Chapter 878


    Julia suddenly spoke up, "Michael, I don''t hate you. In fact, I''m really grateful to you."


    She had always felt she never properly thanked Michael.


    At her words, Michael was momentarily taken aback. Everyone called him ''the troublemaker,'' but Julia


    was the only one who called him by his real name. He hadn''t expected her to know it, let alone call him


    that, and a wave of joy washed over him.


    After she spoke, Julia looked down and continued walking forward.


    From that day forward, Michael no longer followed behind her; instead, they walked side by side. As


    time went on, they found themselves conversing and sharing their thoughts more frequently.


    Thinking back on everything, Julia felt a gentle warmth inside.


    Breaking into a smile, Julia said, "Come on, tonight I''ll cook up some steak and potatoes for you."


    "You''re the best, babe. You know that''s just my kind of meal."


    Alyssa spotted the pair from afar, chatting andughing as they approached. Her heart was torn


    between happiness and struggle. She kept telling herself she was just there to take a quick look. She


    couldn''t and wouldn''t interfere with Julia and Michael''s rtionship. Just a nce was enough to


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    satisfy her.


    That evening, the rain had stopped.


    Julia''s mom had gone out of her way to prepare a feast of hearty country dishes.


    Julia''s mom said, "Eat up, Alyssa, you''re ady of fine upbringing, so I''m not sure if our simple fare will


    suit your taste."


    Julia''s home was modest, but it was spotless, every detail meticulously cared for. The table was old


    and worn, but polished smooth over time, as if it had been waxed.


    Alyssa took a bite of the pot roast and eximed, "This is the best pot roast I''ve ever had. Our cook


    back home can''t hold a candle to you."


    She was speaking from the heart. Country cooking had a charm all its own.


    That night, the four of them gathered around the small square table,den with delicious food.


    Alyssa had her fill.


    Julia''s mother grew fond of her, finding her lively and endearing, with none of the airs of a privileged


    youngdy.


    After the meal, Michael took the initiative to clean up the dishes, and Julia stood by to help.


    Back in those days, there was no running water in the countryside. Water had to be fetched from the


    well.


    Julia helped with the water as Michael squatted down to wash the dishes. Every now and then, Julia


    would ssh water on Michael''s face. Michael warned her time and again, but Julia seemed to delight


    in teasing him.


    Finally, Michael stood up, grabbed Julia''s hand, and kissed her.


    Julia, startled, said, "Alyssa is watching from the doorway."


    Indeed, Alyssa had been sitting on a little stool by the door for quite some time, watching Julia and


    Michael like a live romance movie.


    Sometimes, as she watched their sweet interactions, Alyssa felt happy. But as she continued to watch,


    an illusion took hold of her. It was as if she was the one joking andughing with Michael. She felt,


    unwittingly, as if she had stepped into their lives.


    Michael then called out to Alyssa, "Girl, turn around. What''sing up is not suitable for children."


    Alyssa blushed and turned away, but she could still picture Michael kissing Julia in her mind.


    Yes, back then, she was the youngest. Everyone treated her like a child.


    Julia eventually wriggled free from Michael''s embrace.


    He didn''t stay long after that; he had to head back. His home was in a small town a few miles away.


    Julia walked him out, but it was a long time before she returned.