However, Marco was unfamiliar with the rural environment and had no idea where these creatures might appear. He nced at


    the ground beneath his feet and discreetly stomped a few times, hoping topact the earth and dissuade any venomous


    critters from emerging.


    Just then, Loraine rose onto her tiptoes, nted a quick peck on


    N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    Marco’s forehead, and then slipped out of his grasp, bounding a few steps ahead.


    With a gleaming smile on her face, she beamed with delight, “Sorry, I was only teasing.”


    Marco stood momentarily stupefied by the kiss, absently touching his forehead. Then, a slow smile spread across his handsome


    features, as he realized Loraine had merely pulled a prank. He quickly hurried after her.


    Soon enough, he caught up with her and reimed her hand, which she did not resist this time.


    Who could have thought that the tender and affectionate man beside her used to be a cold, unfeeling iceberg?


    A warm sensation blossomed within Loraine, and she found herself hoping that their journey could


    extend just a bit longer.


    Regrettably, no matter how winding the rural road was, it inevitably came to an end. In less than half an


    hour, they had reached its terminus.


    The countryside unfolded before them, dotted with modest houses and asionally interspersed with a


    few Larger structures.


    As evening fell, the chirps of insects echoed through the fields, and the post-sunset air mingled with the


    sweet scent of grass, painting a unique pastoral ambiance.


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    Hand in hand, Marco walked leisurely with Loraine, murmuring, “Loraine, if you love this ce, how


    about we construct a vi here? Just the two of us, immersed in this tranquility. What do you say?”


    Loraine, picturing such a scenario, felt a stir in her heart but quipped, “Forget it, you can’t even farm.


    How can you Live here?”


    Marco offered a sheepish smile.


    At this moment, a white structure caught their eye-a two-story building with walls of peeling paint. It was


    quaint and timeworn, yet it maintained a well-kept air.


    A small yground adorned the courtyard, buzzing with over a dozen children-each as sprightly as


    Little sprouts-running and ying, their jubnt Laughter contagious.


    Loraine gazed fondly at the frolicking children, whispering, “When we were young, Mrs. Harvey would


    personally lead us in games. The children at the orphanage rarely went to kindergarten; all of our


    education came from her.”


    Marco tenderly held her hand in his, his eyes filled with warmth as he looked at her.


    Suddenly, a basketball rolled to their feet. A child sprinted over to retrieve it, d in clean, slightly oversized clothes emzoned


    with the Universe Group logo-likely donated by thepany.


    The child cast a brief nce at them before racing back to his friends, shouting, “Mrs. Harvey, we have guests!”


    A white-haired elderly woman with a cane emerged from the house. She wore reading sses and bore a kind smile. As she


    squinted at Loraine and Marco, she suddenly froze, her expression turning to one of disbelief.


    Eloise rubbed her eyes and looked at Loraine, still in disbelief.


    “Are you… Lorrie?”