Chapter 500 Warm Reception
The next day, Nicholas drove Rachel home.
Last time Rachel went on vacation, she had been there but hadn't explored the village, so the scenery was still somewhat familiar to her.
Nicholas's family house was newly built, the first one of a row of small villas in the countryside, clean and tidy. There was a large open space at the entrance for parking.
As soon as Nicholas's car stopped, before they even got out, a group of people came out to greet them.
Rachel, who had already calmed down, got nervous again seeing so many people surrounding them. Her legs felt stiff, and she couldn't move.
Nicholas got out of the car, opened the door for her, and held her hand to help her out.
Rachel clung tightly to his hand, feeling extremely anxious. Nicholas gently rubbed her thumb without saying a word.
Standing at the front of the crowd was Nicholas's mom, a very down-to-earth woman who had worked hard in the fields. She had a sincere smile on her face and seemed a bit embarrassed to be at the front of the crowd.
"Mom, this is Rachel," Nicholas introduced.
"Hello, Nancy," Rachel greeted her, following Nicholas's lead.
"Hello, Rachel, come in," Nancy said with a beaming smile. Behind her were relatives, friends, and quite a few children.
The group, all smiling, escorted Rachel and Nicholas into the house. Everyone's enthusiasm gradually made Rachel relax.
Inside, Nicholas's grandparents also came to greet them. Nicholas's grandma held Rachel's hand, clearly delighted, and kept praising her.
Nancy quickly brought out some fruits and snacks and then immediately went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Nicholas, worried that Rachel might feel uncomfortable, stayed by her side the whole time, which made her feel much more at ease.
The relatives and friends didn't ask Rachel any questions; they just kept complimenting her looks and saying how lucky Nicholas was to have such a wonderful girlfriend.
Nicholas's family had modest means when he was young. Most people in the village were farmers. It wasn't until after he graduated and returned to develop tourism that everyone's lives improved. He had always been a top student, winning many awards, and he helped the village prosper, so his family was very beloved in the village.
The villagers were very grateful to him, so when he brought his girlfriend back, almost the entire village came to congratulate and see them. People came and went in waves, all bringing food, and soon the entrance was piled high.
Rachel couldn't help but be amazed. She hadn't expected Nicholas to be so popular in the village, with fans of all ages.
After lunch, the crowd gradually dispersed. Rachel then took out the gifts she had brought. There were too many people earlier, and many were relatives she hadn't anticipated, and she had only prepared gifts for his grandparents and parents. Now that there were fewer people, she handed out the gifts.
The grandparents were very happy with the gifts, and Nancy, while pleased, kept saying not to spend money unnecessarily and that just coming was enough.
Rachel felt the warmth of family here, just like Nicholas did when he visited her family, a feeling of genuine and sincere home.
After lunch, Nicholas took Rachel for a walk around the village. The stream where he used to play as a kid was still there. As they walked, Nicholas shared stories from his childhood.
Rachel listened closely, especially when Nicholas talked about going fishing with his classmates, falling into the river, and getting all muddy. He had thought he’d get a scolding when he got home, but his mom was so scared she quickly heated water to give him a bath and change his clothes.
Rachel felt that Nancy was a very wise person. Many mothers would first blame their children when something happened, which, over time, could make children feel insecure. She remembered a classmate from school who would get very nervous about anything and was afraid to tell her parents. Over time, she stopped communicating with her family and handled everything on her own.
So, Nicholas's excellence was undoubtedly due to the education from the Johnsons.
The two walked around the village, and Nicholas told Rachel what it used to be like. From his words, it was clear that things had changed a lot.
In the evening, Nancy took Rachel to the room prepared for her, next to Nicholas's. The bed, quilt, and sheets were all new, showing that they had been taken seriously.
They stayed for one night and then returned to the city.
Before they left, Nancy packed their trunk with farm products, all homegrown, and some from neighbors, including fresh vegetables and dried goods. She held Rachel's hand and said with a smile, "Rachel, come visit us whenever you have time. It's not far, okay?"
"Okay, thank you, Mrs. Johnson. I will definitely come," Rachel replied with a smile.
On the way back to Horizon City, Nicholas asked her about the house. Rachel had looked at a few online during the holidays and had arranged to meet an agent to see them in person after the New Year. She planned to move closer to her studio for convenience.
She excitedly told Nicholas about her plans. Nicholas, holding the steering wheel, pursed his lips and looked ahead, showing no emotion. After a moment of silence, he asked, "When are you going to see the houses? I'll make time to go with you. I don't feel comfortable with you going alone."
"It's okay, you just focus on your work. I've already talked to the agent, and I can go by myself," Rachel said nonchalantly.
At that moment, the car stopped in front of the apartment building.
Nicholas sat in the car, seemingly not intending to get out, and just stared at Rachel with a somewhat aggrieved look in his eyes.
Rachel cautiously asked, "Nicholas, are you okay? What's wrong?"
Nicholas's lips moved slightly. "Rachel, I'm your boyfriend, right?"
Rachel nodded, not understanding.
"So, can you rely on me a bit more, please?" Nicholas said softly.
Rachel was stunned for a moment, then realized that she had always been independent, never troubling others with things she could handle herself. Suddenly, someone was telling her she could rely on them, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She threw her arms around Nicholas and whispered in his ear, "Okay."
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