Chapter 237

Even on a weekday, the park on Yearning island buzzed with activity. It was predominantly frequented by groups of elderly people.

The old men

sat on benches, intently listening to the news on their radios, while clusters of elderly women engaged in lively gossip.

Several of the women glanced at Carlisle and Wanda as they entered, their interest piqued..

“Oh! What a pretty young lady.”

“Her dress looks nice. I wonder where she bought it. I want to get one for my granddaughter…”

“Why don’t you go ask? I want to buy one for my granddaughter too!”

Wanda’s attire was a hit among the older crowd. Her conservative dress had a high neck covering her collarbone, hem falling to her calves, and sleeves reaching her elbows. It resonated with the vintage aesthetic preferences of these women.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Wanda withdrew her hand from Carlisle’s and blushed deeply.

Her cheeks turned the color of ripe apples.

Observing the scene, Leon commented with a smile, “Folks here are still quite conservative. In other countries, couples would openly embrace and hold hands on the streets.”

Carlisle responded with a wry smile.

He knew that public displays of affection would become more commonplace within the next decade.

However, he mused, it wouldn’t even take ten years. Within four or five years, the attitudes of non- mainstream youths would shift to becoming very open about their relationships.

Despite the impending change, he found charm in the current, more reserved expression of young love.

“Young lady, where did you buy that dress?” one of the elderly women asked Wanda, her tone friendly and

-curious.

“Oh, m–my dad bought it for me from abroad!” Wanda replied, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

“If you don’t want to tell me, then say that you don’t. What’s with this ‘bought from abroad‘ excuse? Acting like your dad is so rich!”

The woman’s demeanor changed abruptly, her face souring as her words took on a biting tone..

Wanda tightened her grip on Carlisle’s hand and remained silent, feeling the tension rise.

Carlisle bristled at the remark and was about to defend Wanda when she gently tugged at his hand.

“Let it go. There’s no need to argue!”

Leon chimed in, “I’ve heard that older women here can be pretty harsh when they argue. They have

nothing better to do and all the time in the world to quarrel with you.”

Carlisle reluctantly held back his retort as he remembered Leon’s advice.

He had witnessed Hayley in similar disputes with neighborhood women. They could sit for hours, exchanging insults without a pause.

He had initially thought such relentless arguments were limited to village life, but Hayley’s experiences proved otherwise.

“Falling in love at such a young age, they have no shame…”

“Exactly, if my granddaughter dared to date in school, I’d break her legs!”

The women continued, becoming more vocal in their disapproval. Carlisle and Wanda refrained from

responding.

The harsh words started to affect Wanda, her eyes beginning to redden with distress.

She wondered why these women were so concerned.

There were plenty of couples at the university. She didn’t think they were doing anything out of the

ordinary.

“Carlisle, let’s go!”

Having had enough, Wanda took the lead, firmly grasping Carlisle’s hand and steering them toward the

park’s entrance.

Carlisle gave one last expressionless look back at the women.

Their afternoon had been dampened by this encounter.

Suddenly, Carlisle noticed a kiosk next to the entrance.

A smile tugged at his lips.

“You guys go on ahead. I’m going to buy some water.”

“I’ll come with you….”

Wanda also stopped walking.

Carlisle gently insisted, “There’s no need for that. You two go ahead!”

He then exchanged a knowing glance with Leon.

Guessing what Carlisle was up to, Leon smiled and said, “It’s almost closing time now, so it’ll get busier

soon. Let’s go in!”

Wanda nodded.

“Alright. I’ll wait for you inside!”

Once inside the park, Leon urged, “Let’s pick up the pace.”

Chapter

Wanda was slightly annoyed.

“Why are we rushing? Carlisle won’t be able to keep up with us.”

Meanwhile, Carlisle bought some snacks and bottled water. He then entered a nearby stationery store and bought a bottle of carbon ink.

He poured out some of the water and added some carbon Ink to the bottle, shaking it to mix it evenly. Carlisle then picked up the bottle and threw it toward the group of elderly women.