It seemed like a mystery.
Seeing Callie’s reaction, Jaquan was even more certain he wasn’t lying. “It’s true.”
Regan’s expression was awkward as she got out of bed barefoot. “It’s all in the past.” She added, “Don’t mention it to Nelson. It’s his sore spot, you understand?”
Callie understood and was about to ask more when Nelson walked in from outside, knocking on the door, probably having waited long enough to urge her to leave.
“Callie.”
Callie’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded to Regan and replied, “Coming.”
Following the routine, during the three-day New Year holiday, both of them stayed here and didn’t return to Paucaster Villa Complex.
Perhaps because of the festive season or maybe because Callie deliberately stepped back, their interactions were less tense.
Callie secretly looked into various forms of mental illness. It was too complex, so she thought she’d ask Tobias another day.
Recently, Nelson seemed to have taken a liking to cooking. He didn’t let Nancy bring food but cooked himself, and surprisingly, his skills were quite good.
Today’s lunch was wine and lemon cod, with ingredients he personally bought and prepared.
Cod was hard to find. When he mentioned it, Callie had a sudden idea and suggested trying the fish from the courtyard pond.
Nelson laughed and took her to see it. “These fish swam into the pond from the spring. If you want to eat them, I’ll make carp soup for you tomorrow.”
Wine and lemon cod, carp soup. Callie found herself more interested in the latter. She liked the idea of using local ingredients and enjoyed home-cooked meals.
Nelson noted the joy in her eyes and casually asked, “Do you prefer Paucaster Villa Complex or here?”
She focused on watching the carp swim in the pond. “Here.”
Callie then said, “During winter and summer vacations, Joaquin and I were sent to the countryside to experience life. It was a remote village with a pond in front of the house and vast fields behind it. In autumn, when the crops were harvested, water would be flooded into the fields, reflecting the entire sky. There were wild carp and loaches too.”
She gestured to show the size of the loaches. “This big.”
Nelson smiled lightly.
He imagined a young Callie rolling up her pants to catch fish, getting all muddy, and then getting scolded when she got home.
Quite adorable.
In that minute, he even envisioned their future life together.
After lunch, Callie didn’t know how Nelson managed it, but many small peach trees were delivered to the yard. He called out loudly, “Callie!”
Callie came out and couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re planting trees? It’s winter.”
The man had already taken off his coat and was holding a small hoe with great enthusiasm. “I asked around; they can survive.”
Since he had asked professionals, Callie didn’t question it but joined him in planting on a whim.
Dozens of trees filled the yard. After watering them one by one, Callie asked, “When spring comes, will they bloom?”
Straightening up, she looked at these new lives about to endure the winter and felt a sense of heroic accomplishment.
If they survived until March, they would surely be beautiful.
She began to look forward to the new year with a bit of hope.
Nelson bent down to water the trees. His arched figure looked good, and his profile seemed less cold and harsh, with a touch of youthful charm.