Lord wade and his daughter Christine wade stood in the cold wind, not feeling the chill on their skin, but a sense of desolation crept into their hearts, as if they were unwelcome.
Compared to the radiant, youthful glow of the Gu(Sun) couple, the contrast was stark.
Still, neither father nor daughter dared to harbour resentment towards Charlie wade in their hearts, for they knew this was the consequence of their own actions.
Inviting everyone into the house, Lord wade quickly said to Christine wade, “Christine, go brew some tea. It’s not dinner time yet, so I’ll have a chat and a cuppa with Orrin and Charlie.”
Gone was Christine wade’s old air of the Wade family’s pampered eldest daughter. With a smile as polished as a professional waiter’s, she replied with a mix of respect and humility, “Dad, just wait a moment, I’ll get the tea set and leaves ready.”
With that, she bustled off eagerly.
Christine wade didn’t dare hope Charlie wade would give her a Rejuvenation Pill, but a faint thought lingered in her mind: if she seized every chance to show him kindness and humility from now on, perhaps if Charlie wade’s impression of her improved, he might one day take pity and grant her half a pill, or even a whole one.
Angie, feeling that Christine wade, as Charlie wade’s aunt, shouldn’t be left to tend to everyone alone, whispered to Stephanie beside her, “Nannan, go help your Aunt Wade out, lend her a hand.”
Stephanie nodded quickly, “Sure, Mum, I’ll go now.”
Christine wade overheard and immediately waved her off with a smile, “Oh, Nannan, you’re a guest! There’s no need for you to lift a finger. Just stay here with your parents and Grandpa Wade. I’ll manage on my own.”
Then, with another quick smile, she added to Charlie wade, “Charlie, you sit tight too, keep Nannan company.”
Charlie wade gave a slight nod, thinking to himself, “This aunt of mine is a completely different person now. The old Christine wade was a proper diva. Despite her age, she had more pride than the youngsters, and a temper to match. But looking at her now, it’s like she’s a new woman. A total transformation.”
As the host, Lord wade ushered everyone to the sofa area to sit. Once settled, he sighed to Lord Orrin, “Orrin, if you’ve got nothing on, you should pop by the house more often. I’m just an old man rattling around here, and it gets awfully dull. Sometimes I really crave a good chat.”
Lord Orrin replied with earnest respect, “No problem, Uncle Wade. We’ve not got much else going on lately, and Nannan’s back to rest and prep for the New Year. If you’re feeling bored, the three of us will come by often to keep you company!”
Lord wade’s face lit up with delight, and he nodded enthusiastically, “If your family of three could visit regularly, that’d be brilliant! Most of the Wade family are up at Wade Ling Mountain keeping vigil these days, and at my age, traipsing up there isn’t exactly convenient. It does get lonely around here.”
He glanced at Charlie wade beside him and sighed again, “Truth be told, I’d love for Charlie to stay in Eastcliff longer, spend some proper time here. But every time he comes back, it’s a whirlwind visit, and he’s off again before long. I barely get a chance to have him keep this old bag of bones company.”
Charlie wade smiled faintly but stayed silent.
He was, after all, a married man now, with a home in Aurous Hill. Picking up this thread could lead to talk of his engagement with Stephanie, landing him right back in an awkward spot.
At that moment, Stephanie chimed in with a smile, “Grandpa Wade, Brother Charlie wade’s got so much on his plate these days, he hasn’t got much time to spend with you. But don’t worry, once I quit the entertainment biz, I’ll be a jobless layabout at home. I’ll come visit you all the time then!”
“That’d be fantastic!” Lord wade beamed.
