Burning Passion

CHAPTER 194: THE THIRD WHEEL

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"So, what we should try next? How about the Horror House?" Steven suggested. He meant to tease Nina, and he was right. The expression on Nina's face, telling them she is not a fan of scary stuff. 

"You and Harry can go! I'll be waiting for you guys here," said Nina, sipping her iced tea casually. 

Steven couldn't hold on and laughed hard. Nina is giving them a cute face. Clearly, she is avoiding talking about anything related to it. Steven felt when Harry kicked him under the table, sending him a meaningful glare.

Scratching his temple, he behaved. "All right, we will go next time then? How about it, Nina?" Steven suppresses not to grin as Harry is glaring at him.

"Hm..." Nina fell in thoughts.

She wants to go out again with Steven and Harry. And maybe it's not a bad idea to try the Horror House with them next time. Now she looks forward to it. It feels like she won't get scared if they were the ones to enter the Horror House for the first time.

"How about let's bring Korin next time? We want to try the horror house, but we don't have any companions." 

"The more, the merrier!" Steven concurred. "All right! Let's come back here again!" 

"Okay!" Nina smiled widely. She bowed at Steven and Harry. "Thank you for taking me along with you!" 

"What are you saying? We should be the ones who thanked you for accompanying us." Steven told Nina. The smile on his face never disappeared, ever since he is with Nina.

Meanwhile, being the third wheel on this date, Harry rolled his eyes. Steven never blinks, staring at Nina. He was too obvious now. And Steven makes another plan to go on a date and it looks like once again, he plans to drag him along.

Harry was about to excuse himself to leave Steven and Nina alone. But then Nina suggested to them.

"Let's visit Korin in the restaurant!" 

"That's a great idea!" Steven instantly agreed. Anything and anywhere, he will follow Nina around. "Harry, let's go!"

They left the café, Harry silently followed Steven and Nina walking ahead of him. He was thinking, maybe coming back here with Korin would not make him look like the third wheeler of his twin brother's date. 

~~~~~

Steven, Harry, and Nina left the Amusement Theme Park headed to the Gardenia Restaurant. Upon arriving at the place, the workers immediately greeted the young masters and Nina, who often hang out in the restaurant.

One server led them upstairs and gave the exclusive room. Later, Korin joins them after the workers informed Chef Oliver Shang and Korin.

"Sister Nina! I missed you already!" Korin immediately throws her arms around Nina, like they were separated for a year.

"We just didn't see each other for a week." Nina giggled and returned a hug.

"Hm, now I wondered…" Steven mumbled while gaping at them.

Nina and Korin waited for him to continue.

"What do you want to say, brother Steven?" asked Korin. She was also curious as much as Nina.

"I am now in wonder why Nina didn't give us a hug when we didn't see each other for two years."

Nina dropped her jaw. Instantly, her face was like bitten red. Stupid Steven! He is teasing her again! Anyway, she would love to hug them, but she was deadly shy to do that! 

Korin staring at Steven with big eyes. Later, she was laughing hard. "You are not sister Nina's boyfriend. Why would she do that?"

"But we are friends!"

"But sister Nina and I are sisters!" Korin put out her tongue.

"Hah." Steven frowned and joked to Korin. "I see that you are a little naughty girl now. I remembered two years ago. You were sitting quietly in the corner and never spoke to us."

"That was two years ago, of course! I need to be strong to protect my sister Nina!" she boasted.

"Why? Did something happen again?" Now he is curious. Last time, Lilian scheme Nina to embarrass in front of the high society.

Nina instantly replied, "Oh, no. It's fine!"

However, she just lied. The truth was... she just quarreled with Lilian this morning. But, it's not worth mentioning it, so she won't tell Korin about it.

"Tell me, sister Nikki. Did sister Lilian bother you again?"

"Huh? No. She doesn't," she smiled at Korin and Steven. However, Harry's eyes were telling her she is lying. It made her wonder.

'Could it be possible that Harry heard us?' Nina asked herself. She averted her gaze at Harry, casually sipping her tea to hide her lies. She just told Harry and Steven that she doesn't like to lie to anyone. But here she is, lying to them on the same day she swears those words.

"Argh! I cannot escape from training! Grandfather is too strict with me!" Korin groans.

Gladly, the girl quickly believes in her. But Harry remains gaping at her with that kind of look. Nina ignores Harry and starts a cheerful conversation with Korin.

"Haven't you told me you will replace your grandfather as the head chef of Gardenia Restaurant? As I could see, you want to give up already." 

"No way! I would never give up and won't escape a day of training!" 

"That's good then! If you completed a week of training, we will reward you!" 

"Is that so, sister Nina!?" 

"Yes!" Nina glances at Steven and Harry to ask their help to motivate the young girl. Gladly, they immediately understood her. 

"That's right, Korin! We will bring you to Ocean Park! How about it?" Steven helps to convince Korin.

The girl seems to imagine a scene in her head. Later, her eyes brightened and swore to work hard. 

"Now then, how about let us have a taste of what you've learned already?" 

"Sure! It wasn't the main dish yet! But I'm helping make the noodle soup!" 

Korin left to prepare the meal. After half an hour, she came back with the soup she was boasting about. 

"How was it, sister Nina!" Korin is nervous if her guests would like the noodle soup she prepared. She is biting her lower lip, anxiously waiting for their answers. 

After a minute, the three of them raised their hands and showed an okay. 

Korin sighs with relief. Although she knew it wasn't perfect yet, she is determined she can master it soon!

"Korin, you are the best! You almost copied grandpa Oliver's soup!" Nina complimented the girl and hugged her once again. 

"Thank you, sister Nina. I want you to be proud of me for the reason I am working hard!" 

"And I am proud of you!" 

"Well, then? Though it's yet early to celebrate. But it's not bad to do it since my favorite guest is here." 

Chef Oliver Shang showed up in the room, carrying a plate of freshly hot buns. No, it was a different one on his hand.

"Grandpa Oliver, that looks tasty! And the aroma differs from all the buns you make before!" 

"I'm glad you notice the difference, Nina. You have a keen sense! Korin helped me make them last night. In fact, it was her recipe. She has been making her buns this passing year. One thing why I choose Korin to train by myself is because of these buns. It shows to me she has a bright future running her restaurant, perhaps managing the main branch." 

"Grandpa…" Korin shed tears. She did not expect that her grandpa would praise her. 

"And today is a free taste for all of our customers!" 

Nina along with Steven and Harry excitedly took a bite of the buns. 

"Wow! It was a chicken!" Nina burst out. Its flavors are chicken and vegetables and still an egg inside. 

"How did you do this, grandpa Oliver?" Harry asked the Old chef. 

"I'm glad you all like it. We didn't steam it, by fried it." 

"Wow! It was now my new favorite!" Nina burst out with joy. She has never tasted one like it before.

"I'm so happy you love it, sister Nina! I'm making it while thinking of you. Maybe I will name it, Nina!"

"It was my honor, Korin. But isn't it embarrassing? I mean, it doesn't sound right. Korin sounds a lot better!" 

"Hm… let's find its name then!" Steven suggested to them.

"Well, then? I will leave it to you, and I need to go back in the kitchen," said Chef Oliver Shang. "Since Korin worked hard. I will give her a half-day off today!"

"Thank you, grandpa!" Korin hugged her grandpa.

"Okay. Enjoy your day!"

Korin waited until her grandpa left, then screamed with happiness! "Ah! Thank you for saving me, sister Nina! And brother Steven and brother Harry! When did you arrive?" she was just able to ask the twins. 

It was Steven who replied to Korin. "Just this morning. We wanted to surprise great-grandma Mei, so we told no one!" 

"Then it's perfect timing! Sister Nina will celebrate her 18th birthday soon! You are going to dance with her?" 

"Oh, so that was what Mother mentioned to us, Harry! It was Nina's birthday!" 

Harry raised his head, glancing in Nina's direction. "Hmm. The one she said was a grand party at Li's house, and she wants us to be there."

"Then you also come home for my birthday?" Nina asked cheerfully. It made her happy hearing it. If that is true, then it's the best birthday present she ever received! 

Nina anticipates and wished that tomorrow is already her birthday. 

She is going to dance with Harry? She couldn't wait!