The lights at the snack stall were a bit dim, but through that glow, Henry Walker could still clearly see the shyness of Evan Irving, whose blush had spread all the way to her neck.

At this moment, Evan Irving's heart was pounding like a little rabbit trapped inside her chest. She accidentally caught a glimpse of that faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of Henry Walker's mouth, and her expression became even more flustered. Thinking about her earlier loss of composure, Evan Irving couldn't help but secretly blame herself. In the past, even when meeting the director of the education bureau, she had always remained calm and poised. Why was it that, in front of this man she had only met once before, she had embarrassed herself twice already?

Jack hadn't noticed his teacher's embarrassment at all. Seeing that Henry Walker had already eaten more than half of his stewed noodles, he swallowed and said, "Uncle, how come you... are here to eat too?"

"Hehe, your name is Jack, right? People are made of iron, food is steel—skip a meal and you'll feel weak. I'm not a millstone that can just lie down and not get hungry, so how could I not eat?" Henry Walker joked with Jack with a cheerful smile.

The child found Henry Walker's explanation amusing and scratched his head with a shy grin.

Looking at the innocent child, Henry Walker asked with concern, "Your classmate, that Little Lily, how is she? Is she feeling better?"

At the mention of Little Lily, Jack hurriedly nodded and said, "She's much better after the surgery. The doctor said it was lucky we got there in time, otherwise it would have been serious!"

Perhaps thanks to her own self-adjustment, the blush on Evan Irving's face gradually faded. Watching Henry Walker chatting happily with Jack, she quietly nudged the child and whispered, "Jack, don't keep uncle from eating."

"It's fine, it's fine. Talking while eating helps with digestion. Jack isn't holding me up—he's helping me eat more," Henry Walker waved his hand dismissively, speaking with humor.

"Is that really true, uncle? Then you should talk more with our Mr. Irving later. Mr. Irving eats even less than I do." Unexpectedly, Jack took Henry Walker's casual remark seriously and said this to him in all earnestness.

Evan Irving's face turned as red as a five-star flag, but she smiled silently despite her embarrassment. Even though Henry Walker had developed some immunity to Evan Irving's charm, he still found himself a little distracted.

"Jack, don't talk nonsense!" Evan Irving said in a low voice, a bit annoyed, trying to stop Jack.

Evan Irving's attempt at a stern expression might have inspired a bit of fear in Jack, but in Henry Walker's eyes, it only made him want to pinch that little face. Sigh, has returning to the past made it impossible for him to remain hidden in plain sight, to maintain his former self-control?

In his previous life, after leaving Xihezi Township, Henry Walker had lived a simple life. There wasn't much to brag about, but he had always been proud of his self-discipline. Henry Walker didn't believe in love at first sight; he thought that kind of romantic, legendary love was for girls who liked to daydream. Yet, after meeting this teacher named Evan Irving, he kept feeling a strange, inexplicable urge in his heart.

While Henry Walker was lost in his foggy thoughts, the gray-haired owner had already brought over two large plates of plump dumplings. The child called Jack must have been starving—he started gobbling them down, one after another.

Compared to Jack, Evan Irving ate more like a dainty kitten, so delicate and refined. Her slender, smooth fingers, soft and fair, held the chopsticks in her petite hands as she took small, careful bites, chewing slowly.

Seeing that more than half the dumplings in Jack's bowl were already gone, Evan Irving quickly scooped most of her own dumplings into his bowl. Looking fondly at Jack's greedy eating, she whispered, "Slow down, don't choke. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Irving will make you soft-boiled eggs and noodles with shredded pork and pickled greens."

Seeing the teacher and student start to eat, Henry Walker quickly finished the rest of his stewed noodles in a few bites. With the bowl emptied and his stomach full, he finally felt much more comfortable.

Not bad, really not bad! The stewed noodles were authentic and satisfying. The time was about right, too—he could go back, get a good night's sleep, and tomorrow, there was still a planned battle to fight.

Reaching into his pocket, Henry Walker was instantly dumbfounded: no money! In that split second, Henry Walker seemed to realize something. As a man—a young man—Henry Walker cared a lot about his pride. But right now, even a hero can't get by without a penny!

After giving all his money to Evan Irving, Henry Walker had forgotten to replenish his wallet when he returned to the township office. It would be a miracle if he had any money now.

Could it be that the very first meal of his new life would end up being a dine-and-dash? The thought flashed through Henry Walker's mind, and, at a loss, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

As Evan Irving ate slowly, she was also thinking about this person who had made her feel such unexpected fondness: helping her take Little Lily to the clinic, generously pitching in to help cover Little Lily's surgery costs...

That chubby director had called him Secretary Walker. Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Evan Irving's lips. He looked so dignified and impressive—how could he have such a plain name? Maybe his family wanted him to become an official when he grew up, so they just named him "Secretary" on a whim. It was just too funny!