CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: THEY WILL NOT HAVE YEAR AFTER YEAR

Renee Winslow was raised by her grandparents from a young age. Although her grandparents were nice to her, there was still a divide between them, unlike the bond that children brought up by their parents usually have.

It’s a parent’s duty to raise their children, but grandparents do not have the obligation to raise their grandchildren.

Understanding her situation, Renee Winslow became known as a "well-behaved, obedient, sensible" good child from an early age.

Even though she didn’t want to be that sensible, she realized she had no choice but to be more understanding, to earn more praise, and to live more peacefully.

She never proactively asked her grandparents for pocket money; sometimes, even when her grandfather wanted to give her some money out of pity, she would refuse.

Her grandparents had raised her and funded her education, and she already felt she owed them a lot and didn’t dare ask for anything more.

From the earliest she could remember, she had always been considerate of others, never thinking of herself, and never willfully asking for anything. If someone offered her something, she would take it; if not, she wouldn’t.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t willing to fight for things, but she knew she wasn’t in a position to fight or ask for them.

Take this Mid-Autumn Festival for example. Jack Yates was going back to spend the festival with his family, and not only did she not show any displeasure, but she also understandingly persuaded Jack to stay home and spend more time with his family.

She neither showed any unhappiness in front of Jack nor pouted, asking him to come back and keep her company that night.

Speaking from the heart, she also wished someone could accompany her on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

On such a day meant for reunions, spending it alone was surely a lonely affair.

But she knew she couldn’t do that.

Being with Jack Yates had already upset his parents, and if she were to make a fuss to keep him with her, even she would come to resent herself.

Although it was Jack who insisted on being with her, regardless of the reasons, she still brought trouble to Jack’s family.

Now, seeing Jack taking the initiative to come back and spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with her, and hearing him say, "You only have me," it’s impossible not to be moved. Renee was so touched her eyes welled up.

She hugged Jack’s lean waist, buried her face in his arms, and with a choked voice said, "Jack, thank you."

Jack held her, gently patting her back, "Don’t cry, and if you must, this isn’t the time to cry."

Renee was feeling melancholic, but his words made her smile, tears still hanging on her long eyelashes as the corners of her mouth turned up: "Even crying has its conditions now?"

A dark gleam passed through Jack’s eyes: "I only want to see you cry in bed."

Renee: "..."

She shyly lifted her hand to hit him: "You jerk."

She turned her back to him, letting out a coquettish hum: "I’m talking seriously with you, but you’re saying such improper things."

Jack turned her around, resting his chin on the top of her head, rubbing gently: "What I’m saying is serious."

For the evening meal, Jack had the butler set it up in the garden pavilion, a lavish Mid-Autumn dinner with large, delicious crabs, six in total, arranged beautifully on elegant plates.

The courtyard was brightly lit, making the garden appear exquisitely beautiful.

Renee’s heart too was lit by the lights, feeling warm and soft as she looked at Jack with gentle eyes.

Jack picked up a crab, elegantly breaking off its legs.

Renee wasn’t very skilled at handling crabs, and just as she held one, she got pricked by a crab claw.

"Ow..." she let out a soft cry.

Jack immediately grabbed her hand, kissed her fingertips, disinfecting with his mouth, then took the crab from her hands, saying in a deep voice, "Don’t touch it."

Renee obediently replied, "Oh, okay."

Jack personally peeled the crab for her, scooping out the succulent golden roe with a small spoon and feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Renee only had to open her mouth to eat. After she had devoured the roe from two crabs that Jack fed her, she waved her hand: "Alright, I’ve had enough, you eat now."

Jack peeled another crab for her, feeding her the roe and tossing the claws aside.

Renee raised the beauty-enhancing health tea that Jack had specially brewed for her, using it in place of wine, and clinked glasses with Jack: "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."

Jack lifted his glass of red wine, giving a soft smile: "Happy Mid-Autumn."

After dinner, Jack led Renee to the water pavilion beside the lotus pond to admire the moon.

Renee lay in his arms, eating the Meixin mooncake he fed her, watching the almost perfectly round moon.

She sighed and said, "People have joys and sorrows, and the moon may wax and wane."

Like her and Jack, destined to be just a brief moment, with no chance of a long-lasting relationship.

Jack lifted her nape with his large hand, leaning down to her face: "Renee, as long as you are willing, we can be together year after year."

Renee smiled but did not respond to his words.

It was impossible; she and Jack would not have year after year.

Sure enough, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, when she returned to school and was called to the office by the department head, she met Jack’s mother, a graceful and intelligent beautiful lady.