Chapter 464

Zhang Zhengyi held Evelyn Laurent's hand and chattered away until villagers came to call them for dinner.

The villagers had already returned home to prepare a feast for their distinguished guests from afar.

Village Chief Zhang approached with his cane, his wrinkled face tinged with nervousness. "Our village is humble, but this is our heartfelt hospitality. We hope you'll honor us."

He discreetly studied the well-dressed city folk, afraid of appearing inhospitable.

Richard Langley laughed warmly. "You're too kind, Chief."

They were ushered to the village square—a simple brick-paved clearing.

A large round table was laden with rustic dishes. Though the tableware was plain, each dish steamed with mouthwatering aromas.

Evelyn sat beside Zhang Zhengyi, while Ethan Sullivan quietly took the seat on her other side.

"Try this cured meat. I took it down from the rafters just for you," Zhang said, placing a glistening slice in Evelyn's bowl.

She took a bite, and the familiar flavor made her eyes sting.

After dinner, the villagers insisted they stay the night. Every household warmed their kang beds and laid out fresh bedding.

Richard lay on the toasty kang, listening to the occasional bark of dogs outside. A deep sense of peace settled over him.

No wonder such simple, kind people had raised a girl as gentle as Evelyn.

Curled up on the familiar kang, Evelyn drifted into sleep, wrapped in long-missed comfort.

At dawn, construction vehicles rumbled into the village.

Designers walked through with blueprints, stopping frequently to measure and take notes.

"The renovation will take three months," the foreman reported to Richard. "But the results will exceed your expectations."

Before leaving, Evelyn bid farewell to every household. Zhang Zhengyi pressed a cloth bundle into her hands, his eyes red. "For the road."

Inside were dried mountain delicacies, their faint fragrance lingering.

On the journey back, Ethan leaned against the seat with closed eyes. Evelyn noticed his pallor and gently took his hand.

"I'm fine," he murmured, opening his eyes to smile at her.

Her heart ached. She knew he had pushed himself to accompany her.

The neon lights of the capital came into view. As she watched the city glow, a thought struck her.

"The Lowells..."

"They left Harbor City long ago," Ethan said flatly. "The Sullivans control it now."

Evelyn nodded, asking no more.

When the car pulled into the Sullivan estate, Ethan finally succumbed to exhaustion, resting his head on her shoulder as sleep claimed him.