Chapter 61 The Moon in the Eyes
Just as Leopold had warned, the Heritage Village had become completely commercialized, with an entrance fee required just to get in. Leopold pulled over to the side of the road and headed straight for the ticket booth.
Sitting in the car, Caroline watched his retreating figure. Even from behind, the tall, handsome man exuded natural charisma. He returned from the ticket booth minutes later, making a quick detour to the nearby convenience store for two bottles of water.
Back in the car, he twisted one open and handed it to Caroline. "I just asked the store owner—that silver jewelry shop is still there. Should we wander around first or go straight for the souvenirs and explore later?"
With time to spare, Caroline took a sip of water. "Let's explore a bit first."
Leopold started the car and continued driving into the village, where crowds were steadily growing.
The street-facing homes that once housed villagers had been converted into storefronts leased to merchants. Near the entrance, boutique hotels and restaurants dominated the landscape, alongside a parking lot. Leopold locked the car and led Caroline deeper into the village.
Both sides of the street featured shops selling primarily silver jewelry and clothing, with sun protection gear—hats, sunglasses—available everywhere. Coffee shops and bars dotted the thoroughfare.
Blessed with perfect weather and clear skies, groups of friends and families gathered under café umbrellas, sipping cold drinks and reminiscing. Every establishment was packed to capacity—no wonder the place had become over-commercialized. The business potential was undeniable.
"Wait here a second," Leopold said, making a beeline for an ice cream shop not far away. Caroline reached to grab his arm, but caught his hand instead.
For a moment, they both froze.
"The line's too long anyway," Caroline said. "Forget it."
Leopold glanced down at their joined hands, the corner of his mouth lifting. Though unintentional, this was the first time she'd reached for his hand. When Caroline tried to let go, he gently tightened his grip.
"Look," he said.
Following Leopold's gaze, she spotted two couples walking toward them, laughing and chatting.
Caroline looked away, but their hands remained intertwined.
As they spent more time together, physical contact had become increasingly frequent, but Caroline's heart still raced at each touch. She wondered what Leopold thought about it.
In truth, they were both adults—physically and emotionally mature. How could they not be affected by each other? But Leopold respected Caroline too much to cross any boundaries before she was truly ready.
"Want to take some photos?" Leopold asked.
Caroline glanced around. Despite the carefully designed storefronts, nothing seemed particularly photo-worthy.
Noticing her hesitation, Leopold pointed toward an intersection ahead. "Down that street and to the right, there's a huge heart-shaped tree. It's a popular spot for photos."
At the mention of a heart-shaped tree, she recalled photographing something similar at another tourist spot. But seeing Leopold's hopeful expression, Caroline nodded.
Standing alongside a drainage ditch was a large tree with branches deliberately pruned into a heart shape, similar to the one Caroline had seen elsewhere.
While others exclaimed in delight at the tree, Caroline remained conspicuously unmoved. Leopold knew instantly—she wasn't one to be impressed by manufactured sentimentality.
"Let me take your picture," he offered.
Leopold took her camera, retreated to the perfect distance, and crouched down. Finding the ideal angle, he snapped multiple shots, then directed Caroline to change poses before moving closer for some portrait close-ups.
Caroline had serious doubts about Leopold's photography skills.
But when she saw the results on the camera display, she was stunned by her own image.
"Is this really me? I look beautiful."
"It's not my photography—my girlfriend is naturally gorgeous," Leopold replied.
"Flattery will get you nowhere," Caroline said.
"Is it flattery if it's the truth?" Leopold teased.
Caroline shot him an amused look and walked away.
They continued their journey, taking photos along the way. With Leopold as her guide, Caroline sampled various local delicacies and bought some fun trinkets. Everything was reasonably priced—just as Leopold had said, under a hundred dollars for a good time.
For lunch, they ate in the Heritage Village. Though their tastes differed, with Leopold's help, they ordered dishes that Caroline found quite palatable.
When lunchtime arrived, Caroline chose an outdoor table under a massive umbrella that blocked the intense sun. The street buzzed with people coming and going while she and Leopold enjoyed their meal in relaxed contentment.
With a full stomach came drowsiness. Caroline propped her chin on her hand, her eyelids growing heavier until she finally drifted off to sleep, head tilted to one side.
Leopold had just finished responding to a message when he looked up to see this scene.
Warm light bathed Caroline's shoulders, enveloping her in a golden glow. The street noise failed to disturb her peaceful slumber. Propping her chin with one hand, head tilted like a contented, lazy cat, her delicate face was translucent as jade. Her long, curled eyelashes and short, elegant hair moved slightly with the breeze as wind chimes tinkled nearby. He wished time would freeze in this moment.
Just as movies had endings, but life continued with "to be continued," he suddenly understood what he wanted. In his ongoing life story, he wanted to replay this scene over and over.
If his heart could hold only one moon, that moon would surely be the person before him.
Suddenly, some children ran by playing and shouting, waking Caroline. Opening her eyes, she caught Leopold quickly putting away his phone.
"You can rest more if you're tired," Leopold said.
Caroline picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Let's go. I need to buy souvenirs for my colleagues."
When she moved to pay the bill, Leopold said, "I've already taken care of it."
"I can't keep letting you pay for everything."
Leopold frowned. "Do we really need to keep such strict accounts between us?" He reached for her bag, taking it from her shoulder, then extended his hand behind him. Seeing his outstretched palm, Caroline smiled gently and took it.
In this vast sea of humanity, when you found your own destiny, it's best to hold onto it tightly.
Compared to the bustling silver shops on the main street, the real local artisans worked in inconspicuous little stores tucked away in side alleys.
Entering one such shop, they found no one attending the wooden display cases and racks. Leopold tapped on the glass counter, asking if anyone was there. A voice called back from the inner room.
A thin, dark-skinned man in his forties came running out. Seeing Leopold, he smiled. "What brings you here?"
Noticing the girl whose hand Leopold was holding, the man immediately understood that Leopold was choosing jewelry for his girlfriend.
"Feel free to browse," he told Caroline.
Leopold made introductions, "Caroline, this is Flynn Cooper."
"Hello," Caroline said with a slight smile.
Flynn asked, "What kind of jewelry do you like? I can help you choose."
"I'm looking for souvenirs for my colleagues," Caroline explained. "Five women and seven men. Would you mind helping me select something appropriate?"
Flynn nodded and took out a box of rings from the display case. "These rings are adjustable, and the designs are new this year. I just finished making them this month. Take a look."
While the two browsed, Leopold's attention was drawn to a particular bracelet.