Chapter 165 Living With Zeal, Yet Grounded
Leopold didn't waste time on people or things that weren't worth it.
His first love was like that, and so was the romanticized family affection.
But what's interesting was that the wrong people all blamed him for being cold and heartless, yet they never thought about what they did to hurt him when he gave them his whole heart.
So, people should always move forward. Even if the road was rough, the best scenery was at the mountaintop, and the right people were ahead.
He had already met the wonderful Caroline, and he didn't mind seeking out better scenery for her.
Right now, he's waiting for an opportunity, waiting for Preston to come to him first.
At this moment, whoever made the first move lost.
Leopold glanced at his phone. Today was Friday, time to get up and make her breakfast.
Before getting out of bed, he held Caroline's chin and kissed her on the lips. She made a lazy, murmuring sound, looking like a soft little kitten. He pulled the thin blanket over her, quietly closed the bedroom door, and headed to the kitchen.
Two throw pillows had fallen on the living room floor. He picked them up, patted them back into shape, and set them on the sofa. He had the home AI open the living room curtains.
The curtains slowly opened. The rising sun on the horizon was so red it painted the sky golden. Everything gradually awakened, and the city started running like a huge machine beginning a new cycle.
Seaside City was a vibrant city. As long as you stood somewhere high, you could see its energetic side.
Back when Leopold chose to locate his project at Solstice Mountain in Seaside City, it was because this city had left a deep impression on him.
As for who made it so memorable, he had to thank that investment conference where he saw Elijah, then director of Seaside City's Culture and Tourism Bureau, giving a passionate speech on stage with a promotional video about Seaside City. Elysia, who was the director of Seaside City's Investment Promotion Office, led her team in handing out local specialties to everyone present.
They'd met briefly back then. Later, he handed the construction project over to the engineering team and went to Shadow City to manage the hotel. When he came back, he was stuck on where to install the power equipment. He found Caroline, who had approval authority, and their connection began. The circles of their lives perfectly closed.
He transformed from a state of living with enthusiasm while staying grounded to courageously seeking love.
Every step proved that as you lived life, the answers came.
So, life was about always looking forward.
Leopold took off his apron and tied it on. He took out two eggs, cracked them together, and peeled one with one hand. The yolk flowed into the bowl. He skillfully beat the eggs and arranged the shrimp in the steamer.
He was good at kitchen work. Back in elementary school, to please Quinlan and get more motherly love from her, or just to see her smile at him, he would make her breakfast. But reality was the opposite, Quinlan became even colder toward him.
Later, he learned that Preston had used the same trick to win her heart back in the day.
Caroline was woken up by her phone alarm. She came out of the room and headed straight for the kitchen.
She stood in the doorway, watching Leopold at the stove. His back was tall, standing in the warm light, focused on the slowly boiling porridge in the pot. His profile was sharp, stirring calmly and leisurely.
The porridge made bubbling sounds, and the rising steam blurred his handsome face, making it feel somewhat unreal.
She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. Leopold's lips curved up in a smile more beautiful than the morning light.
"Woke up hungry?" He said warmly.
Caroline shook her head behind him, took a deep breath, smelling his scent. A real embrace, a familiar smell—she wasn't dreaming.
"Leopold," she called him.
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
Caroline smiled. "Do you know what I was just thinking?"
Leopold turned off the heat and put the lid on the pot.
He didn't move. "Thinking about how handsome your husband is."
She laughed. "So full of yourself."
"I was thinking that men really are most handsome when they're cooking."
She laughed again.
"What do you think I'm thinking about?"
Caroline's hand slowly moved downward, caressing below his navel. She loved touching the lines there, it felt good. With her eyes closed, she would recall many beautiful images.
She said, "I thought I was dreaming. These past few months, when you weren't home, sometimes I'd just stare at the kitchen, imagining that when you were home, you'd be making breakfast at this time."
Leopold undid her hands, turned around, and lowered his shoulders to hold her.
His arms were broad, able to hold her entire body. His voice was by her ear, warm breath flowing into her ear.
"Caroline."
"What?"
"You..."
"What?"
He pulled aside the clothes on her shoulder and kissed her gently.
She tilted her head back, her eyes gradually becoming hazy.
Leopold took it all in, but the playful smile at the corner of his mouth revealed his mischievous thoughts.
He suddenly said, "Is this you missing me? Or do you just think the house is missing a chef to cook?"
Caroline fell silent.
The intimate atmosphere instantly shattered like broken glass, cracking into countless fissures.
So that's what he's going to say!
She pushed him away and turned to leave. "I'm not playing with you anymore."
"Don't go." Leopold scooped her up from behind. Caroline pouted, pretending to be angry.
"Don't be mad."
Caroline turned her head the other way.
"See, now you know it's not a dream, right? Three sentences and you're already mad." Leopold kissed her face and tossed her up in the air.
Caroline screamed in fright.
The next second, she fell back into his arms, caught firmly by Leopold.
She clung to him in shock. "You're trying to scare me to death! What if I fell?"
"How could that happen? I'll always catch you." Leopold's tone was certain. "Alright, breakfast is ready. Go wash up and come eat."
With him home, life became flavorful and fun.
After breakfast, Caroline changed clothes and said while changing shoes, "Are you going to the office today?"
Leopold said, "No, I'm staying home to rest."
"Okay, if I'm free at lunch, I'll come home to eat with you." She took the thermos Leopold handed her, stood on tiptoe to kiss his lips. "I'm off to work."
Leopold smiled warmly. "Bye, honey."
The door closed, and the world suddenly went quiet.
Leopold bent down to place her slippers neatly on the shoe rack, put on gloves, and started cleaning.
While scrubbing the bathroom floor, Lily called.
Leopold took off one glove to answer.
Lily's tone was serious. "When are you coming back to work?"
Leopold said, "I don't know."
Lily choked, then said angrily, "Do you know how stupid this idiot headquarters sent over is?"
It was rare to hear the gentle Lily curse. Leopold's eyes were full of amusement. "What happened?"
Lily pressed her aching temples. "I don't care what you have to do, come back to work immediately. If I keep working with this moron, I'm going to die of anger."
She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, regained her composure, and said, "Mr. Leopold Wipere, stop fighting with Mr. Preston Wipere. There's nothing wrong with apologizing first. Fighting over pride and losing everything you have—it's not worth it."