Chapter 164: Love at First Sight
"Yes, yes, you’re right about everything, Sir. I’ll tell Archer when I get back." Sean York didn’t dare say another word, nodding repeatedly.
Facing Gregory Winslow felt like being at home, dealing with the old man of his own family.
Gregory Winslow hmphed and went inside with his hands clasped behind his back.
Sean York breathed a sigh of relief, his back already soaked with cold sweat.
He raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Seeing him like this, Irene Lynch couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t mind him. He looks fierce, but he’s not usually like this. He just gets a little serious when it comes to his daughter. Don’t be scared."
"You should go on inside. We’ll be eating in a bit."
"Ma’am, let me help you." Sean York didn’t dare go inside, afraid Gregory Winslow would catch him and give him a lecture.
Irene Lynch didn’t refuse and led him into the kitchen.
Half an hour later, the two of them entered the main hall carrying dishes.
As Sean York placed the food on the table, he laid on the compliments. "Ma’am, your cooking is truly amazing. Mr. Winslow is so lucky to have married such a wonderful wife."
Gregory Winslow, who was standing nearby, hmphed. "Do I need you to tell me I’m lucky?"
"Yes, yes, my mistake." Sean York scratched his head.
A glance to the side landed on Joanne Chase, who was sitting there looking somewhat reserved.
Joanne Chase wasn’t what you’d call stunning, but she had an oval face and delicate features that gave her a gentle and serene air.
After just one look, he felt his heart start to race.
He finally managed to tear his gaze away, but his mind was filled with the charming image of Joanne with her head shyly lowered.
Grace Winslow saw right through Sean York in a single glance. She just smiled without saying a word, not bothering to introduce them.
Whatever path Joanne Chase chose to walk in the future was her decision to make; Grace wouldn’t choose for her.
As for whether Sean York could win over Joanne Chase, that would depend on his own skills.
The meal was pleasant enough.
Gregory Winslow had a bit to drink during dinner, and once it went to his head, he chided Sean York a little. Sean took it all meekly, not daring to utter a single word in rebuttal. He was so well-behaved that you couldn’t see a trace of his usual glib self.
After they finished eating, he even helped clear the table, practically snatching the chore away from Joanne Chase.
Grace, however, did notice that as they were cleaning up, their fingers brushed by accident, causing both of them to blush furiously.
’So endearingly innocent,’ she thought.
Grace felt like a doting old aunt watching young love blossom before the pair even knew it, a knowing smile spreading across her face.
"Ma’am, I’ll be heading back now. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow to see that craftsman’s work. If it’s good, you can just buy the furniture from him. His shop is famous for using genuine materials and charging fair prices." Sean York left reluctantly, casting several glances back into the house as he went.
But Grace had already pulled Joanne Chase away to wash up.
In this era, courtyard houses didn’t have private bathrooms, which made using the toilet inconvenient. Usually, you’d keep a chamber pot in your room and have to empty it yourself at the public latrine outside.
Joanne Chase was more or less used to this. After her bath, she looked at Grace Winslow with some apprehension. "Grace, are we... tonight..."
"We’re both girls, why are you so shy? The bed is big enough for another person, no problem. Come on, get in. We have a busy day tomorrow." Grace was exasperated but amused.
Joanne Chase’s face reddened. She really did feel a little awkward.
Grace took her pillow, scooted to the far side of the bed, and lay down, pulling the blanket over herself.
Worried Joanne might feel uncomfortable, she had even prepared two separate blankets.
After lying down, Joanne Chase’s mind was racing. She had thought for sure she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
But a faint, pleasant scent drifted through the air, and the steady breathing of the person beside her put her inexplicably at ease. She was asleep in no time at all.
When she woke up, the sky outside was already bright.
She lay there, dazed for a long moment, before realizing Grace Winslow was already up.
She couldn’t even remember the last time she had slept soundly through the night until morning.
Back home, she had to get up at four every morning to cut pig feed, feed the pigs, and make breakfast for the whole family. Then she would go to school, only to have to rush home at noon to make lunch for everyone, feed the chickens and pigs, and do farm work.
Every day was filled with endless chores and housework. If she slept in even a little, she would be beaten and scolded.
Even at school, she would habitually wake up at five, then lie there with her eyes open, counting the minutes until dawn.
Grace Winslow had already finished her morning exercises and was now washing up in the courtyard.
Seeing Joanne Chase was up, she called out a greeting. "You’re awake? Go get some breakfast. Our friend will be here soon, and I’ll need your help then. After we’re done, we can go to the salvage station to see if we can find a tape recorder or a radio."
"Okay." Joanne Chase nodded.
After washing up, she joined Grace Winslow for breakfast.
The porridge was warm and thick, not just thin rice water. It was rich, fragrant, and soft—a deliciousness she had never tasted before.
The fried dough sticks were crispy and savory, and one bite of the steamed buns released a mouthful of rich, meaty broth that left a wonderful aftertaste.
As she ate, she couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her face.
Irene Lynch was startled. "Here now, dear, what’s wrong? Is the food not to your liking? Why are you crying?"
She then looked to Grace Winslow for help.
Grace took a bite of her meat bun and tilted her head to look at Joanne Chase.
Joanne Chase raised a hand to wipe her tears, embarrassed. "I’m sorry, Ma’am. I... I’ve just never eaten anything so delicious before. I got a little emotional. Thank you. I’m... I’m very happy."
"Oh, you silly child, what’s there to cry about? This isn’t anything fancy. Our Grace has been a picky eater since she was little, so we’re very particular about food here. You should come over often, and I’ll make more for you." Irene Lynch smiled and shook her head. It was clear at a glance that this girl, Joanne, had suffered a great deal.
The more she looked at her, the more her heart ached. After a moment of thought, she asked, "Dear, I feel such a connection with you. Why don’t I take you as my goddaughter? It’s the first time our Grace has brought a friend home, so you two must be very close."
Joanne Chase was completely taken aback. She didn’t think her relationship with Grace was that good; they were just roommates. Before this, they had hardly even spoken a word to each other.
If she hadn’t worked up the courage to ask Grace to borrow her notes, their paths might never have crossed.
"I..." Joanne Chase hesitated, conflicted.
’I want this kind of life so badly. I want a gentle mother like this to be kind to me, even if it’s just an extravagant hope. But I know my place. I can’t dare to hope for too much.’
"My mom rarely makes an offer like this. If you refuse, she’ll be heartbroken. Her biggest regret was not having another daughter, leaving me all alone. You should hurry and say yes," Grace said, sensing Joanne’s hesitation and deciding to give her a little push.
Joanne Chase was still hesitating.
"You’re not saying yes... Is it because you don’t like me?" Irene Lynch’s face instantly filled with sadness.
How could Joanne Chase possibly refuse now? She quickly agreed.
"Oh my, I have a goddaughter now? Remember to mention this when you write to your brother and sister-in-law. Tell them to prepare two of every gift from now on."
"Oh, Joy, you must come home often from now on. You look younger than Grace, so just call her ’Big Sis’. Don’t be so formal with her."
Grace was speechless. "Mom, are you just casting aside your old favorite for a new one? Am I not your most precious treasure anymore?"