"It definitely looks great!" Elijah nodded earnestly. This was his carefully selected outfit.
"Yesterday we said we didn't have swimsuits, and today we deliberately brought them back. That's really thoughtful!" Fiona smirked, half-jokingly.
"Whatever you lack, I'll definitely try my best to find it for you!"
"Hmph, thank you very much!" Fiona huffed lightly. "Do you have any other plans? If not, let's find a place..."
"Just wait a moment!" Elijah found Charlotte, who was choosing clothes.
"Charlotte, Lily is also an Awakened. Tomorrow she's going with me to the mall to transport supplies, so could you teach her some body strengthening techniques later?"
"Sure thing!" Charlotte glanced at Fiona. "And there's still special training for you today, don't forget!"
"Will you have time to train me after teaching Lily?"
"Don't worry about me!"
"Alright!" Elijah thought he had gained some insights today, so it was a perfect opportunity to give her some "surprises" during training.
Then he and Fiona found a room.
Elijah took out the suit and watch from his backpack and handed them to Fiona.
"Sorry, this is all we could find."
He briefly recounted the situation at the office building.
"I'm sure it was done by two mutant zombies, but we killed them, so consider it avenging your father."
"Thank you," Fiona said quietly, running her hands over the suit. "Actually, my relationship with my dad wasn't that great. He was busy with work in earlier years and neglected the family..."
Fiona spoke softly, pouring out her heart.
Elijah didn't interrupt, just listened quietly.
Sometimes people share with others not seeking comfort but simply to release what's been bottled up inside.
In such moments, being a quiet listener suffices.
"I returned from studying abroad, joined the company, and gradually understood my dad better. Our relationship improved. I remember this suit was the first gift I bought him. He was so happy, even though he wore it for a long time, he couldn't bear to throw it away..."
Fiona smoothed out the wrinkles on the clothes. "So, really, thank you, Elijah."
"Shouldn't you call me husband?" Elijah teased her, noticing her calmer demeanor.
Elijah couldn't keep up with the defense and took several punches in a row.
Fortunately, Charlotte's punches were dense but not overly powerful, so he could withstand them.
But his complacency was knocked out of him as he began to spar seriously with Charlotte.
After a while, Charlotte suddenly changed her tactic. After intercepting Elijah's upper punch, she kicked him hard in the chest, sending him flying.
"Not bad today! Just wondering if your endurance can be used elsewhere?"
Charlotte raised an eyebrow as she watched Elijah casually get up.
This guy's defense was becoming more exaggerated.
If it were an ordinary person, that kick would have broken ribs for sure.
"Let's try, and you'll see!"
"Well, you better step up your game. If you don't win against me, you won't stand a chance!"
"Alright, it's my turn to attack now. Let me show you what I've got!" Elijah was immediately pumped up by her challenge.
Charlotte gave him a disdainful look. If he needed some motivation, she wouldn't hold back.
The two sparred on the beach, Elijah's attacks sharp but consistently neutralized by Charlotte, who countered each move.
However, Charlotte didn't have it easy either; she felt Elijah's strength growing, and his repertoire of moves was becoming richer.
At this rate, in just a couple of days, she might not be able to keep him suppressed. But she didn't feel frustrated; on the contrary, she was very happy.
Finally, there was someone on the same path who could respond to her. She felt Elijah wouldn't let her down!
As they continued practicing late into the night, Elijah, relying on his stamina advantage, gradually gained the upper hand in the later stages.
But every time victory seemed within his grasp, Charlotte skillfully countered him.
Elijah understood that he still lagged far behind her in technique.
But victory didn't always hinge on skill alone; sometimes strength overcame finesse, which was the most straightforward technique of all.
Tomorrow, tomorrow he would definitely defeat her!
Returning to the villa, Elijah remembered she had promised him a "surprise"! Before she entered her room, he couldn't help but ask, "You mentioned showing me a surprise in your room?"
Charlotte had already pushed open her door but turned to look at Elijah. "Oh, that... I had a hypothesis initially, so I wanted to discuss it with you. But I've made some new discoveries these past few days, so let me confirm it again... Hey, why don't we just wait until you defeat me?"
Charlotte rarely showed a hint of flirtatiousness, "It'll be a double celebration then!"