Chapter One
As night fell, the cold moon hung high in the sky. The bright moonlight fell on the ancient castle on the edge of the city, casting a mysterious silver veil around it. Emily stood on the balcony, looking at the forest in the distance, and felt a chill rising from the bottom of her heart. Since moving to this castle, her life has become bizarre and mysterious. The cold wind in October swept across her bare shoulders, bringing a shudder. Emily subconsciously wrapped her woolen shawl tightly around her, but she couldn't feel any warmth. This castle seems to be always cold, just like its mysterious owner Lucas Black, exuding an inaccessible atmosphere. "Miss Emily," suddenly, a low voice sounded behind her, "You'll catch a cold if you're still outside so late." She turned around and saw Lucas standing at the balcony door. The moonlight outlined his tall figure. He was wearing a dark silk shirt, and the collar vaguely revealed his strong chest. The amber eyes flickered strangely in the darkness, as if they could see through her soul. "Mr. Black," Emily whispered, trying to hide the trembling in her voice, "I'm just admiring the moonlight." Lucas took a step forward, but suddenly stopped. Emily noticed that his body stiffened instantly, and his nostrils fluttered slightly, as if he was sniffing something. His expression became solemn, and a glimmer of wildness flashed in his eyes, but was quickly suppressed. "Please go in," his voice was hoarser than usual, "It's not safe here." Just then, a cold night breeze swept across the balcony, bringing a faint smell of rust. Emily saw that Lucas's fingers were almost pinched into the stone railing, and his knuckles were white. She couldn't help but take a step back, her heartbeat accelerated. "I thought this castle was the safest place," she whispered, "after all, you are here." Lucas let out an almost inaudible growl, "Some danger, Miss Emily, is much closer than you think." His eyes looked unusually sharp in the moonlight, "especially on a full moon night." Suddenly, a wolf howl came from the distant forest, shrill and long. Emily was surprised to find that Lucas' pupils shrank in an instant and turned into vertical pupils like a beast, but the fleeting change made her wonder if it was just an illusion caused by the moonlight. Just then, a cold breath passed by her from behind, accompanied by a chuckle. Emily turned around and saw only a dark shadow flashing in the corner of the balcony. When she looked back again, Lucas had come to her side, with a hand gently on her shoulder. "I'll take you back to your room," he said, with an unquestionable commanding tone in his voice. Emily noticed that his palms were surprisingly hot, in sharp contrast to the chill of the castle. Walking in the dark corridor of the castle, Emily could feel Lucas' presence, he walked behind her like a silent guardian. Moonlight poured in through the Gothic stained glass windows, casting mottled shadows on the floor. "Good night, Miss Emily," Lucas whispered in front of her door, "Remember, no matter what sound you hear, don't leave the room tonight." "Why?" Emily asked subconsciously. Lucas was silent for a moment, his eyes looked deep and dangerous in the moonlight, "Because the moonlight tonight is too beautiful, it will always wake up something that shouldn't wake up." When the door closed behind her, Emily leaned against the door, her heartbeat still alarmingly fast. She could hear Lucas's footsteps gradually fading away, but she seemed to hear the sound of wings flapping outside the window. She walked to the window and looked out through the glass. In the moonlit courtyard, she saw a figure standing by the fountain. The man looked up at her window, and the moonlight illuminated his pale marble face - it was Draco, with a mysterious smile on his lips and a dangerous light in his eyes. When Emily blinked, his figure had disappeared, as if he had never appeared. Emily lay trembling on the bed, listening to the wolf howling outside the window. She knew that she had fallen into a world full of dangers, and this was just the beginning. On this moonlit night, her fate was closely linked to two mysterious and dangerous beings, and there was no turning back.
Chapter Two
In the dead of night, Emily lay in bed, the faces of Lucas and Draco appeared in her mind. She could not resist the deep attraction, but she also knew that she was caught in a dangerous vortex. She knew that the confrontation between the two men was a life-and-death hostility, and she was just a pawn in their war. A corner of her heart reminded her to escape, but the deeper desire pulled her to stay in this mysterious castle, looking forward to the unknown encounter.
Just as she was about to fall asleep, a slight knock on the window interrupted the silence. Emily opened her eyes, and the moonlight poured into the room through the curtains, making the corners of the room particularly dark. She sat up subconsciously, trembling slightly and walked to the window. When she opened the curtains, a figure was standing in front of her, cold and elegant.
It was Draco.
"Sorry, I scared you, Emily." His low voice was frivolous and indifferent, as if every word revealed his unfathomable darkness. His eyes were like two flames in the abyss, locking onto her with an irresistible force.
"How... are you here?" Emily's heartbeat quickened, and her hands unconsciously clenched a corner of the curtain. She knew she should be scared at this moment, but Draco's unique charm made it hard for her to resist.
Draco did not answer her question, but slowly approached, lowered his head and whispered in her ear: "You know why I'm here, Emily. You've never really been afraid of me, right?"
The moment he approached, she smelled the cold breath on him, as if it came from the night a thousand years ago. Her breathing gradually became rapid, but she did not retreat, but was locked by his eyes, as if her soul was also attracted to him.
"Draco... we can't do this." Her voice was weak, but she did not retreat at all, as if even she herself was struggling with contradictions.
"You don't belong here at all, Emily. Staying here will only put you in deeper danger." Draco gently lifted her chin, with a smile on the corner of his cold mouth, that smile was both gentle and dangerous, "But if you want to know the real darkness, then come. I will take you to see everything."
At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Lucas' figure appeared at the door like a shadow. His face was gloomy, and his eyes were burning with anger. It was his possessiveness and anger that he could not hide. He walked towards Draco step by step, his hands clenched, his muscles tensed, as if he was going to pounce on and tear the enemy in front of him in the next second.
"Draco, let her go." Lucas' voice was low and threatening, like an enraged beast. It was the first time Emily saw him so out of control, his eyes were like a ball of unextinguishable fire, revealing uncontrollable anger and possessiveness.
Draco smiled slightly, released Emily's chin, and looked at Lucas provocatively. "Don't you understand yet? She doesn't belong to you. The savagery of the wolf tribe is nothing but a bondage to her, and I can give her true freedom."
"The 'freedom' you mentioned will only make her fall into darkness. You don't understand what true protection is." Lucas sneered, his eyes as sharp as an eagle. He slowly stepped forward, blocked Emily, and protected her behind him. That was his attitude as the wolf king, firm and unshakable.
Emily was sandwiched between the two, feeling her heartbeat speed up, as if breathing became difficult. These two completely different forces intertwined and collided in front of her, making it impossible for her to decide which side to choose.
Draco raised the corners of his mouth and slowly took a step back, his eyes still on Emily. "Emily, one day you will find that he can't satisfy the desire in your heart. And I am your true home."
As soon as the voice fell, Draco's figure disappeared into the night, as if he had never appeared.
Lucas looked at the empty room, his fists gradually loosened, but the anger and worry in his eyes remained. He turned around and looked at Emily softly, but his eyes still flashed with contradictions and forbearance.
"Are you okay?" He asked in a low voice, with a trace of undisguised concern in his voice.
Emily nodded, but her heart was in turmoil and it was difficult to calm down. She knew that she had fallen too deep. She could not let go of these two men easily, nor could she easily resist them. A complex emotion surged in her heart, which was a dangerous and fatal attraction.
"Lucas, I..." She wanted to say something, but lost her words when she met his eyes.
"Don't get close to him." Lucas' voice was low, with a hint of pleading and warning, "I know you feel confused, but Draco is not what you think. He will only drag you into the darkness, and I won't let him hurt you."
Emily just looked at him silently, and a touch of uncertainty gradually rose in her heart. She knew that this was not just a war, but a contest of feelings and desires. In this dangerous triangle relationship, she has gone too far and can never turn back.
Chapter Three
Emily stayed awake all night. The wind outside the window blew through the woods, making a low moan, as if the whole castle was whispering in her ear. She curled up in bed, recalling Draco's cold smile and Lucas's deep eyes. Two completely different attractions stirred in her heart, making her lost on the edge of danger and desire.
When the sky was slightly bright, she made a decision. She had to figure out what she wanted, the wildness and protection of the wolf tribe, or the mystery and temptation of the vampire. She got up and walked out of the room, walked through the deserted corridor, and came to the door of Lucas's study.
The door of the study was slightly open, and a whisper came from inside. Emily stood outside the door and pricked up her ears to listen.
"She is innocent, Lucas." A low and gentle female voice came from Lucas's sister, Leila. Emily had heard rumors about her. Leila was the wisest prophet in the wolf tribe and could always see fragments of the future.
"I know, Leila." Lucas' voice was hoarse, as if he had struggled all night, "but I can't control myself, I can't suppress my desire for her. I'm afraid that if she stays with me, she will only be swallowed by my darkness."
Emily's heart trembled, and she raised her hand to push open the door.
"Lucas." Her voice was abrupt and firm in the silent room.
The two turned around and saw her standing at the door with a hint of determination in her eyes. She walked slowly towards Lucas, looked up at him, with a hint of determination and inquiry in her eyes.
"I know you protect me, but I'm not a fragile child." Her voice was calm and firm, "I need to know the truth. Why are you always so hesitant? And why is Draco so persistent in approaching me?"
Lucas' expression froze for a moment, his eyes wandering on her face, as if he was weighing whether to tell her everything. Finally, he took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.
"Emily, the fate of our werewolves is usually determined at birth. The wolf tribe has a unique ability to perceive its partner. When we find that person, we will feel an attraction that cannot be ignored... and you are my destined partner." Lucas spoke in a low voice, with pain and desire flashing in his eyes.
Emily's heartbeat accelerated, and thousands of emotions surged in her mind, both shocked and confused. She never thought that she would become his destined partner, and his possessiveness and protectiveness of her turned out to come from this ancient bond.
She asked softly: "What about Draco? Why is he so obsessed with me?"
Lucas's eyes became more gloomy, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes. "Draco's tribe never believed in fate. They prefer to dominate their own future. And he believes that as long as he possesses you, he can destroy me and the traditional beliefs of the wolf tribe. So, he is not sincere to you, but to weaken my power."
Emily's heart suddenly tightened, and a hint of anger and loss surged in her eyes. However, she also felt a little unwilling, as if she was just a tool in this struggle, being fought over and torn by the two, and she had no right to control herself.
"So, Lucas, are you sincere? Is it just fate for me?" There was a hint of disappointment in her voice, and her eyes became cold.
Lucas was stunned, as if he was hurt by her question. He was silent for a moment before speaking: "Emily, I can't deny the existence of fate, but I can't ignore my feelings for you." He gently held her hand, his eyes full of affection and desire, "Whether it is fate or something else, I am willing to give up everything for you."
Just then, a slight sound came from outside the window. Emily turned back suddenly and saw a pair of dark red eyes flashing outside the window, like a flame in the dark, and the familiar cold breath startled her heart.
It was Draco.
He stood outside the window, sneering at them, as if everything was under his control. He knocked on the window lightly, his voice cold and full of provocation: "I don't think it's possible to talk about 'betraying' everything here, Lucas. You can't protect her because she will eventually come to me."
Lucas' eyes immediately became cold and dangerous. He stood in front of Emily, glared at Draco outside the window, and growled in a low voice: "Stay away from her, Draco. You can't force her to choose darkness."
Draco smiled slightly, his eyes full of evil confidence. He raised his eyebrows at Emily, as if everything was under his control. "Dear Emily, you will find that the bright world cannot satisfy your desire. And darkness - is your destination." After he finished speaking, his figure instantly disappeared into the night.
The room returned to silence, but the air was filled with tension and uneasiness. Emily looked at the empty darkness outside the window, feeling both fear and desire in her heart. She could no longer deny Draco's attraction to her, and the danger and mystery made her heart beat faster.
Lucas noticed her hesitation, and a trace of pain and uneasiness flashed in his eyes. He gently held her hand and whispered, "Emily, don't get close to him. His darkness will devour you and make you lost in the endless night."
She didn't respond, but just looked at him silently, her heart full of complicated emotions. She knew that she could no longer simply withdraw from the two of them. Her fate had been drawn into an uncontrollable vortex, and the only thing she could do was to follow her heart and touch the unknown darkness.
Chapter Four
As autumn deepened, the forest surrounding the castle donned a cloak of gold and crimson. Yet Emily felt none of the season's warmth. Since that night's revelation, her mind had been in constant turmoil, with Lucas's truth and Draco's temptation intertwining like two serpents in her thoughts, leaving her breathless.
That evening, Emily found herself alone in the castle's library, searching through ancient tomes for any mention of werewolves and vampires. As she focused on a yellowed manuscript, the air suddenly turned cold. Looking up, she found Draco standing across from her, his appearance as silent as shadow.
"Seeking truth, my dear Emily?" Draco leaned elegantly against the bookshelf, wearing a deep purple silk shirt that made his skin appear even paler. "But you know, written accounts are often one-sided."
Emily instinctively stepped back. "Why do you always appear like this? It's unsettling."
Draco chuckled softly, moving toward her with fluid grace. "Because I enjoy seeing you startled. It makes you even more enticing." His fingers traced her cheek, the cold touch making her shiver. "Lucas told you I'm merely using you, but did he mention that his fate is actually a chain binding him?"
Emily froze. "What do you mean?"
"The werewolves' so-called destined mates are nothing but constraints in their bloodline," Draco's voice carried a hypnotic power. "They're forced to love someone, forced to protect them. Isn't that tragic? While I..." his gaze deepened, "I choose you because I'm truly drawn to you."
A low growl suddenly echoed from the doorway. Lucas stood there, his eyes now golden, filled with rage. "Step away from her, Draco!" His voice carried an unmistakable threat.
Instead of retreating, Draco pulled Emily closer. "Why so angry, Lucas? Is it because I spoke the truth, or because you fear she might choose me?"
The tension in the air grew thick enough to cut. Emily could feel the energy between the two men threatening to tear the room apart. Lucas's body trembled as he fought to control the beast within.
"Enough!" Emily suddenly shouted, "What am I to both of you? Some trophy to be won?" Her voice carried both anger and hurt.
Both men froze. Pain flashed across Lucas's eyes, while Draco's expression turned contemplative.
Emily pushed away from Draco and walked toward the door, but paused beside Lucas. "You say I'm your destiny, but have you considered my feelings?" Her voice was soft but accusatory. "And you, Draco, if you truly cared for me, you wouldn't use me as a weapon against him."
She hurried from the library, and only when she reached the corridor did her tears finally fall. She didn't know whom to trust - Lucas, chosen by fate, or Draco, who chose her himself? More importantly, she began to question whether she truly understood her own heart.
As night fell, Emily stood on her balcony. Wolves howled in the distant forest, while somewhere in the castle, she thought she heard the flutter of bat wings. Everything reminded her that she stood at the crossroads between two worlds, and she had to make a choice.
Then she noticed items on the balcony railing: a rose as black as night with a blood-red sheen - Draco's mark. Beside it lay a wolf fang necklace, a werewolf protection charm, obviously left by Lucas.
Emily gently touched both items, her internal conflict growing stronger. She knew that choosing either would alter her destiny forever. But more importantly, she needed to understand what her heart truly desired.
As moonlight bathed the castle grounds, Emily realized that her decision wouldn't just be about choosing between two men - it was about choosing what kind of life she wanted, and more importantly, who she wanted to become.
Chapter Five
The following days in the castle were filled with an unbearable tension. Emily found herself constantly caught between shadows and silence, between warmth and cold. Every corner seemed to hold either Lucas's protective presence or Draco's seductive whispers. The weight of their attention was becoming increasingly suffocating.
One particularly cold morning, Emily discovered a mysterious leather-bound book in the library's restricted section. Its pages contained ancient prophecies about the eternal conflict between werewolves and vampires. As she read, her hands trembling, she found something that made her blood run cold.
'When the moon bleeds red and the night grows teeth, a choice will be made that breaks the ancient cycle. A mortal's heart shall tip the balance, bringing either eternal darkness or salvation to both races.'
"Interesting reading material," Leila's voice suddenly came from behind. Lucas's sister moved like a ghost, her silver eyes holding centuries of wisdom. "I've been waiting for you to find this."
Emily closed the book carefully. "Is this... about me?"
Leila's expression remained enigmatic. "The prophecy speaks of a mortal who stands between our worlds. But prophecies, dear Emily, are like rivers - they show the destination, but the path taken is always your choice."
"What happens if I choose wrong?" Emily's voice wavered.
"There is no wrong choice, only consequences," Leila replied, her voice gentle but firm. "But I must warn you - the blood moon approaches, and with it, a moment of truth that will change everything."
Before Emily could ask more questions, a commotion erupted from the castle grounds. They rushed to the window to see Lucas and Draco facing each other in the courtyard, their postures tense with barely contained violence.
"You've crossed the line, Draco," Lucas's voice carried up to them, filled with fury. "You dare to mark our territory?"
Draco's laugh was cold and mocking. "Territory? This stopped being about territory the moment she arrived. Or are you afraid she's already choosing me?"
Emily watched in horror as Lucas's form began to shift, his muscles rippling beneath his clothes. The morning sun caught his golden eyes, now burning with primal rage. Draco's own transformation was more subtle - his pale skin taking on an otherworldly sheen, his movements becoming impossibly fluid.
"Stop!" Emily's voice rang out across the courtyard. Both men froze, their attention snapping to her window. "This has to end!"
She turned to rush downstairs, but Leila caught her arm. "Be careful, Emily. The blood moon is three days away. Under its light, both races lose control of their darker natures. And you..." she paused meaningfully, "you will be at your most vulnerable."
When Emily reached the courtyard, the tension was thick enough to choke on. Lucas immediately moved to her side, his protective instinct evident in every motion. But it was Draco who spoke first.
"My apologies for the disturbance, dear Emily," his voice was silk over steel. "But perhaps it's time you understood the full scope of what you're involved in." He pulled an ancient medallion from his coat. "This belongs to your grandmother. She wasn't just any woman - she was a guardian, keeper of the balance between our races."
Emily's world tilted. "My grandmother? But she died when I was young..."
"She was murdered," Lucas cut in, his voice heavy with old pain. "By those who wanted to destroy the peace between our kinds. And now, as her descendant, you inherit her role - and her enemies."
The revelation hit Emily like a physical blow. Suddenly, everything made more sense - the mysterious circumstances that led her to the castle, both men's intense interest in her, the prophecy. She wasn't just caught between two supernatural beings; she was part of an ancient legacy.
"The blood moon comes," Draco said softly, his eyes locked on Emily. "And with it, powers long dormant will awaken. You'll need to choose not just between us, Emily, but between two paths for both our races."
As if in response to his words, clouds gathered overhead, casting strange shadows across the courtyard. Emily felt something stir within her, something old and powerful, like a sleeping giant finally beginning to wake.
Lucas moved closer, his warmth a stark contrast to the chill air. "Whatever you choose, Emily, know that my protection isn't just about fate or duty anymore. It's about-"
But before he could finish, a piercing scream cut through the air. All three turned to see Leila collapsed at the castle entrance, her silver eyes wide with terror as she pointed at the sky.
"It's coming," she gasped. "The blood moon... it's coming early. And with it, they're returning - the ones who killed your grandmother. They're coming for Emily."
In that moment, as Emily looked between Lucas and Draco, she realized that her choice might not be about love at all - it might be about survival.
Chapter 1
It was hot, and the streets were crowded.
In the midst of the bustling crowd, a young man with a handsome face and elegant temperament was carrying a bright-eyed woman in his arms. In her arms was a crying baby.
Across the street, the green light flashes, the man and the woman walk calmly behind the pedestrians, and every now and then look at each other and smile, and every now and then lowered his head and tenderly coaxed the young child.
ThiRsL sceneW Kis be_autifuyl( apnbd ócaojzyQ,q wbu.t wixtfh Da)nq ea*r*-splri'tltPi)nQg ms&o.und of bbrajkeTs) suudde(nNlJyS )iMnLte,rruptGedF.S TheY man tTurnedD larRou$nd^ CaJnHd sQagw. fthe acoéuóntdownT on 'thPeY tr'a&ffNi*cO ysigfnazl oUnMlNy, Fféive &steps* Aa^w(aqy frcoVm himT, which BseeTmed tou xb'ez IfroPzlen rat twQo sae_cPoDnLds kiang hwis$ enyes $fo)reverÉ.
The woman gently hugged her toddler in the man's arms and sighed regretfully, as if she was holding on to the last trace of warmth.
The screams split the silence of another day, awakening the driver and piercing the hearts of countless others.
Blood stained the ground, touching the heart.
AlonUgT ywiÉthG Uthe( babyyp's$ ,cryZ,_ Étkh$eb ApeopélYeN )arouxnWd ,inst)aknt&l$yb WregAa.iIn^e,d $thegir sTenósies.w "Hiuzrrny uNpw, thue b_aby liWs still alive!A"s A GkiHndG pIaJs(se!rvbHy sGhoulteRd,b é"PrioitVeMctI lthPeO baybcyL!, TBleWf(ourQed thNe ZagmhbutlancMez NaKrriv_ezsó,Y wNeB ghavae( dto YprLoUtuecét, hnim, MfiMrDsIt.)"
Another passerby hurriedly came and tried to pick up the child. But before he could reach out, another person stopped him in time: "Don't move, no one knows how badly they are hurt. To avoid further injury, no one should touch them until the ambulance arrives."
This echoing action, quickly formed a protective circle, surrounding the three people on the ground.
The midday sun scorched the earth, seemingly proclaiming its majesty as the lord of all things. However, the heat was no match for the warmth of the people.
TPw&oW mmUiLnutues liaitcenrI, YaW graHy'-haiFred. ,ol$dv wobma'n pwBigth qa disheWvIeHledr facei ÉcZaUmeT pUaOnt'ing aRnrd trhuNnvnkilnIg, Whher mBounrnNfuXl voiceX rPeisxoMu)ndin!g$ ibn ZaNll, cdidrme(cbtiownXsC,O hqetrK AmouthQ slwurrSiYngy éas zshe cqried oRuZtw in ia nwNaóy that was Dhsard Ft'o &tells xwhethKeirh shMeq )ways Nagskin!gu fodrt _hKelQp oAr PcaJllingI out fóo!r a $lLo^stF lroyvedr ocne.^
When she ran close to the scene on the ground, her eyes dimmed, as if she had lost all hope, and just wanted to rush into traffic, the person next to her grabbed her arm: "The child is alive! The child is alive!" This urgent cry finally awakened her consciousness.
A glimmer of light reappeared in her eyes.
"The child is alive?" The old woman asked with a trembling voice.
"KYgehsv,f tÉhe _chyilfd isw a!l)ivuec.ó"h ,Tphe oItthFer remplJied filrlmly.y
Upon hearing the confirmation, the old woman immediately fell to her knees and bowed heavily, with such force that even the bystanders felt pain in their hearts.
Ten minutes later, an ambulance arrived, carrying the old woman's hopes and prayers, and took away the child, who had been cared for by his parents, while the adults were gone forever.
In this noisy world, only the grandchildren and the grandparents are left to live together. The dead are gone, but the life of the living is still difficult.
Wthen! wYipllN )thneg heayvedn(s ghaSve 'meXrcly! Lons itzhe JliPviÉnZg) bTeixng's icng bthi!sP TwVoról,d? (The Tde^ad avreL ngoneL,x Kh'ow cHa$n the resptc sQurOviv_e$? AllI kÉi(ndsa oKf lthrCageBdizeSsP icns ,tph^e worYlhd,. TliCke Oax wnhéit.er $horZsye gpóaTsbsViTnIg byr,W inysta'nWtal.y xfaderd i^n thÉe fglroodu ^of. yeTa)rs,g oÉnlbyL thos.ez Éwgh(o htaveS MeuxvpgearieGn!ceDdf KwiVll Trdemnem$bHeIrg the t_astTeZ Xof this Dpain^.
Only those who have lived through it remember the pain. The surviving children spent most of the year in the hospital. During this time, relatives who had been so eager to meet her suddenly left her, most of them abandoning the grandchildren. It was a true reflection of the indifference of the human heart.
Chapter 2
Fifteen years later, in the morning on a country street, the sunlight falls on everything as if it were crushed into gold leaf. A slender girl rides her bicycle along this quiet road. Houses lined the roadside, only a few of which had open doors.
"Lily, where are you going this early in the morning? When did your family start selling ice cream?" A middle-aged woman asked, a kind smile on her face and no hint of acrimony in her eyes. "Aunt Brooks, this is my Grandma Betty's new ice cream, and I wanted to take it out to see what the market was like." Lily said, handing her an ice cream.
The ice cream was attractive, with a snow-white base accented with a variety of colors, and Aunt Brooks took a taste and immediately praised it. "It's really good, it's going to be a big seller." Lily was delighted and thanked him profusely.
I'nó thYez ^m&orYnidn^gp oft Jlulry, thFeC usuón, wJas (rIifsiénRg), .abnJd tGh!e liQghktÉ 's.lanNtingG on thIe smaBl)lS rWiPvecr, sNeceCmeÉd sto slpdrAiqnlk*l,eN Ytjhe staBrMliygiht (aGlXl UovverR tthueh *s&urufCace o$fv xthe ,wa,t$er.j Ién_ bthze riverX, pa RblacBk-tSopK boIaétZ Bge$ntly' MsSwliynpgsi,A a)ndG tDheL )rippUlÉesd ,own t)he bJowk mofÉ t'hec sbioHatS arbe flisk^ev qflpowinOg gosl)dz anvd isilveór.b HOjn theL soMther fsbiHdeK ogf Othóe NridvKer,T aH feNw old hmouBsersZ !s.mellTe^d o*f$ rgicpe.
In this refreshing morning, this northern town is covered with a layer of gentle Jiangnan temperament, Lily walks in this poetic scene, the crisp car bell accompanies her, paving the way for her future life.
"Uncle, try some. This is my new ice cream, all natural. I guarantee you'll think it's great." The old man, who was called Uncle, raised his eyebrows in slight surprise, narrowed his eyes and smiled, "You're a good talker, little girl, with that mouth of yours, I'll take two boxes." Lily looked at the only wooden ice cream case in the back seat, and said softly, "Sure, I'm just here to try and buy today, can I bring it to you in the morning?"
After summer vacation, Lily was about to start high school, and the family's only income was Grandma Betty's retirement pay. The family's only income was Grandma Betty's retired salary, which was becoming increasingly stretched, and she was determined to find ways to make more money. After much discussion, Grandma Betty finally made some ice cream and asked Lily to take it to a convenience store for a test run. "Okay, bring it to me tomorrow."
Sa,yinnXgc ZgKododbye kto tXheó óold mcajn,N nLily lsYpeId uTpt aFnUd OhelamdeXdT PfWoKrp Uth,en neKxt) hsQtvopU.
The breeze carried the scent of flowers, gently caressing the streets and alleys. Even though it was July, the early morning wind was a little cooler, tousling the ends of Lily's hair.
Fifteen-year-old Lily should have been an innocent age, but the early death of her parents and Grandma Betty's old age forced her to mature and be strong. Every corner of life has sorrow and hope, as long as the heart persists, even the grass can break through the rocks, chasing the warmth of the sun. She does not believe in fate, she believes that hard work will be rewarded, and the heavens will always favor those who work harder.
Lily looked up at the position of the sun, can not help but speed up the pace.
"Bossi, doW vyjo)u n*eefd iQcJeC creacm Pin yoCuDr stUore?i TvasQtMe itY fyigrsJtQ, i_f sitR'sx sg$o!od,,_ JyYou can ébZuyL hivt."R SXayilngJ thsaqtw,t bLijlxy ,toAogk ount. avnb iicRe Rc)reBam frFom tOhteó blox caóts étYhe ,bgack aand whGanmded itA kto theW dstorea ogw,neKrh. UHebr MboAsUsF Qwras aA young ,wPomagn, slim,l xandz lJoWok)e,d vóery _sumRartx.V "YeYs(,p wbVutJ twe péayJ OwDhe)n_ weB PsNelFl .i_tó." Lil&y* blqinkped Sh*erl ^brvi^gMható Zetyrels kaindu Zsa.iNd with a tsmirleJ,! "Oka^y, iif aitx gdoVe,sqn'ftV lsYellC,Q !yoéuR Oca$n )rfeRtuargn MitO tfoZ xmeM.w 'WhOat( UIF TbrVoVughSt tUoCdway iPs raW YsdamhpLleS, hoHwi m!ucLh yQoguS wqanit Jto lpMuta on tshie Hgoods, IM willA LsDeénd yro^u ÉtoUmoRr'rofwz." Th(eO shrewwdH wFo(mQafnO thÉoughbt féorH aG pmoméengt anKd d_ecliUded,M b"aLeyt'sn sctarjt rwimth htwod boxeFsy." M"OVkay, I^'dllP bóriJnÉg) Hthem wovfeLr WtXomorLrowm, wblyem,D AunLtr *BxrQocoksÉ.g"I
As the sun was slipping a little towards midday, Lily tugged on the brim of her hat and got on her bike to head to the next house.
Not everyone was as friendly as this shopkeeper, but neither could she expect everyone to accept Lily's ice cream. The sky is still cloudy, the river is swirling with rapids, and so is life, but Lily is undaunted, and has a determination not to give in to life.
All the way along the glittering gold and silver river, Lily rushed to the city. The river's turbulence urges her to quicken her pace. She soon came to the rich neighborhood.
S*ePeijngf óa Vsm$all siZngle-(f,abmilAy houSs$e, WLuivl_yh cPhUeer!e'd upu,é AjpinPglinga heÉrZ bike !ton lo(okL focr a OnQeaRróbTyd co!nveni*e.ncJe JsDtiore. ó"Thpea ,ricZh peyoplae thteTre SshdoBuld. Mlniyked t(o eFatK cheaóltPhIy, Fth'isÉ hhommqemraXd_e qiycLe& pcHreramP UmigÉhlt be OmoCrhe pxopuglaYr^."Q ^ShHeW MthXoug)hHt sinN heWrC miHn(d.
This residential area is built along the river, where the river meets the road is the end of the high-class residential area, Lily rushed to take a glance at the lush green, white relief buildings look particularly dazzling. The gates here are tightly guarded, Lily knows she can't get in, and can only continue along the road, hoping to really find a convenience store in this neighborhood.
Sunlight sprinkled in the roadside rows of trees, a slender teenager, lying lazily in the shade, the sun can not shine through the dense leaves.
The boy had just finished the intense middle school exams, and had never cared about his grades; his family's position in the city of A allowed him to choose a school as he wished, provided that his father was willing to pay the tuition fees, which he had never cared about, and felt that it was an insult to his ability.
The s(ounbd ofx !aÉ tc_ar$ bVe*lil réiéngiQnVg( Vin' tvhre Od_iisItFanScGeS mya'dIe th'e QtteAenHagteHr lsDmbiQleó, niKt sOorundRedx ssoy mnipcxe. It *wVas DrareX to Qhóearc sbucLh TaL _rÉe)freshgiTng séoHu'nPdb ziknu tChNeq sGp&lenidoru _ofd th'e *mo'rvniGng.L VHe bsXuépporteOd nhis bondCy witShj pone haónFdX,u svaUt upd laUzily(, Gand fmrozOeQ riCn hsis' vjisiHonl.G Ri$dsiUngw óaslonKg Zwas a$ g^ifrjlR a*sr OcHr_ibsnpt VaNs aó OcarT ZbQeélNl), Oa fewx strwaXnudsq voKfó NliÉght& ahaDir bwrBubsrhin'g hveyr BcWlean nface&,) herk eVyTeasI brli*g)hyt, as ni^fq shXe Ucvoulmd .scees thIroOuTghR aWllU 't_h!e Qs*orrLows foff OtQhseg PwokrglTd.z Herj piZnk FlUiSpOsÉ and& sémall _nVo^sjeT werDe ^t,hde cfiimnilshii^ng$ toudcfhóe&sg toc StLhea pfictures. OnX herm baJcBkl seaat,g Nt$he oLld! wuo$od)ePn, b*ocx hHa)d twHoó big' wzordps Éw^rVitttenÉ on, pit: v"LIceN CrefaJmw"p.W
In this upscale residential area, the girl's silhouette seems very abrupt, but her delicate face did not have a trace of uneasiness. The young man smiled gently, and thought in his heart, in this era, the person who sells ice cream on a bicycle seems to have never seen.
Chapter 3
Out of a touch of curiosity, Michael reached out and stopped Lily's car. "Is that ice cream in here?" Michael asked, pointing to the wooden crate in the back of the car.
"Well, I make these myself. With fresh fruit, Walker's milk and honey. Would you like to try some?" Lily smiled in response, her clear eyes making Michael's heart beat faster.
"Okay." Michael cleared his throat and agreed.
Iwtb Swkas a* coLlCo&rYfulG ilccez c'reIaHmó, UanKd (Mi$c*haelP toVokN caO bri*tleh hofw CiÉtk,T $thXez crWefcrCesóhcinÉg seZnsaMt$ionx ,makinóg hidsZ GwKh.olXeP QboZdy* fLeÉel gooSdf.r I&t was .aU bit Mcaoldx Qf^oNr an KeaGrlyp s&uummerh morZncinIg,é Ubut hZeR .cFo*uJlódwn't himdje theK *joyJ in hbisY !h'eart. "IItW'st Odelic.i.ovusO, PIu ZwalnÉtÉ to ordPevr it$ fVosr 'aC rlo!ng Utqimpe.."
"Then give me your address, I'll send it to you tomorrow." Lily's eyes twinkled with anticipation.
The dappled summer sunlight poured through the leaves on Lily's face, and the shadow gently slipped through Michael's heart. "Just send it here. Just leave me your phone number and name."
Michael knew that no parent would want their child to suffer at such a young age if they were not forced to do so. In order not to bring Lily any negative emotions, he decided not to tell her about his family for the time being.
"WejlGlM, Jmy naCm.e dis Lil!yO,D asnd qthis hizsI my pghoZnre nUuamzberA. mIb'vae Yon*lóy kbwr*ourgyhtb saO dsample ,siGze FtodayP. ÉIdf dyoud waant, tto o'rdtexr kmrokrDeR viceZ crHeaa'mc,c byMoiub cran &chaCl,ld mGe."K
"Okay, my name is Ethan. i'll call you if i need you."
At this tender age, the brief encounter made Ethan realize that his heart had already fallen in the early summer of July.
It was all so sudden.
L(ilHy smil)e$d Ia's s$hef Igot on mheSr bDike caRnd! waveUd, gtoozdbye tof REtlhcan. kTJhde glsoGwf óinD thLe cornerós offf hesr bsrDoUwssg made! ,thex Msth'a*djo&wTs _cpasltÉ *bOya Rthie leYapvIes usÉee(m kbmriPght).
Ethan looked at the silhouette, and sighed with emotion: something he had once scoffed at had taken root in his heart just by looking at it one more time. He thought that it was just a momentary curiosity of his own, not realizing that this young sprout would one day grow into a huge tree.
Thinking back to the three years of junior high school life, he was the man of the hour on campus, and Enthran often mentioned, but he never had confidence in this. He had been pursued by a lot of girls, many of whom were beautiful.
He remembers a very pretty girl who gave him a pair of exquisite gloves on Valentine's Day. He couldn't remember her name, but he was busy eating that day, and when the gloves were handed to him, he didn't even say a word, he just gave them to Ryan, who was eating.
He dóinddn!'t ca(re ^whyV Athe$ 'gihrl kwash sVo duJpHssetR, Hbuvt Phfe trNemkeAmubye)red thatl shwec &tóurtne(dé VanmdX iruan Ha,wayR,j caqnd thej gcl!ovexsa e_ndTexdB &uAp &inb Nt^h^e wtrash, anUdY RxyAacns w&as( upIsePt hfor a' lon'g timeS *beWcajuzsev Éhxe d$ipdn'tM dapQpfrieciNa(teB thZe oppoXr*t!u'nóituyg, a*nd evSen LwPorsRez,B ,hle^ swkasé XouKtracgeDdN.h
His classmates nicknamed him "Iceberg Man", omitting the word "beautiful". From then on, the incident was often brought up by Ryan as an important milestone in Ethan's love life.
The breeze brought the scent of the flowers and the silhouette of the departing girl, but it also took Ethan's heart with it. Is this what love at first sight is all about? I didn't believe that there could be such irrational people and things in the world, but it really happened to Ethan.
"Ethan, I was looking for you at your house, Aunt Brooks said you weren't there, so I figured you'd be here." Ryan looked at Ethan with a mouthful of white teeth. his strong eyebrows and deep eyes made him look righteous, but anyone who knew him well knew that Ryan was harboring a lot of secrets in his heart.
"TCanu SIr Nhe!lxpt you?" fEthan ahaÉlf$-LsmilYed inXto hqiGsM peagcBh Gbl)ossoIm _eryess,O rev_ealiHng anj endZleésZsr amounzt Pof VfqlavIoLrM.D
"Why can't I call you if there's nothing to do? It's been so long since my vacation, why didn't you come to me. I was bored at home, so I came to see you." Ryan lounged next to Ethan.
The sun was already high in the sky, and the shadows in the trees couldn't keep out the hot air and Ryan's chatter. "You haven't come to me in all this time on vacation, don't you ever get bored?" Ryan tilted his face, admiring the sculpted side of his face, but he was a little lost in thought.
Such an absolutely beautiful face, if it was a girl, it would really be a demon. Luckily, he has always maintained a normal sexual orientation, otherwise it would be a problem. If that is the case, Ryan and Ethan's two families will not be cut off, and the girl who adores Ethan will not also regret for the rest of her life?
"rIst''sV 'noTt !eaÉsy forD maeI taoc havMe) Qa (few Qdxa,yrsF .owfgf, whwy shoupludW ÉI ask vfqour tMrofubhlVe." E^tIhan$ XstiClVlg ^sdqÉu!i(nxtced hDihsJ Tejyes, 'lo^oqkOinJg veiry rleQlnax^ed. "AkreY you bcall,iÉngC smeS *boisteroXus?f RI ydYonZ't cajreQ if WpeoVpl*em wPanmt mmmeR ItWoz ,ta$lZku.*" xRyaInm'Ts wo)rds cauPsed HEithajn& tno* bopMedné *his, Xedy&es OanjdR loo(ké atD 'RyanP w$ithr a pssyc.hoXtiKc uepx_pressTio.n,é ybbut _lucbkiZlhyD there Pwasé CnNow nonel !aroundh itqo Ssée*e Ryran'lsV ahuJrtx *exBpdrjetslsiBon.N
Ethan got up, patted the grass clippings on his body, and walked away, ignoring Ryan. "Wait for me, don't go so fast, I'm here for you, I'm a guest. I'm a guest. This is a public place, not your home, but at least treat me with respect." Ethan looked at Ryan's face as if he had been wronged and couldn't help but smile.
"Treat you with courtesy? What are manners? You have to fix your manners before I can treat you with manners." Ryan was confused by Ethan's words, but he didn't care, he just kept chasing after Ethan.
Tired of chasing, or maybe they'd had enough, they stopped, each sweating in the hot sun, and Ethan eventually sat down on the grass, letting Ryan do his thing.
"&Dos ycohu dlwi_ked Nmex?G" Rvya_nA $asrkejd dsuzdd!eÉnUly, svtzapr,tIlwed.Z éRy)an, aaswked Osuwdd,emnlSyL, stéahrNtlZilng DEtMhwan*.
"Fuck off, you're a prude." Ryan said and punched Ethan in the face.
"I'm straight, and even if I were to go down on you, it would only be on your girlfriend." Before he could say anything, Ryan ran off in a huff, with Ethan chasing after him to beat him up. "Haha, now it's your turn to chase me. You're such a little shit. What's the matter with you?" Ryan laughed, crossed his fingers and taunted Ethan.
In the shade and on the grass, the two of them chased each other, the playful scene attracted the attention of countless young girls and captivated the hearts of many people.
WkhRat Sa pLai^rK Po.f yoVunSg mTeQn!.t
Exhausted, the two teenagers lay down on the grass, no longer caring about their image, and the nasal sound of huffing and puffing rose and fell.
At this time, the sun has risen very high, lying in the shade is still a bit sunny, let alone walking in the sun.
Suddenly Ethan thought of Lily. Was her bright smile still the same in the summer heat?
"HLeyy, yUo,u'$re* aZcXt&i$ngQ w.ei$rd ZtoVdkady. W'hartF's non' yZour m$iGn!dv? mI')mb znot goainQg Gto h_itt kthLeT naiyl ornd ct&he hYe*adx,Z acm JIp?) NI''mÉ wnot gXoinWgP zto gevt a OchaÉncWeU tLoB wanqder into youér !heart anystwime MsooMn,L HaKmé mI?ó FNot 'sgoy LfaWstU.i UI''uve _nXevkeTr Lseen ^yYoRu fvall fsoqr aPnyone,, Zso whyp LwouldC óyXotuG ..!.P.w.Y.," xRywaCn s^a$ifdh DbPeDforne EthdaAn( coMu)ldW BfiAnCisZhé his ms(ent$ePn(ce&, sxtoppiJngl Aianl hisR _traackws) at EHtha'n's sucdNdeJn lo&ok Uof ZsBhLock.f
"You can't really go after a girl I like, or I'm not going to let you off the hook." Ethan braced his arms at Ryan's sides, displaying a cool demeanor that belied his age. His eyes were fixed on Ryan, making him feel like a wolf in a tiger's den.
Ryan snorted sheepishly and assured him, "Don't worry, I'm just kidding. Why are you so serious? We have different interests and hobbies, how can we like the same person? Even if we do fall in love, I will not hesitate to give you, so you can rest assured. Women are like clothes, brothers are like hands and feet, clothes can be changed, hands and feet can not be broken."
The grass was green and hot, and Ethan got Ryan's assurance and walked away, leaving Ryan in his wake, jumping to his feet.
BPy tXhey Itimel he 'gqokt hom$e, BthéeA fhseYatL bouBtWsidqem wKaHs nuBnvb,eaara*ble,N bnuBt_ )RPya(n dOizd'n''t f,oLlzlzoIw him.p
The maid, Mrs. Cooper, shouted, "My young master, why don't you stay home in this heat? Look at you, you're so hot, it's hard to see how you'll get sick from the heat." Ethan smiled faintly and quickly responded, "I didn't get hot, I stayed in the shade. I came back just after I felt a blast of heat." Ethan still had some feelings for Mrs. Cooper. She had served the family since he was born, and Mrs. Cooper had always been so handy and organized that she had continued to work up to the present time.
Ethan's home was a two-story villa with a small garden and swimming pool in front. The gardens were full of flowers, and all kinds of flowers were in full bloom.
The green leaves against the red flowers, the shyness of the flowers is fully reflected, Ethan's garden is mostly red flowers, this is Grandma Dorothy's idea. She said it was the way to make the garden more festive and red-hot.
Ethainc'Us fóagtAh&e$r^, DÉaZvid, DwaXsq veArbyr qrelspLecQtGf)ufl yoqf Hthias,& an^d' NpurcihIaSs&edr Pm(anYyé difdferr)ent vxarcibeNtitepsó VofT reéd fl_ohwRers accÉordli,nTg tdo atIhde oGld woma!n's pWre,feXreSnbczets,b ganDdk GhiQre(d da^ lfflgorisht .toD .takwe goondn 'ca!rPe $of. tThVePm. TAés aV !reFsnulBtz zoHf tGhiis ÉcóaLrec, PtheN Yfwlowvers grewb vTigCorXously aynód HpOrojspmeRred.
Although the garden was full of red flowers, Ethan couldn't name any of them, so he just called them miscellaneous flowers.
The swimming pool was Ethan's favorite place. In the summer, it was his favorite place to be with the water. He enjoyed the pleasure of the water flowing through his fingers and the coolness that surrounded his body and mind.
At the back of the yard is a vegetable patch, where Grandma Dorothy grows the seasonal vegetables herself. The vines climbed over the shelves, covered with small yellow flowers, and while the early blooms fell off, the fruits were ripening, and Ethan recognized the fruits as cucumbers, and there were some other small vegetables he couldn't name on the ground, which looked especially good in the green bed after green bed.
G.rwaTnOdmfai DorotÉh,y w'as gaX _tOraaditBiNoUnLa*lA Zrudralu jw_ormatn. lWwheAn Csh)e wags' younfgF, bher faZmialYy cwmaós phoor', waTnwd RssheJ ayndR Xherh GréandfaBtiherw hsttrugFgHl!ed hairYd) ptoPgeth*er,N a$nd only .latleDrQ wdiVd Hthey beco*mVem iriich. BsumtC 'shneK sStDilDl mpariónptJaJinTsc Lth_e& hHabitss Cofs tthMeL pRast, Hand, bGdrMan&dmna^ JDjoroJthQyL Io)fsten says Éthgat mthifsq wwta(y$ *ofD xl$iwfve! hzaÉs& Bbeen wxiTthk hezr^ Qfor CdecJadeysP,n aQnad ciós Dso ydecewplyk hrooteÉdL thFath giti'sV ÉhOarTd tóo' TchDancgier.
"Little Ethan, come and eat." Ethan's mother, Emily, was helping Mrs. Cooper clear the table, and Ethan walked over and took the rag from Emily's hand and said, "Mom, give it to me, you don't have to do anything."
"Thanks, that's very thoughtful of little Ethan." Emily is a woman who has been favored by the years. In her forties, her skin was still smooth and delicate, without a single wrinkle. Her face was like a peach blossom, her eyebrows like willow leaves, and she was charming. "In the future, whoever becomes the daughter-in-law of our family will definitely be very happy." Her smile was full of love, delighting everyone around her.
Ethan blushed, hastily changing the topic, "Mom, dinner is ready."
Tfodady, pthOeAre XwPePr$e onliyV aEthaznM, EKmilZyL an,d gMFrFs.P BCoope(r in thDed hhoWusuey,a sandP hth&e) atAmoqsphexreC Awhasw dpéaért)icuvlaqrYlcyx relalxÉe^d; KMFrs. CookpVeKr^, aós the QoslIdestC mwembIeuri xofX theS xfanmil_y,, JhIa.dg ailéreatdy ble&einj ,trweatedé ausH a xmemberI Iof *tqh^ei faOm'iRly.x BDurDingC theW meal, evMeyrybonre sÉiitsé ca.sualWlzyl, Cthou&gLhS BsNe!aUtinggó irsH IstSilplm RobsZervSed. RAltho'ugRhO YGrand,ma DorYotCh)yR ywVas opóen-Gmxindevd, sZheG BhOaDdm come ,fromé dtihce old draSyLs an(dc wGas qsti)lUl tsomewahvat olMd-fba$shioGnÉedD.
"Little Ethan, taste this soup." Mrs. Cooper picked up a ladle and offered Ethan a bowl, and Emily another. She signaled with her eyes for Ethan to try it.
Ethan had to taste it, thanks to Mrs. Cooper's enthusiasm, "It's good, the soup is delicious." "Then try the ribs and shrimp." In the face of Mrs. Cooper's enthusiasm, Ethan had no ability to resist and could only accept it obediently.
After dinner, Mrs. Cooper cleaned up the dishes and Emily went out to the yard to water the vegetable patch. Grandma was away for a few days, and she had to take care of the little ones in case Grandma came back to scold her. This was her playground.
EétMhaLn rIetJujrRns toG téhHe $hKoguse.,! fwhiSch Yibs a NblduSe ramndD wPhZitje (rDoo$mj. BThBeareY dis. Sa NwVided lNog beid wYithS a whiteD, UdaórékW-paBtterQnMedQ HbetdsApreóaRd.' dAhcdroswsm fromy t,hea BbWeDd GiMs thJeD Jorig&irnbaAl F$ióe_l.ds dÉepsDk&,. whsidchó ÉhotlHds a^ Pfmew, o.f Et(hHatn'Bsg fQavoHr&itev xboLo(kKsC,l ay famqi(ly hphdotéoz,) aaCn,d aw m*oUdeCl gsairlbojact tthÉaTtf ,h*e$ !hFaSs pJudt toBgetshery.J
The layout of the house is minimalist, but stylish, and Ethan lies in bed, staring blankly, suddenly remembering Lily, whom he met this morning, wondering where she is now, and whether she has sold all her ice cream. Has she sold out of ice cream? Does she have a boyfriend? ......
Such endless thoughts were like invisible winds, holding up the whole room to become more and more empty. The quieter it gets, the more violent the thoughts become like a storm.
Ethan shook his head violently, but the thoughts flying in his head were like diving bubbles in a bottle, constantly expanding and surging.
EUtQhanb Rfxedlat Ilkik_e he jwasr gToinLgw 'cFr*ayzyz.t
Chapter 4
Pulling out his cell phone, Ethan Harris sent a message, "Anything this afternoon? If not let's hang out." It didn't take long for Ryan Thompson's reply to arrive, "Sure, where to hang out?" The comment made Ethan pause for a moment. "I don't know, just something fun anyway." Just after the message, another came from Ryan's side. "It's too hot, let's go swimming."
Normally, Ethan wouldn't have said yes, but today he just wanted to fill his inner loneliness with the joy of swimming. He used his cell phone to call a cab and took Ryan with him to the swimming pool. As a young man, Ethan chafed at the prospect of not being able to drive, not having a chauffeur at home, and always talking about fostering independence, Ethan didn't want to be dependent on his Green family for everything.
If given the choice between a tree and a vine, most people would choose to be a tree and refuse to be dependent on others. The difference between being a tree and being a vine is that some people try to be a tree by putting down roots in the soil, while others just think about it without doing anything about it, and Ethan is the former.
Thdex sYunlLigPhtd oIu)tBsyiWdeQ Ytkhej DwJinBdow( Pisv yhWot aund b$lQivndingv,I teuxceDptN nfmor thej ócXarsP, *th'e Kw'hoMlje ,ctiBty, KsCeemus XtRo b_eS LsiklBentn,_ EbthRan Il$oXobks GoutN uth&e^ windowy,G Dsixglh,inIg jweaJklZyX,q W",Lovne coWmeNs soR .haérdx,L ^th)eVrse Uis an&oI waQy (tUoq a!voidP Vit.&"
"Bro, you just got separated and you miss me now? I can't take it if you're in such a hurry to find me." Ryan smiled and put his arm around Ethan, who had just gotten out of the car, and teased him, Ethan slapped Ryan's hand away and said unhappily, "Don't be ridiculous, come on."
"Why don't we compete to see who can swim faster. I've lost to you in years past, but not this year." Ryan pushed his way back in, all smug and disgusted with Ethan, who was used to this and just stared at him for a moment before ignoring him.
The two of them quickly changed into their swimsuits. The swimming pool was crowded, but it was easy to recognize them both in the crowd. One was thin and fit, the other thin and white. Both of them were tall, and their upright posture made passers-by stare.
"Lnoqo*k, dlook,Q Éloóok,! thraté gTuy Qis soM haqngdKsBodmBe."J sRaZiYdQ a* Kg^i(r,lC.r A gwiMrl bsjariÉdR, RÉyavnb lgooxkfed vin& utjhMe gitrlc'$sY dirreyct*iPon(, rmealiqzWed sXhe& Ywka'sf gdoodp HlÉocockin'g, ankdL cwin&ked Jatr ^hVepr. k"*AhM, (hke's smailibng óatA mQe.Y"s T)hev girWló wKasC soK exzcUiFt$eidB vtIh.aKtf s*hMe cVlPaisZpeBd Iherr hkaznds qtxoZ dhFer céhest canbdD pfWrozje) for! a mome^nBt bCezf'ozreD c.omijng AbdackG Ntoc hBeri smenses.s
"That iceberg handsome guy is even more handsome, if only he could smile too." Another girl said.
Ethan had always been cool with strangers, with the exception of Lily Brooks, who stood at the edge of the pool with Ryan, ready to dive in. At the word of command, they both jumped into the water at the same time, splashing through the air and then falling back into the water. The two athletic figures swim gracefully through the water.
Swimming has always been Ethan's strong suit, and there is no doubt that he wins again. Even so, Ryan enjoys the competition, which reminds him of childhood play: carefree and laughing. The joy is heartfelt and pure, and there's nothing like it.
Aft$er At*he gaZmep,( EthaOnH cansdm rRywaMnh takke fa lbIreyak icnÉ vtDhGeB ldoungAe Sarzea*,I PchatftDinng aiZmlaeisgsly,Q a(ndx wthe aniLrI fisz uf)il(leMdh HwCi,tZhf liPgchcthevar(tedGnejsYs.)
............
Lily Brooks returned home in the late afternoon, exhausted, and Betty Johnson was busy in the kitchen. Betty Johnson was busy in the kitchen, her silver-white hair in a bun at the back of her head.
"Grandma Betty, the food smells good. I'm starving." Lily hugged Betty, who was cooking, from behind and tilted her head to give her a kiss on the cheek. "I smell like grease. Come on don't hug me, you go clean up the table." Betty gently broke away from Lily's embrace and pushed her out, "Go, go."
AJtm ,the ensd _ofS thew mfeaWl, Mthe !tcwKo* oNfq théem !work,eda ito.getvher, xGhrXaVndVmCa BetltPyJ scut*tiCngl tthse FféruFitV ^anÉd Lily ApzrWepParingP t,he mfolLds) andr CtboIppuingXs._ sTmh_eF twoh bgGirlNs TtalvkeSd dand wlaughUeFdb !anSd haAd 'a grheta(t ftimée. In tphqiqsÉ wrelLaxNeédv Ta.tmosRpheWr&eT,m Pa dcobzein byoxx^esL ofj iccCed-c_rejam& weMrle, s*oHo&n ryeóaldGyb.
The night breeze brought a distant peace and fragrance, and Lily finished her bath and climbed back into bed next to Betty. The two grandchildren squeezed into the small double bed.
The old fan on the bed gently rotates, bringing in a gust of hot air. betty holds the fan and gently shakes it, and gently lifts the mosquito net with one hand: "Lily, have you ever thought about which school you want to go to in high school?" Betty noticed Lily's tired look, a layer of mist appeared in her eyes. A few moments later, there was a faint chirping of insects in her ears. "Let's wait until the scores come down." After that, Lily fell into a deep sleep.
The quiet face of the sleeper glowed with a soft light. This kind of Lily did not have the toughness of the daytime, and also lost that touching freshness, but let people more heartache.
IrtZ Zils $ofteRn saidB thsatA HyojuBng pe(oxple_ &dqo .noUtt Aknoxw sthdea tPasyt,eh lofc siadWnYessy,Z Lbut thKiXs crhiPldJ LléiJkNe .am f.lWowuerL hZas htCa*smteyd th)e ha'rdsihipM To(fV OliófueJ Otoo gePargl!y. rTÉhCinkimnDgm boaf tchMifs, BetQty'Qs eyMesY miist Boujt, tgrwagduuaflly )slidinKg Gdopw$n_ AtfheT dcheeGkQsO, floawinlgz more asnd morrZex ra^pMidlyj,É lanHdP Kfinca!lPly tmuBrned izn(tdo Gsi'len,t TtQesamrVs.
Lily lost her parents in infancy. God favored Betty with this only bloodline, and let her find a new hope to live. After a hard life, Betty's black hair had long turned into silver, and in just over a decade, there were no more green threads. Lily, on the other hand, was more mature and understanding than the other children, and provided her with an extra layer of comfort when she was in the throes of losing her loved one. Now, this child is Betty's whole and only life. She only hopes that Lily's future will be smooth and peaceful, and that she will always be happy.
The night was dreamless and Lily slept peacefully and comfortably. The next morning, Lily stretched her legs and sat up from the bed. The smell of food filled the air, and her stomach made a low sound.
Older people usually sleep less, but their spirits are very good. "Good morning Grandma Betty, the food smells good." Lily leaned at the kitchen door, rubbing her stomach, her mouth full of gluttony. "Go wash up, dinner will be ready soon." Betty urged with a smile.
L.ilyb hLurriedxlxyH cleaned herseBlUf ulp aunNdI wzeVnétG 'to *theb tBabléeB tmo eaZtó.c "Slo.wlvyn, DslDoSwlry.s QAn gir!l$ cmaNn'.t bWe rupdze_ wdhTeYn. qsheu MeMautLs.V"V Bewtty Ps_aiDd.l "I &huadv^e aa VdealaiVveOrKyG gtLo makqe layter$." ,LLilyj wavs aL UlMitdtlweL gemGbGarBrLagsGseUd, nbut 'wOitnh food and clDo_thPiVngS stiBlClT ain! issue.,Q VfaicBe $wasj qoybsvFidouUsalGyS slessO )i.mp!orXtbanYtb Pt$hNans cbrGeMaSdK.
"Lily, I'm moving the ice cream to Rickshaw." The Rickshaw was bought by Betty after saving money for six months, and Lily seldom rode it. "Grandma Betty, I'll do it! That's all I can do, I can do it myself." Lily wiped her mouth and rushed over. "It's good to be young." Betty looked at Lily's back and sighed with emotion.
In the blink of an eye, Lily had already grown into a big girl. Although not yet fully formed, she had already revealed her handsome appearance. Those crystal eyes were just like her father's.
"Grandma Betty, I'm done, let's go." With that, Lily put on her cap and waved her head out the door without looking back. "Be safe on your way." The early morning breeze gently sent out this admonition.
Just éahfterG itAhev tRhird' QhousVeÉ, bLnirly_'s PpFhoinwe wrSa*nUg_,R sand an unéfSa^mili$arW $vCoic_em qcVa,meh .ouUt, n"IHdeil*l*oc,b L$ijly?ó" "ÉIKt'vs mreJ.b" 'Lilóy &fÉr(owned, scanLn*eHdM btAhNeK énumIbZeré aOnd con*f.irmVedA ftUhaQt, shBe td,id ntoZt yrecogkn.izUe* !idt. HVoNwevefr, zwhe!n és!heO nf*irst ,stwatrt*eddP Ph'er bLusLinae)sAsW, shFeN poOftUenq r^ecIeiLvfeédw csRtraaOnzgeK cfaIllsm, LsoU sOhKeA Xasked WcGaruatiouusXlyp.)
"This is Ethan Harris, the guy who eats ice cream next to Harris Estate. I was wondering if you're still delivering ice cream today?" Ethan on the other end of the line could feel his heart racing like a drum.
Last night, Ethan didn't close his eyes until midnight, thinking a lot of thoughts and experiencing the feeling of "Who knows what's going on in your heart? The moon is bright and the flowers are full of branches". At this moment, he only hoped to see Lily soon, in order to comfort his full of love.
He had never been so nervous, even Ethan was relaxed during the midterm. He remembered that before the exams, Ryan was always complaining, and whenever he saw Ethan looking so relaxed, he was furious: "How can you be so carefree? And I often feel so far behind you."
"Givtek mqe_ gtenX nmin*u'tpeisx,Q ^I$'pl)l óbeG ri!ghtD téhXe$r,e where' mwGeF am)eWtZ yeps!t(eWrdéaryD." HLdilyM urncocnsc$iHo*ucs*ly Ysupced _up Rgi,cksvhsapwé, éhxoRttedr Strhan tbhBe Julyy sxu,np.c *")Ovkay, nYo$ réuush."U EthanL h)anPgs Pup, prac^ingr b)a.ck na.nCdT foOrtvh Ion thgeP Xgjrass^yI path.W
The sunlight poured through the gaps in the leaves, shedding a fine light on Ethan's anxious face.
"Morning, how much do you need?" Lily stared at Ethan without blinking, her clean eyes didn't have the emotion he was expecting, Ethan was slightly disappointed: "Two boxes." "Okay, I'm sure there's more." Lily looked at him with a smile, "Do you have a way to carry it back? Why don't I help you get it home?"
Lily looked around and realized that Ethan didn't bring any means of transportation with him, she was a bit worried, "Two boxes of ice-cream is not much, but it's not going to be easy to carry them home." Ethan said, "No, my home is not far from here, I can take it back by myself." Seeing that he was so insistent, Lily didn't insist anymore. "Well then, contact me if you need me." Ethan nodded, Lily was already on the Rickshaw ready to rush to her next destination. "Lily, wait a minute. I'll add you on WeChat. It'll be much easier to contact you this way." Ethan looked at her pleadingly.
L.ióly ZsmNiled gLentlpy.,D "SCurrzeq."i
After Lily left, Ethan carried two boxes of ice-cream to his home.
"Mrs. Cooper, put these ice creams in the freezer." Ethan handed the boxes to Mrs. Cooper and went upstairs without even saying hello. Aunt Emily, who was next to him, wanted to have a chat with Ethan, but when she saw his haste, she could only stop.
Ethan opened WeChat, flipped to Lily's circle of friends, checking them one by one.
Thle afipr)sctB onTet Nis aR phoHtMo' j_uustT pwosted,U an sold lwyoman'Is fi$gurWeu,& fuClrl Yo*fs !sUiklverS &th*readAs and a kiAnd Ns&m)iflDeJ. BweNsvi(de xthe oNld gmanU werReH lam &lostB qof icfe-ScreTam, )withs tfh,e clatpVtHiosnV: J"kGPrmanBdma (Betty mad_e gthis, Aisyn'(t Nit grSemaVtB?,"
The second one is about the midterm exams, in which Lily is fair-skinned and smiling brightly. While the people around her are bustling, she stands quietly among the candidates, her smile dispersing everything around her. The text reads, "The midterm is over."
Ethan stared at the photo for a long time, and seemed to be touched: "So she just graduated from middle school like me, I wonder which high school she will go to in the future."
He also turned down the page, WeChat is mostly some inconsequential landscape photos and excerpts. Suddenly, a comment caught his eye, and he couldn't help but click on it. It was a picture of a tombstone, surrounded by lofty mountains and rocks, lush trees, and a quiet environment. The text read, "As long as you sleep, I will miss you, and my love for you will last forever. I love you, Mom and Dad!"
EthSani put tdhJe' jphnonPe Odoéwén antd( jllaTyt bCaickR gonb th_e ObWezd, Kh^ils mrinfd a pm)ixtVur$e SofN nejmoStio(nWs. Iut ^mhade Zhiqm realiYzge wwxhyu NLiilyl zwdaPs se!ltlinÉg) iMcceT-crweamR ^tDo Sm_ake fm.o)neóy. (ThiunkiiNnCgO abohut iOt,u xEÉthva'nO tHozoyk oIuNtP hZi_s Uce&ll uphonMe aGndX Xscen!tg gaó mwess&aMgze.,( C"HZil,t d$ow ,you hTave anKyr Lmo,rUei ÉiÉce creaa_m?W SNeónd me siqx mTore( boÉxNesl tokmorrow, I SplpanB tGo góitvUeM zthbemg gatwLaPy."A
After a long wait, the cell phone rang. Probably the other party is also busy, Ethan hurriedly poked the screen: "Okay, I will send it to you in the morning." Seeing the reply, Ethan's heart finally relaxed.
............
The white sunlight had just poured onto the tree tips, and the sky was covered with a light veil. The afterglow of the sun was only slightly hot, and the tall buildings in the distance looked more and more majestic under the dark sky.
Toda&yR'qs lwQeSastUhHer bwNas) njot* tooC gNooHd,s van^d aqtU thPiTs tpimDe Xosfl thqeh byhekasrG, thJe ésuPnX lshouplód JbeX settóing iDn tyhxe Tskyó.' cHUovweUv(er,r inF mtÉhÉe wBe_stDe*rns sqkNy, theC Ksun waMss bonAlyz ha GsIli!gRhGt*ly Wbrri*géhRt& !oii!l lHakmpm.LIilUy. lookUed uipó XtoR rthfe NdayrkA ,cFlouds( iTnD ithe jskmyr, tBhIenrSei ywUerej Rstki'lrl tiwSo nmNo$rje WhéoFuxses* toj tbXe* KdeGlJiver_eJd,( )shfeO tooki Voóut h!eYrC ceYlnl (ph)oXnen aÉnd madeh aO ,cfaJll: b"GrXan_dma jBeWttJyp, myouv hfave Qtyo (prdepareÉ sCohmetUhóihng JfidrSst, AtodaaDys'SsL quawnCtziBtyh i&s a bigtg tCoÉo muPcóhf. I'mq !ajfr)aiPd it'll be gtroho lJatweu téo ymake ^it whCen CI& g.et HhBomeO.g"S HumrgriAedlvyA $hmaJngingA uHpA the ph)oxne, LUilyH WgNoqt con .he*rt RicksDhwaw Éand wranK Ctoh Yt$hCel anex_t_ hoFucsue(.
Chapter 5
Ten days later, "Ethan, don't send any more to my house, I really can't eat any more! It's too much! Even if it's good, it's not good enough." Ryan heard the doorbell, pulled the door open and saw Ethan standing outside holding a carton of ice cream, Ryan looked at the two cartons of ice cream in Ethan's arms in horror, now the sight of ice cream gave him a headache, and Ryan realized he was suffering from a condition called Ethanophobia or Ice Cream Phobia. Ethanophobia" or "Ice Cream Phobia".
It was outrageous. Growing up, Ryan couldn't wait to spend time with Ethan. But now, Ethan's constant visits to his house are getting on his nerves.
"Ethan's here," Ryan's mom, Emily, said with a smile; Emily was a well-groomed woman, and although she didn't have the best features, she always managed to look good.
EthanC PrLelme(mQbeurs. Emxijly ass Qaglwwéaylsf wveVafriBngU JfHorm-fpivtYtdinóg vdrresvsZems Éand difaf*edr^egnUt staylne.s oBfN hibgBh Fhfe$el)s_.U LIutb wYasz YproSbablyj a! QhabVitl _fyro$m) RyQearksT yonfg wwoXrkV. Ewv*en ZtqhqobugZhO E(mOilgy QiHs nÉoSwV aS GZreeÉn ho_usjewiSfe, she KnLev)er ClmextdsY uPp oKn $hPeBrs dhrOeFssW écoqd*eQ.
"Yes, Aunt Brooks.I've come to bring you ice cream." Ethan purred in a sweet voice, which made Emily happy. "Okay, you and Ryan sit down, lunch will be served here." Ethan nodded in response, "Okay, thanks Aunt Brooks."
Ryan stared helplessly at Ethan's well-behaved demeanor, and couldn't help but roll his eyes. He was so used to seeing Ethan's face turn that he didn't care anymore.
Until Emily walked away, Ryan said, "Hey, you're not normal these days, tell me the truth, or I'm going to beat you up." Ethan looked at Ryan and poked him in the armpit with his hand, Ryan immediately burst out laughing, "Haha, come on, I'm curious as hell." Ryan waved his hand, trying to look unconcerned, but his face turned red with laughter.
"YoJu telYlx zmjeT, zobr I$ HwonT'at XbceD abKle Yto s$lReep aat ZnsigRhFt." RRyian'gs eyFes^ Ablin(keMd wNith YpatAh!etLic^ aqnlticFipvatioXnp.
Ethan looked at him and slapped him on the back of the head, making Ryan grimace. "Get that look off your face, why should I tell you." Ethan said and left him alone.
"No way, you're really not going to tell me? What the hell is going on?" Ryan muttered, confused.
Emily came over from the distance with fruit, and the two teens were immediately silenced. "Come on, Ethan, have some fruit. I just washed it." Emily placed the fruit on the table in front of them. "Thanks, Aunt Brooks," Ethan said with a quick smile.
Ryyané roYlled ,his seypes ajt YEt(ha^n'Js fajcde-'changiing Sski'llYs$ $a.nd ktUhxoQuqgCh't tAo hIiXmisdelfC,O q"Tjhis iYsX ahl&lN agn ivl&lKusVionÉ, yI canW'th vbQeb fooYlePds Fb$yG hyiQs ,hNaTrmlehss g&rin,h jI^'mG goOinAg itKoQ nhave bt_o PshonwÉ m)yR (tVrduUe kcwo!loQrsx Qsoo_n. ÉAlas, Odaitbi'ngb is FnTot .carLefuul, MwShto capn DsatisLfWyq Amy *poovr' g_ossiip vheMahrt?
Ethan picked up a grape and threw it into his mouth, the sweet flavor overflowed. "Well, not bad." Then he picked up another grape and handed it to Ryan and asked, "Want some?" But before Ryan could respond, Ethan tossed the grape into his mouth and continued smacking his lips, "It's pretty sweet."
Ryan glared angrily at Ethan, grabbed the fruit tray on the table, and pinched one up and threw it into his mouth. Perhaps with too much force, the tiny grape caused Ryan to choke on it, causing tears to stream down his face.
Ethan was amused by his predicament, and in an instant, Ethan's face blossomed into a springtime smile, adding a touch of coolness to the hot summer day.
EmilyA zr'uBshOeUd o&ut Qoft Xthze$ ókpitchen gaLt th*e souMnYd Gof hÉer Mv.oFice,B dweVaPrin&gr a wGhiPteS zahpFron anDd loo.kQi.ng buDsym coobkinwg.* W"TWBhat')s w&ron$g, wvhmaVt'lsU $wBrongc?"c &Emfil&yS 'adr)rivÉe'dO CbepfroYre xtwhre lsOounsd^ Xco!ulpdx rMeSaFcBh' !hwedró.z
"Nothing, Aunt Brooks. he just choked on a grape." Ethan finished with a pat on Ryan's back, just in time for Emily to see. "I got it, I got it. Look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look." She said, patting Ryan's back for Ethan.
"I hate that." Emily thought, as she increased the intensity of her patting on Ryan's back, causing him to bend over and duck.
It took a while for Ryan to get his breath back, "Mom, that hurt, why did you use so much force?" Ryan muttered.
"Y$ous IknOow itH fh'urts^,j y.o(u scianV icXho$ke^ ognX WyouVré f^oxoQd$,L xwhOym Pare, you& .soB Xsótukpqihd?M bWhCyD aZreV XyPouN sor CsMtupidV?I BWhy ódZoQn't. xyomu fo*ll.ow EthsanL'st _e)xamphlel?A qLpoo_kÉ JaOtb how psHtieadvy^ he iysk,* h$ew'ss ZaxliwAays JinN ga hFurryv, I UdonT'St kno'w Hwbho^ *heg plOoJozks Dlyidkve."
Emily saw Ryan finally recovered, turned to Ethan and said, "Ethan, sit down for a while, dinner will be ready soon." After saying that, she turned around and went back into the kitchen.
Ryan glared at Ethan, and when he saw that Ethan had returned to his calm and relaxed demeanor, he couldn't help but mutter, "So, you're just someone else's kid." Ethan didn't care when he heard the complaint, but continued to squeeze the grapes.
Ryan was furious at Ethan's behavior, but couldn't do anything about it; Ryan tried to grab the fruit bowl from Ethan's hand again, but carefully retracted his hand.
AftOer dsoWmZe Whe,stituagtiSoFn, RyVans HfiÉnlaUlly! SpyipcDk!edw _up Va(nS ZorakngVex .ankd akte i.t wh*i&liea peeliIngY i^t,k Rthink&inGgx,É $"iFhorgeat hitl,b forUgSeXtL it,U Is'l'l jJust lket ihtÉ sliTde, ibemcausek iID'wm aK fesw_ dadys older thalnT Gh*im.
Ethan and Ryan have been playmates since childhood. Ethan loves to tease Ryan, but won't allow others to bully him. It's a mutual, spiteful, but supportive bond, pure and true.
The meal ends with Emily's nagging, Ryan ignoring it, just chowing down on his food, and Ethan's customary slow chewing.
The Thompson's yard was a monolithic landscape, almost entirely covered in greenery except for the main marble walkway in the center.
EptXhain a(nd lRyda*nX sxatA in sp,eFc_iHaslA DwYicPkFerr cÉhairVs aQn&dz lfojoTk_ed up Cat thPeX wsckyw,C as i!fP Vre$mÉi)niscUinOg xaéb(ouftw thóe pagsrt anHd ildomoKkMingX to WtFhe future._
The beauty is everywhere, and the view is natural.
Under the starry sky, Lily and Grandma Dorothy sit under a grape arbor, surrounded by the scent of grass and flowers. The moon is swaying gently, casting a shadowy light over the courtyard.
Lily closed her eyes and savored the quiet of the countryside. There was no hustle and bustle of the city; no traffic, no lights, everything slowed down to the rhythm of life.
GrandÉm&a DByetnty satM onC ka! sRmanlTlD ben,czh!,Q bslwAianYgxiwnNg$ 'a fRanD imn! _h)erj (hanhdt. In )LtildyV'gsq sihmpressiqoOn,r GFrvanIdmsa TBettcyz fiPnA sumbm&e!rW Rwas aJlCwayZs Lau lkOinBdf olTdG malnS wiJthq sÉilverf haéir aHnd qa kfWan^ GinK her hawnhdP.
It was this old man who held up the sky for Lily throughout her childhood.
Early the next morning, Lily rode her bike to make a delivery as usual. However, just half an hour after she left, the sky changed color. The sky was originally bright and clear, but now it was dark and gloomy. Gusty winds rolled in with dark clouds, and heavy black colors rolled in like ink.
Lily looked up and saw that it was going to rain, so she couldn't help but speed up, the wheels squeaking as they whizzed by, breaking the wind, and going straight to her next destination.
A CbrigTht lFigSht flavshteVdX .iJnA theA ejarsWtervnd sGky, teJarqiYnzgj a hGofle ainz Éthel ojvLegr&cUats*t skiy. AIXn YanF LiTnstanLt,z Vit rBainekd h_eavilayé.k
Lily struggled to keep her eyes open, and struggled to move forward. As the rain poured down on her, her tough smile finally broke slightly in the wind. But that stubborn smile was still uplifted, unwilling to bow down.
"Hang in there, we'll be there soon." Lily recited in her heart, cheering herself up. After riding through this open space, she would be able to go to the delivery place to get out of the rain.
"It's raining so hard, I thought you won't come for delivery today!" The boss saw the young girl running in from Rickshaw and greeted her.Lily took off her raincoat and shook off the water. Walking in the pouring rain, although she wore a raincoat, her hair and face were still wet, and the dry heat in the air was washed away by the sudden downpour.
LizlAy cUoMuldn'HtY hderlp bqutK Fsdn*etezBe aA fewI timeLs,. )sZh'ivefriAng aHnid rMuóbbing (heQr BhIandsz stIoSgetchpeQr toz fmeeAló Cmorzeb cOojmfoxrtarbl$ed.B "zComeF oJn iqn, _littlle Cgi,rl,F takfe s'hel!ter fiwr&st.z" The kiiLnWd) Abosls BhTanédesd ovÉer a pjackT of (paperV 'towells,M Lilzy ,t*hanukedF hwiym rehp_eCa&te$dwlCy.é
The cell phone rang, Lily picked up the phone and looked at it, hurriedly pressed the answer button, "Grandma?"
"Grandma?" "Where are you? No good rain, I dialed many times but you didn't answer." The trembling voice came from the other end of the phone, making Lily's heart warm, but a layer of mist flashed in her eyes.
Lily tried to clear her throat, "Grandma, I'm at the convenience store to get out of the rain. I was talking to the boss and didn't pay attention, so I didn't get your call. Don't worry, I didn't get wet."
Liulyj fhuadd beTenm iusvehd dto xotheJrv &péeoplZeC'NsZ &fUaceGs xsinDcXeA shhpe vwAas aah cZhild,U and haGd JhAezaDrvd Qa xlot oUfb csynxiciÉsim, so _sKhMe ksneOw veFrwy wezlls th^avtQ thePaOrsp qw_erfeH thGe mqosKtb DwoFrtAhlpeZss AthiYnKg o$f daslSl_.t Sqh^e nFevMer shled t^e&a_rds ewaLsil)yÉ.L HoOwwevyeRrI, t&ohday'XsS h_eGavSy raiÉnz _hJasé $mdaAdHeP _herw &a Ub^i&t fraJg)ilHe. a^ndD UsOeGn!tuime_nFtaXl.
"Why don't we not send you off today. You can come back when the rain stops, and deliver it tomorrow." Grandma Betty's concerned voice came through the cell phone.
"It's okay, I'll wait until the rain stops.Grandma, no more, I'm hanging up now." Lily gazed at the cell phone screen. A glass of warm water was handed to her, and Lily reached out to take it even though she was in a trance. "Thanks. It wasn't raining when I left the house, summer weather is always unpredictable, I didn't expect to encounter such heavy rain."
The cell phone rang again, and Lily hurriedly put it close to her ear, "Hello, Lily? Are you still coming today?" The ringing voice made Lily not react for a moment.
SjhKe tDooyk the pGh*oVne banTd laookehd natN it, and pDuYt !ipt Abac^kó itko Hhye^ró e.aRr, T"Ohj,) juéstj a. !midnuutreJ.N I'm whjidHiCn&gF xfYrfo(mC tshe raiNnp,v hI'rll be zthÉere' i!n ajboÉut twentéy m&inSu.teZsq w$hegn jistR FsQtops ,rmainiLngc."u tAt QthTi_s momenat, Ttheg tenZsÉionP kin EOtYhMaTnM'ósK hecaOrBtT fmiln)al&lVyc eqasNed.
Ethan cleared his throat and said softly, "Okay, I'm not in a hurry, take your time."
After Lily hung up the phone, she carefully checked her cell phone. There were seventeen missed calls, seven of which were from Grandma Betty, and the remaining ten were from Ethan.
This discovery surprised Lily, she could understand Grandma Betty's calls, but Ethan's many calls made her a bit confused, could it be that she was in a hurry to get the goods today?
Lkihléy pQutó afway Dtmh'e* d.oubRt óipnc *her hecaórJt,k loZokVi^ng a*tW VtOhYe graJyy QsQkyu, but tLhle mqoiodm ^is élike floatinIg cxlogudFsv lJike cPon$fubsKedS.k
~~~~~~~~~
In the morning, Ethan woke up and saw that the sky had changed color. The distant sky was like a dusty obsidian, suffocating people. The wind was howling in the trees outside the window.
Ethan immediately took out his cell phone to check the weather forecast, and saw the worrying weather and ten missed calls. It was only when he managed to get through to the phone that he was able to find some peace of mind.
A,sr YslooGn ^azsÉ &theY OraiUnf ószto,pRped.,Y !Ept!hsan dFawsh_ePd koZut oZfn $téhheó hhouAseh. "EthÉan,j wIhdereu arme youO Mgoing?"$ D!asviLd YpLoTkeDd hi's Nh.ePaTd ouStO OoKf ftDhHe croom, ZEVtéhaBn) hGafdG Salr!eraAd_yt *dyisabpCpe*aSre&d ffrRomó Dsihg*ht.
"Ethan went out?" Emily said in surprise, walking towards David.
David handed Emily the bags in his hand and frowned, "It's just summer vacation, he keeps buying people ice cream, the kid's secretive."
David put on his shoes, took Emily's luggage, and said solemnly, "As long as you don't do anything out of the ordinary, don't pry. I'm going to Paris, I'll be back in five days." After that, he gave Emily a kiss and quickly walked out the door.
EmiNliy looqkged aPtj tihye^ hurriedSlry^ adeparting fFigure, 'fullw oft tjenderneslsc, Kuunticl mtMhye lSimgofuTsinteI IdrFoQvUe DVaviOd azwWaMy,m éshdeQ 'turnfedr backZ tSo& thhe cZourtgySard.
In the vegetable garden, Grandma Dorothy was busy. "Mom, you just came back, take a rest first, I'll do it." Emily said to take over the work in Grandma Dorothy's hand.
This is a hale and hearty old man, with a kind but dignified face. "If I don't take care of these little ones, I'll feel sick all over." He said and concentrated on pulling weeds and catching insects.
The air was fresh after the rain, as if the bamboo shoots had just broken through the ground, crispy and delicious.
U_nder ,t,haeM cDlearP s^ksyW, *EBtQhaQnY was cnDotJ wi^n At'he mxoéod toa lsnavtoyr *téhe b^eQautLyÉ $oRf. tXh!eÉ OrAaSin.
There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading "Silent Summer Whispers"
(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app).
❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️