Watching the man awkwardly clean the clay pot, Deanna felt a sweet, indescribable emotion in her heart.
She then turned her attention back to what she was doing before.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed in her ears.
"Ah-"
Deanna screamed instinctively and turned her head to see Lance standing there in a daze, with the broken clay pot at his feet.
Lance looked regretful.
"Can I say it slipped accidentally?"
He spread his hands and looked at Deanna innocently.
Deanna couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
She had used that clay pot for years, and despite some bumps and knocks, it had never broken.
"Maybe... you should just sit outside."
She suggested cautiously.
Lance's expression turned somewhat embarrassed at her words.
At that moment, the noise seemed to have startled Old Ashley, who came out of the room and asked with concern, "What happened?"
"Nothing, just the clay pot broke."
"How did the clay pot break..."
Old Ashley trailed off as if realizing something, then looked at Lance helplessly.
Lance's expression became even more awkward.
But he was used to hiding his emotions, so it was hard to tell from his face.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Deanna cleared her throat and said, "It's almost time for Gregory and Chloe to get out of school. Mr. Mercer, could you pick up the kids for me?"
"Sure, I'll go get them."
Lance quickly agreed, looking somewhat relieved.
Not long after he left, Old Hughes and Old Wright arrived one after another.
Since dinner was almost ready, Deanna chatted with the two elders in the living room.
Old Wright couldn't help but comment, "Why is Lance so late? Did he forget? Anna, give Lance a call."
"Mr. Mercer already came by, but I asked him to pick up Chloe and Gregory. He should be back soon."
Deanna replied honestly without much thought.
Her words surprised the two elders.
Old Hughes teased, "So he's picking up the kids. He really looks like a father now."
"Choke..."
Deanna almost choked on her own saliva.
She didn't expect Old Hughes to say that, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She shyly said, "Old Hughes, don't say that. Mr. Mercer and I are just friends."
"I know, I know, you're just friends for now," Old Hughes said with a sly smile.
His expression clearly showed he didn't believe Deanna.
Deanna's cheeks grew even hotter from his teasing. She stomped her foot in embarrassment and said, "Old Hughes, if you keep teasing me, don't blame me for taking back the prescription I promised you!"
Her words instantly hit Old Hughes' weak spot.
He began to plead, "Hey, I was just joking. Please don't take back the prescription."
Old Wright laughed unkindly at his plight.
"You deserve it. Anna, don't give him the prescription. Give it to me instead."
"Wright, don't even think about it. That's Anna's gift to me!"
Old Hughes glared at him.
Seeing the two elders about to argue over the prescription, Deanna quickly intervened, "No need to fight, you both get one. They're the same."
As she spoke, Lance returned with the two kids.
Julia and Landon arrived at the same time.
Seeing everyone was here, Deanna made brief introductions and announced it was time to eat.
Once seated, she raised her glass and looked around gratefully. "This meal is to thank all of you for helping me when I was in trouble. Without your help, I wouldn't have gotten out so quickly. Thank you all."
"Deanna, saying that makes us feel distant. I'll drink this wine, but there's no need for thanks. We're friends; helping each other is what friends do," Julia said as she drank her wine.
Landon nodded in agreement. "Exactly, friends help each other. No need for thanks."
Deanna felt warm inside hearing this.
Old Hughes eyed Lance's glass and deliberately picked a fight. "Lance, why are you drinking juice when Anna is offering a toast?"
"I asked him to drink juice. Mr. Mercer's health has improved a lot, but he needs to avoid certain things."
Before Lance could answer, Deanna spoke up.
Old Hughes made a playful sound of understanding. "So it's because Anna told him to. I thought this rascal had changed his ways. When I told him to quit smoking and drinking before, he often ignored me."
For some reason, Deanna felt an inexplicable joy hearing this.
She couldn't help but sneak a glance at Lance.
To her surprise, Lance was looking at her too.
Their eyes met unexpectedly in mid-air.
Seeing the deep and mysterious look in his eyes, Deanna quickly looked away in a panic. But her gradually reddening ears betrayed her feelings at that moment.