I was startled, jolting awake, and for a moment, I thought I was still at the Kemnis residence and that fan had returned in the middle of the night and was banging on the door.
I quickly flipped off the bed, almost tripping in the process.
Rushing to the door, I saw Dad, and only then did I remember that we had already left the Kemnis residence and no longer needed to open the door for lan.
I rubbed my eyes, and by then, Dad had already opened the door.
Outside, a fuzzy head popped out.
At first, I was startled, but upon closer inspection, I recognized that it was Auntie Violet.
Auntie Violet cheerfully stepped inside, glancing at Dad, and exclaimed dramatically, “Hey, Arthur, nothing happened yesterday, right?”
Dad looked puzzled.
Auntie Violet spoke unreservedly: “Yesterday, when Sherry found out that you bought a knife and went out, she thought you were up to no good. She got quite scared. Arthur, what were you doing with that knife yesterday?”
Before I could stop her, she spilled everything.
Dad’s face displayed obvious embarrassment, and his expression seemed unnatural.
“Auntie Violet, is there something you need?” I interrupted her.
Auntie Violet uttered a couple of “ohs.”
She was just here to watch the excitement.
“Nothing significant,” she said, looking around the small room. “Is Sherry planning to stay here for a few days?”
“She’ll be staying for a while,” Dad answered on my behalf.
“For a while, huh?” Auntie Violet felt awkward.
Then she continued, “With your good luck and marrying such a wealthy husband, you probably can’t stand living in this small house, right?”
I remained silent, just looking at hér.
Auntie Violet pointed in the distance and said, “A new large hotel has opened in town, catering to wealthy tourists, and the facilities are top–notch. They even provide three meals a day. Sherry, take your father there to stay for a while. Let him see the world.”
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Chapter $3
“I’m an old man; what world is there for me to see?” Dad showed little interest.
I looked at Auntie Violet and had already figured out what she was up to.
Auntie Violet was afraid that her family wouldn’t have enough space to live, so she wanted to stay at the original house.
Dad was kind–hearted and easy–going, not asking for any rent from her, so she wanted to take advantage of the situation and live in the cheap house forever.
Initially, I hadn’t planned to bring up this matter so soon, but since Auntie Violet had brought it up, I couldn’t pretend to be ignorant anymore.
So I smiled and said, “Auntie Violet, you can rest assured. No matter where we stay, we won’t be returning to the old house. You can live there comfortably.”
Auntie Violet smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum when I told her we wouldn’t move back.
“I knew it! Rich people are different!” she exclaimed.
I continued to smile. “Dad, does Auntie Violet pay the rent for our house monthly or yearly?”
“Huh?” Auntie Violet’s chrysanthemum face froze instantly.
“If it’s yearly, Dad can give them a discount, 20% off,” I said.
Auntie Violet’s expression became stiff, regretting her decision to come here.
She had originally come just to watch the excitement, gather some gossip, and get away with living in the house. But now we were asking her for rent.
She didn’t dare to stay any longer, making up an excuse and slipping away.
After breakfast, Dad took Iris to the backyard.
Under a shelter in the backyard, his tools were placed.
Dad sat in front of the old machine and started working.
The machine was quite old and made creaking sounds.
Iris found everything fascinating, touching and looking at everything, her eyes wide with curiosity. She asked Dad a few questions from time to time.
Dad answered each question patiently.
The grandfather and granddaughter had a harmonious atmosphere.
I walked over and, just like when I was a child, leaned against Dad, resting my head on his arm and feeling the rhythmic movement as he worked on the shoes.
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“Dad, you’ve worked hard your whole life. You don’t have to do this anymore.” I suggested
Ever since I could remember, Dad had been sitting in front of this machine, working day and night.
“Yeah, Grandpa, Mommy runs a big company. She can take care of both of us,” Iris chimed in quickly.
Although making shoes seemed fun, Iris couldn’t fail to feel sorry for Grandpa as she watched him use thick needles to sew through the shoe soles, looking very strenuous.
Dad lovingly touched Iris’s little face, and the wrinkles on his face relaxed as he smiled. “Our Itis is such a good child, always caring for Grandpa.”
Iris’s small face rubbed against Dad’s palm. She liked the feeling of her small face being enveloped by his big hand.
“But Grandpa has gotten used to it. If I don’t do it for a day, I feel uncomfortable all over,” Dad said.
The shoes he made were durable and affordable, so many people came to place orders.
I looked at my daughter’s adorable appearance, and my heart softened. It was about time to bring my daughter back.
When grandparents see their grandchildren happy, they become closer to each other.
Knowing that Dad was reluctant to give up his career, I didn’t insist and said, “You can continue, but don’t take too many orders. If you feel tired, make sure to rest.”
“I know, I know.” Dad nodded like a child.
Both Iris and I burst into laughter.
“Dad, why don’t I help you buy a shop on the street and also get a house? This way, you won’t have to work in such a small place,” I suggested.
“No need, no need,” Dad shook his head repeatedly, “I moved here because I didn’t like big places. They feel too vast, and I’m not comfortable in them.”
Although I married into the Kemnis family, I never neglected Dad and regularly sent him money through Fredrica.
Dad was capable of supporting himself with his skills and never accepted a single penny, returning it all each time.
Thinking about how I had grown up and how Dad had never asked anything of me, instead worrying about me, I felt guilty, and my eyes turned red.
“However, as I get older, my eyes and legs are not as good as before. I’m afraid I won’t be able to work for many more years. Dad sighed, a tinge of sorrow on his face. “Nowadays, young people don’t like these labor–intensive jobs. It seems like my craftsmanship might be lost.”
Dad used traditional shoemaking techniques, which were intricate and demanding.
“Mummy, why don’t we help Grandpa find an apprentice?” Iris suggested with her big eyes, raising her phone.
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Chapter 53
I understood her meaning and thought it was a good idea.
1 quickly took out my live–streaming equipment and set it up in the yard.
Iris also took out the fox masks she had brought back, putting one on herself and giving another to me.
“Grandpa, this is for you,” she said, handing the largest one to Dad.
When we returned, she specifically asked me to make a fox mask for Dad as well.
She climbed up a chair and personally helped Dad put on the fox mask.
Dad happily allowed his granddaughter to do as she pleased and wear the mask, even though he thought the appearance was odd.
With the masks on, Iris looked at us and was delighted.
Her little face peeked out between me and Dad, and she giggled, revealing her small white teeth. “Now, we are a fox family.”
Dad and I were amused by her playful behavior.
I briefly explained the precautions for the live stream, though there was not much to be concerned about. Dad continued making shoes with the mask on while I and Iris sang and danced, recommending Dad’s traditional shoemaking to the viewers.
I pointed the camera at Dad, showcasing his shoemaking craftsmanship from all angles, and Iris provided the
commentary.
As she didn’t know much about shoemaking, she struggled towards the end and could only say, “Well, my grandpa makes the best shoes in the world. If you want to be as amazing as him, you must learn from him.”
The live stream received an enthusiastic response.
Viewers were amazed by the shoemaking craftsmanship and expressed their strong desire to place orders. Within minutes, over a hundred people had placed orders.
My face turned slightly dark.
Iris waved her hands exaggeratedly and said, “Grandpa is too busy; he can’t take any more orders! He’s accepting apprentices, accepting apprentices!”
Her playful actions successfully gained some fans, but none were willing to become apprentices.
The one–hour live stream ended, and I quickly comforted Dad, fearing he might be disheartened by the overwhelming response.
Dad smiled and waved his hand to show that he was fine, but his downcast eyes betrayed his disappointment.
I could see it and didn’t know what to do for a moment.
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Chapter 53
“Mummy, look at this!” Iris’s voice suddenly rang out.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.