Chapter 463 - 398: Repaying a Drop of Kindness by Pledging Oneself
Chapter 463: Chapter 398: Repaying a Drop of Kindness by Pledging Oneself
Night fell, and the various teams that had gone out from the mountain village returned with their catches. Oscar Owen came home with two enormous carp, placing one in a wooden basin outside the courtyard.
The weather was freezing cold, and the temperature in the mountains was even lower than in the outside world. The fish, which he had killed with a Wind Blade, wouldn’t spoil.
He carried the other one, intending to ask his mother, Lianne Kendall, to join him for dinner at Mr. Goldsmith’s house. However, a neighbor told him that his mother had already gone on ahead to wait for him.
Oscar Owen arrived at Winston and Marina Goldsmith’s home, carrying the large carp, which was longer and thicker than his own forearm.
The moment he stepped through the door, he was greeted by the fragrant aroma of food. Oscar Owen smiled as he pushed the door open and went inside.
In the mountain village, every home was simply furnished. The dining table was right by the main entrance. On a square, old pearwood table, more than ten different meat and vegetable dishes were laid out.
"Well now, what’s the special occasion? Mr. Goldsmith, Fisher, why’d you make so much food? Looks like I’m in for a treat!"
Winston Goldsmith’s face was unusually ruddy, whether from drinking or something else. Marina Goldsmith was the same; she had put on rouge and lipstick. Seeing Oscar Owen come in with the fish, she hurried over to take it from him.
She took the enormous carp, glancing shyly at Oscar Owen. "Big Mr. Owens, please, have a seat. I’ll take the fish to the kitchen and clean it. I’ll make you some braised fish in a bit."
Winston Goldsmith watched his daughter dash off with the fish like a gust of wind and shook his head with a smile.
"Oscar, have a seat! Come and try Fisher’s cooking. She’s been busy all afternoon making this specially for you!"
Lianne Kendall smiled as she slowly chewed her food, but inwardly, she saw everything as clear as day.
’I know my son’s looks all too well. Before the apocalypse, he was a walking hormone, attracting women wherever he went.’
’How could this girl from a remote mountain village possibly resist my son’s charm?’
’However, while Winston Goldsmith and his daughter are just mountain folk, this isn’t the world before the apocalypse anymore. One is a High-level Gold Ability User, and the other is a Middle-level Fog Element user—a variation of the Water Element. In this post-apocalyptic world, they’re a worthy match for my son.’
’And then there’s life in the mountains—working at sunrise and resting at sunset, without all the chaos of the city. I’ve grown used to it. It would be rather nice to live out my life here.’
’It’s just that I know my son too well.’
’Even after all this time since the apocalypse began, he spends his days leveling up and hunting to provide a good life for me, but his heart has never truly been here.’
’I’m not against Marina Goldsmith becoming my daughter-in-law. The girl is simple, hardworking, and has no ulterior motives. She’s also very cute.’
’If my son accepts her, I won’t object. After all, times have changed.’
"Fisher’s cooking has really improved," Lianne said. "Even I couldn’t make these dishes this well!"
Hearing the praise from the dining room, Marina Goldsmith was overjoyed in the kitchen. She threw all her energy into making a few more of her specialty dishes. As she remembered the reason they had invited Oscar Owen and his mother over, her face flushed red with shyness once again.
The glow from the stove lit up her flushed face, but it couldn’t compare to the heat she felt in her heart.
Oscar Owen ate his food and had a few drinks with Winston Goldsmith, his own face growing slightly flushed.
With some liquor in his belly, Winston Goldsmith was finally ready to bring up the topic.
"Lianne," Winston began, "Oscar isn’t a boy anymore. Is there anyone he’s taken a liking to?"
Lianne Kendall shook her head, her smile never fading. "It’s the apocalypse now. We don’t even know how many of our old friends survived, so how could he possibly be seeing someone?
"As you know, Mr. Goldsmith, we came all the way from Janton. That’s so far away... The people and things of our past are gone now. We have no family or support to rely on here... sigh!"
"That’s true. But since the apocalypse began, this place has become like your home," Winston said. "Come on, let’s not dwell on the past. Let’s have a drink. To living a good life from here on out!"
Lianne Kendall raised her cup and clinked it against Winston Goldsmith’s, taking a small sip. Oscar Owen’s eyes, however, flickered. He didn’t raise his cup for the toast. Instead, he simply picked it up and silently downed the liquor in one go.
"Excellent! Oscar is a real man! Come, have another round with Mr. Goldsmith!"
Oscar Owen picked up the old wine jug from under the table and refilled his and Winston Goldsmith’s cups. The two men started drinking again.
In the kitchen, preparing the fish, Marina Goldsmith heard them starting to discuss serious matters at the table, and her ears had already perked up.
"Oscar, tell your uncle the truth," Winston said. "Have you ever thought about starting a family here, about settling down for good?"