Chapter 54: Helping You Wash the Dishes

The old headmaster remembered those events as well. He had been worried but didn’t want to pry, afraid of dredging up her painful memories. Seeing that she genuinely didn’t seem to mind, he finally relaxed. Stroking his chin in satisfaction, he said, "The innocent have nothing to fear. You’ve always been so magnanimous, Megan. Pay no mind to their nonsense. They’re just a bunch of petty gossips who aren’t worth the time of day."

As an educator, it was rare for the old headmaster to curse.

Perhaps it was because he was a teacher that he especially disliked students who loved to stir up trouble. Amanda had been bullied so horribly back then; he only regretted that he had met her too late.

At the time, she was about to take her college entrance exams and didn’t want him to interfere, so he had decided to turn a blind eye. After all, once she got to university, everything would be a fresh start.

She had made him proud, getting into the best school, Auden University. He never expected she would be ruined at the hands of her biological father’s family.

Just thinking about it made him furious.

Seeing his expression change, Amanda quickly took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Teacher, please don’t be upset," she said softly.

After a moment, the old headmaster’s expression returned to normal, and the headmaster’s wife let out a sigh of relief as well.

"It’s okay. I’m really doing well. I have a son now, he’s very cute. I’ll bring him to see you both soon."

The elderly couple exchanged a glance. Seeing her speak so openly, her face full of tenderness as she mentioned her son, it seemed she wasn’t affected by that incident at all. They both smiled. "Good. Megan’s child must be very good-looking. We just love children."

Amanda smiled and released his hand, but a flash of heaviness crossed her features.

Samuel Ford didn’t miss this. He glanced at the old headmaster, his brow slightly furrowed.

Having not seen Amanda in a long time, they all had endless things to say. Amanda selectively shared some amusing stories, making them roar with laughter.

Samuel Ford sat to the side, listening. He would occasionally look up at Amanda, watching her amuse the elderly couple.

He had been one of the old headmaster’s students, so he knew better than anyone what he was usually like: stern, old-fashioned, and rarely smiling. Even the most mischievous students wouldn’t dare act up in front of him. It was only after getting to know him better over the years that Samuel realized he was actually an interesting old man in private.

But this was the first time he had ever seen him laugh so heartily.

He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity toward Amanda.

Someone the old headmaster held in such high regard couldn’t possibly be like the rumors said.

’So what is she really like? Is this it?’

Taking a sip of tea, he gave Amanda a thoughtful glance before looking away.

The old headmaster looked at him and remembered something. "Come on, Megan, Samuel, play a game of Go. Help me win one back."

As he spoke, he pulled them toward the study.

The headmaster’s wife shot him a helpless glance. He was such a terrible player, yet he insisted on playing. Now he was even dragging Megan in to help him. How embarrassing.

But Amanda indulged him. As she was led away, she turned back and said to the headmaster’s wife, "I’ll be back to chat with you in a bit."

"Alright, go on, go on."

She needed to go prepare lunch anyway.

’That child is too thin. She needs to eat more.’

In the study, Amanda and Samuel Ford sat at the Go board. The old headmaster pulled up a chair and sat next to Amanda, cheering her on. "Go, Megan! Take him down a peg! Show him there’s always someone better."

Amanda pressed her lips into a smile. "Okay."

Hearing this, Samuel Ford raised a slight eyebrow, a rare flicker of competitive spirit stirring within him.

Amanda sat in the seat the old headmaster had just vacated, the black stones next to her. Without any ceremony, she picked one up and placed it on the board.

It was a very ordinary, unremarkable placement.

Samuel Ford lifted his gaze to look at her, then placed a stone as well.

The two played quickly, almost without thinking. After about ten minutes, their pace finally slowed.

The old headmaster wasn’t a good player, but he knew how to watch a game. He also had good etiquette, strictly adhering to the gentlemanly principle of watching in silence. He just held his teacup, occasionally looking up at the person across from him, a childish pride in his eyes.

He was just about to lower his head to take a sip when a hand suddenly reached out from the side and took the cup away. He froze for a second, then looked up.

He saw Amanda speak up. "You’re getting older. You should drink less tea, or you’ll have trouble sleeping tonight."

She never used to meddle like this. But several years had passed, and he really had gotten older. He didn’t argue, just replied obediently, "Alright, alright. I’ll drink water then, happy?"

"Mm."

Amanda acknowledged him. A heavy look flashed in her downcast eyes, but she hid it well. If Samuel Ford hadn’t been watching her the whole time, he wouldn’t have noticed.

He lowered his own gaze and said nothing more, continuing with the game.

’Her skill at Go is truly excellent. Her moves seem casual, but in reality, every one is carefully planned. For every one step she takes, she’s looking ten steps ahead.’

’A worthy opponent.’

He observed the board and placed a stone.

Amanda raised her eyebrows. She was a little surprised, yet it was also within her expectations. She appeared calm, but in reality, she wasn’t as relaxed as she let on. This President Ford was an expert as well.

The two of them played slower and slower, gaining a deeper understanding of each other.

The old headmaster, watching from the side, found the match absolutely exhilarating.

Finally, Amanda placed a stone.

A draw.

"Excellent, excellent!" The old headmaster clapped his hands and laughed. "Megan, your Go skills have improved again."

Amanda smiled. "But I still couldn’t beat President Ford and get revenge for you."

"That’s fine, that’s fine." The old headmaster was easy-going about it. "Even tying with him is very impressive. So, Samuel? Now you know there’s someone out there just as skilled as you, eh?"

"Mm." Samuel Ford glanced at the board, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. "Miss Vance is very skilled."

Amanda just smiled and said nothing.

Just then, the headmaster’s wife called them for lunch, and the group walked out.

At the dining table, the couple kept putting food on Amanda’s plate, urging her to eat more.

Amanda smiled and agreed, thankful that she was right not to eat much before coming over. Otherwise, she would never have been able to eat this much.

Even so, she still couldn’t finish everything, leaving a little behind.

Seeing this, the headmaster’s wife took the bowl from in front of her. "It’s okay. As long as you’re full, that’s what matters."

They wanted her to eat more, but they couldn’t let her get too full. What if she made herself sick?

"Mm," Amanda said with a soft smile, having the headmaster’s wife sit on the sofa while she went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Before long, someone was suddenly beside her. Turning sideways, the first thing she saw was the man’s refined chin. Looking at his side profile, Amanda couldn’t help but be a little stunned, marveling at how unfairly blessed by the heavens this man was.

Whether it was his family background, his looks, or his bearing, everything was exceptional. On top of that, he was hardworking himself, carving out his own empire with his own two hands without relying on his family.

"President Ford, what are you doing in here?"

"Helping you wash the dishes."

"Hm?" Amanda almost thought she’d misheard. "Does President Ford even know how to wash dishes?" she asked, a bit skeptical.

Hearing this, Samuel Ford glanced at her without answering. He picked up a nearby apron, tied it on, then took a bowl and began to wash it.

His tall frame seemed out of place in the kitchen, but she had to admit, he really did know how to wash dishes.

His well-defined hands in the water didn’t look like they were washing dishes; it looked more like he was creating a piece of art.

After admiring him for a moment, Amanda averted her gaze and started washing as well.

Her head was down, so she didn’t notice that the moment she looked away, Samuel Ford’s gaze shifted to her, slowly drifting down to her hands.

Unlike a man’s hands, hers were fair and delicate, like the finest white jade—so beautiful you couldn’t look away.