When Ashley and Andrew sat on the sofa, Andrew immediately noticed that Ashley was being stiff. He
pinched her hand and asked, "Are you nervous?"
Ashley glared at Andrew and replied, "Yes. This is the first time I'm meeting your grandfather. How
could I not be nervous?"
Andrew seemed to be in a more relaxed mood than Ashley.
Andrew comforted Ashley, "Don't worry. They're all very nice."
Soon after, Bertha walked out of the kitchen holding two cups of coffee. She placed them in front of
Andrew and Ashley.
"Mr. Andrew and Mrs. Ashley, here's your coffee."
Andrew took the cup of coffee and had a sip.
Ashley seldom drank coffee. As she drank the coffee, she thought it was too bitter and didn't like it.
She noticed how easily Andrew was drinking his coffee and thought if she should be more like that.
'Well, I bet he drinks a lot of coffee that he doesn't mind that it's bitter anymore, ' Ashley thought
inwardly.
Bertha, who was standing aside, noticed that Ashley wasn't drinking her coffee. She commented,
"Ashley, you don't like the coffee?"
Ashley quickly waved her hands and said, "No, no. I just don't want to drink it right now."
Bertha lightly said, "Mr. Andrew likes his coffee really bitter. Mrs. Ashley, wait here. I prepared a glass
of lemonade for you. It's lovely to drink in this weather."
Before Ashley could refuse, Bertha had already run into the kitchen. Not a minute had passed when
she came out holding a glass of lemonade. She promptly handed it to Ashley.
The tall, crystal glass contained clear, yellow lemonade with a single lemon inside. It looked extremely
enticing to drink.
Ashley picked up the glass and took a sip. It was cool as it had some ice in it and the blend of both
sweet and sour was refreshing.
Ashley said softly, "Thank you, Bertha."
Bertha waved her hands. "You're welcome, Mrs. Ashley. I'm glad you like it."
Ashley flushed upon hearing this.
She bashfully glanced at Andrew upon hearing how Bertha referred to her.
This didn't go unnoticed by Bertha—she smiled to herself.
At that moment, Porter had come back. He announced, "Mr. Andrew, Mr. Lu's here now."
Both Andrew and Ashley stood up. By the door of the villa, there stood an old man who was about sixty
or seventy years old. His hair was gray but he didn't look weak. He was wearing a Tang suit and
holding a large pair of scissors in his hand. His entire body was littered with leaves as if he had just
been to the forest.
When Chant came in, Andrew took Ashley's hand as they walked over to greet him.
Andrew looked at Ashley, gently squeezed her hand and said, "This is my grandfather."
Ashley looked at Chant and greeted him.
Even though Chant's hair was graying, his eyes were sharp as ever. When he looked over at Ashley
and Andrew, he had an indifferent look on his face.
"I have to change my clothes first," Chant said to Andrew in the indifferent tone that he seemed to use
all the time.
Ashley couldn't take her eyes off Chant. Now she knew why Andrew was the way he is.
As Ashley looked over at Chant, she didn't expect to meet his sharp eyes.
She held his gaze in surprise for a few seconds before turning away.
Bertha greeted Chant. He nodded to Bertha and then went upstairs.
When Chant was already upstairs, Ashley heaved a sigh of relief. She looked at Andrew who was next
to her and said in a low voice, "Andy, does he not like me?"
'He looks so strict. It's as if he doesn't like me.
Does not he like me?' Ashley thought to herself.
Andrew glanced at Ashley and said, "What made you say that?"
Ashley curled her lips and said, "He looks so strict. He didn't even smile when he first saw us. That
entire time, he kept a straight face. I don't think he likes me."
The more she talked, the more upset she felt.
'Andrew's grandfather doesn't like me.
What should I do?' thought Ashley.
Andrew looked at Ashley who was frowning. He said easily, "Don't worry. Grandfather is always like
that."
Meanwhile, Bertha had been closely watching Ashley. She saw Ashley and Andrew whispering to one
another and she had a pretty good guess, why they could be talking like that.
'Mrs. Ashley seems lovely. Mr. Lu will definitely like her, ' thought Bertha.
She then caught Porter gesturing for her to go over to him.
Later on, Porter and Bertha were busy discussing things as they both looked at Andrew and Ashley.
After a while, Chant finally came back downstairs.
Chant was now wearing a dark gray Tang suit. He was almost as tall as Andrew and his eyes were
sharp as ever.
Andrew had just sat down next to Ashley who was on the sofa. She grabbed Andrew's hand in fear.
Chant remained silent as he watched this whole scenario unfold.
Ashley was still nervous about Chant.
"What made you come visit today?" Chant inquired.
Andrew said, "No special occasion.
Grandfather, this is the gift that Ashley has bought for you, your favorite West Lake Longjing tea."
Andrew handed a beautiful box to Chant who placed it next to him.
Chant looked at Ashley and said, "Well, thank you."
Ashley sat up straight when she saw Chant looking at her.
She failed to notice the eye contact that Chant and Andrew had maintained as they talked.
"This reminds me of a calligraphy painting that I have in my study. Would you mind bringing it to me,
Andy?"
Chant said as he looked at Andrew.
Andrew looked at Ashley worriedly.
Chant's face turned gloomy. He looked at Andrew and said, "Well, faster. Are you scared I'll question
Ashley when you're gone?"
Ashley gently pulled Andrew's sleeves in response.
Andrew helplessly looked at Ashley as he said, "Just wait here. I'll be back."
Ashley said, "Okay."
When Andrew left, only Chant and Ashley were sitting on the sofa.
Ashley made sure she didn't move as she held the glass of lemonade in her hands.
Bertha was busy with something in the kitchen and Porter had gone somewhere else.
'Looks like they don't have many servants here, '
Ashley thought as she took a sip of lemonade.
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