Chapter181
Tonight’s bonfire feast included hot pot, mala chicken, and barbecue. The crab and fish maw chicken broth was simmering, the mala chicken was ready, and a long table overflowed with premium, prepped ingredients. The bonfire blazed brightly.
Ethan and the others were already seated around it. Zark and Tanya arrived; Tanya naturally sat next to Chase. Ethan, already enjoying the mala chicken, was about to dig in when he remembered Ashley. He looked at Sam.“Sam, go upstairs and tell your mom we have delicious. food. Ask her to join us.”
We knew she’d probably stay in her room again, but they had to go through the motions. Tanya understood. They’d done their part; whether Ashley joined them was her choice.“Sam, go on, she said.
Sam frowned; she really didn’t want her mom to come down. But everyone was asking her, so she couldn’t refuse. As she was about to set down her drink, Chase spoke.“I’ll go.”
Silence fell.
He got up and left.
Ethan recovered, smiling.“Right… Chase asking is more sincere.” It had seemed a bit perfunctory to send a child to fetch Ashley.
Tanya had thought the same. Chase was just trying to appease Grandma; his going upstairs didn‘ mean he had feelings for Ashley. He hadn’t had any feelings for her before, and certainly didn’t
now.
