Chapter 369: Happy Qixi Festival (Parallel World)

In 2026, Simon Lockwood graduated from Jornheim University and was admitted into its graduate program that same year. He started to get busy.

After shifting her career focus, Joanna Kennedy rarely filmed TV series anymore, concentrating on movies instead. As a result, she had more free time than Simon Lockwood.

When Simon Lockwood went to his classes, she would stay home, reading scripts or trying her hand at cooking.

On this particular Valentine’s Day, the “autumn tiger” was still going strong. Autumn had officially begun, but the weather was still unbearably hot and dry.

Joanna Kennedy put on a sun-protection jacket and a face mask, covering herself from head to toe, and went with Anna Yates to a large nearby supermarket to buy groceries.

Anna Yates crossed her arms and looked at Joanna’s thief-like getup with disdain. “What is this? You’re so bundled up, anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re here to steal vegetables.”

“This isn’t QQ Farm,” Joanna Kennedy’s voice was muffled by her mask.

Anna Yates: “…”

Anna Yates: “Wow. So hilarious.”

Anna Yates rolled her eyes. Joanna Kennedy, finding this hilarious, linked her arm through her friend’s and coaxed, “Come on, Anna, help me think. What’s a dish that’s easy to make, delicious, and looks good?”

It was Valentine’s Day, and Joanna Kennedy wanted to show off her culinary skills and give Simon Lockwood a surprise before he got home.

Of course, Anna Yates knew exactly what she was thinking and was rendered speechless by her friend’s lovesick brain.

‘Easy to make, delicious, *and* pretty? That’s a lot to ask for.’

“If you ask me, you shouldn’t even bother cooking. Just wrap yourself up in a ribbon and give yourself to Scholar Lockwood,” Anna Yates said, offering a wicked suggestion.

Joanna Kennedy actually considered it. After seriously thinking about the consequences, she shivered. “No way. I wouldn’t dare.”

‘Simon Lockwood is so fierce in bed. I’m not about to offer myself up for slaughter.’

“I’ll just stick to cooking,” Joanna Kennedy said.

After buying some vegetables and an assortment of fish, shrimp, and other seafood, Joanna Kennedy invited Anna Yates over. But Anna Yates flatly refused, crossing her arms in an X and vowing never to be a third wheel. She dropped Joanna Kennedy off at home and immediately left.

Joanna Kennedy was a little disappointed. She actually liked a bit of lively chaos.

Once home, seeing that Simon Lockwood hadn’t returned yet, Joanna Kennedy started to prepare the ingredients. She tried to copy the technique Simon had used to devein shrimp before, clumsily picking out the veins.

She was halfway through when all the lights in the house suddenly went out, plunging everything into darkness in an instant.

Joanna Kennedy was stunned for a moment. She fumbled to turn on her phone’s flashlight and stepped out of the kitchen, just as soft, gentle music began to play.

In front of the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, golden points of light began to switch on one by one, gradually forming a pattern—the mathematical symbol for infinity.

Simon Lockwood, who had returned without her knowing when, stood before the “infinity symbol” holding a large bouquet of fiery red roses. He was dressed in a white shirt and black suit pants, and his refined, cool features looked all the more magnificent and handsome, framed by the dim lights and the roses.

Joanna Kennedy’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening. After a moment, she jogged over and leaped onto him, giving him a playful punch. “Simon Lockwood, you scared me to death!” she complained loudly.

“I thought some sasaeng fan had cut our power! I was just about to call the police!”

Joanna Kennedy’s lovely peach-blossom eyes were wide and round, shimmering with moisture—whether from the scare or something else, it was hard to say.

Afraid the roses would poke her, Simon Lockwood quickly lifted the bouquet high with one hand, using the other to securely support her, letting her cling to him like a koala.

“Stop messing around. Get down first.”

“No! Why should I get down? I got up here on my own skills. If you’ve got the guts, then you can try to throw me off.”

Simon Lockwood: “…”

Of course, Simon Lockwood wouldn’t do that. His tone deepened. “Really not getting down?”

Joanna Kennedy: “Nope…”

Before Joanna Kennedy could finish her defiance, Simon Lockwood suddenly pressed his hips forward, making no attempt to hide his body’s reaction.

It took Joanna Kennedy a few seconds to process what happened. When she did, her face became hot enough to fry an egg, and she scrambled down in embarrassment.

“Pervert…” she muttered under her breath.

Simon Lockwood, who hadn’t heard her clearly, placed the flowers on a table and turned his head. “What was that?”

“I said, you’re incredible, Simon Lockwood! You managed to get such beautiful flowers!” Joanna Kennedy gave him a thumbs-up, delivering the emotional validation right on cue.

The sight of her looking so sweet and docile made Simon Lockwood’s heart stir. He subconsciously took two steps forward and leaned in to kiss her.

But Joanna Kennedy slipped away like a fish and darted toward the kitchen, calling back, “I haven’t finished washing the vegetables yet!”

Simon Lockwood: “…”

Simon Lockwood took a deep breath, suppressing the heat rising within him, and walked resignedly toward the kitchen. He was afraid Joanna Kennedy might blow it up.

Joanna Kennedy refused to let Simon Lockwood help, radiating the determination of someone about to single-handedly prepare an imperial banquet. So, Simon just stood behind her, watching as she frantically scrambled eggs and fried shrimp.

The scene overlapped with a memory from many years ago. Simon Lockwood leaned down and rested his chin on her small shoulder.

Joanna Kennedy reflexively turned her head to kiss him. Simon Lockwood chuckled. “Joanie, be serious. Stop acting like a pervert.”

Joanna Kennedy: “…”

It was Simon Lockwood’s counterattack.

She had just called him a pervert, and now he was pinning the same label on her. ‘It’s not that karma isn’t real, it just takes its time.’

The doorbell rang. Joanna Kennedy told Simon Lockwood to get it. A few seconds later, from the kitchen, she heard an ear-splitting “SURPRISE!”

A bad feeling shot through her. She walked out of the kitchen and immediately saw the group of people in the entryway.

Joanna Kennedy: “…?”

That buffoon Sean Grant had actually come, and he was holding a Valentine’s Day-themed cake, the frosted flowers on top of which he’d nearly shoved right into Simon Lockwood’s face. Beside him, an embarrassed Jack Warren had his face in his hands, looking like he wanted the earth to swallow him whole.

Simon Lockwood subtly took two steps back, about to shut the door, but Sean Grant was too quick and darted inside. He waved enthusiastically at Joanna Kennedy. “Sis-in-law! We’re here to celebrate Valentine’s Day with you! Surprised?! Didn’t see that coming, did you!”

Sean Grant, with all the boisterous energy of a New Year’s celebration, unabashedly started setting out red wine and cake.

Jack Warren kept apologizing profusely, “Sorry for the intrusion, sorry for the intrusion.”

Simon Lockwood and Joanna Kennedy: “…”

‘What the actual fuck.’

A lively Valentine’s Day… for four.

Their romantic world for two had become a party of four. Simon Lockwood’s expression darkened a shade. Joanna Kennedy glanced toward the living room, then furtively stood on her tiptoes to plant a comforting kiss on the corner of his mouth. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Simon Lockwood,” she whispered.

In the living room, Sean Grant was still making a ruckus, jabbering away, while Jack Warren, fed up, would snap back at him. In the kitchen, steaming dishes were being served. Outside the window was the warm glow of the everyday world.

Simon Lockwood gazed into her clear, bright eyes. After a long moment, he said softly, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Their eyes met, reflecting only each other.

Time hadn’t changed a thing. In Simon Lockwood’s presence, Joanna Kennedy was still like a young girl in the throes of first love—sincere, passionate, and joyous. For them, every day was a day of ardent love.