The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 344

Chapter 344: Orange juice
“Sam’s here? I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

Sam entering the convenience store, Mrs. Margaret was tidying up the counter, a testament to her diligent nature as a homemaker—always cleaning up before leaving to avoid causing any inconvenience for the next person on shift.

Sam smiled. “Sorry, I’ve been a bit busy lately, took a few days off.”

“Hahaha, young man, right? It’s normal to have lots of activities.”

Just as Mrs. Margaret finished speaking, another figure followed into the convenience store.

Ava peeked around, surveying the small, yet fully stocked convenience store.

Then she quietly stood beside Sam and whispered.

“Is this where you work, brother?”

“Brother? Sam, is this your sister?” Mrs. Margaret asked curiously.

Sam nodded with a smile: “Yeah, this is my sister, Ava. She came from Cedarwood for a swimming competition. I was a bit worried about her being alone, so I brought her along.”

Mrs. Margaret chuckled, “Such a pretty girl, and what a figure… she’ll definitely be prettier than Boss Mia someday.”

“Who’s Mia?”

Sam didn’t answer Ava but started the shift change with Mrs. Margaret.

Soon after everything was settled, Mrs. Margaret waved goodbye and left the convenience store. Sam, now in his work uniform, took his place at the counter, letting Ava sit beside him.

Watching the girl sit with her legs together, hands on her lap, and her lively eyes looking around, Sam couldn’t help but say, “If you get bored, Sophie lives nearby. Do you want to go see her?”

Ava shook her head.

“I promised to keep you company, how could I change my mind?”

Sam laughed, somewhat helplessly: “I didn’t ask you to do that, you know. My job is really boring, you might not enjoy it.”

“Who says? It’s just starting, just do your thing~”

Seemingly confident, the girl settled in her seat and started playing with her phone.

Sam had no choice but to begin his usual work routine.

Customers came and went. Although Sam hadn’t worked for a few days, it was like muscle memory; everything quickly fell into place.

Sam handled the work smoothly, the familiarity even making him momentarily forget that a beautiful girl was watching his every move.

Until Ava said, somewhat curiously,

“Brother, you’re amazing. You remember the price of every item here without even looking.”

Indeed, Sam didn’t need to scan items beforehand; he could accurately tell customers the amount due, speeding up the transaction process.

It might seem like saving a few seconds wasn’t much, but it was a testament to Sam’s capabilities.

“Practice makes perfect, just like when you know exactly what move to make when swimming. But is it really that impressive to use it here?”

Ava didn’t hesitate to nod.

“Of course, it’s impressive! Everything you do is impressive!”

“Am I not the ‘bad brother’ in your books anymore?”

Sam chuckled.

Ava pondered for a moment.

“You’re still the ‘bad brother,’ but when I see your good side, I have to reward you, right? How else would you change from a ‘bad brother’ to a good one?” she said matter-of-factly.

Sam couldn’t help but ruffle her hair.

Ava was right; having her around, Sam was hardly ever bored.

As the evening set in, the light outside dimmed, and the air grew colder.

“Whew… it’s so cold… Sam, you’re here, huh? Um?”

A familiar, carefree young woman entered the convenience store, wrapped in a black coat, her long hair draped over her shoulders, wearing sparkling crescent-shaped earrings.

She first noticed Sam, but soon her eyes caught an unusual presence— a young girl sitting demurely beside Sam, looking even younger than him.

She immediately widened her eyes, pointing at Sam.

“Wow, just a few days and you’re bringing women to work? What’s this, turning this place into your harem?”

Sam couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“Boss, this is my sister. Her name is Ava.”

“Boss?”

Ava looked curiously at the young woman who entered speaking oddly but looked pretty and charismatic.

Is she the boss of this convenience store? Although it’s small, owning a shop in Kuhang at such a young age seems impressive.

Sam nodded.

“This is the boss who pays me, Mia.”

Mia paused, then leaned in closer, looking at Sam and then at Ava.

“The way you two look doesn’t seem right; what’s going on?”

Sam didn’t tell her they weren’t biological siblings, as it wasn’t necessary and might touch on Mia’s sensitivities.

“Who says siblings have to look alike? The difference between genders is already big. You should focus your smarts on something useful, like expanding this convenience store.”

Hearing this, Mia’s eyes widened.

“What are you talking about, making it bigger? Can I manage that all by myself?”

“It’s not like you’re really managing it every day.”

Sam said with a chuckle.

“Hmph, can’t you just compliment me?”

Mia gave up bickering with Sam and turned her attention to Ava.

“Wow… I must say, your sister is really pretty. If I remember correctly, you said she’s here for a swimming competition, right?”

Ava looked at Mia awkwardly, then surprisingly turned to Sam.

“Eh? Did you tell other people about this?”

“Why not?”

Sam answered as if it were obvious.

Ava felt a sweet sensation in her heart. Surely… her brother remembered everything about her and was proud to tell everyone around him. Isn’t that a special kind of treatment?

“Ava, how long are you staying here?”

“How long? I’ll leave when my brother finishes work…”

“Ah, not that. I mean, how many more days are you planning to stay in Kuhang?”

Mia asked with a smile, but Sam felt there was something mischievous about her grin, not quite normal.

Ava thought for a moment.

“Probably a few more days, why?”

“Nothing, just saw you sitting here doing nothing. If you’re interested, I could take you out for some fun.”

“Fun? That doesn’t sound right…”

“There’s nothing wrong with it. I often take your brother out for fun when he’s here, don’t worry, I’m a good person!”

When someone pats their chest and insists they’re a good person, their credibility tends to plummet.

And Sam frowned.

“Ava, keep an eye on this place for me, I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Eh?”

“Come with me.”

Then Ava saw her brother pulling the beautiful boss by the hand outside.

What’s going on?

Why does Sam seem more like the boss? They seem a bit too close!

“Hey hey hey, what are you doing! Taking advantage of me?”

Mia finally broke free from Sam’s grasp outside the store, looking annoyed.

Sam wanted to say more outrageous things had happened before, so why fuss over this little incident?

But he didn’t say it out loud, just squinted at her.

“What were you doing just now?”

Mia looked puzzled.

“Just now? Wasn’t I taking care of your sister? It’d be a shame if she came to Kuhang and didn’t experience anything fun. Isn’t this helping you share the responsibility of being a brother?”

“You better be.”

“Or what?”

“I think you were trying to test your abilities on my sister.”

Sam looked at her piercingly, and sure enough, Mia’s face showed a hint of panic.

“How can you think of me like that? After all I’ve done for you… but if I did try, it wouldn’t be a big deal, right? I can control dreams now, nothing weird will happen.”

Sure enough…

Sam said coldly.

“Nothing will happen? What if the last result was just an illusion, and it actually didn’t work, and this time something more dangerous happens, can you take responsibility?”

Mia stomped her foot, then said somewhat aggrievedly.

“But there’s not much time left! I have to start experimenting on Charlotte soon, or she’ll miss her chance to wake up, you know that!”

“Then you can’t target my sister.”

“I really didn’t!! Wait, maybe I could.”

Suddenly Mia seemed to think of something, changing her tone.

Sam’s gaze turned colder.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course… after all, I don’t have a suitable subject… unless you’re willing to help me test again to see if my abilities have stabilized.”

Sam frowned.

“Just don’t target my sister, we’ll talk about this after she leaves.”

After saying this, Sam returned to the convenience store, his expression showing no signs of the argument that had just occurred.

Mia watched his retreating figure, pondering to herself.

Then she didn’t enter the convenience store but turned and walked into the dense night outside.

Soon it was time for Sam to finish work.

Ava said curiously, “Brother, what did you say to the boss? Why didn’t she come back in after you talked to her?”

Sam shook his head: “Don’t know, she’s always been like this, free-spirited. Why bother about her?”

He was relieved she didn’t appear. Despite his harsh tone earlier, he couldn’t let Mia use her powers freely, what if something went wrong?

“Right, we don’t need to worry about her. Finally off work, right? We can go home~”

Ava stretched.

Sam patted the girl’s head, smiling.

“Now you know it’s boring, right? Regret coming with me?”

Ava shook her head.

“Not at all~ It’s a whole new experience for me, I’ve never tried this before, and we’re not bored together, right?”

Looking at her expectant eyes, Sam didn’t know what to say.

Soon, the relief arrived, and Sam completed the handover, changed out of his work uniform, and prepared to leave with the girl by his side.

Just as they stepped out of the convenience store door—

“Thump thump thump!!”

“What are you doing!”

Sam said annoyedly, then saw Mia holding several black plastic bags, reappearing in front of him and Ava, looking excited.

“What are you doing, trying to scare people?”

Mia pretended to be aggrieved.

“I was giving you a surprise.”

“What kind of surprise needs to be like this?”

Sam said irritably.

Mia smiled, “Isn’t it because your sister came? I bought some of Kuhang’s most characteristic delicacies to treat your sister~”

Sam felt suspicious hearing this, looking at her skeptically.

Ava, however, looked curious.

“Really? What is it?”

Mia smiled, “It’s from a famous barbecue shop, some really good stuff. Want to try?”

Hearing this, Ava’s eyes lit up.

“I’ve wanted to try it for a long time! Really, can I?”

Mia nodded.

“Of course, but it’s cold outside, easy to cool down, why don’t we find a suitable place… oh right, doesn’t your brother live nearby? How about going to your apartment?”

Good grief, now Sam knew what she was up to.

He looked over irritably. “What are you really up to?”

Mia looked innocent.

“What can I do? Are you doubting me?”

Ava also thought her brother was being strange, she clung to the young man’s arm.

“We’re bored anyway~ let’s eat something together, Mia seems really nice.”

She… indeed isn’t a bad person, but Sam was worried she was still planning that thing.

Mia continued to look over, innocently saying, “I’m just simply inviting your sister for some food, is that not okay?”

Sam, seeing the looks from the two women of different ages, knew that resisting further would make him the odd one out.

“Alright, alright, I just think it’s too late. But if you insist, let’s go.”

“Yay!!”

The three of them headed towards Sam’s apartment.

Mia was telling the truth; she brought a lot of barbecue and distinctive snacks.

The smell alone was promising.

“It looks so delicious!”

Ava had never seen such a variety of snacks in Cedarwood and couldn’t help but be dazzled.

And Mia took charge.

“That… Sam, can you get some utensils? I’ll divide these up.”

Sam brought the utensils, then evenly distributed the food into three plates.

“Here, this is my favorite drink lately, try it.”

“Pop.”

Mia opened a can of orange juice and handed it to the girl.

Sam initially thought nothing of it, but a casual glance…

Orange juice?

Wait, had he seen this orange juice somewhere before?

Why did it feel so familiar…

Wait!

Wasn’t this the orange juice Mia used last time she tried to induce him into a dream?!

She…

“Really tasty, thank you, Miss Mia~~”

And Ava had already taken a sip before Sam could stop her!