At night, the lights were still on in the Gu's mansion.
Jonas returned home, utterly exhausted, after a day of social engagement. When he walked in, the hallway was eerily silent and Gavin informed that Nelson had gone to the countryside.
"Mr. Nelson told me that he was going to visit his old friend. Mrs. Gu is accompanying him, so you don't have to worry about him."
Gavin smiled and told everything that Nelson wanted him to convey. Nelson wanted Jonas to understand how kind and sweet Melinda was.
"Why has Melinda taken Grandpa with her? Doesn't she know that he is too weak to travel? Grandpa is always kind to her but she's being plain selfish,"
Yulia grunted in annoyance. She turned around, and her heart leapt to her throat when she met Jonas's cold eyes that were blazing at her.
She quickly closed her mouth, swallowed loudly, and turned away.
"Err... Am I... am I wrong, Jonas?"
Yulia asked nervously. Jonas glared at her and then looked at Gavin.
"Who else have gone with him?"
"Two drivers and two groups of bodyguards in disguise."
Nelson was popular in A City, and he usually stayed in the mansion. He would be armed by bodyguards every time he went out.
"Hasn't the medical team gone with him?" Jonas frowned.
Although Gavin was always cautious, Jonas couldn't stop worrying about his grandfather.
"One of the drivers is a doctor. So stop worrying, Mr. Jonas."
Gavin smiled. He was happy that Jonas cared about Nelson.
Jonas nodded and decided not to question further. Yulia was disappointed that Jonas wasn't mad at Melinda, so she continued to degrade her.
"That's enough, Yulia. Stop it. I don't want you creating trouble for Melinda anymore."
Jonas finally understood Melinda. Yulia always spoke ill of Melinda, especially when she was alone with him. But Melinda always tolerated everything without complaining. God knew how Yulia would sneer at Melinda without his presence.
Yulia pursed her lips and stared at Jonas as anger boiled in her stomach. Melinda was an outsider, yet she was protected by everyone in the Gu family.
"Fine," Yulia mumbled.
Without Nelson and Melinda, the dining table was quiet. Queena seldom ate at home. Yulia was still embarrassed about what Jonas said. She took a bite of food and went back to her room.
Jonas was all alone. He glanced at Melinda's seat and couldn't help but miss her.
Although Jonas and Melinda argued all the time, Melinda always cared for him. She always made sure he was okay.
Perhaps he had misunderstood her all this time. She was a hundred times better than what he thought her to be.
A sudden idea cropped in his mind. He wanted to go to the countryside and apologize to Melinda for everything he had done.
"Mr. Jonas, William asked me to remind you of a meeting that's scheduled for tonight,"
Gavin said, giving the phone to Jonas. Jonas couldn't eat anymore. He stood up and instructed William to deal with the places that need attention.
The table was full of delicious dishes that were untouched.
It was a tiring journey and Melinda had slept in the car for a good while. Nelson's face was pale as he had just recovered from a serious illness.
"Grandpa, your face looks pale." Melinda frowned.
"It's okay. We're about to reach anyway," Nelson beamed.
"Okay, let me know if you're not feeling well. We can stop for a while."
Melinda slowed down and peered at the surroundings. There was a stone road with small steps that led to her home. She had to take a detour if she wanted to go straight to the door.
The house of the Mo family in the countryside was a three-story building. There was a big yard in front of the house, teeming with flowers and fruit pots. The fruits were still green and it would take time for them to become succulent and juicy.
"Leonard has done a good job with the yard. He loves enjoying the little things in life,"
Nelson said dotingly as his eyes roamed across the yard.
"Grandpa, watch your step,"
Melinda said as Nelson was lost in his world.
"Is Mellie back?"
A female voice rang from afar. An old woman in plain clothes and an apron ran towards Melinda. Although she looked old, her steps were steady.
"Grandma!"
Melinda squealed with happiness. Finny's eyes widened when she saw Nelson standing beside Melinda. "Isn't this Nelson?" she asked. "My husband always talks about you and Mellie all day long."
"Is Nelson here?" A deep voice resonated in the yard as Leonard breezed out of the house.
The two comrades-in-arms looked at each other as a wave of emotions engulfed them. They went back in time, reminiscing the old days.
"Grandpa, how are you?" Melinda asked quizzically.
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