Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 174

Chapter 174: Were You This Short?
Lariette stepped out of the truck, unlocking the gate. The soles of her shoes brushed against the fallen leaves on the ground.

Then, Lariette pushed the gate doors wide to allow Ruediger’s truck inside. He drove slowly, parking the vehicle under a low-hanging tree. The extending branches provided shade to the truck.

Sweeping her gaze around the lawn, Lariette saw how well the place was maintained. A soft smile curved on her lips as the light in her eyes softened.

Lush flower beds bloomed under the summer sun, their petals and leaves swaying in the cool northern breeze. The green lawn was neatly trimmed, leaving the grass tips short.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell took care of this cottage as if it belonged to them. The husband and wife were renowned for their own beautiful house and yard.

“On a trip down your memory lane, huh?”

Ruediger’s voice echoed from behind, tinged with a little teasing. His question elicited soft laughter from Lariette. Turning around, she saw him approaching her.

“A little.”

Ruediger finally reached Lariette, his tall figure towering over her. Casting his eyes around the yard, he slowly took in the appearance of the stone cottage and its lawn.

The stone walls were weathered yet strong, keeping the house sturdy. The ivy crept along the edges of the windows, slightly swaying in the passing breeze.

Ruediger had seen this place up close years ago, but he still remembered it vividly. His lips formed a smile, not saying anything about his first and last visit here before.

“Do you see that swing?” Lariette pointed in a direction, oblivious to what was in Ruediger’s mind, “Uncle Paul hung it when I first moved here. Oh, he’s Mr. Campbell. He and his wife take care of this house for me.”

Ruediger’s gaze settled on a tree standing on the right side of the yard. A wooden plank was installed there as a swing, hanging from the sturdy branch.

A platform stood not far from the tree. It was a perfect place to gather and have some snacks and tea under the sky.

Turning at Lariette, Ruediger couldn’t help but tease her, “Your legs didn’t reach the ground the first time you used it, right?”

“Of course! I was so young back then,” Lariette nudged Ruediger by the elbow, throwing him a glare, “I was only six.”

Putting one hand on his hip, Ruediger covered his mouth, mischief glinting in his emerald orbs. Lariette narrowed her eyes, looking at him with clear suspicion.

She received the answer to his playful look in the next second.

“Were you this tall? Or, this?”

Bending down, Ruediger lowered himself to Lariette’s eye level. Then, with an exaggerated gesture, he held out his palm just a little above his knee.

Lariette gasped, her eyes widening, “Excuse me! I wasn’t that short!”

Ruediger leaned back with a teasing grin, amused by Lariette’s reaction. Raising his brows, he asked, “Oh, really? Then, how tall were you, little one?”

Lariette huffed, stepping closer to swat at Ruediger’s arm. She quickly declared while raising her hand to her waist, “I was taller than that! At least up to here!”

Ruediger tilted his head, tapping his chin. He pretended to study the height difference, “Hmm… I don’t know. I feel like you were still pocket-sized. Easy to be carried around.”

“…”

Lariette narrowed her eyes, thinking how she should get back to Ruediger’s teasing. Staring at how towering his figure was, she couldn’t think of any decent comeback.

Grrr!

How could he be quite annoying today?

“Hello!”

The sudden call startled Lariette, also attracting Ruediger’s attention. Both of them turned in the direction of the voice that came from the open gate.

A man and a woman, both middle-aged, in casual clothes, walked through the gate. The lady waved her hand, wearing a huge grin on her face.

Lariette exclaimed happily, “Aunt Mel! Uncle Paul!”

“Lettie!”

Ruediger chuckled as he watched Lariette running to the husband and wife. He knew they were the Campbells. Lifting his feet, he walked toward them.

“It has been so long! You look healthy! That’s good!”

Lariette laughed as Mrs. Melissa Campbell, who she called Aunt Mel, assessed her from head to toe. She reached for the middle-aged lady’s arm, gently patting it.

“You and Uncle Paul look healthy too. How have you been? Everything’s alright?”

Lariette glanced from Melissa to Paul, but the husband and wife’s attention was no longer on her. Following their gaze, she saw them staring at Ruediger.

Ah, right… They didn’t know him yet.

Lariette stepped closer to Ruediger, holding his arm. Then, she introduced the couple to him and vice versa.

“Uncle Paul, Aunt Mel, this is Ruediger. He’s my husband. Eddy, these are the Campbells I told you about.”

Ruediger smiled before bowing his head slightly, acknowledging the husband and wife, “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. I’m Ruediger. I’ve just gotten married to Lariette.”

Paul and Melissa glanced at each other. They had heard from Lariette that she would return with someone, but they didn’t expect her to bring a husband home.

“Lettie, why didn’t you tell us earlier?” Paul exhaled a sigh, pretending to chide Lariette, “You got married without telling us! Even surprised us now!”

“Yes, yes,” Melissa nodded, lightly smacking Lariette’s arm, “We’d prepare a feast for you two if we knew!”

“Hehe, sorry! Sorry!” Lariette laughed, already anticipating such a reaction from Paul and Melissa, “Surprise!”

Paul and Melissa smiled in helplessness, still shocked by the sudden news of Lariette having a husband. They shifted their focus to Ruediger, smiling widely.

Wow! They didn’t expect their neighbor’s granddaughter to snatch a handsome gentleman to be her husband!

“Hello. We’re Lariette’s old neighbors. I’m Paul. This is my wife, Melissa.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Ruediger. We hope you’ll have a pleasant stay here. We’ve known Lariette since she was young.”

“I’ve heard of that,” Ruediger returned their smile, admitting how respectful the husband and wife were, “I’m pleased to make your acquaintances. Please, you may call me Eddy or Rudy.”

Lariette happily watched how well Ruediger interacted with Paul and Melissa. Even though she rarely returned to Moonville, she still kept constant contact with the Campbells.

Aside from the husband and wife, she also had a good relationship with her other old neighbors.

“We want to talk more with you, but shouldn’t you get some rest first?” Melissa glanced from Ruediger to Lariette, settling her gaze on the young lady, “I’ll send some hot meals to you soon.”

“Yes, yes. Lettie, listen to your Aunt Mel,” Paul quickly agreed with Melissa, “We’re just here because we saw the truck. Go inside now.”

Knowing she shouldn’t say no to the husband and wife, Lariette relented, “Thank you, Aunt Mel and Uncle Paul.”

Paul and Melissa turned around, once again urging Lariette and Ruediger to head into the cottage. Soon, the middle-aged couple headed toward a house down the street.

Tearing her eyes away from Paul and Melissa, Lariette smiled at Ruediger, “Come. I’ll show you the inside.”

Ruediger simply nodded. He gestured at the truck, “We better get out luggage first.”

“Hehe, yes.”

Lariette and Ruediger walked toward the truck, the blazing sunlight basked over them.

The first day in Moonville began now.