?<strong>Chapter 928:</strong>


    Aurora ascended to the second floor in one energetic dash, her face lighting up when she saw him seated.


    “I’m sorry. Have you been waiting long?” she asked, slightly out of breath.


    Dunn greeted her with a polite smile. “I just got here.”


    As she slid into the chair opposite him, Aurora reached into her bag, her expression turning sheepish. “I owe you an apology. I wasn’t watching closely, and my cat tore up your handkerchief.”


    Dunn nced at the plump feline nestled snugly in her bag, fast asleep.


    His lips curled into a faint, teasing smile.


    “And how do you n to make amends?” he asked.


    Aurora pulled Ginger out by the scruff of her neck, presenting the drowsy cat to Dunn. “I’ve brought the offender. Punish Ginger however you see fit!”


    Dunn, everposed, leaned back slightly. “Ginger? Lovely name. Well, let’s ban treats for a month.”


    Aurora nodded enthusiastically. “Done!”


    “Meow.” Ginger let out a soft, pitiful meow, as if understanding the exchange.


    “Not happy, are we? Look at you—you’re practically a fur ball. Go on, apologize already!”


    She scolded Ginger with the sternness of a parent, wagging her finger for emphasis. Ginger, unaffected and entirely unimpressed, leaped nimbly to the floor and began circling Dunn.


    Dunn, who had never particrly cared for animals, found himself strangely drawn to this little ball of fur.


    Without hesitation, he extended a hand. Ginger responded immediately, nuzzling her round head into his palm, her purr rumbling like a well-tuned engine.


    It was an odd feeling for Dunn, this first encounter with such an affectionate creature. Despite having never met her before, he felt a peculiar familiarity with Ginger, as though she were an oldpanion from another lifetime.


    As he gently stroked her head, his gaze shifted to Aurora.


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    “Aspensation, how about I take care of Ginger for a few days?”


    “Huh?”


    “Just kidding.”


    Aurora hesitated, nibbling her lower lip. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t trust Dunn with Ginger—she was more worried about Ginger bing a nuisance. She knew how demanding Dunn’s schedule was and didn’t want to add to his burdens.


    Before either could say more, a server approached their table, interrupting the quiet moment.


    “Are you ready to order?”


    “ck coffee,” they both answered in unison.


    “Got it.”


    The server smiled and walked away, leaving Aurora slightly flustered. Her cheeks turned a faint pink as she nced at Dunn, wondering if he noticed her small attempt to align with his preferences.


    She barely knew Dunn anymore, a natural consequence of more than a decade withoutmunication.


    And yet, she felt she knew him in ways that transcended time.


    Her thoughts drifted back to high school, to rainy autumn days when she attended tutoring sses at a teacher’s house.


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