Chapter 377 You Choose
When Dave mentioned having already shared a meal with Hera at the Dragon Palace Hotel, Zhane lightly pursed his lips. The remark reminded him that he hadn’t spent as much time with Hera as he would have liked, and even Dave seemed to have had more moments with her than he had.
Even though Zhane felt the urge to act childishly, following Dave’s example to gain more of Hera’s attention, he resisted. Despite his thoughts, he focused on ensuring that Dave wouldn’t push things too far and make Hera uncomfortable, especially after the rough start to her morning caused by the uninvited guests barging in and spoiling their earlier conversation.
Zhane turned to Hera, offering her a reassuring smile, silently conveying that she didn’t need to bend to Dave’s wishes if she didn’t want to and that her choice truly mattered. Noticing his thoughtful gesture, Hera tilted her head slightly, a sweet smile still playing on her lips, this time directed warmly at Zhane.
"Since we haven’t had the chance to dine out together, how about I ask where you would like to go?" Hera asked Zhane with a gentle smile. "I’m sure Bry and the others would be happy with whatever you decide." She valued Zhane’s opinion, knowing he was reserved and sensible, often stepping into the role of the older brother in the group. It wasn’t unusual to see him keeping Dave in check, and she trusted his judgment.
Because of this, Zhane often just went along with what everyone else preferred, rarely expressing a strong opinion on anything outside his work. Giving him the reins to decide now would surely make him feel appreciated, as if, for once, someone was looking out for him instead of him always looking after others.
When you’re constantly looking after others, there’s often a subconscious part of you that craves to be cared for as well. Hera aimed to make Zhane feel exactly that. She wasn’t wrong—at the moment she asked for his opinion, a brief flicker passed through his eyes, appearing and vanishing in an instant.
There was a glimmer of surprise and amusement in his eyes that Hera caught instantly. Fortunately, she had been paying close attention, so she noticed the subtle shift in his expression—something that everyone else missed entirely.
After a brief pause, Zhane offered Hera a soft, almost hesitant smile, as if the notion of him making the decision was unfamiliar territory. "Are you sure it’s alright for me to decide?" he asked, his voice gentle but laced with uncertainty.
Hera’s smile widened, nodding in affirmation. "Of course," she reassured him warmly, before shifting her gaze toward Dave, as if signaling him to take note of the moment. It was clear that her trust in Zhane’s judgment was genuine, and she hoped to convey that to the rest of the group.
Dave noticed Hera’s gaze shift toward him and met her eyes, flashing a quick grin. "As long as I’m with you, sweetheart, I won’t mind the place," he replied smoothly, letting the sweet words slip out without hesitation. Despite his casual tone, there was a lingering hint of sincerity in his voice, even if he still secretly wanted to head to the Golden Dragon Pavilion like he’d mentioned earlier. But if Hera was really handing the reins over to Zhane, Dave decided he would just be content with whatever was decided.