Chapter 432
When Lila 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. “Lila, try this! We grew it ourselves! It’s super sweet!”
His words made Lila 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 village?”
“In this poor and remote place? No outsiders would come here,” Louise replied, overhearing the question. “It’s a blessing if the locals don’t leave.”
She sighed, her gaze landing on Ash with a mixture of tenderness and pity.
Lila lowered her eyes, watching as Ash peeled open a steaming hot potato and took a bite, wincing as the heat burned his tongue.
“Lila, 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.
Lila’s heart warmed. Children like Ash left behind in rural areas, were not uncommon. 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-in-law of the family that lived there. Not long after getting married, his wife died in an accident. He didn’t leave after that. A couple of years later, his in-laws 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?” Lila 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?”
Lila 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, “Lila, eat the potato now! It’s best when it’s hot.”
“Alright.” Lila 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, Lila 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 Lila explained “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.”
Lila felt a pang of sadness.
This place was indeed remote. Despite the country’s efforts to alleviate poverty, life here still seemed harsh.
She glanced around the old but tidy courtyard and said nothing more. Then she sat at the small table for breakfast.
After the meal, Lila 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 glancing 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 place.
The team even invited some villagers to help the guests quickly learn how to plant fruits and vegetables.
Lila 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.