Chapter 39 Wentworth's Grandfather
Matilda's face couldn't help but flush red.
But she still had half a package of the mixed nuts in her hand, so she had no choice but to feed him again.
Wentworth ate the same way as before, making her experience that tingling sensation once more, even feeling her lower abdomen tighten slightly.
After finishing that half package, she refused to feed him anymore.
She felt awkward eating alone, so she propped her chin on her hand and gazed out the window at the scenery.
Wentworth, driving beside her, was puzzled again. How had she gone from so enthusiastic just moments ago to cold again?
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After more than an hour, the car entered a village.
The houses in this village were well-organized and uniformly styled, harmoniously blending with nature in a way that was pleasing to the eye.
Passing through a grove of trees, a stone bridge, and a strawberry farm, Wentworth parked the car in front of an old house.
Getting out of the car, Matilda began observing the old residence.
The other farmhouses in the village clearly looked recently built and very modern, but Wentworth's grandfather's house seemed to have some years on it. The attic looked somewhat aged, and ivy covered the exterior walls.
There was a courtyard with a small pond dug for raising goldfish—several white and yellow fish whose names she couldn't identify swam back and forth.
The courtyard also had an old locust tree. Since it was summer, it bloomed with small white flowers. When the wind blew, some petals fell scattered across the courtyard, creating a classical charm against the weathered walls.
Most importantly, the courtyard was kept neat and tidy.
Shortly after entering the courtyard, a woman around fifty came out. Seeing Wentworth, she immediately became excited. "Wenty's here? Your grandfather was talking about you coming back today since yesterday, and he had me make your favorite Pecan Pie."
Wentworth was polite to her. "Yes, Tammy, we just arrived."
In her enthusiasm, Tammy didn't forget to observe Matilda. "This must be Matty?"
"Yes."
Wentworth introduced them. "This is Tammy. She takes care of my grandfather here."
Matilda quickly greeted Tammy, who walked over with a smile. "Matty, I've been with the Gonzaga family for so long, and this is the first time I've seen Wenty bring a girl home. You're truly beautiful—radiant, like a flower."
"Tammy, you're too kind," Matilda said, feeling somewhat nervous.
Though Tammy was a housekeeper, she had a gracious manner and seemed like someone who'd seen the world.
"Wenty, Matty, come inside quickly. Your grandfather is in the living room."
Wentworth led Matilda into the house.
Upon entering, they were greeted by the scent of ink. An elderly man in his eighties with silver hair but a sturdy build was writing calligraphy inside.
Unlike Tammy, the old man didn't wear his enthusiasm on his sleeve. He only paused briefly, looking at Wentworth and Matilda. "You're back? If you're tired, sit for a while. Let me finish writing these characters first."
Wentworth led Matilda to sit by the coffee table.
Breathing in the ink fragrance, listening to the occasional cicada calls from outside and feeling the gentle breeze flowing through the house, Matilda felt as if life's pace had slowed down.
She looked around at the living room's furnishings.
At first glance, it seemed like stepping back into the 1990s.
The walls displayed landscape paintings and numerous old photographs, though from this distance, Matilda couldn't make out their contents clearly.
From these furnishings, she guessed Wentworth's grandfather probably had a pension—otherwise he couldn't afford a housekeeper—but wasn't particularly wealthy.
After Holden Gonzaga finished writing and spread out his calligraphy to dry, he walked over with a kind expression. "Was there traffic on the road?"
Wentworth replied, "No traffic."
Matilda also shook her head.
Holden turned to Matilda. "Matty, I heard you're a doctor?"
"Yes, Grandpa. I work in pain management."
"Primarily alternative medicine?"
"Yes, though I know some modern medicine too," Matilda said.
"Medicine is good—healing the sick and saving lives." Holden smiled as he picked up tea-making implements from the table and began brewing tea.
Wentworth quickly helped wash the cups.
Then Tammy came in with Pecan Pie for them.
Wentworth handed Matilda a slice. "Tammy's Pecan Pie is especially delicious."
Matilda tasted it and found it indeed sweet and rich, different from store-bought versions.
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After tea and conversation, Holden went to the backyard.
Though the old house had a housekeeper, Holden seemed constantly busy.
Besides calligraphy, he tended vegetables in the backyard, weeding and debugging his new seedlings, and picking ripe cucumbers and green beans.
Matilda asked Wentworth, "Should we help?"
Wentworth quickly replied, "Absolutely not. Grandpa doesn't like others helping him. He says he does his own work."
So Matilda went to look at the photographs in the living room.
Most were yellowed black and white photos.
Matilda pointed to a young man in military uniform. "Is this your grandfather when he was young?"
"Yes."
"He looks like you."
Wentworth smiled. "Everyone says that."
"Was your grandfather always in the military?"
"Pretty much."
Matilda pointed to a double portrait. "Are these Grandpa and Grandma? Where is Grandma?"
"Grandma passed away. Grandpa is sentimental, so after retirement he's lived in this old house."
"Oh."
There were also some color photos, probably from after the 1990s.
One showed Grandpa and Grandma with Wentworth's parents, each parent holding a child's hand.
Matilda pointed to the two children. "Are these you and Charles?"
"Yes."
"Then... where are your parents?" Matilda finally had a chance to ask about his parents.
"Father passed away. Mother is overseas," Wentworth said.
Matilda was stunned. His father had died?
She looked at the photo at that young face so similar to Charles.
Wentworth resembled his grandfather, while Charles resembled their father.
She was about to ask how he died when Tammy came over. "Wenty, Matty, are you staying here tonight?"
Wentworth nodded. "Yes, Tammy."
"Then should I prepare the large room upstairs for you two?"
Wentworth quickly replied, "Thank you, Tammy."
Only then did Matilda realize—she and Wentworth had never shared a room before!
What should she do?
But she couldn't very well ask Tammy to prepare two rooms. They'd come back as husband and wife.
Just as Tammy left, Holden returned. He handed them a basket of freshly picked small cucumbers, smiling. "Would you like to try my cucumbers? They're so crisp—much better than what you eat in the city."
Seeing the cucumbers were washed, Matilda picked one up and took a bite.
With a crisp crunch, she felt the cucumber's moisture fill her mouth.
She couldn't help praising Holden. "It really is delicious."
"Right? This is my improved variety, of course it's good. See how much you can eat—take the rest back tomorrow."
After speaking, Holden went to the front yard to feed his fish.
Feeling stuffy inside, Matilda followed him out for fresh air.
Seeing Matilda come out, Holden handed her the fish food. "Matty, you feed the fish."