Chapter 292 This Man Is Really Handsome
Leopold opened the tea canister and said, "Dad, try this tea. A friend of mine owns a tea plantation, and he specially mailed me two boxes for us to try."
His words carried two meanings: first, that the tea wasn't expensive, and second, that it was a gesture of friendship.
Elijah inhaled the tea's fresh aroma. "Pretty good quality."
Leopold smiled. "My friend's family has been growing tea for generations. When it was his turn, he didn't want to continue in this business. After graduating from college, he started a business with a partner, but it failed and he lost a lot of money. In the end, he had no choice but to return home and take over the tea plantation."
Elijah sighed. "Partnership businesses are tough, but at least your friend's family left him something to fall back on."
"Yeah, that's what I told him too." Leopold offered him a cigarette and lit it for him.
Elijah tapped the ash from his cigarette and looked at Leopold warmly. "You didn’t come all this way just for tea, did you? Is this about what happened a few days ago?"
"Yes." Leopold looked apologetic. "Mom told me someone was making harassing phone calls to you both."
Elijah said, "There were a few calls, but it's fine. All taken care of."
Leopold said, "The news was fake. I sent a lawyer's letter that same day, but because of my situation, it affected the family and caused you and Mom unnecessary harassment. I didn't handle it well. It’s my fault, and I wanted to explain to you face to face. It won't happen again."
Elijah smiled dismissively. "We're family, you don't need to be so careful. Everyone runs into problems sometimes. Finding solutions and handling the aftermath properly—that's what matters. As for the rumors about you, since they made things up, you need to take a clear stance and publicly announce how you're dealing with these people. To the public, you're the victim. To those who might try to pull tricks behind your back, it's a warning."
Leopold nodded. "I understand, Dad."
Elijah asked, "How are things between you and Caroline lately?"
Leopold replied, "We're doing great, very stable."
Elijah said, "My daughter is a bit like me—when she gets busy, she becomes a workaholic and doesn't pay enough attention to family. If there's anything you can't say to her directly, tell me, and I'll talk to her."
Leopold smiled. "Dad, Caroline treats me really well. Her work hasn't affected our family life at all."
Elijah had seen how Leopold treated his daughter.
He said, "If you two live well together and get along, Elysia and I will be happy."
Leopold agreed. "Don't worry, we get along great."
Elijah asked, "When are you planning to have kids?"
Leopold hadn't expected such a sudden change of topic. His brain froze for two seconds before he quickly responded, "I've been too busy with work lately. We might need to wait a bit longer."
He couldn't put the pressure on Caroline, so he took it on himself.
Elijah paused, understanding. "A man should focus on his career. Alright, you two can plan your own affairs. I'll be retiring in a couple years, and when that time comes, Elysia and I will help you take care of the kids."
Imagining a future with a little one added to his life, Leopold's face unconsciously filled with a smile.
After finishing a pot of tea, Elijah had business to attend to, so Leopold left.
Caroline came back after delivering dinner to the hospital. As soon as she entered, she heard noise from the kitchen. Changing into slippers, she walked over and asked, "What are you up to? The food looks good; I'm very satisfied with tonight's late-night snack."
Leopold was wearing an apron, cleaning lobsters. He turned his shoulder and kissed her cheek. "I happened to pass by the seafood market and saw this one-of-a-kind item—the biggest lobster. Guess what I thought?"
Caroline played along. "What did you think?"
Leopold smiled. "I thought... my wife hasn't had lobster in a long time. I should buy it and cook it for her."
Caroline tried to hide her smile. "So what's the point?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Leopold looked at her. "It's full of love."
Caroline laughed. "Can your love come in two flavors—garlic lobster and lobster pasta?"
Leopold picked up a lobster and quickly processed it. "Easy, no problem."
"Mr. Wipere, you're amazing. You can cook anything." Caroline stood beside him, remembering when they first met. "I'm thinking about when we first met—you lied and said you couldn't cook blue crabs. Then I brought seasonings to your place. Didn't you think you'd eventually get caught?"
Leopold chuckled. "Back then, you looked at me like I was a thief. How could I think that far ahead? Just getting you to come to my place, I was already pretty satisfied."
Caroline said, "What if I had said I didn't know how to cook them either?"
"That's easy." Leopold dumped the dirty water from the cleaned lobsters and turned on the tap to rinse them. "I'd just cook them for you."
Caroline pouted and shook her head. "I definitely wouldn't have come. We had just met, and with our work relationship, I had to keep proper boundaries."
Leopold kept his hands busy. "If you didn't come, I'd just have to deliver it to you, then find some other excuse to get you to come to my place."
Caroline said, "So you're saying I had to come to your place one way or another, just to help you pick a spot for the transformer?"
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "Honey, I'm sorry, I was wrong. Give me a kiss."
Caroline pushed his face away, but couldn't escape Leopold's persistence. He finally got his kiss before continuing with the lobsters.
She said, "Your apology attitude is pretty good. But this just proves my judgment of people back then was pretty accurate."
Caroline's words piqued Leopold's curiosity. "What did you think of me back then?"
Caroline thought for a moment. "How else? I just thought you were scheming."
"No, there's more." Leopold prompted with a meaningful smile.
Caroline said, "Bold too, daring enough to try to bribe me."
"Nope." Leopold shook his head. "Think again."
Caroline said, "That's it."
Leopold said, "Didn't you think I was handsome? With such a convincing face, when you first saw me, your eyes went straight. You must have thought, this man is so handsome, I wish he were my husband."
Caroline pushed him away directly. "Have you no shame? Who thinks like that the first time they meet someone? I'm going to change into my pajamas."
She walked out of the kitchen. Leopold started cutting vegetables, saying as he cut, "I thought like that."
Caroline walked a few steps and didn't hear him clearly. "What did you say?"
Leopold shouted toward the door, "Nothing."
After devouring their meal, they took out the trash and went for a walk in a nearby park.
Leopold brought up his visit to Elijah to deliver tea earlier that day.