Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Surprise
Ashley Shaw just didn’t expect "next time" to come so quickly.
She hadn’t even had time to pick up the cloth to continue wiping the tables when the sound of the wind chime at the door rang again.
Instinctively, she glanced towards the door and saw all five members of the Stardust Team coming back without missing a beat.
Ashley Shaw’s eyes widened in surprise.
The member from "The Wolves," mentioned by the shop assistant, was the first to step forward and said, "We’d like to buy five loaves of bread."
The others didn’t expect to see the Stardust Team members again so soon and were momentarily stunned.
It was Claire Xavier, the owner, who first came to her senses and asked, "What kind of bread would you like? We have many varieties here, come over and take your pick."
"Sure." Leon Zeller nodded, gesturing to his teammates to choose for themselves.
This time, they strictly adhered to the captain’s "decree" and didn’t cause trouble for The Wolves, so when passing by Ashley Shaw, they all kept a straight gaze and focused on selecting cakes at the counter.
As if they hadn’t noticed Ashley Shaw at all.
Once they had all chosen their bread, the shop assistant bravely approached Leon Zeller.
"Well... The Wolves, I know this might be abrupt, but... I really like you; I’m your fan. Could I possibly get an autographed photo from you?"
Leon Zeller was quite accustomed to such occasions.
He smiled politely and nodded, saying, "Sure, but I haven’t brought any autographed photos with me. How about you give me a notebook and I’ll sign it?"
"Oh yes, yes!"
The shop assistant enthusiastically went to find a blank notebook and pen.
Leon Zeller swiftly signed the notebook with "Leon Zeller" and also wrote "Lang" below it before handing it back to the shop assistant with both hands.
Ashley Shaw watched this scene unfold, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Uh... could you also give me a signature?"
The return of the Stardust Team confirmed to Ashley Shaw that she hadn’t remembered incorrectly; Ariana also really liked The Wolves.
She was playing the game "Endtime Survival," which was developed by The Wolves, with her online friend.
Leon Zeller was taken aback and looked at her: "Sis-in-law... oh no, okay, of course."
"Thank you." Ashley Shaw had the shop assistant tear off a sheet of blank paper for her and handed the pen and paper to Leon Zeller again.
"Could you please write a message for my friend?"
"Of course, what should I write?"
"Just write, ’Wishing Ariana Grant happiness every day, good health, and success in all things.’
"Sure, no problem."
Leon Zeller quickly wrote down the line.
Ashley Shaw took the paper and saw the elegant handwriting, her lips curling into a smile.
Ariana would surely be overjoyed when she saw this.
"Thank you, The Wolves."
Leon Zeller quickly waved his hand and said, "No problem."
With humility.
"Take care and welcome back next time."
"Okay, okay." The team members nodded in unison, taking their bread and leaving.
After everyone left, the shop assistant was so excited she nearly jumped up.
"Yay! I got an autograph, hahaha..."
Ashley Shaw always thought the shop assistant was a reserved person, only now realizing that her reserved demeanor was just her camouflage.
Brooke Xavier closed the cash register’s drawer, looked up at her, and asked, "Why did you ask for an autograph as well?"
"For Ariana."
Ashley Shaw said as she carefully put the sheet signed by Leon Zeller into her bag.
Brooke Xavier couldn’t help but be moved: "You and Ariana have such a good friendship; I wish I had a friend like that too."
"Aren’t we all your friends?" Ashley Shaw replied.
"That’s true!"
Just then, an order came in.
It’s for Southgate District, which is quite far; a round trip on an electric bike takes an hour and a half.
Typically, the bakery wouldn’t accept such far orders, but since business has been slow recently, they’ve accepted all orders within the Westcroft area.
Ashley Shaw needed to take leave in the afternoon, and wanting to help with the shop’s workload, she volunteered.
"I’ll deliver it once it’s ready."
"Alright. You can go home after the delivery, since you’re off this afternoon."
"Thanks, Ms. Grant!"
Ashley Shaw agreed happily and ran out to charge the electric bike to avoid it running out of power halfway.
The Southgate District order was a two-tier birthday cake.
Brooke Xavier and the assistant manager both teamed up, and an hour later, the cake was freshly baked.
Ashley Shaw secured the cake, placed a few ice packs in the delivery box, and set off.
However, the destination was even farther than Ashley Shaw had imagined, and it took her a full fifty minutes to deliver the cake.
It was a very old neighborhood, showing even more signs of wear and tear than Ariana’s place.
A notable feature of old neighborhoods: no elevators.
Ashley Shaw checked the cake for any damage and decay; seeing everything was fine, she carried the cake and climbed up to the fifth floor.
By the time she reached the fifth floor, she was already panting.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong."
The doorbell rang twice, and soon a head popped out.
A girl with yellow dyed hair, who looked rather fierce.
Upon seeing Ashley with a cake in hand, the girl with yellow hair finally opened the door wide.
Ashley Shaw glanced inside unintentionally and found the furnishings looked quite old too.
But she had no intention of critiquing the other’s décor, and with a professional smile, she said, "Hello, are you Ms. Alden?"
"That’s me."
The person showed the order, took the cake from her hand, and then slammed the door shut with a "bang."
Ashley Shaw was so close that the closing door nearly hit her nose.
She jumped back, took two steps back, and subconsciously reached up to touch her nose.
Luckily, she wasn’t hurt; had her nose been a little more prominent, she’d have been in trouble.
The customer’s manner seemed to have the quality of a penny—a value that exists but is not abundant.
Ashley lamented her bad luck, holding onto the railing as she went downstairs.
Once back on the e-bike, Ashley Shaw looked at the time, half past ten.
It would take another fifty minutes to get back to Ariana’s place, so she decided to give Ariana a call.
"Ariana, I’ll be home by half-past eleven. If I cook myself, it’ll be quite late. Why don’t I buy some takeout on the way?"
Ariana naturally had no objections.
"Sure! I’d like the handmade noodle pot from our favorite place; could you check if it’s on the way?"
"It’s on the way, but instant noodles aren’t very healthy; how about I change it to homemade noodles for you?"
On the other end, Ariana sighed: "Alright, alright! You really are turning into a mother hen; can’t you let me have a little indulgence? I’ve been taking Dr. Tate’s medicine and haven’t had diarrhea in a while."
"Okay, I’m hanging up now."
Ashley Shaw ignored the complaint in Ariana’s tone and hung up the phone, not giving her a chance to say more.
Faced with someone like Ariana, who couldn’t control her cravings, only she could manage it.
However, Ariana was right about one thing: Dr. Tate’s medicine was really effective; her digestive system was much improved now.
This way, the tragedy from the past life wouldn’t happen again.
Ashley Shaw felt better and rode off to the "Favorite Pot" restaurant.
After buying the pot and getting home, Ashley Shaw placed the boxed meal on the table and took off her backpack.
"Ariana, come over quickly and see what surprise I have for you."