Chapter 683 Accepting A Lost Bet
Lysander opened her mouth and paused for a
it but said nothing in the end.
Finished
As they spoke, they had already stepped out of the small church’s outermost door, returning to the street.
The parade had come to an end, yet the streets were just as busy, filled with various street vendors. It was said that the influx of tourists that year had attracted an unusually high number of vendors, so much so that the designated areas for setting up stalls were no longer sufficient.
Lysander felt nonplussed about what happened, but the lively atmosphere quickly eased her mood.
When Josiah was in Harborbrook, he had visited the night markets before. However, this was his first time at a bustling market like this, where vendors sold all kinds of goods. He was instantly dazzled and couldn’t help but express his amazement.
“If Nilou’s father were to set up a stall here, he’d surely sell many of his crafts. But I’ve bought all their straw origami stock, so I doubt they have any left.”
“There’s no need to feel any regret.” Lysander’s voice grew more solemn as she thought of the villagers. “We’ve managed to get through the recent troubles, but as long as Dillon and his men aren’t brought to justice, the crisis in the village remains unresolved. There would be no mood for festivities, let alone setting up stalls. Naturally, protecting their homes becomes the top priority.”
Upon hearing these words, Josiah suddenly realized that he had overlooked something previously. His gaze sharpened as he said, “Indeed, those who don’t plan ahead will find trouble at their doorstep.”
The world he lived in was starkly different from this place. The boundaries between them couldn’t be broken by merely living there for a few days.
Lysander looked up at him.
The expression on Josiah’s face appeared rather solemn.
The casual attitude that had been present earlier, when they were eager to join the festivities and pay their respects to the deities, was now diminished. Instead, a subtle sense of worry prevailed.
Suddenly, Lysander found herself uncertain. She had inadvertently toppled a golden boy from his lofty pedestal, bringing him back down to earth. He was now aware of a world with which he had never before interacted with.
In truth, when she first married Josiah, she found it quite challenging to adapt to the lifestyle of the ultra wealthy.
Although Susan and Josiah had been incredibly considerate of her feelings, there were always some subconscious reactions that increasingly made her feel out of place in the world of the Guerra family.
This time, the tables have turned. Josiah should be feeling the same way.
“I honestly didn’t expect that you could actually stay here for more than three days.”
Lysander hadn’t forgotten her previous words. She had genuinely believed that Josiah wouldn’t last three days before he would leave. But seeing him not only stay the course but also actively empathize with others, she admitted, “I accept that I lost the bet. I have guessed wrong this time.”
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Chapter 83 Accepting A Lost Bet
“In that case, you can’t send me away again.” Josiah took advanta softly asked while looking at the candied fruit stall not far away clean?”
Finisher
f the situation to make a request, then
ou think… the food sold here is
He was always mindful of Lysander’s obsession with cleanliness, even remembering her tendency to have low blood sugar if she skipped breakfast. As for the bag of breadsticks wrapped in brown paper from before, he had finished them once they had cooled down.
The two days he spent in the village allowed him to learn that frugality was indeed a virtue.
Lysander chuckled, dismissing his concerns. “Since we’re out, let’s not worry about these things. Back in our school days. Daphne and I would eat at street stalls and we never had any stomach issues.”
That was a truly wonderful time.
Josiah regretted not being able to do that back then. Noticing Lysander’s interest, he bought several snacks she had glanced at while they were walking. He handed her candied fruit, licorice candy, a local specialty, and homemade lemon curd pie.
The snacks had practically no packaging to speak of. Upon purchase, they were simply wrapped in a sheet of paper and held in hand. They didn’t taste exceptionally good, but there was a certain natural flavor to them when eaten.
As Lysander savored the licorice candy, she suddenly asked helplessly, “Can you really finish all of this?”
“I can’t; so I only bought one of each item,” Josiah stated honestly.
Just as Lysander was about to persuade him to stop, fearing that he might lose his appetite for lunch later, her gaze fell on an old woman running a stall, and she found herself unable to utter a word.
The elderly woman was of advanced age, her figure noticeably hunched. Even the wooden basket in front of her was notably worn out. Her business was faring poorly, perhaps due to her silence and the clueless expression on her face.
Lysander walked over and glanced at the duck eggs in the basket. She asked, “Grandma, how much are your duck eggs?”
The elderly woman suffered from hard of hearing, taking a moment before she responded in a shaky voice, “They’re homemade pickled duck eggs. A quarter for each one.”
The price was so low it was hard to believe.
In Josiah’s memory, Lysander didn’t have a taste for strong–flavored foods like pickled duck eggs. Upon getting a good look at the old woman, he instantly understood why she was asking for the price. He bent down and began to gesture with his hands.
Upon learning that Lysander wanted to buy duck eggs, the old woman cheerfully said, “Feel free to choose. These eggs are all laid by our home–raised ducks, which grew up eating grass in the fields.”
“That’s not necessary. We’ll take them all, together with your basket. I’ve always wanted one like this,” Josiah declared, sweeping his arm grandly and buying everything in sight.
The number of duck eggs in the basket didn’t even reach twenty. Even if one were to include the price of the basket, it would barely amount to thirty.
2/4
& Lost Bet
0578
ter purchasing mode
yerday. Asah had intentionally exchanged some cash with the store fork by Camming a code. Azt most, be pulled out a hundrest and handed it over Ma’am, I don’t have any ange, so then to give me an
need
The old woman was taken aback and quickly protested, “Ca no I can’t let you do that I can’t accept such a buce Saver Set you The Basket bet worth much
She rummaged through her pockets for a while, intending to find change for them. However, she quickly realized that all she had wasn’t enough. Just when she was starting to worry, Lysander had a sudden idea and said “Mam what kind of flower is that next to your basket? It’s really beautiful.”
You mean this It’s just a wildflower from the countryside, the elderly woman said. She untangled the small flower branch from her sleeve and handed it over, saying, “If you like it, you can have it.”
“That won’t do Lysander said with a gentle smile. “If you don’t want to take advantage of us, we shouldn’t be taking advantage of you either.”
The elderly woman still felt rather embarrassed. “I just picked these flowers on my way here from the mountains. They really aren’t worth anything”
Upon hearing this Josiah was taken aback. “You came from the mountains?”
He had initially assumed that the old lady resided in a nearby village even if she didn’t live in the town. However, the revelation that she had actually journeyed all the way from the mountains left him utterly taken aback
Lysander was also surprised, but her reaction was less obvious than his.
Yesterday, she had driven for nearly three hours to get from the village to the town. Considering the old woman before her eyes was of such an advanced age and had traveled this far, she figured the former must have set off in the middle of the night.
Lysander, with evident concern, asked, “Ma’am, is there anyone else in your family? How will you get home later?”
Upon hearing this, the elderly woman couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. “Ever since my husband passed away two years ago, I’ve been living with my son. At least there’s someone at home. Once my son finishes his business here, I’ll go back with him.”
When she uttered these words, her face was clouded with worry, the wrinkles on her face seemingly deepening.
“Does your son… not treat you well?”
The elderly woman was advanced in age; her hearing had deteriorated and her speech had slowed down over time. It had been a while since someone had been willing to listen to her speak as they did that day. At that moment, she began to speak at a leisurely pace.
“No, no, my son and daughter–in–law are very filial, but… sigh… we ordinary folks have tough lives, as we’re often at the mercy of others. Our family’s livelihood is gone, so I have no choice but to set up a small stall to help them with the household expenses. All the fish we raised in the pond died, but we still need to pay back the loan. It’s a pity I’m old and can’t help much.”
Lysander and Josiah exchanged glances, both of them thinking of the same person.
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16:47 Fri, 5 Jut
The Charming Ex Wife