Visit to Goumenzi

Daniel drove all morning and by the time they reached Lingyuan, it was already two o'clock in the afternoon. Daniel drove his car into the city and found a restaurant. They needed to have lunch. Ava was pregnant after all, she needed to eat more often. After lunch, Daniel took Ava to the town where Melody's parents lived.

Thomas and Grace live in a small town called Goumenzi. It was surrounded by mountains and rivers with beautiful scenery. The house they lived in was a two-storied building and surrounded by a beautiful flower garden. Ava looked at the beautiful garden and her mood instantly brightened up seeing the colorful flowers. Daniel and Ava walked to the door and rang the doorbell a few times but no one opened the door.

Ava became a little anxious, she asked Daniel in a low voice, "Brother Daniel, do they live here?"

"As per my information they should be living here but since its day time and it's weekdays, it's possible that they are at work right now. Let's do one thing, let's go find a place to rest for a while. We will come back again in the evening."

Ava nodded and said with a smile, "OK."

Daniel and Ava walked around and found a rest house not very far. Ava got freshen up and decided to take a short nap, she didn't want to tire herself. Ava almost slept for an hour before she woke up. Daniel just sat there and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. After Ava woke up they decided to walk back to Melody's parents' house, however, on the way Daniel noticed the beautiful tea house.

"Ava, let's go and have some tea and afternoon snacks in that tea house."

Ava didn't protest they still have time on their hand so it was ok to wait at the tea house.

The tea house was small but surrounded by tress and wildflowers. Daniel sat down and ordered some tea and snacks. He made a cup of Longjing tea himself. "Ava, would you like to have one?"

Ava shook her head, she researched, pregnant women should drink less tea. "No, Brother Daniel thank you, you can have it."

"I am sorry, I keep forgetting that you have a little guy in your stomach." Daniel smiled gracefully, but his eyes fell on Ava's protruding stomach there was an unknown emotion in his eyes.

Daniel was jealous thinking of Oliver's baby in Ava's stomach but he could only swallow the bitterness and pain in his heart. After he came back to the Sherman family his father arranged three blind dates for him. Each time, Daniel would go to the dates, but end up rejecting the woman politely. The woman he loved was sitting in front of him right now but she was someone else's wife. Still he couldn't think of starting a new life with someone else.

"It's delicious!" Daniel said after taking a sip.

Ava smiled and suddenly blurted out without thinking, "I remember, back in the days you and Miss Grey both used to love drinking teas..." Ava abruptly stopped talking realizing what she had said.

Daniel also knew well why Ava suddenly stopped talking. She must be thinking he would be heartbroken at the mention of his mother. That is so considerate of her. Daniel smiled faintly and said, "Yes, I inherited it from her. Mom used to make the best tea in the world."

Ava fell silent for a while then said in a light but sincere tone, "Miss Grey would like you to be happy Brother Daniel. Please don't be sad."

Daniel felt a sharp pain in his heart, he couldn't help but wonder why his mother committed suicide? Was living become so tiring for her?

"If a person is tired of living then maybe it's better to just die." Daniel looked at the distance and said absentmindedly.

"Brother Daniel, don't say that. You still have so many people around you, Me, your father, brother, your grandparents." Ava felt guilty for bringing up his mother. She knew he would be sad still she mentioned her.

"It's ok, I'm fine." Daniel suddenly got back to his senses. He looked at Ava and smiled warmly.

Ava decided to change the subject so she quickly said, "Sir, let me tell you a joke."

"Sure." Daniel smiled wide and said.

"Soft-hearted people usually have hard shoulders. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because they carry everything on their own." Ava started to laugh out loud.

Seeing Ava laughing like a child Daniel also started to laugh, "Ava, when did you learn to tell jokes?"

"Well, these days I am idle at home all day long. I get bored easily so I read some jokes sometimes. I know a few more, let me tell you another one."

...

Ava and Daniel sat there in the tea house until the sun dissipated into the earth and the twilight covered the sky like a big gray net. They had dinner there in the tea house before they head to Melody's parent's house. Daniel and Ava came to the door and rang the doorbell again. Ava anxiously waited for Thomas or Grace to open the door. However, she was a bit taken back when she saw Melody at the door.