The Return Of the Invincible Heiress
Chapter 153

Chapter 153: Chapter 153

Luna and the others could not forget Avery and were always thinking about how to take revenge on her. However, Avery did not care about them at all. They were probably like mosquitoes to her. When the mosquitoes buzzed in her ear, she would swat them away. When the mosquitoes weren’t around, she wouldn’t even think about them. After leaving kindergarten with Josie, she went to the hospital to visit her grandparents. At this moment, Cade and Fiona were chatting with Jaden. When they saw their two precious granddaughters arrive, they were overjoyed. Then, they happily ate lunch together in the hospital room. Jaden, Avery, and Josie only left when Cade and Fiona were about to take a rest. Jaden’s van was left with the rural workers to transport vegetables and poultry to the restaurant. So, Avery first took Josie to the restaurant, then took Jaden back to Oxhorn Village for the night.

It was not even five in the afternoon when the two of them arrived at Oxhorn Village. The air was still a little hot, but not as scorching as before. Luna was dressed like a village woman, wearing a straw hat, a plain light-colored cotton shirt, black cotton pants, and ordinary flat sandals. She wore no makeup or jewelry, and her hair was casually tied back. Although she didn’t look as bright as usual, she remained naturally beautiful and down-to-earth. She was delighted to see Jaden return and asked expectantly, "Are you going to cook dinner?" Jaden nodded. "I’m going to pick vegetables now." Avery and Luna followed him into the vegetable garden, picking whatever they liked. Luna said eagerly, "I must have stir-fried sweet and sour vegetables and mashed potatoes for dinner tonight. The rest, you can decide."

The two vegetarian dishes led by Jaden were incredibly appetizing, and they were perfect with strained yogurt or grits. She felt her mouth was tasteless if she didn’t eat them for a day. She was even a little worried that once these dishes were out of season, she wouldn’t be able to eat them anymore. Avery also said, "It’s too hot. I’m going to be a vegetarian too." Half of the reason she enthusiastically offered to take Jaden back to the village was that she wanted to eat vegetables picked directly from the ground. This time, she chose eggplant and cabbage. Jaden thought for a moment and said, "We need meat. I’ll make chicken soup." Although eating chicken soup in the summer could be quite heavy, a chicken soup made with ginger, garlic, scallions, and a touch of chili could be very refreshing and appetizing. Avery was almost drooling at the thought and clapped her hands, saying, "Alright, alright! I’ll help you cook."

Jaden went to the chicken shed on the other side of the flower slope, chose a big fat chicken, and brought it home to prepare. Meanwhile, Avery and Luna washed, wrung, and cut vegetables and prepared the necessary seasonings in the kitchen. Among the dishes they were going to cook that night, only the chicken soup required some effort. The others could be ready in just a few minutes. While Jaden was stir-frying the seasoned chicken over high heat, the rich meat aroma combined with the refreshing smell of the ingredients drew Tommy and Mose, who were studying the evening shot outside, to run in and circle the stove. "This smell is too tempting! With a hint of spice, even in summer, it whets the appetite," Tommy said. "I don’t even need to taste it to know it’s delicious. Why isn’t this dish on the menu at your restaurant?" asked Mose. Jaden smiled and said, "In business, you can’t serve all the good dishes at once. It’s best to introduce new dishes periodically to attract customers." Tommy and Mose both praised, "Brilliant."

Before long, the six-pound chicken, along with a generous amount of ingredients, was piled high like a small mountain in a large bowl, making everyone unable to resist drooling despite their image. Although the chicken had a bit of fat, the grease from the fat was rendered out during cooking, making the chicken soup less greasy. Everyone ate heartily. The men enjoyed the meal paired with the Carter family’s homemade craft beer, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Jaden had eaten a lot of his family’s food and was not greedy. After eating until he was about 80% full, he said, "Take your time. I’ll go over to the cemetery and see about putting up a fence around it."

Luna, accustomed to dieting and eating lightly, didn’t have a large appetite. By this point, she was quite full, rubbing her slightly bloated stomach and saying, "I’ll come with you for a walk." The remaining three people continued to eat. There was still half a bowl of chicken soup left. Not finishing it would be a waste. Luna followed Jaden as they walked toward the end of the vegetable field. At the end of the field was a desolate hill, and between the hills was a barren patch of land overgrown with weeds. No one ever came here throughout the year. However, there was a special small slope between them. The slope was covered with green pines and some wild chrysanthemums, dandelions, camellias, peach blossoms, and other flowers and plants suitable for outdoor growth. A path extended from the vegetable field to the top of the slope. At first glance, the view of the small slope was beautiful. But at the top of the slope stood three graves.

The first time Luna visited this place, she was immediately drawn to the slope, feeling an urge to walk around it a few times. But when she got closer and saw the graves, and noticed no one was around, she became frightened and quickly left. After that, she never dared to come back. It wasn’t until the crew was preparing to close off the outdoor filming area that Jaden emphasized, "The slope near the vegetable field is where Carter family martyrs are buried. You mustn’t harm a single blade of grass or tree there, and don’t disturb their eternal rest." He also said, "You guys get the barricade ready, and I’ll take care of fencing the slope myself." When the crew learned that Jaden’s three uncles had all died in the Patriotic War, they were deeply moved, promising to protect the heroes’ resting place.

When Luna found out that Carter family members and martyrs were buried there, her fear faded. She followed Jaden along the stone path up the slope. Whenever Jaden saw any tall weeds, he pulled them out as he passed. Luna asked, "Did you plant these pine trees and flowers?" Jaden replied, "The pine trees and peach blossoms were planted by my grandparents. I planted the rest. My grandparents said they’d sleep better in a place with flowers and pines." Luna opened her mouth to say something, but couldn’t find the right words. She felt like anything she said wouldn’t be appropriate. Jaden spoke again. "My grandparents said that when they died, they had to be buried here with their three sons so they could see how beautiful the land they defended with their lives had become." He spoke calmly. But for some reason, Luna’s eyes turned red.

The two of them quickly reached the top of the slope. The three graves were built from stones, and a barrier over three feet wide, paved with limestone, surrounded them. Luna saw the inscriptions on the tombstones that read, "Tomb of Armand Carter, beloved eldest son of Cade Carter and Fiona Seede; Tomb of Dutton Carter, beloved second son of Cade Carter and Fiona Seede; and Tomb of Mateo Carter, beloved third son of Cade Carter and Fiona Seede." Each tombstone also stated that Armand died in the Patriotic War at the age of 23, Dutton died in the Patriotic War at the age of 21, and Mateo died in the Patriotic War at the age of 22.

Luna was shocked. She was born and raised in a city, with a good family background. She had never been to a battlefield nor experienced the horrors of war. However, she had acted in a war film, thoroughly researched the wars of that era, and even played the role of a female soldier who sacrificed her life in the war. That role earned her the first Best Actress award of her career. While filming that movie, she had completely immersed herself in the character. At this moment, she found herself feeling the same way she had back then, with deep respect for the three heroes. She stepped forward, removed her straw hat, pressed it against her chest, and bowed deeply to the first tombstone. Then she moved to the second tombstone and repeated the gesture, bowing deeply. She did the same for the third tombstone.

Jaden watched her in surprise. The setting sun’s afterglow cast a hazy golden light over her from the side, coating her in a soft, ethereal glow. In that light, her posture was upright, her expression solemn, and her gaze revealed genuine respect. When she finally looked up, Jaden could even see faint tears in her eyes. In that moment, something seemed to stir within him, touching a chord deep inside, making his gaze soften and grow more profound. Before, Luna had just been a guest with a special status and someone he had a favorable impression of but nothing more. But now, he found the woman in front of him to be truly extraordinary, not just because of her appearance, but because she had a soul worthy of respect.