Chapter 20

Handsome Grandpa

Manfah and Grandpa Puang woke up early to sneak into the garden. After Manfah finished putting the fruits into the basket, she hurried to prepare breakfast as usual. At nine in the morning, Phraya Decha Damrongsak and Uncle Somyot enjoyed their breakfast while watching TV, feeling quite content.

Manfah looked at the two of them eating breakfast so leisurely. "Grandfather, now that you're here with me, what about your work in the Capital of Siam?"

"I have plenty of subordinates. I'm getting old, so taking a year or two off isn't a big deal."

Of course, who would dare to argue with him!

Somyot happily sipped his rice water. "It's been ages since I had a long break like this. I've worked my whole life without much rest. Now that I'm resting in my old age, I realize just how old I've really become."

"Why don't you take a vacation and travel somewhere? Going to the seaside wouldn't be bad. You could enjoy seafood and sip some liquor by the beach. The atmosphere should be nice."

"You talk as if you've been there," Phraya Decha Damrongsak remarked.

Oh, right! In this world, Manfah had never left Singkhon Province. The furthest she'd been was the city market. But with her wit, how could she slip up? She dashed to her bedroom and grabbed a novel to show Phraya Decha Damrongsak the cover.

"See, here's the sea. You don't have to go to see it. All you need is money and time, and you can go. Hehe."

Phraya Decha Damrongsak grunted in his throat.

Somyot listened to the playful banter between the grandfather and granddaughter with familiarity. Phraya Decha Damrongsak seemed more lively since coming to stay with Miss Manfah here. He himself was happy too. Though this place was small, it was comfortable and joyful. Just witnessing the two of them express familial love was something a large house couldn't compare to this small garden home of Manfah's.

Thinking of his own family back in the Capital of Siam, he sighed quietly. His family didn't have any issues, but the atmosphere wasn't as warm as with Phraya Decha Damrongsak and Miss Manfah. He realized he needed to pay more attention to his own family when he returned home.

The atmosphere in the house was calm and warm. However... outside, the sound of a bicycle bell rang loudly, accompanied by the clear voice of a little girl shouting without a care for whether it annoyed anyone's ears.

"Mannnnnn-Fahhhhh. Let's go collect shells!! Manfah!!!"

Manfah was startled by the morning shout. Phraya Decha Damrongsak put down his coffee cup.

"Whose daughter is that?"

"Mafueang, the daughter of Village Headman Phin."

"Go see her; she doesn't seem to be stopping with the bell," Phraya Decha Damrongsak shook his head.

Manfah went out to see her friend and found Mafueang sitting proudly on her bicycle, looking quite pleased with herself.

"So, you came here just to show off your bicycle, huh?"

"Hee hee, my dad finally bought it for me! Now I can come see you every day, Manfah. You never come to visit me and Mafai; you're always stuck in your garden. You even send Grandpa Puang to buy cakes for you, and he brings fruits and vegetables to my house every morning. My dad feels really indebted to you."

Manfah looked at Mafueang, her cheeks puffed out in mock anger. Poor Mafueang felt neglected... lonely...

"Well, I've been busy. Now that I have some workers, I can come play with you more often. Uncle Phin has always taken care of me, so what's a little fruit and vegetables? I even wanted to buy him a car, but he flatly refused, saying he wouldn't be able to face the villagers otherwise. Sigh..."

Manfah was showing off her wealth again!

"School's close semester now. The villagers are out collecting shells, so I thought I'd invite you to join us, besides just showing off my bicycle."

"Your dad must be quite upset."

"He looked like his heart was being stabbed with a knife," Mafueang giggled mischievously. A bicycle is quite expensive for the average villager. Grandpa Puang's trailer was second-hand, bought at a bargain price, which was quite lucky.

Bicycles, motorcycles, cars—they're considered sturdy in this world.

They're not as easily broken as in your old world. The more they developed cars there, the more often they needed repairs. Heh heh.

The village chief's salary isn't very high. In the future, Mafueang will have a stable career and financial status. After graduating from university, she secured a government job.

In the original storyline of the novel, the old Manfah was always envious of Mafueang because her childhood friend's life kept improving. Mafueang was a brilliant student, while Manfah struggled academically. Later, Manfah transferred to a prestigious school, but she was like a backbencher, not really developing her mind, only knowing how to dress up and bully others. Most people respected Manfah only because of the Phakdi Family.

Mafueang wasn't stunningly beautiful, but she had a cute charm.

Her smile made the young men feel warm inside. She liked it too; it was easy on the eyes and pleasing to look at.∼

"Manfah, what are you thinking about? Daydreaming again? Didn't get enough sleep?" Mafueang was concerned about Manfah, knowing her friend had been exhausted lately.

"No, no."

Mafueang lowered her voice, "I heard your grandfather is really strict. Is it true?"

"Come on, let's go inside and greet him. Then you'll know if he's strict or not," Manfah grinned sweetly, eager to see Mafueang's reaction.

Manfah pulled Mafueang into the house together.

"Grandfather, I've brought a friend to say hello. This is Mafueang, the daughter of Village Headman Phin."

Mafueang, seeing Phraya Decha Damrongsak sitting on the chair with a stern... so stern look... was at a loss for what to do.

His gaze wasn't stern, but he had naturally sharp eyes. Haha, Manfah secretly gossiped in her mind.

"He-Hel-hello, Phraya Decha," Mafueang greeted awkwardly.

Manfah stood laughing, teasing her grandfather with a smile.

Phraya Decha Damrongsak said, "Go ahead and pay your respects, dear."

Mafueang gave a dry smile, her eyes closing as she smiled. Yes! She smiled with her eyes shut to avoid his gaze.

Seeing this, Manfah burst into laughter.

"Grandfather, your face is too stern. My friend is already scared, a three-year-old would surely cry."

Phraya Decha Damrongsak raised his cane, "Manfah, come stand here."

Manfah immediately pouted but obediently walked over.

Thud!

Manfah held her little head and winced.

Phraya Decha Damrongsak made a sound in his throat, "Hmph! If you dare tease me, you must dare to face the consequences."

"I'm just speaking the truth. If you don't believe me, should I try holding a three-year-old?"

Phraya Decha Damrongsak glared at her. Still arguing!

"Sorry, hehe. How about having snail curry today?" Manfah asked, trying to appease him.

"Go wherever you want."

Somyot winked at Manfah, signaling to eat.

"I'll be off then. I'll hurry back at noon to make snail curry for my handsome grandfather to enjoy."

Phraya Decha Damrongsak didn't say anything but let out a familiar "Hmph!" sound.

After the two girls went to gather snails, Somyot teased Phraya Decha Damrongsak.

"Young Miss sure has a sweet tongue. I wish I could be called handsome too, hehe."

"Go wherever you want, Somyot. You talk more every day," he said, then turned to watch TV, ignoring his close aide.

Somyot went into the kitchen to find some fruit to eat. He looked around the kitchen curiously.

It seemed like something was missing from the kitchen. Could there have been a thief?