Female Novel
Chapter 1154
When she left the research room, she was on cloud nine. Her steps were light, and all her fatigue was swept away.
Avery had come again, and he was sipping coffee in the living room.
Seeing her coming down the stairs, he put down his coffee and teased, “You haven't come out for three days. Ithought you were planning to live in there permanently.”
Neera didn't expect to see him there. Her light footsteps paused for a moment, then became more steady.
“I've been working on quite a few medications, so I spent a bit more time inside. Mr. Cox, your timing is perfect.This is for you.” She handed over a glass bottle filled to the brim with medicinal powder.
Avery took it. “What is this? Medicine?”
“Indeed,” Neera nodded. “A couple of days ago, I visited the Medicina family's medical clinic and gathered someherbs. I've just finished preparing them. They can help you recuperate and speed up your recovery.”
Logically speaking, Avery was supposed to be happy knowing that she cared about him.
However, at that moment, he just couldn't bring himself to feel happy.
He could tell that Neera's actions while appearing to be out of concern on the surface, were actually a subtle wayof repaying a favor. She's repaying me for the medicinal materials I gave her at the auction.
His heart sank slightly. His eyes lowered, his gaze darkened for a moment, then returned to normal.
He knew Neera was distancing herself from her. He didn't want her to do that, so he chose to play dumb, not
exposing the truth.
Not only that, he deliberately said, “Thank you for caring so much about me. I'll remember it. I'll take themedicine on time.”
Neera paused for a moment, a barely noticeable frown creasing her forehead. She didn't want things to be sovague and unclear, so she quickly explained, “No. Mr. Cox, you've misunderstood. I'm thanking you for all thehelp you've given me these past few days. The medicine is just a small token of my gratitude. As a doctor, I alsohope for your speedy and complete recovery. Only then will my treatment be considered successful.”
Every word she uttered carried a distinct sense of boundary.
Avery's mood became gloomy immediately, and it was for everyone to see.
Shane watched that scene unfold with one eyebrow arched in amusement. He was not surprised by thatdevelopment at all.
Although he had some connection with Avery, and he didn't oppose the marriage alliance between the Cox andGordon families, he respected Neera's wishes even more.
Hence, he had no intention of getting involved in their affairs, let alone offering any help.
Later on, out of courtesy, he invited Avery to stay for lunch.
But Avery declined by saying, “I have some matters to attend to. I'll be leaving first.”
Shane's eyes flickered slightly. You've been drinking coffee here all morning without any apparent business, and
now you're making excuses. Are you throwing a tantrum?
Despite having that thought, Shane just nodded. “All right. I'll have the butler see you off.”
Neera wanted to avoid Avery as much as possible, and naturally, she wouldn't bother to keep him around.
So, after bidding farewell, Avery stepped out and got into the car, his face instantly darkening. novelbin
During lunch, Shane gave Neera a book.
“What is this?” Neera asked as she took it, examining it closely. She noticed that the book was wrapped incowhide, without any writing on it. It was somewhat tattered and ancient-looking.
“A couple of days ago, I heard from Zephyr that you're interested in stealth weapons. So, I found this for you.This book contains many techniques on how to use them. If you find yourself with some spare time and nothingto do, you might want to give it a read. It could be a good way to kill time.”
Neera's eyes brightened a bit as a myriad of wonderful images flashed through her mind. “Could this be one ofthose mysterious fighting arts manuals they show on TV?”
“Where did your mind wander off to?” Shane was amused to the point of laughter. “What you see on TV is alldramatized. It's so mystical. How could it possibly be real? Only a three-year-old would believe that.”
“Right...” Neera rubbed her nose awkwardly.
She flipped through it and found that it was all about various techniques, how to exert force from different partsof the body, and so on.
Those details, all alike, required long-term practice and are not things that could be accomplished overnight.
Seeing her intense focus, Shane asked her, “I thought you were only interested in medical matters. Are you nowconsidering fighting arts?”
“It's not exactly that,” Neera said, closing her book. “I just want to learn a few tricks to have up my sleeve.”
“That's easy. If you want to learn, I can find someone to teach you.”
Neera was pleasantly surprised. “Really?”
Shane laughed and said, “Of course, fighting arts aren't something you can fully grasp by pondering on your own.Having a reliable mentor to guide you is crucial. Firstly, it can save you from taking many detours. Secondly, andmost importantly, it prevents you from practicing incorrectly, which could lead to ruin.”
Neera, overjoyed, immediately said with a smile, “Okay.”
So, after lunch, Shane took her out.
Neera had assumed that he would take her to some sort of club or similar place.
Never in a million years did she expect that he would actually bring her to a fighting arts center.
Standing next to the car, she looked up at the dilapidated fighting arts center in front of her, her expressionsomewhat peculiar. This place seems out of sync with its surroundings, and it's far removed from the bustlingDistrict Fourteen. It doesn't look like a place where people would come. Is this fighting arts center about to close
down? Why has Shane brought me here?
Shane noticed her confusion. Instead of explaining, he simply said, “Let's go. I'll bring you in.”
“Oh. Okay.” Neera nodded and followed him inside.
Inside the fighting arts center, a deep yellow wooden floor was laid out, which seemed to have quite a few yearsunder its belt.
Not far to the left, a rocking chair was swaying. An old man lay within it, eyes closed, leisurely puffing on acigarette.