Chapter 328 The Boy Next Door

• Rhea Wood didn’t send any more messages. She didn’t know if Casper Frost was asleep yet, but she wasn’t. She started drafting a schedule. Ever since she got back to Mirage, she’d stayed by Casper’s side, but she hadn’t forgotten she still had to study and plan the campus paper. Before she knew it, it was deep into the night. She checked the time—midnight. Rhea quietly opened the door and slipped out. Barefoot, she made no sound as she went to peek at Casper. Maybe the exercise had helped, or maybe he just felt safe tonight, but Casper slept like a rock. Rhea, satisfied, backed out and returned to the master bedroom. She put away her notes and fell into a heavy sleep. In her dream, she and Casper were racing bikes. He looked so damn good that she crashed straight into him, and then pinned him, refusing to get up.
• Six a.m. the next morning. Rhea got up right on time. As she went downstairs, she heard Wendy at the front gate talking to someone she didn’t recognize. “Ma’am, I’m here to see little Rhea, really—I really know her.” “Sorry, you can’t come in. If you know our madam, you need to contact her in advance.” “Please, just let me see her. I know she lives here. I brought her some things—at least let me give these to her.” At first, the voice sounded familiar, and then Rhea’s eyes went wide. She sprinted to the gate. She skidded to a stop and shouted, thrilled, “Brother Luo!” “Little Rhea!” Wendy stepped aside in surprise. So they really did know each other. Ever since the graduation banquet, Mirage had drawn all sorts of random people, coming with every excuse to meet Rhea. Maybe it was curiosity, maybe they wanted to see the rumored lucky charm. Whatever the reason, these bold, bored visitors kept showing up, and even Wendy’s good manners were wearing thin. So this morning, she hadn’t asked much—she’d just planned to send the guy away. She hadn’t expected he’d actually be legit. Rhea happily introduced them: “Wendy, this is the boy next door from my hometown. He’s always looked out for me.” Wendy said apologetically, “Sorry, there have been too many troublemakers lately. I didn’t verify properly.” Luo Qing waved it off, easygoing: “It’s fine. I should’ve contacted you first. I wanted to surprise little Rhea.” Rhea was truly surprised. She took the big bag from Luo Qing and led him inside. “Brother Luo, what brings you to Wingston?” “Hope Elementary School in Oldham is up and running. I came to Wingston to see what textbooks and workbooks the kids in the first district use. I want to do a basic survey and buy a batch to take back. And I wanted to see you. We’re all grateful to you—without you, Hope Elementary School wouldn’t have been built.” “You don’t have to be so polite with me. You should thank the folks who stayed in Oldham teaching and never gave up.” Luo Qing was one of the few college grads from their mountains. He’d gotten into a teachers college, and after graduation, he went back to teach in Oldham. Back then, whether it was studying or everyday life, this boy next door helped Rhea so much. Luo Qing opened the big bag he’d carried and grinned. “I brought the eggs you love. The students’ families pooled them together. I’m sorry, I dropped the bag on the road and cracked two. This pumpkin is from Mr. Wills, and this pickle is from Granny Li—she said you like it, so she packed extra this time. And…” His backpack, the big carry bag—everything was full of things the villagers had sent for Rhea. People in Oldham are simple and plainspoken by nature. They’ll rant for days, hoe over shoulder, because someone edged onto their plot. They’ll brawl over a patch of ground to dry their rice. They’ll nitpick over tiny, petty stuff. But they’ll also see a five-year-old living alone and bring her a sandwich. They’ll dive into a pond when a little kid slips while doing laundry and haul her out. They’ll watch that child grow up, watch her leave Oldham, and, full of pride, see her off. They’ll ask a fellow villager to trek across miles to deliver eggs and vegetables. Rhea’s eyes reddened. “Thank you, everyone. Is everyone doing okay?” “They’re good. The school’s built. Mr. James said the kids who were taken home before—those families have agreed to let them keep studying. More kids are going to walk out of Oldham.” “That’s awesome!” Rhea clutched Luo Qing’s hand like she had when she was little. When Casper Frost came downstairs, that’s the scene he found. He’d slept well last night and woke up feeling great, no headache. Planning to drive Rhea to school, he took a shower and pulled on a white shirt, the top two buttons undone. He’d noticed how Rhea looked at him yesterday. Casper was sharp at reading people—and even better at using his edge. But as soon as he walked down, he saw Rhea holding another man’s hand. The guy wore an old white shirt, his face pale, carrying that bookish vibe. Casper’s face went dark in a heartbeat. He strode over, fast. Rhea was used to Casper being around, so she didn’t think much of it. Luo Qing, though, felt it immediately. Casper’s presence hit like a spotlight—hard to ignore. Luo Qing turned and saw him. Casper didn’t bother with Luo Qing. He walked straight over, slid an arm around Rhea, and said, all towering authority, “Sweetheart, who’s this?” Luo Qing felt the hostility right away. He glanced at Casper’s hand on little Rhea’s shoulder and his neat brows pinched tight. Rhea opened her mouth to introduce them. Casper cut in, cool and flat: “I’m Rhea Wood’s husband. Who are you?” Luo Qing jerked, eyes snapping to Rhea in shock. “Little Rhea, you’re married?” Rhea, a bit embarrassed, pushed Casper’s hand away. Casper’s face went even darker. Rhea finally nodded and did the intro. “Yeah, I’m married. His name is Casper Frost.” Rhea hadn’t told everyone she’d married to repay a debt. She didn’t want them worrying. If word got out, Mr. James would only feel more guilty. Rhea turned to Casper. “Casper, this is Luo Qing, the boy next door from my hometown. He took care of me for years.” Casper’s expression didn’t just darken—cold fury flickered in those deep eyes. When he first met Rhea, she was sick. He fed her medicine. Rhea, half-conscious, had murmured, “Brother… bitter.” He’d thought she was calling him. Later, he learned she wasn’t. Odds were, the “brother” Rhea whispered while drifting in and out was the man standing right here.