Chapter 70 Cold Beauty

70  Cold Beauty

Noah paused just outside his home, inhaling deeply, and gathering himself before stepping into the warmth and familiarity of his family.

He'd had a long, emotionally charged day, and he couldn't bring that energy to his house. With a final sigh, he pushed open the door, slipping into the comforting glow of the house.

Inside, he found his parents, and his little sister, all seated at the dining table, dishes arranged in a neat spread, ready for dinner.

His father looked up and greeted him warmly.

"Noah, wash up and join us," David said, gesturing toward the hallway with a smile.

Nodding, Noah headed to his room. He took a moment to wash up, letting the cold water splash over his face. It felt grounding, washing away the fatigue of the day.

After a few minutes, he returned to the table and took a seat, smiling as he ruffled Emily's hair.

She giggled, her eyes lighting up with the kind of innocence that made him feel protective, reminding him of the person he wanted to be.

Turning to his father, he asked, "So, how's the search for the teahouse location going?"

David's face brightened. "It's going well! I found a few spots that fit our budget and should have good foot traffic. I've set up some appointments to check them out this weekend. I thought you might want to come along and see if they meet your standards."

"Sounds great, Dad. I'll be free this weekend," Noah replied, nodding thoughtfully. "I've also been thinking about getting our machine copyrighted. It's crucial we secure our trademark, just in case anyone tries to pull any funny business."

David smiled proudly. "You're always thinking ahead. That's my son."

Noah continued, "I also want you to be the only one handling the tea leaves. No one else will be involved in that process; they'll all be front-of-house or handling sales. I want to keep our tea-making methods a closely guarded secret."

Dinner passed in comfortable conversation, Noah laughing at Emily's stories from school and sharing little bits about his day, carefully leaving out any mention of the complexities he'd dealt with earlier. When the plates were empty, he stood up, giving each of them a goodnight hug. "Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad. I'll see you all in the morning," he said, warmth in his voice.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," Caroline replied, smiling as she watched him head toward his room.

Once there, Noah took a long, hot shower, letting the steam wrap around him.

Afterwards, he pulled on a comfortable shirt, climbed into bed, and let his head sink into the pillow. He then remembered the promise he'd made to Aiden and grabbed the new iPhone 15 Pro Max, placing it in his bag so he wouldn't forget to give it to him tomorrow.

As his eyes closed, he took a final breath, letting his consciousness slip away.

As the morning sun filtered through the windows, Noah stretched, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. He quickly ran through his usual routine—getting dressed, brushing his teeth, and making sure everything was in order for the day. Heading downstairs, he found his family already at the table, breakfast waiting for him.

"Morning, Noah!" Emily chirped, a piece of toast in her hand.

"Morning, Em," Noah replied, giving her a gentle nudge as he sat down.

His dad looked up from his tea, smiling. "I'll be heading out today to check out a few more spots for the teahouse. If you think of any last-minute requirements, let me know now."

Noah nodded, thinking it over. "Actually, just make sure it has a decent amount of natural light. We want a place that feels inviting, not gloomy."

David grinned, "That's exactly what I'm looking for."

Turning to his mom, he said, "Mom, remember your job interview this afternoon at An's Gourmet, 4:30 sharp. You're going to do great. Your cooking is honestly on another level."

"They better like my food, otherwise they would need to check their tastebuds." "Haha, they are cooked if they don't like it," said Noah,

After breakfast, he gathered his bag, ruffled Emily's hair one last time, and said, "Come on, Emily. Let's get moving."

She hopped off her chair, waving goodbye to their parents. "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad! Good luck, Mom!"

David called out after them, "Have a good day, you two. And Noah, take care of your sister!"

Arriving at her elementary school Noah, checked in with her for the final time.

"Alright, Em. You're all set?"

She nodded. "Yup! Thanks, brother. You'll be there for my art show next week, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied, giving her a thumbs-up. "Go make some cool stuff."

She grinned and jogged off, waving as she disappeared into the school building.

After making sure she was safely inside, Noah made his way to his own school, Searᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

As Noah settled into his seat for math class, Ms. Elara began her lecture. He let his mind wander, occasionally glancing at the comic hidden under his notebook. It was an action-packed series he had been following, and he found himself chuckling quietly at a particularly funny panel.

But after a while, he noticed something unusual. Lily, was shifting in her seat, her usually composed face showing subtle signs of discomfort.

Her jaw clenched now and then, and she placed a hand on her stomach, her expression faltering just slightly. Most people might have missed these small details, but Noah, saw through it.

She's in pain, he realized, recalling the symptoms from his intermediate miracle-doctor skills. He had knowledge about most health conditions, and it was clear that she was dealing with period cramps. They seemed severe, too—she was pressing her hand harder against her stomach, trying to hide the discomfort.

Just then, the bell rang.

[Ding! Ultimate Choice System has activated!]

In his mind, three options flashed before him.

Option 1: Help the ice-cold beauty. She will be thankful to you.

[Reward: Basic-Magical Period Pain Reliever Manual, Lily +5 favorability]

Option 2: Offer the ice-cold beauty a hot drink.

[Reward: Lily +1 favorability]

Option 3: Ignore her pain.

[Reward: Nothing]

His eyes lit up, particularly at the first option. The manual has the word 'magical' in it, he thought. If it's anything like the Tea Leaf manual I got, this could be game-changing. He saw the possibilities unfold.

If he could produce a product that genuinely helped with period pain, the potential market would be immense. He had struck gold, all thanks to this seemingly normal moment in math class.

Noah's gaze fell back on Lily, who was struggling to gather her things as she prepared to head to her next class. He noticed the faint sheen of sweat on her forehead, and he knew the cramps must be getting to her. Standing up, he stepped beside her and leaned in slightly.

"Want some help?" he asked, his tone soft and sincere.

Lily's head shot up, her piercing gaze meeting his. She seemed taken aback as if she wasn't used to people noticing her discomfort—let alone offering to help. For a moment, there was a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. She hesitated, her lips parting slightly, before nodding.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice so quiet it was almost lost in the noise of the students around them. Noah gave her a reassuring smile as he extended his arm for her to steady herself. She took it, leaning on him just enough to ease the strain.

They walked down the hall together, catching the attention of nearly everyone who passed by.

"Noah's got some moves," a student muttered from behind them, nudging his friend. "First, he tops the exams, and now he's walking with the school belle."

Another boy groaned, staring after them with envy. "If only I were that close to her. I'd settle for being his arm, honestly…"

Noah ignored the whispers and side comments, staying focused on helping Lily make it to her next class.

He felt her grip on his arm tighten slightly as they moved, and he slowed his pace to accommodate her.

He could see her tension easing, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks as they approached her classroom.

Once there, he guided her to her seat, making sure she was settled before stepping back. She looked up at him, a hint of something softer than her usual cold expression in her eyes.

"Thank you," she said, this time a little louder. There was a warmth in her gaze now, though she quickly looked away, clearly uncomfortable with her own vulnerability.

"Anytime," Noah replied with a grin, giving her a nod before stepping out of the room.

As soon as he was out in the hall, Noah decided to check the system for the reward.

He was eager to see what the Basic-Magical Period Pain Reliever Manual contained. He opened the interface in his mind, and the text began appearing.

[Basic-Magical Period Pain Reliever Manual: This manual ...]

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

Risaliyah

Creator's Thought