Chapter 455 Contentment
When would these days of being apart more than together finally end? Why was it so hard to love and stay close?
Time felt too short, and there was so much to do. I couldn't afford to wallow in sadness.
I quickly showered and changed, planning to grab a snack before meeting up with Elliot and Bronte. But then I noticed a few takeout bags and a note on the small round table by the window. [Baby, these are your favorite sandwiches and porridge. Make sure to eat it all. I've packed your luggage and added two thick coats. The conditions in the mountains are tough, take care of yourself. Contact me if you need anything. Love you, baby!]
Maybe it was written in a rush; the handwriting on the note was a bit messy but still bold.
When I picked up the porridge cup, it was still warm, warming not just my hands but also my heart.
"Hey, sweetheart, I'm off to work now. I'll do my best to earn some money for you. Just wait for me." I sent a voice message.
I patted my face, feeling a little flush from being coy. I put my phone away, grabbed my suitcase, and left the hotel with surprisingly light steps.
Later, I arrived at the meeting spot, where about ten young people were gathered. Bronte was holding a small notebook and talking to them, while the others nodded in agreement.
Bronte looked up, spotted me, put away her notebook, and waved with a smile. "Jane's here! Come on, let's hop on the bus!"
Elliot took my suitcase and put it away. The group boarded a yellow minibus.
They were all young people with plenty of shared interests, which made the bumpy, long journey much less boring.
A junior from the geology department vividly described some funny incidents from his first field trip with his professor, making everyone laugh.
Bronte, being outgoing and straightforward, laughed heartily and shared a funny story of her own.
They were talking about professional stuff that I hadn't been exposed to, so I just listened quietly.
Elliot didn't speak either, always listening with a smile, but his eyes almost never left Bronte. He was very gentle.
Bronte sometimes glanced at him, but he would quickly look away, pretending nothing had happened, careful not to let her catch his gaze.
What was he hiding? If Bronte never noticed, when would Elliot's secret crush turn into an open one?
It was no wonder there were so many experts in the geology department. Elliot had to muster the courage to ask Bronte out; that was his goal.
However, Bronte was as free as the wind. Loving someone so free-spirited meant Elliot's journey to win her heart might have been long and challenging.
The minibus had shaken for a grueling eight and a half hours before finally arriving at their destination.
The place we stayed was pre-booked in the nearest small village to the mountains, where a mudslide had previously caused damage.
The village head, Cooper Hart, knew we were there for exploration and was very enthusiastic, allowing us to use the village office while he relocated his work elsewhere.It was a pretty spacious courtyard. I counted eight rooms, which was just right for our group.
There were thirteen of us—four girls and nine guys—so with two people per room, it worked out perfectly. Elliot had a room to himself, and another room was used as storage, which was just right.
By the time we arrived, it was already dark, and Cooper had been waiting for us. When he saw the bus pull in, he quickly called someone to open the gate, helped us with our luggage, and started preparing dinner, saying he wanted to treat us well.
To my surprise, Cooper actually remembered me. He greeted me with a smile and asked why Brad didn't come, saying the kids missed him.
Hearing this, I was puzzled. During the emergency rescue, we could do very little. The professional teams did the real work, and we were just there to assist.
Cooper had only seen us twice during our group meetings, without formally introducing himself. What I remembered most was his face, twisted with anxiety; all the wrinkles seemed smoothed out, leaving only a deep sense of concern etched in his expression.
I asked, "You remember me?"
Cooper replied, "Yes; you're Brad's girlfriend. When Brad was teaching here, I mentioned that I would introduce him to a nice girl, but he told me he already had a girlfriend and even showed me your photo."
So that was how it was. I had thought it was the rescue scene that had made Cooper remember me, but it turned out to be the photo.
But did Brad really have a photo of me on his phone? I had never noticed it before. It seemed I would need to check his phone the next time we met.
At that time, Cooper brought out a rectangular plastic container from his house, half-filled with a clear liquid. Elliot said it was homemade moonshine.
"This is good stuff. I don't share it with just anyone. My wife doesn't let me drink at home, but today, I can indulge a little while treating you." After saying that, Cooper took a sip, closed his eyes, let the liquid linger in his mouth for a moment, then swallowed it with satisfaction, his eyes shining with contentment.
Though the moonshine was homemade, it was genuine grain alcohol. It had a particularly good taste and filled the air with a special fragrance.
The guys who had come with us were drawn in; they took several sips and ended up with flushed cheeks and dreamy eyes, mimicking Cooper by grabbing some snacks and listening to his stories with admiration.
Cooper remarked, "Life is much better now; there's no need to dwell on past hardships. I hope your exploration goes well. If it does, there will be jobs, and I can bring back the people who've had to leave. If there's money to be made at home, why go elsewhere? You can't imagine the struggles they face out there. Many don't have the education for technical jobs and are stuck with manual labor. Last year, a guy, just in his thirties, had an accident on a construction site and lost a leg. It broke my heart. I have two years left as village head, and I want to do something meaningful for the villagers. If you succeed, I'll be truly satisfied."
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