Chapter 77

"Melissa, are you all ready?" Grandma Julia being supported by Aunt Sarah, stood at their bedroom door. Grandma purposely came upstairs to check on them. Melissa turned around, revealing a sweet smile, "Almost there, Grandma. We're coming downstairs soon." "Okay, I walk slowly, so I'll go downstairs and wait for you." Grandma's face was filled with joy, she hadn't looked forward to an outing with her family so eagerly for a long time. Moreover, this time, she was accompanied by her granddaughter-in-law and great-grandchildren. "Alrighty, Grandma." Melissa responded promptly. Aunt Sarah gave Melissa a nod, then helped Grandma Julia downstairs. "Mom, it's time. We should go downstairs." Alvina, admiring her newly braided pigtails, laughed happily, her dimples popping. She touched one of her baby teeth, feeling a bit loose. Alvina furrowed her brows in puzzlement. Melissa glanced at the time, they were already a minute late. With Joseph’s character, he would likely start mocking them. Melissa didn't want to start the day on a negative note, so she decided to speed it up. Alvin was already getting impatient. He handed the hair gel and hairdryer to Melissa. "Mom, you haven't done my hair yet!" He was getting a bit grumpy, closely resembling Joseph. "Alright alright, I'll do it now." Melissa started to do Alvin's hair again, trying as quickly and perfectly as possible to style a cool little volcano shape. Alvina stood in front of the vanity, watching the messy tabletop. She found a small blue bottle that her mom often used from Melissa's pile of cosmetics. "Mom, you forgot your makeup remover!" Alvina exclaimed in surprise, slightly too excited. "Thank you, my dear. Quickly help me pack it into the bag." Melissa looked at the cool little figure of Bei Alvin in the mirror, joyfully adding some final touches. "Done! Alvin." Melissa admired her work, and Alvin was also satisfied with his reflection in the mirror, looking at himself left and right. "Melissa..." Oh no! Joseph has come to hurry them up. Melissa quickly turned her head and saw a rectangular card in Joseph's hand. Her eyes brightened with joy, and she sprinted towards Joseph at the speed of a hundred-meter dash. "The invitation you wanted. I had it delivered especially this morning." Joseph said, handing the invitation to Melissa. Although his tone was quite mild, his image in Melissa's heart was majestic. For the first time, Melissa realized how convenient it was to have a wealthy and powerful friend at her side. "Wow!" Melissa accepted the invitation with both hands, kissing the card and blurted out with joy "I love you to death!" Joseph had initially been about to hurry them, but when he saw Melissa's excited reaction to an old invitation, he paused for a few seconds before leaving. Melissa put the invitation in the bottom drawer of her dressing table, under a makeup tutorial booklet. "Alvin, Alvina, let's go!" Melissa put on her backpack, took the hands of her two children, and happily went downstairs... The Ancient Town in the neighboring province was classified as a 5A touristic place. Since they were driving, along with Aunt Sarah and Tony, all five of them sat in the same minivan, making it eight people in total including the driver. After about three hours on the road, they arrived at their destination. "Melissa, why is your face so pale? Did you get car sick?" Grandma Julia saw Melissa looked slightly unwell when she got out of the car and asked with concern. "No, I just didn't sleep well last night" She replied with a smile, not wanting her grandmother to worry about her. Alvin overheard his great-grandmother and mother's conversation and quickly added "Yes, Great-grandma, Mum had a nightmare last night. She was all sweaty when she woke up this morning!" After Alvin said this, Grandma Julia became more worried. Joseph also joined in the fun. He spoke out, surely up to no good. "If one has done too many guilty things, then naturally he will have nightmares." Melissa didn't want to bother with him initially, but remembering Amy's words about Joseph's ruthless business practices, such as the Haizhou Island demolition, Melissa's anger flared up instantly. "I'm afraid some people would have to have nightmares every day, right? The resentful spirits of the old men and women who jumped off buildings and ran into walls must be crying by his pillow every night!" Melissa glanced at Joseph, probing his conscience. "Melissa, what are you talking about?" Grandma Julia probably didn't know about the Haze Island demolition. She asked in confusion, feeling that Melissa's words were directed at Joseph. Melissa gave a dry smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Grandma, I'm talking about some corrupt officials!" Joseph obviously didn't take Melissa's words to heart. He was admiring the beautiful scenery of the ancient city in the alley, feeling a sense of peace and joy. Alvin and Alvina ran together to the city gate of the ancient city in the alley, waving joyfully at their mother. This was the largest and best-preserved historical site in H province. "Mom, can you take a picture of me and my brother?" Alvina lifted her skirt and struck a pose like in a ballet curtain call. Joseph asked for Tony's professional camera and confidently went over. "Come, Alvin, Alvina, daddy is going to take your picture." Joseph adjusted the focus and light sensitivity, fully utilizing his photography expertise developed over the years. Many of the scenic and portrait photos he had taken before had won awards. After taking the photo, Alvin and Alvina ran to Joseph, insisting to see the pictures he had just taken of them. The two little cuties huddled close to Joseph's camera, scrutinizing the photos and exclaiming in delight. "Wow! The photos dad took look way better than mom's!" "Yeah, dad is really awesome!" Melissa glanced at her two unruly treasures, her mood far from pleased. "Joseph, come take some photos of me and Melissa." Grandma Julia, with her arm linked with Melissa's, walked over to a bronze sculpture beneath an ancient building and beckoned for Joseph to come over. Joseph held up the camera, eyeing the two people in the frame and advised. "Grandmother, please turn a bit this way, and the lady with the bitter gourd face, please look more natural." Melissa wanted to beat him! So what, you think you're so great because you can take photos? I can do that too! After taking pictures with Grandma, Melissa took the professional camera from Joseph's hands and hung it around her own neck. She shot him a defiant glance. "I'll help you take a photo with Grandma." Melissa posed like a professional photographer, ready to take their pictures, brimming with defiance.