Bowen knew Aubree <b>wasn’t </b>someone who got knocked down easily, but he still couldn’t help worrying. He couldn’t stop thinking, ‘Man, I’m really in deep with her. At the same time, he was already running through backup ns in his head in case Aubree’s negotiation ended up falling t.
The elderly man they <b>were </b>looking for lived at the far end of the vige, right next to Josephine, whom they’d heard about the previous day.
Ridgehaven Town was filled with <b>vast </b>fruit orchards. As they walked along the road, they could see fruit trees lining the roadside everywhere.
Coincidentally, the far end of the vige was the most remote and spacious area, and that’s where most of the orchards were clustered together.
Aubree said in high spirits, “Even if the negotiation falls through, we can still take the chance to check out the orchards.”
Hearing that, Bowen realized he was probably overthinking things. Even if Aubree failed this time, she’d just keep pushing forward like a weed growing through the cracks. After all, she <b>was </b>tough and relentless.
They walked for a while, making their <b>way </b>from the busy town entrance all the way to the far, quieter end. As the people thinned out and they passed through a whole orchard, they finally found the home of the toughest holdout in the vige.
The old man’s front door was wide open. He <b>sat </b>alone at the entrance, leaning on <b>his </b>cane, quietly watching the world go by. Only when he noticed someone approaching did his cloudy eyes flicker with a hint of awareness.
Aubree took the initiative and walked up with a friendly smile. “Hi, Grandpa! We are here to buy fruits, and we havee <b>here </b>to explore the vige and see what kind of ce it <b>is </b>like. We were wandering around and ended up here.”
She made sure to speak up, just in case the old man had trouble hearing.
But to her surprise, the elderly man was full of energy and sharp <b>as </b>ever. He replied, “You’re looking to buy fruit? You’vee to the right ce! The fruit from our vige is the tastiest you’ll ever find.
“Back in the day, my kids and grandkids all loved eating the fruit we grew right here at home.”
As he spoke, the aged man pointed at a fruit tree out front, motioning for Aubree to check it out.
There was a tree there, but it <b>was </b><b>so </b>old and dead that it was impossible to determine what it had once been.
Aubree felt like she was starting to piece things together. She crouched down so she was eye level with the old man, and asked, “So, Grandpa, how old are your kids? Why aren’t they here with you? Do theye back for Christmas<b>?</b><b>” </b>
The old man sighed in response, “I’ve got a son and a daughter. My son left to work in the city and lives far away now. My daughter got married to someone from another ce that is even farther away. It’s not easy for them toe back, and honestly, I never know when I’ll see them again.”
“Is it really safe for you to live here all by yourself?” Aubree asked, genuine concern in her voice.
Perhaps the older man didn’t get muchpany because he didn’t mind chatting with her at all. He justughed and said, “Safe? Worried? About what? Who would bother messing with an old guy like me anyway?”
He gave a bitter chuckle, the lines on his face deepening with sorrow as he continued, “A few years back, they said the houses here would be torn down. I thought maybe my kids woulde back for a visit, but they were all too busy. All they did was ask where I’d live if the house was gone…
“They… they don’t want the ce torn down. They just want to wait and <b>see</b><b>. </b>
“Now that there’s talk of demolition again, they said they mighte back if they ever get the time. So I end up just sitting here at the door every day, waiting for them toe home.
“It’s hot these days, so I put a watermelon in the well every day so if theye back, there’ll be something cool for them to eat.”
After a brief moment, the old man let out a sigh, “Are you guys thirsty? Let me go slice up some watermelon for you.”
With that, Aubree got the picture. The man’s children didn’t want him moving in with them, but they were still hoping for the demolition payout. As such, they just left him here as the holdout, probably figuring that if he passed away before the demolition, they wouldn’t have to take care of him and could still get the money.
She shared a nce with Bowen, and he immediately stepped up. “There is no need to trouble yourself, Grandpa. Thank you for offering us some watermelon. Let me get it for us.”
<b>3:39 </b>PM
<b>Chapter </b><b>552 </b>
After being chilled in the <b>well</b>, the watermelon was cool, and it quenched their thirst. Becau?…
grown here <b>were </b><b>always </b><b>sweeter </b>than usual.
<b>As </b>they chatted, they learned that the elder man was Pontus Nelson.
of where Ridgehaven <b>Town </b>was located, the fruits
Pontus seemed to genuinely like Aubree. He cut up the watermelon, grabbed a <b>spoon</b><b>, </b>and pushed half of it into her hands. He shared, “The watermelon here <b>is </b>super <b>sweet </b>and tasty. Eat <b>as </b>much as you like.”
Aubree didn’t hold back. <b>As </b>she met Pontus’s warm, gentle gaze, she scooped up a big piece and popped it into her mouth, <b>eximing</b>, “<b>So </b>sweet!”
Pontus’s smile grew even warmer.
After a <b>few </b>bites<b>, </b>Aubree winked at Bowen.
Catching her cue, he asked, “Mr. Nelson<b>, </b>you mentioned you don’t want to move because you’re worried you won’t <b>get </b>to see your children again, right?”
“Yeah,” Pontus sighed. “That’s part of the reason.
When you get <b>older</b>, you just don’t want to move anymore. If I move in with my children, I can tell they don’t <b>really </b>want me there with them. So I’d rather just stay here. And…”
Pontus’s lips moved, but whatever he wanted to say next just trailed off.
It seemed like Pontus’s situation wasn’t the only problem here, and there were other issues hiding beneath the surface.
Aubree lowered her eyes<b>, </b>putting on an innocent look before asking, “But what if those developers turned this ce into a farmstay resort, and preserved some of the vige’s original character? If they let the elderly who really don’t want to <b>leave </b>stay here, keep living their lives, and even have a job, would you be okay with the renovation then, Mr. Nelson<b>?</b><b>” </b>
“Aubree, you really <b>are </b>young. The people who want thisnd? They’re not looking to build a farmstay resort. They’re businessmen<b>, </b>not here to do charity,” Pontus responded.
Aubree just raised an eyebrow quizzically.
“If things were really like you said, I would be happy to agree,” he finally added.
<b>‘</b>If I can get some money and still stay here, why wouldn’t I want <b>that</b><b>?</b>‘ Pontus thought.
Just <b>as </b>Pontus was about <i>to </i>say something else, amotion sounded outside. Aubree nced over and spotted a white caring into view. It was not some fancy ride, just an ordinary<b>, </b>everyday car.
Pontus noticed it too. He immediately leaned on his cane and, trembling, struggled to his feet. He stammered, “Aubree, help me check. Does the license te say 5473?”
“<b>Yes</b>, it does,” Bowen said, confirming it.
Pontus grew even more excited, his hands shaking <b>as </b>he moved forward, but every step was firm and full of purpose. “That’s my son’s car,” he uttered.
‘Pontus’s son is back?‘ Aubree thought.
This news should have made Aubree happy, but as the car came into clearer view, her unease grew.
Aubree nced <b>at </b>Bowen as she thought, ‘Is this <b>just </b>a coincidence?‘
Bowen shook his head, his slight frown showing that he was thinking the same thing as Aubree.
Today, Alvin was on his way here.
The car rolled to a stop<b>, </b>and the door opened. The first person to step out was from the passenger seat.
As the figure came into view, Aubree’s eyes suddenly widened in shock, ‘Is that Alvin?‘ she thought.
Alvin <b>saw </b>them too, but he lookedpletely indifferent. He just gave them a quick nce, his eyes cold and distant, as if they were total strangers.
Right <b>after</b>, the driver’s door opened, and a in–looking middle–aged man stepped out.
“Dad” the middle–aged man called out.