Remaining Days, Please Advise

sweet

"Thank you," Chris replied nonchalantly.

It was then that Elena noticed Chris had flour on his hands, making it inconvenient for him to eat by himself.

Under Chris's intense gaze, Elena picked up a macaron and held it out to him, her voice soft, "It's a bit hot, be careful."

Chris took a small bite, "It's very sweet."

"Sweet?" Elena asked in confusion, "That can't be right. Grandpa Quant has high blood pressure, so Auntie always controls the sugar. It’s never been sweet before."

"Why don't you try it?"

With only one gloved hand, Elena couldn’t pick it up easily, so she leaned in and took a small bite.

"It’s not sweet at all."

Her green eyes shone with a gentle light as she asked innocently, "Do you not like sweet things?"

"I have a sweet tooth," Chris said, his gaze sweeping over her pink lips, his eyes darkening as his voice lowered, "But the cake fed by Mrs. Patrick is especially sweet."

Elena was stunned for a moment, and a flush quickly spread across her face, her eyes soft enough to melt.

She whispered, "Be serious!"

After speaking, she stole a glance at the chef, relieved to see that he was focused on cooking.

Turning back, she met Chris's smiling eyes, and her cheeks warmed once again.

Chris's gaze fell on the dessert in Elena’s hand, "It’ll get cold soon."

Understanding his meaning, Elena fed Chris a few more bites.

After feeding him one dessert, Elena felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Even when she participated in the Arpeggio Piano Competition, her heart hadn’t raced this fast.

Holding two plates of desserts, Elena prepared to leave, and Chris casually took one from her hands.

Their fingertips brushed, sending a tingly sensation through Elena's entire hand.

Not dwelling on it, she hurried out with the dessert, feeling as though she was fleeing the scene.

She wasn’t sure why, but today, being around Chris made her feel completely out of control.

These were feelings Elena had never experienced before.

Setting down the desserts, Elena said, "Grandpa, the first batch of desserts is ready. Please try them."

Old Mr. Jones wasn’t in a hurry to eat. Noticing Chris behind Elena, he said, "Perfect timing, why don't you take the other plate to your Grandpa Quant? Let him get acquainted with Chris."

Chris responded, "Sure."

After leaving the kitchen, the redness in Elena’s face faded, and she regained much of her composure.

On the way, she explained to Chris, "Grandpa and Grandpa Quant are very close. Grandpa Quant watched me grow up, so he's like a second grandfather to me. He has a granddaughter named Kylie, who is my good friend. We’ll have a meal together sometime soon."

The servant who opened the door for them looked curious, seeing Elena and Chris together. "Miss Jones, Mr. Patrick, why are you here together?"

"We made some fresh desserts at home and brought some for Grandpa Quant to try."

The servant quickly took the desserts and led the way, "Old Mr. Quant is practicing calligraphy right now. He’ll be very happy to see you, Miss Jones."

As they entered the yard, they saw several tall and majestic red maple trees with lush canopies.

Beneath the trees, an elderly man with white hair was carefully trimming the branches.

"Sir, Miss Jones and Mr. Patrick have brought you some desserts."

Hearing footsteps, Old Mr. Quant calmly finished his task, set the scissors on the table beside him, and picked up a cloth to wipe his hands, "Just set them on the table."

He then added, "Lam, go get the two red envelopes from the bookshelf."

"Yes, sir."

Elena said, "Grandpa Quant, we made some fresh desserts at home, and Grandpa asked me to bring some over for you to taste."

"Have a seat," Old Mr. Quant said with a kind smile, walking over to the table, "Your grandpa didn’t just send these desserts; he’s showing off his new grandson-in-law."

Elena smiled shyly and took the initiative to hold Chris's hand, "Grandpa Quant, I registered my marriage yesterday. This is my husband, and I brought him to meet you."

Old Mr. Quant said, "I had my eye on Chris back then, thinking he'd make a good grandson-in-law for me. Who would’ve thought Jones beat me to it?"

After pouring tea for them both, he turned to Chris and said, "You’ve married Jones's precious granddaughter. You must treat Elena well, or I won’t be at peace."

Chris smiled helplessly, "It wasn’t easy for me to marry Elena. How could I bear to treat her poorly?"

Just then, Lam returned with two checks.

Old Mr. Quant casually wrote a sizable number on each check, signed them, and handed one to each of them, his eyes filled with warmth, "Now that you’re married, you must support each other and walk the path ahead together."

"Yes."

Elena and Chris obediently listened.

"One for each of you. I don't have more to give."

Elena glanced at Chris, noticing the warmth in his eyes, and accepted the red envelope from Old Mr. Quant.

Suddenly, Old Mr. Quant chuckled, "Your grandpa called me last night, telling me not to be stingy, saying the more I give, the better luck you’ll have."

Elena blushed slightly, "It’s really us who should be soaking up your good fortune, Grandpa."

Old Mr. Quant shook his head with a smile, "If only Kylie had a sweet tongue like you, I wouldn’t be worrying about finding her a match."

Elena asked, "Grandpa Quant, when will Kylie return from her business trip abroad?"

"She should be back any day now," Old Mr. Quant’s eyes softened at the mention of his granddaughter, "Kylie called yesterday, saying she wants you to come over and pick roses with her when the ones in the backyard bloom."

Elena smiled, "Every year after finishing the desserts at home, she starts talking about Grandpa Quant’s rose cookies."

"That’s right. She’s been telling me that Jones's grandpa should be making desserts soon. They both love to eat."

Chris sat quietly beside them, listening to the conversation between Old Mr. Quant and Elena, occasionally refilling their tea.

After chatting for a while, Old Mr. Quant suddenly said, "Chris, I recently acquired a painting. Could you help me inscribe it?"

Chris replied, "Sure."

Old Mr. Quant added with a smile, "Elena, your flute has been repaired. It’s been six months; are you not planning to pick it up?"

Elena finally remembered, feeling a bit embarrassed, "I completely forgot about it."

While Chris and Old Mr. Quant were discussing the calligraphy, Elena followed Lam upstairs to retrieve her flute.

When she returned with the flute, Old Mr. Quant and Chris were still in the yard, working on the inscription.

Hearing her footsteps, Old Mr. Quant, with his hands behind his back, asked, "Did you try the flute?"

Elena shook her head, her eyes curved with a smile, "I already know your skill, Grandpa."

Not only was Old Mr. Quant a violinist, but he was also skilled at playing the flute.

Elena had learned to play the flute from him.

"Give it a try first. If anything feels off, I’ll adjust it for you."

Elena had no choice but to pick up the flute and test the notes.