When L looked up again, the man in the military coat had just turned a corner and disappeared from view.


    Ash ran over with a potato in his hand. "L, try this! We grew it ourselves! It''s super sweet!"


    His words made L think of Teddy. If he were here, he would probably be as delighted.


    She thanked Ash for the potato and asked, "Ash, are there any outsiders in the vige?"


    "In this poor and remote ce? No outsiders woulde here," Louise replied, overhearing the question. "It''s a blessing if the locals don''t leave."


    She sighed, her gazending on Ash with a mixture of tenderness and pity.


    L lowered her eyes, watching as Ash peeled open a steaming hot potato and took a bite, wincing as the heat burned his tongue.


    "L, don''t eat it yet. Let it cool. It''s really hot!" His words muffled as he blew on the potato to cool it down.


    "Take your time." Louise sighed helplessly, though her tone was full of affection.


    L''s heart warmed. Children like Ash left behind in rural areas, were not umon. Despite the country''s efforts to improve economic development, it was hard to avoid such situations. Many people left their homes in search of better opportunities, leaving children and the elderly behind.


    She sighed but didn''t say anything.


    Following them into the house, she asked again, "What about the man living across? Why hasn''t he gone out to work?"


    "Oh, him?" Louise thought for a moment. "He''s the son-inw of the family that lived there. Not long after getting married, his wife died in an ident. He didn''t leave after that. A couple of yearster, his inws passed away too. He''s been living alone ever since."


    "It''s been over ten years now. Poor man." She sighed.


    "And before that? Where was he from?" L was worried and pressed further.


    Louise didn''t suspect anything. "He was someone that girl met while working in the city. I heard he came from some poor mountainous area. His parents had passed away, and he went out to work. The two fell in love and got married. That was so many years ago. Who remembers anymore?"


    L nodded, recalling her encounter with James.


    Although the man resembled James, James didn''t have a hunched back.


    Back when Jasmine had driven James out of the Llyod family, considering his intelligence, he shouldn''t have ended up living so poorly.


    She rubbed her temples.


    Ash urged her, "L, eat the potato now! It''s best when it''s hot."


    "Alright." L carefully peeled the skin and took a bite.


    It was indeed very sweet.


    The next day, the staff came to call her for breakfast, but Louise had already prepared food for three people and insisted she stay.


    However, L didn''t want to eat for free.


    Sensing her hesitation, Louise chuckled. "The rent they''re paying us is more than enough."


    Understanding that she referred to


    the mon


    the production crew paid for using their house L exined "Living here and eating here are two different things."


    Louise''s smile widened. "We should be thanking you. With the extra money, we can buy Ash a bicycle for school, a new backpack, and some new clothes too."


    L felt a pang of sadness.


    This ce was indeed remote. Despite the country''s efforts to alleviate poverty, life here still seemed harsh.


    She nced around the old but tidy courtyard and said nothing more. Then she sat at the small table for breakfast.


    After the meal, L went to meet up with the production team. The others were already heading toward the fields to set up greenhouses.


    Matthew was busy with recording and couldn''t walk with her. Perhaps becau he wasn''t yet familiar with


    the group, he looked uneasy and kept ncing her way.


    The production team didn''t make things difficult for the guests. The greenhouses had been


    pre-assembled and the necessary Structures and facilities were already


    in ce.


    The team even invited some vigers to help the guests quickly learn how to nt fruits and vegetables.


    L scanned the area and immediately spotted the man in the military coat from the previous day.


    She paused, wanting to get a clearer look at his face. But the man wore a hat, and his long, disheveled hair made it impossible to see his features.


    "What''s that man''s name?" she asked the assistant director.