Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 185

Chapter 185: Of Crispy Potato Pancakes and Iced Tea
Lariette and Ruediger spent the rest of the day in leisure after returning from the graveyard. The weather in the northern village was good, accompanied by the tranquility surrounding it.

In the afternoon, Lariette planned to make some potato pancakes for lunch, paired with grilled chicken breast. Ruediger insisted on helping despite her telling him to rest.

“I just hurt my back. My hands still function perfectly.”

Lariette was speechless upon hearing Ruediger’s excuse. He even made a gesture by spreading his hands, revealing his broad and calloused palms.

“I told you to be lazy,” Lariette exhaled a sigh, narrowing her eyes as she stared pointedly at Ruediger, “You don’t want to?”

Shrugging, Ruediger answered cheekily, “Being lazy? What’s that? Can it be eaten?”

“…”

Lariette threw her hands to the air. She gave up persuading Ruediger not to do anything. This man could be stubborn once he set his mind on anything.

A grinning Ruediger followed Lariette to the kitchen. Under her glare, he washed his hands with soap before sitting at the table, waiting for her instructions.

Lariette sighed again. She quickly wore an apron over her dress before tying her hair into a high bun. She brought out the ingredients she had washed prior, placing them on the table.

“I guess you can help peel these,” Lariette pointed to the potatoes, a carrot and some scallions, including an onion, “I’ll grate the potatoes later. Hmm… Maybe you can chop the rest.”

“You can leave the grating to me,” said Ruediger. He reached for the peeler and one of the potatoes, getting ready to do his task, “I can do it.”

“No,” Lariette replied firmly. Placing both hands on her hips, she said, “Grating needs you to use more pressure. You need to move your hand back and forth too, so, no.”

“…aye aye, ma’am. I won’t do the grating.”

Ruediger couldn’t give excuses because what Lariette said was true. Even though he believed that he could handle the simple grating task, it most likely made her more worried about him.

Lariette coughed awkwardly, sensing her cheeks flushed. She realized she had been more naggy than usual. She reminded herself to tone it down.

“I’m gonna check the chicken. I’ve marinated them,” Lariette gestured at the kitchen countertop near the sink, “Take your time. Don’t… it’s nothing.”

Ruediger silently looked at Lariette who turned around, heading to the countertop. A helpless smile was curved on his lips. Pulling his gaze away, he stared at the potatoes.

The soft, golden light of the afternoon sun bathed the kitchen as Lariette and Ruediger focused on their respective tasks. A cool breeze drifted in through the open windows, carrying the faint scent of fresh grass and wildflowers.

Ruediger had started slicing the scallions into thin, even rings. Across the table, Lariette was busy grating the peeled potatoes after rinsing them under water earlier.

Outside, the birds chirped in a soothing melody. The sound blended with the rustling leaves, before being mixed with the echo of a blade tapping against the chopping board.

Lariette and Ruediger didn’t speak much as they worked in the kitchen. He helped to whisk the batter when she began grilling the chicken. Then, she started frying the pancakes.

“I’ll set up the table. What do you want for drinks?” asked Ruediger as he washed the bowls and other kitchen tools. His movements were unhurried.

“Iced tea for me,” replied Lariette while scooping one of the pancakes, placing it on a wire cooling rack, “I’ve made some, it’s in the fridge. Do you want another drink?”

“It’s fine for me.”

Soon, Lariette and Ruediger sat at the dining table. Plates of potato pancakes, grilled chicken breast, fresh salad, dippings and iced tea were served between them.

The rich, savory scent of the crispy, buttery and golden potato pancakes blended with the smoky and slightly charred fragrance of the chicken breast. The smell alone was enough to pique one’s appetite.

“Both are tasty,” Ruediger remarked after taking a bite of each potato pancake and grilled chicken, “This kitchen, I guess you spent much time here with your grandmother.”

Lariette paused for a second before chewing her food. She answered after swallowing, her lips tugging into a smile, “Yes. Grandma was an excellent cook. She taught me to cook and bake.”

Ruediger loved seeing the sparkly glint in Lariette’s eyes once she started talking about the late Mrs. Evans. He was glad because instead of wallowing in her grief, she fondly recalled her happy memories with her grandmother.

“We had a vegetable patch in the backyard. I used to accompany Grandma to the market to sell them.”

“Hehe, I burnt the pan the first time I made potato pancakes. The smoke was so black! I thought I had burnt the kitchen too.”

“Grandma’s carrot cake was always a hit during village parties. I used to make them into cupcakes and sell them.”

The more Ruediger listened to Lariette, the more he learned about her life in this village. Saying that he was happy was an understatement.

Despite not having much, Lariette and Mrs. Evans made the most of their lives together.

‘If only she’s still alive… I’d love to meet her again.’

Ruediger pushed down the creeping bitterness from the depth of his heart. He put on a smile and asked Lariette a few questions, hoping to mask the complicated feelings within him.

After lunch, Lariette and Ruediger simply relaxed in the living room. She read an old magazine while sitting on a rocking chair, while he lay on the couch, playing with his phone.

“Oh? Haha! Lettie,” Ruediger glanced at Lariette, laughter spilling from his lips, “Nate will bring Lorianne and Elsie shopping for furniture tomorrow. He’s so excited.”

Blinking, Lariette put the magazine down. She chuckled, “He surely is. How’s the renovation progress? Has he shared anything new?”

Lariette hadn’t forgotten about Nathaniel’s dramatic reunion with the daughter he had never met, Lorianne. Even though she didn’t know him well, she was happy with the pleasant life surprise.

“It has only been days, but seems like the renovations are in full swing already.”

Arching his brows, Ruediger passed his phone to Lariette, telling her to look at the photos and videos Nathaniel had sent.

“She’s so cute,” Lariette mused, feeling her heart melt from seeing Lorianne’s adorable face, “Hehe, I hope to have a daughter like her.”

Upon hearing Lariette’s remark, Ruediger pressed his lips, refraining from asking her the questions in his mind. His heart thumped quicker than usual.

When did she picture herself of being a mother?

Before a certain age?

No matter what, he believed she would be a great mother to her future children.

But…

Ruediger exhaled softly. His eyes remained on Lariette’s cheery face as she kept looking at Lorianne’s photos.

“Lettie… Do you want to have children in the future?”

Despite telling himself to keep the question in his mind, he couldn’t hold himself back.

Blinking, Lariette’s gaze shifted from the phone to Ruediger. She was surprised to hear such a question from him.

Still, Lariette answered Ruediger. Her tone remained as gentle as the breeze in spring. She also questioned himself back.

“I do. I hope to have my own children someday. What about you, Eddy?”

Ruediger smiled, “I do, too. But, only if my wife wants children. After all, she’ll be the one who carries them.”

Lariette said nothing in reply. Ruediger’s response stirred something in her heart.