Cecilia walked into the courtyard, observing her surroundings.
The arrangent here was still the sa as it was five years ago.
The courtyard was filled with various flowers and plants, making people feel better just as soon as they entered.
Although Cecilia had not formally beco Adrian’s apprentice, she genuinely liked this little courtyard.
She was intently slling the unique fragrance of gardenias when she was interrupted by a surprised shout from Adrian in front.
"Oh dear, my Little Emma!"
Adrian originally wanted to talk to Cecilia about her son’s affairs, but he first lowered his head to see Emma standing sweetly with a pink bow hairpin.
"Hello, nice to et you, Grandpa Keller~"
Emma’s sweet voice echoed. Not only did it make Adrian smile, but even the apprentices in the courtyard couldn’t help but show a kind smile.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed in a broad smile.
"Good, good, good..."
The more he stared, the more he liked her. All of a sudden, Alex’s small face flashed in his mind.
"They really look like each other!"
Puzzled, Emma wondered who Adrian thought she resembled.
At this mont, Alex was leaning against the door fra and carefully waving at Emma as a signal to co over.
Emma imdiately noticed and understood in her heart.
She blinked her eyes and sweetly spoke to Adrian.
"Grandpa Keller, I’m thirsty. Can I co in and have so water?"
Adrian quickly called out.
"Mark, prepare so water quickly."
"Thank you, Grandpa Keller~"
After expressing her gratitude, Emma imdiately ran into the living room to et her brother.
Cecilia intended to follow them with her feet, but Adrian stopped her.
"Cece, you didn’t even give a greeting once we t. You’re not as polite as that little darling."
Cecilia smiled. It had been a while since she had seen him, but Adrian was still as energetic as ever.
"Old Ari."
Adrian’s eyes widened as he pretended to be angry, his mustache blown to one side.
"You really have no manners at all... If you let Emma be my apprentice, I’ll tell you a secret."
"No way."
...
Adrian was helpless.
"Why won’t you let Emma be my apprentice?"
"You’re declining my offer even though you learned music from before you suddenly ran off abroad and beca an international star. If I had not asked around, I would never have known you got pregnant and went through so much suffering..."
Saying this, he started wiping his eyes again.
Cecilia rubbed her forehead.
She had never seen Adrian being sentintal like this.
When he first dialed her number when she was abroad, he also wiped his tears like this.
However, she still refused.
"Still no way."
This ti, Adrian was truly upset.
"Why not?"
Because she wanted to respect Emma’s wishes, whom she knew loved painting and had no interest in music.
"Aren’t you curious about the secret?"
"I’m not."
‘What secret could this old man have? It’s probably just about music and creation.‘
Adrian sulked, wanting to reveal the truth, but then he saw Alex’s little figure by the main hall door, gesturing to keep quiet.
He desperately wanted to take both Emma and Alex as his apprentices. Frustrated, he sank into the rocking chair at the side, gritting his teeth.
Cecilia was just too stubborn. Even if he told her the truth, she probably still wouldn’t agree to Emma becoming his apprentice. It was better for him to trust the two kids instead.
As long as those two beca his apprentices, that would be more than enough. He had already given Cecilia many chances, but she was the one who refused to uncover the secret he carried.
Moreover, since both kids were with him, Cecilia would find out eventually.
"Forget it, forget it. If you don’t believe , that’s your call."
Cecilia looked at the cute, grumpy old man and shook her head helplessly.
She picked up the teapot on the table, respectfully poured Adrian a cup of tea, and then went to lay on another lounge chair.
Gazing up at the grapevines overhead, their leaves casting dappled patterns of sunlight, she was brought back to her childhood—lounging in a chair, a slice of waterlon in hand, while Adriand chattered beside her, trying to convince her to beco his apprentice.
Adrian was also feeling a little emotional.
"Ti flies. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown up so much. From a distance, you look just like your mom."
‘Mom...’
Cecilia recalled her only remaining impression of her mother—an exquisite face frad by a gentle smile.
Unfortunately, beneath the smile was a heart filled with holes and a fragile body that couldn’t withstand any more.
"Not being able to take care of her is my lifelong regret, but she was the one who chose to give up on life herself. There is no cure for a broken heart."
Lilian grew up beside Adrian, learning music from him. There existed a saying: once a teacher, always a father. Adrian had long regarded her as his own child in his heart.
Cecilia frowned.
"What do you an, she gave up on herself?"
Adrian then realized that he had said too much.
"Didn’t your mom tell you? Back then, her engagent to the Whitmore family’s young master shook the entirety of Star City. However, sohow, she ended up marrying your dad. On her deathbed, she only wished to see that young master from the Whitmores, yet she was told not to and lost all hope after that."
Cecilia was a bit surprised. She only knew Lilian and Frank had a bad relationship; Lilian had never ntioned the Whitmore family.
Adrian stood up. "It’s all in the past, so there’s no point talking about it. I’m off to see my newly accepted two good apprentices."
Lying down, Cecilia’s mind kept recalling Lilian’s face. The warm sunlight spread over her, and soon after, she felt drowsy.
Suddenly, she thought of sothing.
‘Wait, two new apprentices?’
‘Who else is here?’
With that thought, she stood up and walked toward the living room.
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