Chapter 5 Unrequited Love.

Lynda laughed out loud, quickly finishing the box of milk Jasmine had given her. As it was nearly time for class, the lecture hall was filling up with more students. The two girls took the opportunity to briefly review their old notes before the lecturer arrived.

After class, Jasmine rushed into the kitchen to help her mom cook. Mrs. Evans wasn't on a night shift at the hospital today and had stopped by the supermarket to buy plenty of food for dinner.

"Mom, are we cooking all this food?" Jasmine asked.

Mrs. Evans drained the vegetables and then nodded at her daughter.

"Yes, wait for Richard to finish work, and invite him over for dinner at our place."

"Yes." Jasmine cheerfully complied with her mother's instruction. After all, it wasn't the first time Richard had come over for a meal, so it was no surprise.

Richard's father had passed away six years ago due to stomach cancer. Richard also has a sister named Lisa Thompson. Two years ago, she went to study in England, and Mrs. Thompson, worried about her daughter being so far away, went along.

Only during long holidays would they return home, so Richard was living alone in their large mansion. Mrs. Evans knew that young people often get caught up in their work and tend to eat hastily, especially when there's no one around to care for them, so she often invited him over for dinner.

Now they were close neighbors, but who knows, maybe one day he could even become her son-in-law. A little extra care wouldn't hurt!

Delicious food was arranged on the table, and Jasmine went to invite Grandfather Evans, who was resting in his room, down for dinner, then she went to the gate to wait for Richard coming back from work. She was about to call him to hurry up, but Mrs. Evans insisted that she invite him in person.

By seven in the evening, a chill breeze occasionally stirred, and Jasmine, feeling lazy, decided against going inside to get a coat. Thinking that Richard would be home soon, she crossed her arms and stood stubbornly waiting.

About ten minutes later, Richard's Audi arrived at the gate of the Thompson mansion. The car lights shone forward, directly illuminating Jasmine's petite figure. Richard, sitting in the driver's seat, furrowed his brows as he looked at her, her posture suggesting she was waiting for him?

Jasmine ran over and tapped lightly on his car window:

"Hey, Mom asked me to invite you over for dinner."

Richard quickly got out of the car and walked over to Jasmine's side. He gently tousled her hair and said:

"You could have just called or texted. Why stand out here waiting?"

Jasmine pouted disdainfully at the man. What was he thinking? She raised an eyebrow and replied:

"Hmph, if it weren't for Mom telling me to watch the gate for you, it would be a long time before that happened. It's freezing!"

Richard's face darkened, and he impulsively tapped Jasmine's head. Damn it! Couldn't she just lie a little?

If only she said she was waiting because she cared, Richard would have been delighted.

"Ouch! Is my head a place for you to vent your anger?" Jasmine held her head in indignation. Richard always took out whatever mood he was in on her little head, whether it was petting or hitting. Surely, he didn't see her as his pet?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I promise I won't tap on your head again." Richard chuckled, feigning innocence. He tousled Jasmine's hair again, and after a while, noticing that she was hugging her arms, he realized she was cold. He quickly took off his vest and draped it over her.

"You're cold and you don't even wear a coat, aren't you afraid of catching a cold? Go inside, I'll be over as soon as I've showered."

He then got back into his car and reversed to head into his own house.

Jasmine stood there dazed, and it wasn't until the gates of the Thompson mansion closed that she snapped out of it, pulling down the vest.

"Hey, why suddenly give me your jacket? You just want me to wash it and return it to you, right? I'm not free!"

Jasmine frowned at the black blazer. What in the world? She instinctively brought it to her nose-it smelled amazing!

"Oh gosh, Jasmine, you weirdo!" She scolded herself before rushing inside.

After his shower, Richard came over to Jasmine's for dinner. At the dining table, he casually referred to Jasmine's mother as 'mom' and the old man sitting across as 'grandfather,' as if he were a natural member of the Evans family.

"Richard, eat up, I've made lots of delicious dishes tonight."

"Yes, thank you, Mother Evans."

Jasmine was stunned. Mom? Richard is only eight years younger than her mother, and even less than the age difference between her and him! Did they really need to address each other that way?

This house really wants to marry her off to him!

"Mom, I'd like some stuffed tofu too. Please serve me some." Jasmine played with her chopsticks, eagerly waiting for Mrs. Evans to dish out some food for her.

"Serve yourself. The tofu plate is right in front of you!"

"..." Damn it! Talk about favoritism.

Hadn't Mrs. Evans just served Richard some stir-fried beef with mushrooms? Wasn't that beef bowl right in front of him too?

My goodness, look at how my mother is favoring him! Jasmine screamed internally.

"Let me serve you."

Richard reached out and placed a piece of stuffed tofu into Jasmine's bowl. She grinned broadly, casually asking him to serve her a few more dishes.

"Thank you, Uncle Thompson."

Mrs. Evans shot Jasmine a sharp look, her posture clearly defensive of Richard. Her attitude was as if he were her own son.

"Nineteen and still so childish! Richard, she's making you laugh."

Richard calmly nodded and continued eating. Not only was he not annoyed, but he was also actually enjoying it. As long as it was something Jasmine liked, no matter how unreasonable or defiant, he was willing to do it for her.

This man wanted the young girl to entrust her entire life to him!