SWNOVELS Chapter 68 Countryside
At night, the lights were still on in the Gu's mansion.
Jonas returned home, utterly exhausted, after a day of social engagement. When he walked in, the hallway was eerily silent and
Gavin informed that Nelson had gone to the countryside.
"Mr. Nelson told me that he was going to visit his old friend. Mrs. Gu is accompanying him, so you don't have to worry about
him."
Gavin smiled and told everything that Nelson wanted him to convey. Nelson wanted Jonas to understand how kind and sweet
Melinda was.
"Why has Melinda taken Grandpa with her? Doesn't she know that he is too weak to travel? Grandpa is always kind to her but
she's being plain selfish,"
Yulia grunted in annoyance. She turned around, and her heart leapt to her throat when she met Jonas's cold eyes that were
blazing at her.
She quickly closed her mouth, swallowed loudly, and turned away.
"Err... Am I... am I wrong, Jonas?"
Yulia asked nervously. Jonas glared at her and then looked at Gavin.
"Who else have gone with him?"
"Two drivers and two groups of bodyguards in disguise."
Nelson was popular in A City, and he usually stayed in the mansion. He would be armed by bodyguards every time he went out.
"Hasn't the medical team gone with him?" Jonas frowned.
Although Gavin was always cautious, Jonas couldn't stop worrying about his grandfather.
"One of the drivers is a doctor. So stop worrying, Mr. Jonas."
Gavin smiled. He was happy that Jonas cared about Nelson.
Jonas nodded and decided not to question further. Yulia was disappointed that Jonas wasn't mad at Melinda, so she continued
to degrade her.
"That's enough, Yulia. Stop it. I don't want you creating trouble for Melinda anymore."
Jonas finally understood Melinda. Yulia always spoke ill of Melinda, especially when she was alone with him. But Melinda always
tolerated everything without complaining. God knew how Yulia would sneer at Melinda without his presence.
Yulia pursed her lips and stared at Jonas as anger boiled in her stomach. Melinda was an outsider, yet she was protected by
everyone in the Gu family.
"Fine," Yulia mumbled.
Without Nelson and Melinda, the dining table was quiet. Queena seldom ate at home. Yulia was still embarrassed about what
Jonas said. She took a bite of food and went back to her room.
Jonas was all alone. He glanced at Melinda's seat and couldn't help but miss her.
Although Jonas and Melinda argued all the time, Melinda always cared for him. She always made sure he was okay.
Perhaps he had misunderstood her all this time. She was a hundred times better than what he thought her to be.
A sudden idea cropped in his mind. He wanted to go to the countryside and apologize to Melinda for everything he had done.
"Mr. Jonas, William asked me to remind you of a meeting that's scheduled for tonight,"
Gavin said, giving the phone to Jonas. Jonas couldn't eat anymore. He stood up and instructed William to deal with the places
that need attention.
The table was full of delicious dishes that were untouched.
It was a tiring journey and Melinda had slept in the car for a good while. Nelson's face was pale as he had just recovered from a
serious illness.
"Grandpa, your face looks pale." Melinda frowned.
"It's okay. We're about to reach anyway," Nelson beamed.
"Okay, let me know if you're not feeling well. We can stop for a while."
Melinda slowed down and peered at the surroundings. There was a stone road with small steps that led to her home. She had to
take a detour if she wanted to go straight to the door.
The house of the Mo family in the countryside was a three-story building. There was a big yard in front of the house, teeming
with flowers and fruit pots. The fruits were still green and it would take time for them to become succulent and juicy.
"Leonard has done a good job with the yard. He loves enjoying the little things in life,"
Nelson said dotingly as his eyes roamed across the yard.
"Grandpa, watch your step,"
Melinda said as Nelson was lost in his world.
"Is Mellie back?"
A female voice rang from afar. An old woman in plain clothes and an apron ran towards Melinda. Although she looked old, her
steps were steady.
"Grandma!"
Melinda squealed with happiness. Finny's eyes widened when she saw Nelson standing beside Melinda. "Isn't this Nelson?" she
asked. "My husband always talks about you and Mellie all day long."
"Is Nelson here?" A deep voice resonated in the yard as Leonard breezed out of the house.
The two comrades-in-arms looked at each other as a wave of emotions engulfed them. They went back in time, reminiscing the
old days.
"Grandpa, how are you?" Melinda asked quizzically.
Her grandmother had informed her that Leonard was ill. Finny had been lamenting his illness, but the two of them were looking
happy and there was not a trace of illness in Leonard's face.
Leonard coughed and scratched his head, grinning sheepishly. Melinda looked at her grandparents worriedly. She couldn't
understand what was going on.
Finny poked Leonard on the ribs and glared at him. "Your grandfather is just fine. He missed you, so he came up with a stupid
plan to bring you home."
Melinda's jaw dropped in shock. She glanced at Leonard who was grinning like a naughty schoolboy. Melinda couldn't help but
smile at him. "Grandpa, if you miss me, just call me, and I'll be here. Don't scare me like this."
"Ah, Nelson, we haven't seen each other in a long time. Come with me. I'll take you around and show you the beauty of the
countryside. The air is pure here. I think back then..."
Leonard's voice faded as he walked out with Nelson. Melinda smiled at her grandfather. He was still the mischievous man, full of
life. She shook her head and went back to the house with Finny.
The two drivers followed Melinda with big bags in their hands.
"You don't need to buy me all these," Finny said.
"It's not a big deal, Grandma. I've started writing and it pays me well. I just felt like getting something for you and Grandpa."
Finny had prepared dinner and tidied the bedroom for Melinda. Melinda took a shower and changed into clean clothes, which
made her feel better.
When Melinda went to the dining table, Leonard and Nelson walked in. The two had missed each other and couldn't stop talking.
Although Leonard had feigned illness to see Melinda, he completely forgot about her for a while.
"Thank you for taking care of my granddaughter."
Leonard patted Nelson's shoulder and smiled gratefully. Leonard was initially reluctant about Melinda's marriage. But Melinda
had tried hard to convince him and he was left with no choice but to agree.
"Melinda is a wonderful girl who deserves only the best. It makes me guilty at times..."
Nelson opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. His face flustered with embarrassment when he glanced at
Melinda. They were having a good time and he didn't want to ruin it by mentioning the hard days Melinda had faced in the Gu's
mansion.
"Melinda told me that you've been discharged from the hospital. Your temperament must be changed," Leonard said.
"I've been like this for most of my life. I can't change it."
"You need to stop worrying. Your grandchildren will shoulder the responsibilities. Just sit back and enjoy your time."
Leonard knew that Nelson had devoted his entire life to Soaring Group. Although Jonas was taking care of the company, he
couldn't stop worrying about it. Leonard felt that they were old and it was time to live their lives happily. He wanted Nelson to
leave in peace in the countryside just like him.
"My grandson Jonas is always impatient. I can deal with him only for two years, maximum. After that, I'm planning to come here
and live happily," Nelson said.
After dinner, Leonard and Nelson were chatting happily and Melinda didn't want to disturb them. She helped Finny clean the
dishes and went out for a walk.
The countryside was serene, devoid of the hustle and bustle of the city. The fresh fragrance of flowers wafted in the air and the
humming of insects brought a sense of calmness. Nothing was more beautiful than watching the sunset in pavilions. People
usually chatted in the evening and occasionally watched troupes performing.
Melinda hadn't come here for a long time. The place was both strange and familiar to her. She was happy to see some friendly
faces and greeted them one after the other.
"Melinda is back. Gosh, she has become more beautiful. Finny, you're lucky to have an incredible granddaughter," one of them
said.
"Well, your granddaughter is beautiful too. We both are lucky." Finny smiled.
A permanent grin was etched across Finny's face. She took Melinda everywhere to show everyone that her granddaughter was
back. Melinda patiently followed her everywhere. Finny's chest swelled with pride as everyone praised Melinda.
"Melinda, I remember you and Lina were best friends when you were little. She has come back. Do you want to see her?"
"Oh my God! Lina is back. Where is she?" Melinda asked, her eyes widened with shock.
Melinda's entire life had changed after marriage and she had lost touch with all her friends. She had been busy dealing with her
problems in A City, while Lina moved to different cities for work.
"Yeah, she came back two days ago. She has been asking about you."
"Grandma, I'm going to find Lina." Melinda grinned happily and turned around to go to Lina's house.
The path to Lina's house was still vivid in her memories. Her heart filled with joy as she ran across the familiar places where she
used to play as a child. Melinda gasped for breath and stopped in front of a small yard. Two ironwoods were flourishing on either
side of the gate.
"Lina!" Melinda shouted happily.
She heard footsteps that grew louder as a young woman came out and opened the door.
Lina had curly maroon hair and her bare face looked flawless even without makeup.
"Mellie, it's you. Oh my God!" Lina clamped her mouth with her hand. "I thought my mother was just joking. Come on in."
Lina hugged Melinda and ushered her into the house.
There was no awkwardness between them even though Lina and Melinda hadn't stayed in touch. Lina was Melinda's best friend
and she always cherished their friendship.
Lina told everything about her husband and in-laws.
"Are you married?" Melinda asked in shock.
"Yeah. You're a bad friend, Mellie. You don't even know that I'm married," Lina pouted.
Melinda bit her lip and smiled apologetically. Finny thought that Lina and Melinda were still in touch and didn't mention about
Lina's marriage.
But Lina was thrilled to talk about her husband and how her life had changed after marriage. Although Lina's husband was an
ordinary man, she loved him with all her heart. They were living a happy life.
"I always think my life changes after marriage." Lina's voice was thick with emotion.
Her eyes sparkled with happiness as her dream had come true. Melinda couldn't help but envy her best friend. Her marriage was
a disaster. Her entire life had turned into a horrible nightmare after getting married to Jonas.