Chapter 9 -

"Come again next time!"

Shouted Roger towards Shen Xiu.

Shen Xiu kept running without looking back, her face had turned very red and she feels embarrassed! 'Why is the thing that happened yesterday repeating itself? And I did it when Ning'er was beside me!' Shen Xiu shouted inwardly while covering her face with her palms. She ran towards her house at full speed.

On Roger's side.

"Haih... Why is only Shen Xiu affected, but not Ning'er?" Thought Roger. After Shen Xiu's figure disappeared in the distance, Roger returned to his restaurant once again.

In one of the seats, the figure of a girl can still be seen sitting while stirring the sweet drink she previously ordered.

That's right, that girl is none other than Xiao Ning'er! She was still at Roger's restaurant because she wanted to ask something really important!

"Little girl, why are you still here?" Asked Roger while he cleaning the water glass with a special napkin. He actually knew what she wanted, but he wouldn't say it.

"I... Can I ask you something?" Xiao Ning'er replied with a serious face.

"Sure. Before that, finish your drink first, it's good for your health." Roger replied with a nod, he advised the girl to finish her drink. Because it has good benefits for Ning'er's health!

This also applies to his cooking, because the ingredients he chose are devoted to curing Ning'er's disease.

"Hm..." Xiao Ning'er nodded quickly. After a few seconds, she finishes her drink.

After which, Ning'er simply stared at him.

On the other hand, Roger knew what her gaze meant, he immediately said. "Follow me." Roger walked into a room that connected with his restaurant backyard. Not forgetting he put up a sign "Busy, come back later." in front of the counter.

Xiao Ning'er followed him silently.

In the backyard.

Wide environment as well as many small trees visible. There is a fence dividing the restaurant yard with other people's houses.

Beautiful moonlight can be seen from the restaurant's backyard.

Right in the middle of it, there is a round table made of ceramic, on both sides, there are chairs opposite each other.

Roger instructed Ning'er to sit on one of the ceramic chairs.

With a wave of a hand, a teapot appeared on the table. Roger poured the tea for Ning'er as well as himself.

"So you want to ask about your illness, don't you?" Asked Roger, sipping the tea that was still warm.

"D-Do you know about my illness!?" Ning'er's previously calm attitude had turned into a hasty and worried one.

"Hmm..." Nod Roger with a serious look. He continued; "Actually it is not serious if treated immediately, but looking at you now..." Roger stopped his words, he looked at Ning'er while frowning slightly.

Ning'er's heart started beating violently, several beads of sweat started pouring down from her forehead. 'N-No way!' Ning'er's mind began to falter, she knew what Roger meant. Seeing how the man spoke, she could conclude that her illness could have very serious consequences if not treated promptly, which can lead to her death!

Ning'er clenched her hands tightly, her face was lowered, her breath began to gasp as tears began to flow from her eyes.

'Maybe I went a little too far...' Thought Roger in his heart.

Roger stood up and walked towards Ning'er. Roger knelt before Ning'er, he said; "Hey, please don't cry. It is true that your illness is in a very critical phase, but that doesn't mean it can't be cured. Please raise your head, and don't be sad." Said Roger in a warm tone.

"Do you remember the food you eat in my restaurant yesterday? That food I made especially for you, to treat your illness." Roger continued; "You must feel fitter after eating it, don't you? If so then you are in the healing phase! And it's good news" Said Roger while trying to comfort Xiao Ning'er.

Ning'er who heard the man's words, suddenly the darkness that previously enveloped her heart began to be replaced with a very bright light, that light was a hope that she had been waiting for!

"Hiks, hiks... R-Really?" Ning'er asked haltingly.

"Yeah." Answer Roger simply. Roger wiped Ning'er's tears with his large hand.

After that, Roger rubbed Ning'er's hair. He continued. "Remember, hope will always exist in this world. No matter how heavy your ordeal is, never give up. After that, you will realize that you have become a stronger individual!" Said Roger while trying to comfort Xiao Ning'er.

But just then he suddenly felt a warm embrace from his waist. Roger heard her cries muffled. Seeing this, Roger sighned while looking at the night sky.

Roger goes into silence. His hands continued to gently stroke Ning'er's back.

'Cry, cry until you feel satisfied, get rid of the heavy feelings that you have been holding onto for so long.' Roger muttered as he continued to stroke the poor girl's back.