Chapter 692 - 688: Hiss, I’m Fine

After dinner, Jasmine Sterling learned that Randall Jennings hadn’t driven today, so she offered to walk him to the community gate.

As soon as the two of them stepped out, Cecilia Sterling scurried over to the living room’s French doors to peek furtively.

Just looking at their silhouettes against the night, they really were a surprisingly good match.

"Cecilia, where are Mom and Mr. Jennings?"

Just then, Lily came downstairs holding Yoda. Cecilia jutted her chin toward the outside. "Mr. Jennings is heading home. Mom’s walking him to the gate to catch a cab."

"Then I’ll go too. It’s a good chance to walk Yoda."

Lily started to chase after them but was pulled back by her sister. "Don’t go. Take Yoda to the pet park instead."

Lily was confused. "Why? I want to go for a walk with Mom."

"Mom has company," Cecilia said, walking straight to the door to put on her shoes. "You can go for a walk with me."

Lily thought her sister was being a little strange, but she didn’t overthink it and happily went out with her and Yoda.

"Lily," Cecilia said, suddenly turning to her sister after they left the house. "What do you think of Mr. Jennings?"

"Mr. Jennings is great, of course. I heard Mom say he’s helped our family out many times." Lily looked at her sister, her expression serious. "You’re more familiar with him, Cecilia, so you definitely know him better than I do. To be honest, I’m a little scared of him. Even though he’s a nice person, his status is just so high that I don’t really dare to talk to him."

"Cecilia, why are you suddenly asking me this?"

Cecilia resisted the urge to share her suspicions with her sister just yet. "No reason. I was just curious."

Meanwhile, Jasmine was walking with Randall toward the community gate.

There had been a heavy snowfall two days prior, and the property management had been quick to clear the paths. They had even used the snow to build a row of snowmen along the sides of the road, which looked especially delightful.

"You probably never saw this much snow before coming to Lorcain, right?" Randall asked Jasmine, looking at the snowmen by the roadside.

Jasmine smiled and nodded. "Veridia doesn’t really have a winter. When I was a kid back in my hometown, I’d see it snow occasionally, but I’ve barely seen it since I left."

"The snow in Lorcain is heavy and beautiful. I love winters here. When it’s warm inside and snowing outside, I love to just sit by the window and watch. I can do it for quite a while."

As she spoke, an image of the scene naturally formed in Randall’s mind. Just then, Jasmine stepped on a small patch of thin ice left on the pavement. She slipped, her body suddenly lurching backward.

"Ah—"

Jasmine cried out in alarm. In an almost subconscious bid for safety, she reached out to grab Randall, who was beside her.

Seeing this, Randall quickly reached out to catch her. In his haste, he didn’t have time to worry about boundaries. He flailed to grab her arm, but unexpectedly lost his own footing, pulling Jasmine down with him as they both tumbled to the ground.

"Ngh—"

Randall let out a muffled grunt. He felt his lower back hit the curb, and the pain made him suck in a sharp breath.

As for Jasmine, because Randall’s attempt to pull her back had broken her fall, and because she was wearing thick winter clothes, it didn’t hurt as much.

She immediately checked on Randall, concerned. "Randall, are you okay?"

Randall gritted his teeth and forced himself to shake his head. "I’m fine. You didn’t get hurt, did you?"

Jasmine shook her head too and reached out to help him. "Let me help you up."

After they got to their feet, Jasmine asked again, still worried, "Are you really okay? It looked like you fell harder than I did."

"I’m really fine. You need to watch your step from now on. This is how winters are up north. Even if the snow is cleared away perfectly, there can still be black ice on the ground. It’s very slippery, and you can fall if you’re not careful."

Seeing that Randall really seemed to be okay, Jasmine finally relaxed.

They walked the rest of the way to the community gate, where the car Randall had called was already waiting. Jasmine stopped by the security booth. "Alright, you head home. Come back when you have time."

Randall gave her a slight smile and started walking toward the ride-share vehicle. But after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and turned back. "Jasmine..."

"Hm?" Jasmine looked at him in surprise.

Randall’s lips were pressed into a thin line, his brow furrowed with a storm of emotions. But deep down, he couldn’t muster that last shred of courage.

Seeing him hesitate, Jasmine couldn’t help but ask with concern, "What’s wrong? Is there something you want to say?"

Randall let out a soft sigh and finally just shook his head. "It’s nothing. I just wanted to remind you to be careful on your way back. Don’t fall again."

"Okay, I will. You should get in the car."

Randall looked down, his eyes falling. He felt completely deflated. He quickly pulled open the car door and got in.

Jasmine only turned to head back after the car started and drove away.

In the car, however, Randall couldn’t help but let out a long hiss of pain, gently pressing a hand to his lower back.

He had, in fact, hurt his back, but he’d been too embarrassed to admit it in front of Jasmine. It was a split-second reaction and decision.

’At that moment, only one thought crossed his mind: he couldn’t let Jasmine think he had a bad back.’

"Driver, please head to the Second Military Hospital first."

"You got it."

*

「The next morning, at the Churchill residence.」

Sunny winter days were perfect for sleeping in. In her spacious and beautiful bedroom, Kylie Churchill was nestled in her comfortable bed, scrolling on her phone.

Or rather, she was constantly checking WhatsApp to see if Shawn Lane had messaged her first.

It was already past nine o’clock, and there was still no sign of activity on WhatsApp.

’He can’t still be asleep, can he?’

Kylie patiently told herself that if she still hadn’t heard from Shawn by ten, she would message him first.

But in the next second, her WhatsApp chimed.

She quickly opened the app. It was indeed a message from Shawn. After reading it, Kylie’s eyes lit up with excitement. She scrambled out of bed and ran to the window to look outside.

In front of the villa, Shawn’s car was parked on the side of the road. He was standing by the car door, waving up at her.

Kylie was overjoyed. She quickly threw on a long down jacket and rushed downstairs.

"Kylie!"

Mrs. Churchill was surprised to see her daughter running down so excitedly, wearing a down jacket over her pajamas. "Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"

"Mom, Shawn’s here to see me!" Kylie said, already at the front door.

Mrs. Churchill hurried after her. "Put on more clothes! Don’t catch a cold, it’s freezing outside."

But Kylie was in no state to hear her mother. She had already pushed open the door and dashed out, letting in a gust of cold air that made Mrs. Churchill shiver.

She went to the doorway and called out to her daughter’s retreating back, "Have him come inside! It’s cold out there."

The main gate opened, and Kylie ran up to Shawn, clutching the collar of her jacket. "Didn’t you say you had a project to work on today? Why did you suddenly come looking for me?"