Chapter 486: Elias Mercer's Lips Curved into a Faint Smile

Elias Mercer's lips curved into a faint smile.

Clara Whitmore frantically waved her hands in protest. "He's not my—"

The shopkeeper cut her off.

"In ancient times, when a woman styled her hair, it symbolized marriage. Devoted husbands would personally comb and arrange their wives' hair—'gently brushing gossamer strands, lightly tracing spring mountains' with their fingers."

"Where I'm from, there's a saying: when a man combs a woman's hair, it means they'll grow old together. These days, most men won't even pick up a hairbrush, let alone style someone's hair."

The shopkeeper gave Elias an approving thumbs-up. "Your boyfriend is wonderful—quick to learn and so patient."

Clara stomped her foot in frustration. "He's not—"

"Sweetheart, men like him are rare," the shopkeeper said sagely.

Clara: "..." She couldn't get a word in edgewise.

As they walked away from the stall, Elias suddenly asked, "Did you learn it?"

"Huh?"

"How to style hair."

Clara choked.

She hadn't seen a damn thing the entire time—what was there to learn?

Elias arched a brow. "Should I demonstrate again?"

"No, no!" Clara shook her head vigorously.

She was hopeless with her hands anyway.

Might as well...

Give up entirely.

At the end of the street, they ran into Helen and Daniel Whitmore.

"Mom—"

Helen immediately noticed her daughter's hair. "That hair clip is lovely. Where did you get it?"

Clara pointed behind them.

Helen studied her. "Did you do it yourself?"

Clara: "..."

"I knew it wasn't you! After all those years trying to teach you how to style hair, you never learned..."

Clara wished the ground would swallow her whole.

"The shopkeeper helped you, didn't she?"

Clara mumbled an indistinct response, desperate to change the subject.

Elias stood nearby, an almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips.

"Elias, what's so amusing?" Daniel asked curiously, glancing around.

Elias stroked his chin. "Was I smiling?"

"You definitely were!"

"Perhaps..." Elias paused. "I remembered something funny."

Daniel clapped him on the shoulder. "I get it! I make that same dopey smile thinking about your aunt."

A flicker of emotion passed through Elias's eyes.

"Speaking of which, Elias—someone as outstanding as you shouldn't be single. Is work keeping you too busy?" Daniel said enthusiastically. "Should we have your aunt introduce you to someone? There are several new female teachers at her school..."

Elias nearly choked. "That won't be necessary."

"Don't be shy with your uncle!"