Crazy!
Isaac Vaughn must be crazy!
Natalie Kendall had only this thought in her mind.
In this weather, with such road conditions, mudslides that could break out at any mont, yet he insisted on going into the mountains.
No driver was willing to risk their life, so he drove himself.
Drove until the car could move no further.
He decisively abandoned the car and continued on foot.
Under good conditions, driving would take three hours.
And because of the heavy rain, the current road conditions were like hell on earth.
He didn’t know how long he’d been walking.
Besides "crazy," Natalie couldn’t think of another word to describe Isaac.
Isaac gave her a smile.
He could still smile?
Natalie pulled him inside, her heart sinking at his cold hands. She frowned and said, "Why did you co here?"
It was bad enough there was no hug or kiss, but why didn’t she even show any joy seeing him?
Isaac’s eyes darkened, his voice a bit hoarse, "I couldn’t reach you, got a bit worried, so I ca to check on you."
His tone was so casual, as if he had just co on a stroll.
He never ntioned how difficult and dangerous the journey really was.
"Are you crazy? Running over here in this weather, have you got a death wish?" Lucas Lowell quipped.
His sarcastic comnt was right on the mark.
Truly, it was a death wish.
Natalie turned to Mia’s Mom, who was staring at Isaac in a daze, and softly asked, "Auntie, could you please prepare so hot water for ?"
"Oh! Oh! Okay!"
Mia’s Mom snapped out of it and imdiately responded, heading to the kitchen.
Mia brought a clean towel and handed it to Natalie: "Miss Kendall."
Natalie took it and began wiping Isaac’s face.
But the mud on his face had already dried and wouldn’t co off.
After a few wipes, Isaac pulled her hand down, "Don’t bother, I’ll take a shower later."
"You think this is a hotel? Saying you’ll shower whenever you want," Natalie’s tone was quite harsh, almost vicious.
She didn’t know why she was acting this way.
She was just agitated.
Her chest felt like it was blocked by sothing.
"Mr. Vaughn, you might only be able to wipe off for now, sorry," Mia explained, "because we don’t have a bathroom."
"Water is scarce, having hot water is already a luxury," Lucas grumbled.
Isaac looked at Mia, "Sorry for the trouble."
Mia quickly said it was no trouble, but Lucas grunted, retorting, "No trouble? It’s definitely trouble."
To stop Lucas from going on, Mia made up an excuse to get him away.
Not long after.
Mia’s Mom ca over and said the water was ready and had been placed in the room where Natalie was staying.
Natalie thanked her and led Isaac inside.
On the floor was a plastic basin with steaming water, and two thermos flasks were placed beside it.
"Make do with this," Natalie said, soaking the towel in hot water, wringing it out, and handing it to Isaac.
Isaac took it and began to wipe his face.
"Miss Kendall."
Mia called Natalie from the doorway.
Natalie walked quickly over.
Mia handed over so clothes, "These are Mr. Lowell’s, let Mr. Vaughn make do with them."
"Make do? What make do!"
Lucas’ dissatisfied shout ca from outside: "These are all brand nas! They’re expensive! Make sure Second Master Vaughn compensates with new ones after we leave the mountains!"
Mia felt embarrassed for her boss, handed over the clothes to Natalie, and quickly left.
Isaac finished wiping himself down and looked much better than when Natalie first saw him.
But he was still far from his usual clean, dashing look.
Natalie noticed he hadn’t taken his socks off and said, "Take off your socks and wash your feet."
Isaac’s eyes flickered, and he sighed, "Can you help find so scissors?"
"What do you need scissors for?" Natalie asked, puzzled, suddenly realizing why.
She looked down at his feet, bit her lip, and quietly turned to leave.
Quickly, she returned with scissors and let Isaac sit on the kang (a traditional bed-stove).
Isaac reached out for the scissors, but she didn’t give them, instead crouching down to carefully cut off his socks.
Those socks had completely adhered to the skin of his feet, cutting was just to make it easier to peel them off.
Natalie hesitated, building up the ntal fortitude to proceed.
The tearing sound when the socks separated from the skin made her scalp tingle.
Isaac feared she’d hesitate, causing more pain with delays, so he tried to suppress his reactions.
But he couldn’t completely hold back a few gasps.
It hurt too much.
Finally, the socks were off.
The sight of his feet shocked Natalie so much she nearly fell.
The blisters from walking had burst, turned raw, flesh exposed, surrounded by pale, putrid skin—it was infected.
Natalie turned her head to avoid looking, stood up saying she was stepping out for a mont.
Thankfully, Mia’s family had alcohol, iodine, cotton swabs, and bandages.
They also brought antibacterial ointnt among the supplies this ti.
She silently tended to his foot injuries, finally wrapping them in bandages.
Isaac waited until she finished, then reached out his long arm to pull her into his embrace.
Natalie resisted a little; he tightened his grip, and she stopped struggling.
"Little Ear," his voice low, his chin rested on her shoulder, "are you still mad at ?"
Natalie turned her face toward him, expressionless: "You shouldn’t have co."
"I couldn’t reach you, and then I heard there were mudslides due to the heavy rains, I was worried."
"I’m fine," Natalie said, her tone a bit cold, "but you’re the one with the problem."
Isaac sensed how angry she was and didn’t dare contradict her, agreeing, "Yes, yes, I acted impulsively. It won’t happen again."
He no longer dwelled on the lack of hugs and kisses from Natalie and, when calm, understood her coldness hid deep fear.
She feared for his safety.
As long as she still cared about him, it was enough.
Outside the room.
Mia’s Grandmother remarked in surprise, "So that’s Miss Kendall’s husband. He’s quite handso! And so devoted! Coming all this way, so dangerous, just to find her."
"But I never thought Miss Kendall was married so young. I thought girls from the big city married late."
After a pause, Mia’s Grandmother looked at her daughter, "Niuniu, look, Miss Kendall is younger than you and already married. You should hurry up too. If not married, at least get a boyfriend."
Before Mia could speak, Lucas Lowell cut in, "Wood, ahem, Assistant Woods isn’t in a rush. Auntie, leave that to . I’ll definitely find Assistant Woods a rich, handso guy! Just like , so rich, so tall, so handso!"
"Oh!" Mia’s Grandmother exclaid, shaking her hand quickly in refusal, "No, no! Soone like that, we can’t afford to climb that high."
Her main worry was her daughter might be mistreated.
After all, their family couldn’t back her up.
Just as Lucas opened his mouth to reply, a whole potato was stuffed in, nearly choking him.
He glared at the person responsible.
Mia calmly said, "Mr. Lowell, have so potatoes, your favorite."
Inside the room.
Isaac held Natalie, brushing his lips against her face near her ear, about to kiss her lips when Mia’s Grandmother bustled in.
Startled, Isaac held Natalie tighter.
"Who is this?"
"Mia’s Grandmother," Natalie explained.
Mia’s Grandmother approached them and took two eggs out of her pocket.
She gave one to Natalie and one to Isaac.
Then, as usual, she reached to feel Natalie’s stomach.
Isaac asked, "Little Ear, why is she touching your stomach?"
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