The Indifferent Ex-Husband: Heartstrings in the Mall of Fate novel Chapter 55

Sophia gave a small nod, "Mhm."

She wasn't actually cold. The wool hat she was wearing still held onto his warmth.

She had always been a pushover for Brandon, especially when he was being thoughtful and tender like this.

Brandon didn't pick up on the ripples in her heart. He raised his hand to cover her ears for a moment and looked at her, "You didn't eat much back at home. How about grabbing a bite outside?"

Sophia hesitated for a second before nodding.

Behind the square was a night market with street food stalls. Even though it was early in her pregnancy, Brandon wasn't too strict about what Sophia could and couldn't eat.

It was Sophia who held back a bit, not daring to eat just anything. She only ordered a burger.

Their dining spot was just a makeshift tent and a small table set up by the roadside.

Brandon also got himself a burger and sat opposite Sophia.

This was their first time eating at a street stall like this.

The experience felt novel to Sophia, particularly with Brandon sitting across from her in a suit, which seemed a bit out of place against the backdrop of the humble stall.

Sophia thought Brandon might feel uncomfortable, but then she saw him pick up the disposable utensils and start eating.

She couldn't help but look at him.

Brandon glanced at her in between bites, "What's up?"

Sophia shook her head, "Nothing."

She added, "Just didn't expect you to be into street food."

Brandon gave her a look, "Back in college, there was this whole street of food stalls behind the campus. I used to go a lot places like this."

Sophia was a bit surprised, "I thought you were the fancy type."

"Being fancy started after I began working." Brandon rested his utensils in his plate, looking at her. "As a student, I was more easy-going. These past few years running the company, being busy, and having to maintain the company's image meant I didn't really hit up street stalls anymore."

Then he asked her, "What about you? Ever been to places like this before?"

"Of course. As a student, who could afford fancy restaurants all the time? We'd stick to street stalls, cheap and tasty." Sophia chuckled, "Had a food street behind my college too. I used to go there a lot with Susan. Good times."

Brandon also chuckled, feeling nostalgic.

He remembered the food street from his student days, always bustling with student couples. Watching them, he'd often think of Sophia, wondering which college she was at, what she was doing, whether she was dating. These thoughts would sometimes take away his appetite.

He knew which college Sophia attended.

Even though Sophia had left without a word after the test, she had been admitted to a prestigious university due to her high scores. Her name was up there on the honor board, close to his.

They were even in the same city, the same university area, and their schools often had joint events.

But in that small world, they never crossed paths.

"I've been to your school before," Brandon said.

Sophia was taken aback, "What?"

Brandon picked up the burger, tilting his head slightly to look at her, "When I first started college and wasn't so busy, I’d occasionally wander around your campus."