an empty bowl. "There, all better. They’re not soaking anymore."

"A real genius," Lily Hart thought.

’But you can’t expect too much from a zombie. Best to take things slow.’

Lily Hart finished the shrimp in the bowl, pulled on a glove, and started in on the chicken wings. After finishing one, she’d get up to sing.

She even handed the microphone to Owen Warren. "Your turn."

Owen Warren was still peeling shrimp for Lily Hart. He was caught off guard by the microphone being thrust at him and looked a little dazed.

But the music had already begun, so he hastily yanked off his glove and joined in the duet.

’Keeping up with Lily Hart isn’t easy...’ he sighed to himself.

Lost in thought, he sang the entire song completely off-key, the two of them standing very close the whole time.

By the time the song ended, Owen Warren was sweating. He felt that if he stayed this close any longer, something was bound to happen.

It would be the death of him, one way or another.

Owen Warren silently scooted farther away, rejecting her unspoken desire for another duet. Lily Hart promptly put her hands on her hips. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"Huh?" Owen Warren looked up, a half-peeled shrimp still in his hand.

He was getting more and more skilled at it; he could now get the shell off in one clean motion.

"You’re the one who dragged me here to sing, but now you won’t join in. You think you can get a free concert out of me? Not a chance!"

"Huh?" Owen Warren was dumbfounded.

’What was happening? Her mouth was going a mile a minute, and he couldn’t make out a single word she was saying.’

’All he could see were her lips—rosy red, still glistening from the water she’d just drunk, and so beautifully full.’

’They must taste amazing.’

Owen Warren’s Adam’s apple bobbed as the defenses he’d erected in his mind began to crumble.

He closed his eyes, leaned in, and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. Then his eyes snapped open, and he stared at her intently.

’His mind went blank as he savored the memory of that fleeting touch. Just as soft and just as sweet as he had imagined.’

’But even more delicious than he had imagined.’

"Huh?" This time it was Lily Hart’s turn to be dumbfounded.

’What was that? He just... out of nowhere? Huh? Is this okay?’

Owen Warren slowly and methodically pulled off his disposable gloves, his eyes fixed on her face.

His gaze was predatory. Paired with this action, an unknowing observer might think he was up to something far less innocent.

Owen Warren advanced, and Lily Hart retreated until she couldn’t back up any further.

Her back hit the armrest. She was at the very edge of the sofa; any more and she’d be on the floor.

"Why are you backing away?" Owen Warren asked.

"You keep crowding me, so I have to," Lily Hart said stubbornly.

Owen Warren held up his hands. "Fine, I won’t crowd you." It wasn’t like she had anywhere else to go.

Lily Hart glared at him, reached out, and planted her palm firmly on his chest.

She pushed, but he didn’t budge. "Back up. If you want to talk, then talk. Why are you so close?"

"I’m not doing anything. I want to kiss you. Is that okay, Boss Hart?" Owen Warren said bluntly.

’Is this for real? Can someone really be this blunt?’

She lowered her head to think, but Owen Warren couldn’t wait. He grabbed her hand and leaned in to kiss her.

She stopped him with a hand over his mouth, her eyes flashing a warning. "Hold on a minute. You do know this sort of thing requires mutual consent, right?"

With his mouth covered, Owen Warren couldn’t speak and could only let out a muffled, "MMPH, MMPH!"

The moment Lily Hart let go, she heard Owen Warren say, "I know. That’s why I asked you."

"And did I say yes?" Lily Hart was flabbergasted. ’Why is this guy answering his own questions?’