Chapter 658

Chapter 658 Bringing Her Breakfast

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Rhizone quickly noticed the item in Josiah’s hand and tugged at his sister’s sleeve to draw her attention.

Nilou, ever perceptive, understood immediately and exclaimed with a bright smile, “You’re so kind to Dr. Thorne, going all the way to town just to buy sandwiches.”

Hearing this, Lysander turned her attention toward Josiah.

Earlier, he had approached without anything in his hands, and she hadn’t noticed him holding anything. Now, mysteriously, he was carrying a bulging brown paper bag as though it had appeared out of nowhere.

Josiah extended the brown paper bag toward her, asking. “Have you freshened up?”

Lysander simply responded with a hum.

“I heard from some locals in town that the sandwiches from this particular shop are quite famous around here. So, I thought I’d bring some back for your breakfast.”

Lysander queried. “Have you had anything to eat yet?”

“No, I rushed back, didn’t want to waste any time, didn’t want to… didn’t want to keep Nilou waiting,” Josiah explained.

Nilou chuckled lightly, “I’m in no hurry. As long as you guys don’t change your minds, I won’t rush you.”

Josiali again urged her to eat, pushing the sandwich toward her, “Eat.”

“Dr. Thome, why not eat as you walk? The morning scenery here is really something to behold!” Nilou suggested enthusiastically.

Lysander accepted the sandwich but noticed out of the corner of her eye that Rhizone was watching intently. He was still under ten, and despite the saying that hardship accelerates maturity in children, he was clearly still very young. His eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and longing as he gazed at the sandwich in her hand.

Lysander turned to Josiah. “How many did you manage to buy?”

“Six,” Josiah replied, “The shop was packed. People started lining up as early as three in the morning. By the time it was my turn, there were only a few left, so I bought all that remained.”

After pondering for a moment, Lysander reached into the brown paper bag and pulled out two sandwiches, handing one to each of the siblings. “We can’t possibly eat all of these ourselves, and they won’t taste as good once they cool down. Could you guys help us finish them?”

Rhizone began to swallow nervously.

Nilou, who seemed to always have a protective, sisterly aura about her, insisted, “Dr. Thorne, there’s really no need. Our mom made us oatmeal before we left this morning”

“But there’s no meat in oatmeal…” Rhizone complained.

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“Have you forgotten what I taught you before we left?” Nilou scolded, hands on her hips, “We came out today to focus on our business, not to feast on meat!”

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Chapter 659 Bringing Her Breakfast

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Chastened by his sister, Rhizone put on a forced smile, lowered his head, and remained silent.

Suddenly, Josiah shifted the conversation, “Nilou, do you still have straw origami at your place?”

“Absolutely, there’s plenty,” she responded enthusiastically.

“One buck each?”

“Yeah! If you’re interested, I can give you a discount. Three for two, and you can pick any style you want. Actually, let Dr. Thome pick!”

As she spoke, Nilou looked up at Lysander with an expression that was both obedient and endearing.

“I’ve had my eye on that cricket and rabbit since yesterday,” Josiah remarked.

“Yes, they’re all here. What else might you want?” Nilou asked eagerly.

After thinking for a moment, Josiah inquired, “Do you know how to weave a puppy?”

“Absolutely! We have some at home already. Once we get there, I’ll fetch one for you!”

“All right then, it’s settled. Three for two.”

“Don’t back out!”

Josiah declared, his voice altering slightly, “I don’t have small change on me. Can I pay for them with a sandwich instead?”

Nilou paused briefly, taken aback.

Rhizone, bursting with excitement, quickly tugged on his sister’s sleeve, “Nilou, we have so many straw weavings at home, they’re just drying up since they can’t be sold. We might as well swap them for a couple of sandwiches…”

Nilou seemed to understand Josiah’s intentions, her cheeks flushing slightly pink. “Sir, you and Dr. Thorne are both food people.”

Josiah exchanged a meaningful look with Lysander, who instantly grasped his intent. He promptly handed Two sandwiches to Rhizone, “We agreed on three straw items for two bucks. I’ll give you the sandwiches first. When you get home, make sure to bring us the straw origami.”

Rhizone nodded vigorously, holding the sandwiches in his hand and offering the other to Nilou. “Eat quickly, it’s still warm…”

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Nilou’s face turned even redder, her eyes sparkling with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Grinning. she replied cheerfully, “All right, consider the deal done. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to tell me. My brother is skilled at climbing mountains and trees, picking flowers or fruits is easy for him, and we won’t charge extra!”

Rhizone nodded again, looking much like a chick pecking at grain.

Among the siblings, Josiah found himself particularly charmed by the clever and vivacious Nilou. Upon hearing her assurances, he chuckled lightly. “All right, if I see something else I want later, I’ll let you know.”

Nilou nodded, then gave her younger brother a knowing glance. “Go ahead and eat.”

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Chapter 659 Bringing Her Breakfast

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With his sister’s approval, Rhizone eagerly took a bite of the sandwich, quickly consuming nearly half of it

in one go.

Nilou, despite her generally cheerful nature, ate her sandwich daintily, holding it in her small hands like a little squirrel.

Josiah, moved by the scene, asked, “Don’t you often go to town?”

Nilou shook her head. “I rarely leave; there’s plenty to do at home.”

“What does your family mainly do for a living?” Josiah continued.

“We raise fish and lotus roots,” Nilou explained, “Our home is always bustling; my brother and I both help

out.”

So, how are things going? Is it profitable?” Josiah probed gently.

Nilou’s enthusiasm visibly waned.

Josiah’s brow furrowed slightly. “Not so good?

As this exchange unfolded, Rhizone finished his sandwich and casually wiped his mouth, muttering, “Someone’s been up to no good, poisoning the lake and killing all the fish.”

Nilou instantly turned serious. “Stop talking nonsense!”

Realizing he might have misspoken, Rhizone quickly tried to clarify with Josiah, “There’s no poison. Really, there’s none left. The fish from our lake isn’t poisonous. It’s safe to eat!”

Despite the siblings‘ earnest efforts to rectify the situation, both Josiah and Lysander shared a glance, silently acknowledging–this quaint village was not without its troubles.

After finishing their sandwiches, they set off for the lake.

Nilou and Rhizone led the way cheerfully, guiding Lysander and Josiah. “There’s a small path at the end of the village,” they explained, “If you follow it through the grass and walk along the lake a bit, you’ll see our house.”

Suddenly, Josiah inquired, “Is this the only way?”

Nilou quickly turned to explain, “You could go out from the top of the village and follow the mountain path to get around, but that route is much longer. The villagers usually don’t take that way.”

“No worries, we’ll drive there,” Josiah decided, not forgetting to ask, “If we drive, will you still be able to guide the way?”

Rhizone seemed hesitant, but Nilou replied with confidence, “Of course, no problem. I run in the mountains every day; I could find my way home even if I had to fly!”

The childlike simplicity and enthusiasm always had a way of drawing smiles from adults.

Josiah turned and led them towards his parked car. Nilou had seen the car with her village friends the day before yesterday, but she couldn’t help but widen her eyes at the sight of this beautiful vehicle.

Rhizone’s reaction was even more pronounced. His eves lit up, and his mouth fell open in astonishment.

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Chapter 658 Bringing Her Breakfast

leaving him speechless for quite some time.

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After Josiah settled into the driver’s seat, he noticed the two children still standing by the car, looking somewhat hesitant to move. Assuming they were feeling shy, he gently encouraged them, “Get in the car. I’ll give you a ride.”

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