Chapter 47 - 47 46 Living a Simple Life

Words : 1886 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

47: Chapter 46 Living a Simple Life 47: Chapter 46 Living a Simple Life At this time, it was the rush hour for getting off work, and there were just as many people taking the bus. However, with James Brown’s protection, Charlotte easily squeezed onto the bus. The two of them pushed their way to a slightly rear position, which was less crowded, and Charlotte spoke to James Brown while facing him. “Uncle, I’ve realized that riding the bus with you makes things so much easier for me. No one else can squeeze close to me, and those creepy guys can’t take advantage of me either.” Charlotte’s statement made several men around them break into a sweat. They were all of uncle age, and it was normal for them to ‘accidentally’ cop a feel during the crowded bus ride. It seemed like Charlotte was talking about them. James Brown smiled and said, “Maybe in a couple of days, I won’t be taking the bus anymore.” “Why? Are you changing jobs again?” “No, I’m going to move.” “You can’t be serious, Uncle. You’re disappointing me. Why on earth would you move when things are fine?” “Hehe, I’m just temporarily staying at a friend’s place. I need my own space.” Charlotte pouted her pretty lips and said, “Then just rent something nearby. What’s the difference between renting here and there?” James shook his head and replied, “I’ve already found a place and paid the deposit.” Charlotte kicked James Brown, visibly annoyed, and said, “Uncle, you’re not being very nice.” James Brown found it amusing and said, “But you can still come to visit me, though riding the same bus with you might not be possible anymore.” “Hmph! I’m not talking to you anymore.” Charlotte pouted and turned her head away, actually giving James the silent treatment. James Brown didn’t try to coax Charlotte. This young girl was just a passerby in his life anyway, and there wasn’t really any connection between them. Helping her a couple of times was just a convenient thing to do. The bus soon arrived at the stop, and both James Brown and Charlotte got off. Although she had been angry, Charlotte then asked, “Uncle, where do you live?” James Brown pointed to the L Mansion complex and said, “I’m temporarily staying here.” Charlotte immediately exclaimed, “Wow, that’s where rich people live!” James Brown chuckled and replied, “That’s my friend’s place, not mine.” Charlotte said enviously, “I wish I could live in such a fancy complex, but my family can’t afford it. I have to live over there.” She pointed to a complex across the street. That complex looked somewhat dated compared to a high-end one like L Mansion. It was clear that a girl who takes the bus every day doesn’t come from a particularly wealthy family. “You’ll have your chance. You’re still young. In the future, with your own efforts, you can earn enough money to buy a villa and live in a complex better than this one.” Charlotte pursed her lips and said, “Easy for you to say, Uncle. You’re so old and still have to rent, sigh. It looks like I’ll just have to marry someone rich, so I can make lots of money without hard work.” James Brown was left speechless. What were young girls thinking these days? Charlotte was still so young and yet so pragmatic; he found it a bit hard to accept. “Hehe, I’m still young, so I can’t keep up. See you, Uncle. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Charlotte waved at James Brown and then cheerfully ran into the opposite complex. James Brown shook his head and walked towards the entrance, too. Gina Lopez had given him a resident card for the complex the night before, as well as a key to her home, so he could freely come and go as he pleased without Gina. When he got back to Gina Lopez’s place, she hadn’t returned yet. James Brown changed his clothes and looked around the kitchen, only to find almost nothing to cook with. He shook his head, thinking that Gina really wasn’t suited for domestic life, wondering what she even ate at home. Fortunately, there was rice. James Brown started cooking the rice and prepared to go out and buy some groceries when his phone rang. The number was Grace Lopez’s; the girl clearly hadn’t given up yet. “Brother-in-law, what are you doing?” In Gina Lopez’s house, James Brown could easily deal with Grace, saying, “I just made rice and was about to go out and get some groceries.” “Ah, I want to eat the food you cook, Brother-in-law. Mom’s cooking is so bad.” “You better not let Auntie hear that, or you’ll never get to have a meal at home again. Oh, your sister’s back, and she’s bought the groceries, so I don’t need to go out anymore.” As Gina Lopez came back holding some groceries, James Brown said to Gina, “You chat with your sister; I’m going to cook.” After taking the groceries from Gina Lopez and handing her the phone, James Brown headed straight for the kitchen. Then he overheard Gina Lopez speaking impatiently on the phone for a few sentences before hanging up. “That little troublemaker really gives me a headache,” sighed Gina Lopez as she changed her clothes and came to the kitchen door. James Brown was skillfully chopping vegetables and remarked, “I reckon one more time, and she’ll finally give up.” Gina Lopez nodded, “I think so too.” Then, watching James Brown cut the vegetables, she couldn’t help but admire his culinary skills. No wonder Grace Lopez especially enjoyed watching him cook at their parents’ house. But watching James Brown cook wasn’t as comfortable for Gina Lopez as it was for Grace, and it even put a strange kind of pressure on her. James stopped and said, “Alright, Miss Lopez, I’m not at ease with you here. Go do whatever you need to. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.” Gina Lopez nodded, “Thanks,” and then turned to go back to her bedroom. The groceries Gina Lopez bought today were really nice, including fresh greens, meat, a live fish, and a pound of shrimp, much better than what James typically bought. Intent on a treat, James promptly cooked everything up and then called out loudly, “Miss Lopez, dinner’s ready!” Gina Lopez had been smelling the delicious aroma from the living room, her stomach unwillingly growling non-stop. But she definitely wasn’t like her younger sister, Grace, who would rush out to sneak a bite. Even coming out just to look, she resisted. However, upon James’s call, she could no longer stay put and walked directly from her bedroom towards the kitchen. Before she could sit down, James looked at her with a smile and said, “Must be starving, to come out for dinner so quickly.” “Who says I’m in a hurry?” Gina certainly wouldn’t admit it. James twinkled his eyes and teased, “Heh heh, with your temperament, Miss Lopez, if you weren’t in a hurry, why would you come to eat without even washing your hands first?” Gina’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She quickly got up to wash her hands, and after dallying for a while, returned to the dining table where a bowl of rice was already waiting for her. Sёarᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “Miss Lopez, I don’t mind if you act all bossy, but I’m going to start eating,” he said, already stuffing a big bite of fish into his mouth. “Why wouldn’t I eat the groceries I bought?” Gina found an excuse for herself and immediately began eating with her chopsticks. Gina Lopez worked hard in YODC City. Although diligent at her job, she didn’t take great care of herself in her daily life. She typically skipped breakfast, had a cafeteria lunch at work—which was just so-so even with decent options—and if she had no evening engagements, she’d have a simple meal at home. Having such a variety of dishes for dinner at home was a first for her, and the flavor of the meal that James Brown made was genuinely good. She found herself unable to stop eating once she started. James enjoyed when people ate the meals he prepared, especially when they lost their composure in their enjoyment; it was a sign the food was delicious and gave him a sense of accomplishment. He didn’t have many hobbies, but cooking was something he excelled at among the few he did have. “Phew, I can’t eat any more,” Gina announced after two small bowls of rice, while also sensually licking some sauce off her lips. James couldn’t help but fix his gaze on her; Gina looked truly beautiful in that moment. Had Gina not been single, James would certainly consider pursuing her. “What are you looking at?” Gina felt somewhat dazed under James’s gaze, realizing she had indeed lost composure that evening. She stood up and walked slowly towards the living room, her steps sluggish. She had eaten so much that her stomach was uncomfortably full, and she felt like the food in her stomach would spill out if she walked too quickly. James chuckled to himself, refrained from teasing Gina, and began to clear the table. Gina sat down on the sofa and idly turned on the TV. It had been a long while since she’d relaxed and watched television after dinner. While watching TV, her gaze kept stealing glances toward the kitchen. There, she could see James, donning an apron and efficiently tidying up the dining table, quickly leaving it spotless before moving on to wash the dishes in the sink. Gina found herself mesmerized by his busy figure. She’d been successful in her career and had met many successful men, with no shortage of excellent men pursuing her, but she felt nothing for them. The more successful they were, the more she felt that beneath their polished surfaces, such men were rather vile, especially in their casual attitudes toward women, usually with the intent to play around. This was something Gina found entirely unacceptable. Now, something about James touched a chord within her. What she really yearned for was a simple life where she could have a warm meal waiting for her after battling the day outside, someone to take care of her instead of having to serve someone like a lord. “Here, have some tea to help with digestion. You don’t usually eat much, so eating this much all at once might be tough on your stomach,” James said as he placed a cup of tea in front of Gina in the living room. When he sat down, he found Gina looking at him oddly, and he said with a grin, “What? Do you feel I’ve taken such good care of you that I might make a decent boyfriend?” Gina immediately shot him a glare, “Don’t flatter yourself.” Yet there was an embarrassed undertone to her words, as if James had guessed her thoughts.

Chapter 47 - 47 46 Living a Simple Life

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