Ethan Carter lowered his eyes as he ate, his movements quiet and elegant. Good-looking people are pleasing to watch even when they eat; the more you look, the harder it is to look away.

His skin was very fair, like fine, soft jade, always making people want to reach out and touch it. Ethan Carter had some symptoms of pigment loss, and under the warm lighting, his whole complexion appeared even paler, even the hair on his forehead and his eyelashes seemed to glow golden.

Only his lips stood out, looking even redder and more striking against the paleness.

Occasionally, when he drank water, a bit of shine would cling to his thin lips, making them look very soft.

Nathaniel Grant watched him for quite a while. It wasn’t until Ethan Carter put down his utensils that the man finally looked away, glancing at the food on the table.

He asked, “You don’t like sweets anymore?”

Most of the desserts on the table were left untouched.

Ethan Carter hadn’t expected the man to pay attention to what he ate. He shook his head, “It’s not that I don’t like them, I just don’t eat sweets very often.”

Nathaniel Grant didn’t say anything.

But Ethan Carter kept feeling like he had something to say.

Especially that question just now—the more Ethan Carter thought about it, the stranger it seemed... Why add the word “anymore”?

Could it be that Mr. Grant knew he used to like sweets?

But in the end, the man didn’t say anything else, only asked, “What time is curfew?”

Ethan Carter: “Eleven o’clock.”

He’d already spent quite a bit of time waiting for Mr. Grant, and now it was already past nine. It would take nearly an hour to get back to school from IFC. Doing the math, there really wasn’t much time left.

Nathaniel Grant continued, “When are you free this week?”

Actually, Ethan Carter wasn’t free at all this week. Medical students have a lot of classes, and with midterms coming up, he was already busy reviewing. He even had double-degree classes on the weekend—there wasn’t a single day he was free.

But he definitely couldn’t say that in front of Nathaniel Grant, especially since the man was even busier than he was.

So he simply said, “Anytime is fine.”

Nathaniel Grant gave a soft “Mm,” then added, “Do you know about the engagement next month?”

Ethan Carter nodded, “I know.”

Nathaniel Grant asked, “Do you have any requests?”

For this kind of arranged marriage, Ethan Carter naturally wouldn’t be so tactless as to make requests about the style or format. He just felt it was best to leave everything to the other party.

The only thing he considered was whether to mention his concerns about the timing of his midterm exams, but remembering his stepmother’s reaction, Ethan Carter ultimately chose not to say anything.

He shook his head, “No, I’ll just follow the arrangements.”

Nathaniel Grant gave him another look that Ethan Carter couldn’t quite read.

The simple Q&A ended there, and the two of them stood up to leave. When the man straightened up, Ethan Carter was suddenly struck by how tall he was.

Ethan Carter was 1.78 meters tall. Even though he’d always minded those missing two centimeters, it wasn’t exactly short. But standing next to Nathaniel Grant, he was a full half a head shorter. Even conservatively, the man had to be at least 1.9 meters.

Ethan Carter felt a faint sense of envy. He couldn’t help but glance a couple more times, and realized it wasn’t just their height—there was a clear difference in their builds as well.

Looking at the man’s suit, which couldn’t hide his smooth, muscular lines, Ethan Carter, who had always struggled to gain weight, felt even more envious.

Afraid the other would notice, Ethan Carter didn’t dare look any longer and forced himself to look away.

The two of them walked together across an exquisite stone bridge, with a gentle stream flowing beneath. Ethan Carter’s gaze fell on the classically elegant interior decor, and he couldn’t help but sigh.

“This place is so beautiful.”

If not for the dazzling, gorgeous night view outside the 360-degree floor-to-ceiling windows, standing here would almost make you think you were in a real garden paradise.

Ethan Carter really liked the decor here, especially the bamboo arrangements.

He had a natural fondness for bamboo.

Ethan Carter only said this as a passing comment, not expecting the man to respond. But unexpectedly, he heard Nathaniel Grant’s voice.

“As long as you like it.”

Ethan Carter was taken aback.

That really didn’t sound like something Mr. Grant would say.

While he was still surprised, the attendant at the door had already come up to greet them, respectfully leading the way.

Ethan Carter came to his senses.

Oh, right, in front of outsiders, the act had to be convincing.

He thought for a moment, then replied as well.

“I really like it, thank you, gege.”

The moment the words “gege” left his lips, the man walking beside Ethan Carter suddenly paused, even the light in his dark eyes dimming a little.

His voice took on a slight rasp as he asked in a low tone, “What did you say?”

Just then, the elevator had arrived, and the chime overlapped with their conversation. Ethan Carter thought the other hadn’t heard him clearly, so he repeated it earnestly.

“Thank you, gege.”

Nathaniel Grant’s pupils contracted.