Chapter 551

Bowen knew Aubree wasn’t someone who got knocked down easily, but he still couldn’t help worrying. He couldn’t stop thinking, ‘Man, I’m really in deep with her.’ At the same time, he was already running through backup plans in his head in case Aubree’s negotiation ended up falling flat.

The elderly man they were looking for lived at the far end of the village, right next to Josephine, whom they’d heard about the previous day.

Ridgehaven Town was filled with vast fruit orchards. As they walked along the road, they could see fruit trees lining the roadside everywhere.

Coincidentally, the far end of the village was the most remote and spacious area, and that’s where most of the orchards were clustered together.

Aubree said in high spirits, “Even if the negotiation falls through, we can still take the chance to check out the orchards.”

Hearing that, Bowen realized he was probably overthinking things. Even if Aubree failed this time, she’d just keep pushing forward like a weed growing through the cracks. After all, she was tough and relentless.

They walked for a while, making their way from the busy town entrance all the way to the far, quieter end. As the people thinned out and they passed through a whole orchard, they finally found the home of the toughest holdout in the village.

The old man’s front door was wide open. He sat alone at the entrance, leaning on his cane, quietly watching the world go by. Only when he noticed someone approaching did his cloudy eyes flicker with a hint of awareness.

Aubree took the initiative and walked up with a friendly smile. “Hi, Grandpa! We are here to buy fruits, and we have come here to explore the village and see what kind of place it is like. We were wandering around and ended up here.”

She made sure to speak up, just in case the old man had trouble hearing.

But to her surprise, the elderly man was full of energy and sharp as ever. He replied, “You’re looking to buy fruit? You’ve come to the right place! The fruit from our village is the tastiest you’ll ever find.

“Back in the day, my kids and grandkids all loved eating the fruit we grew right here at home.”

As he spoke, the aged man pointed at a fruit tree out front, motioning for Aubree to check it out.

There was a tree there, but it was so old and dead that it was impossible to determine what it had once been.

Aubree felt like she was starting to piece things together. She crouched down so she was eye level with the old man, and asked, “So, Grandpa, how old are your kids? Why aren’t they here with you? Do they come back for Christmas?”

The old man sighed in response, “I’ve got a son and a daughter. My son left to work in the city and lives far away now. My daughter got married to someone from another place that is even farther away. It’s not easy for them to come back, and honestly, I never know when I’ll see them again.”

“Is it really safe for you to live here all by yourself?” Aubree asked, genuine concern in her voice.

Perhaps the older man didn’t get much company because he didn’t mind chatting with her at all. He just laughed and said, “Safe? Worried? About what? Who would bother messing with an old guy like me anyway?”

He gave a bitter chuckle, the lines on his face deepening with sorrow as he continued, “A few years back, they said the houses here would be torn down. I thought maybe my kids would come back for a visit, but they were all too busy. All they did was ask where I’d live if the house was gone…

“They… they don’t want the place torn down. They just want to wait and see.

“Now that there’s talk of demolition again, they said they might come back if they ever get the time. So I end up just sitting here at the door every day, waiting for them to come home.

“It’s hot these days, so I put a watermelon in the well every day so if they come back, there’ll be something cool for them to eat.”

After a brief moment, the old man let out a sigh, “Are you guys thirsty? Let me go slice up some watermelon for you.”

With that, Aubree got the picture. The man’s children didn’t want him moving in with them, but they were still hoping for the demolition payout. As such, they just left him here as the holdout, probably figuring that if he passed away before the demolition, they wouldn’t have to take care of him and could still get the money.

She shared a glance with Bowen, and he immediately stepped up. “There is no need to trouble yourself, Grandpa. Thank you for offering us some watermelon. Let me get it for us.”

Chapter 552

After being chilled in the well, the watermelon was cool, and it quenched their thirst. Fruits grown here were always sweeter than usual.

As they chatted, they learned that the elder man was Pontus Nelson.

Pontus seemed to genuinely like Aubree. He cut up the watermelon, grabbed a spoon, and pushed half of it into her hands. He shared, “The watermelon here is super sweet and tasty. Eat as much as you like.”

Aubree didn’t hold back. As she met Pontus’s warm, gentle gaze, she scooped up a big piece and popped it into her mouth, exclaiming, “So sweet!”

Pontus’s smile grew even warmer.

After a few bites, Aubree winked at Bowen.

Catching her cue, he asked, “Mr. Nelson, you mentioned you don’t want to move because you’re worried you won’t get to see your children again, right?”

“Yeah,” Pontus sighed. “That’s part of the reason. When you get older, you just don’t want to move anymore. If I move in with my children, I can tell they don’t really want me there with them. So I’d rather just stay here. And…”

Pontus’s lips moved, but whatever he wanted to say next just trailed off.

It seemed like Pontus’s situation wasn’t the only problem here, and there were other issues hiding beneath the surface.

Aubree lowered her eyes, putting on an innocent look before asking, “But what if those developers turned this place into a farmstay resort, and preserved some of the village’s original character? If they let the elderly who really don’t want to leave stay here, keep living their lives, and even have a job, would you be okay with the renovation then, Mr. Nelson?”

“Aubree, you really are young. The people who want this land? They’re not looking to build a farmstay resort. They’re businessmen, not here to do charity,” Pontus responded.

Aubree just raised an eyebrow quizzically.

“If things were really like you said, I would be happy to agree,” he finally added.

‘If I can get some money and still stay here, why wouldn’t I want that?’ Pontus thought.

Just as Pontus was about to say something else, a commotion sounded outside. Aubree glanced over and spotted a white car coming into view. It was not some fancy ride, just an ordinary, everyday car.

Pontus noticed it too. He immediately leaned on his cane and, trembling, struggled to his feet. He stammered, “Aubree, help me check. Does the license plate say 5473?”

“Yes, it does,” Bowen said, confirming it.

Pontus grew even more excited, his hands shaking as he moved forward, but every step was firm and full of purpose. “That’s my son’s car,” he uttered.

‘Pontus’s son is back?’ Aubree thought.

This news should have made Aubree happy, but as the car came into clearer view, her unease grew.

Aubree glanced at Bowen as she thought, ‘Is this just a coincidence?’

Bowen shook his head, his slight frown showing that he was thinking the same thing as Aubree.

Today, Alvin was on his way here.

The car rolled to a stop, and the door opened. The first person to step out was from the passenger seat.

As the figure came into view, Aubree’s eyes suddenly widened in shock, ‘Is that Alvin?’ she thought.

Alvin saw them too, but he looked completely indifferent. He just gave them a quick glance, his eyes cold and distant, as if they were total strangers.

Right after, the driver’s door opened, and a plain–looking middle–aged man stepped out.

“Dad” the middle–aged man called out.