Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire-Chapter 305: The Stream on the Hill

The cottage was quiet, wrapped in the tranquility of early afternoon. The autumn breeze blew against the closed windows, carrying the echoes of rustling leaves, creaking branches and the faint caw of distant crows.

Faint sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting delicate patterns over the floor. Inside, two figures lay on the bed, their legs entangled under the comfort of the thick blanket.

"...en."

Ruediger stirred awake first while Lariette was still asleep. She nestled against his chest with one arm draped over his torso. Breathing softly and evenly, her chest rose and fell subtly.

’Cute.’

Glancing down at Lariette, a small smile formed on Ruediger’s lips. He carefully brushed her bangs away from her forehead, revealing her face more.

Ruediger liked seeing how peaceful Lariette was while sleeping. The lines between her brows relaxed.

His mind drifted to the tender moments they shared. Her soft chuckles, the way she clutched his shirt as they kissed and the little teasing here and there.

Everything only changed even better for them.

Shifting his eyes away from Lariette, Ruediger looked at the wall clock — ten minutes past twelve. He had napped for over two hours, enough to recharge his energy after a long morning drive.

’The sunset is around four or five if I’m not mistaken. We better go to the grave soon.’

Before they drifted to sleep, Lariette once again mentioned going hiking after visiting Mrs. Evans’ grave. She said there was a stream up on the hill and the water was so fresh.

Ruediger carefully slipped out of the comforter, leaving Lariette alone on the bed. He quietly walked out of the bedroom, intending to reheat the dishes made by Melissa.

Ruediger was famished. He believed Lariette wanted to have lunch too. He planned to wake her up soon. Then, they could get ready before visiting the gravesite and trekking the small hill.

The daytime of late autumn in the northern countryside was shorter than in the city. They better make haste.

While heating a pot of soup on the stove, Ruediger returned to the bedroom. He smiled in helplessness seeing Lariette still curled under the blanket, her long hair splayed across the pillow.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ruediger leaned over, brushing his lips on Lariette’s face. It was his new habit, something he couldn’t do without.

"Wake up, sleepyhead."

In her drowsiness, Lariette felt her face slightly tickled, the sensation was quite familiar until she remembered the reason. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw Ruediger smiling before he continued kissing her face.

"Eddy... that tickles," Lariette chuckled, her voice slightly hoarse.

"It’s twelve-thirty. Are we gonna stick to our plan or not?"

Pushing herself to sit up, Lariette’s hair fell over her shoulder and back. Still drowsy, she recalled their plans for the afternoon. She quickly nodded instead of canceling any.

"Of course, we gonna stick to our plan," she hummed.

"Hehe, go and wash your face," Ruediger cupped Lariette’s face, her lips almost puckering, "I’ve heated the food. Let’s eat first."

"Okay. I’m hungry."

Lariette and Ruediger had some hot meals for lunch. Then, they stepped out of the cottage, bundled warmly in layers of sweaters and scarves.

At over one in the afternoon, the sun already tilted lower than its peak in the sky. The rays cast long shadows across the paths. The shades of copper, rust and color colored the village.

Lariette carried a small basket of flowers and bottles of pear cider for Mrs. Evans’ grave. Beside her, Ruediger shouldered a small backpack of snacks and thermal flasks of hot drinks.

The leaves crunched beneath their shoes as they walked holding hands. They met no one along the way to the graveyard.

Similar to their previous visit, the village cemetery was well taken care of. Crows flew from branch to branch, their calls echoing faintly in the air, carried by the passing breeze.

Lariette and Ruediger knelt before Mrs. Evans’ tombstone. They brushed away the few fallen leaves on the grave before she placed the flowers while he uncapped the pear cider.

"Hi, Grandma," Lariette murmured, her lips curling up, "Eddy and me, we’re back. We hope you’re well."

"I’m glad we get to visit you again, Grandma," Ruediger spoke beside Lariette. He placed the bottle next to the flowers, "Here, your favorite pear cider. Lettie made sure I remember."

Lariette chuckled upon hearing Ruediger’s last remark. They spent some time there, chatting about their lives before it was finally time to hike.

"I gonna show Eddy the view from the hill," Lariette said while patting the tombstone, "We’ll visit you again tomorrow, Grandma."

Then, Lariette led Ruediger to the trail. Even after years, the trail was still familiar to her. Along the way, she pointed out little things as they climbed.

"That fence post was already there before I moved her with Grandma."

"Eddy, did you see that tree? A swing was used to hang there."

"Uncle Paul brought my friends and me for a picnic at the stream a few times. Aunt Mel packed us with delicious food."

Ruediger listened to every word Lariette said. He enjoyed how serene the surrounding areas were as they walked up the trail.

"Eddy! Do you see that? It’s the stream!"

Lariette exclaimed as they reached the ridge, breath puffing in the air. Ruediger followed where she was pointing at. A smile hung on his lips.

The top of the hill welcomed Lariette and Ruediger with a scenic view and the gentle burble of a narrow stream. The water flowed clear over smooth stones, catching glimmers of the autumn sunlight.

"That boulder is huge," Ruediger whistled, referring to a particular boulder standing in the middle of the stream, "I wonder how it got there."

"Uncle Paul nagged at us if we tried to jump from that boulder," Lariette laughed as she recalled the memory, "Well, lucky we didn’t do it."

Ruediger sighed in helplessness, thinking how mischievous Little Lettie and her friends were. Their Uncle Paul was certainly deathly worried because the stream was shallow.

"Should we sit there, Lettie? The ground is quite flat. I brought a mat."

"Hehe, yes~"

"The trees are like patchy golden canopy now," Lariette muttered as she looked up, staring at the surrounding trees, "Bet all leaves will be gone soon."

Ruediger unfolded a mat from the backpack before laying it on the flat patch of grass. Then, he put the thermal flasks and plastic containers on the mat.

Lariette sat on one end of the mat while Ruediger was on the other. The snacks and drinks were between them. They stretched out their legs, taking in the fresh air of the hill.

"Haa... Now, I’m hungry again," Lariette exhaled.

"Have your fill, then," Ruediger chuckled.

They unpacked their remaining food. They had roasted chestnuts, slices of pumpkin tarts, hot tea and hot chocolate.

They munched quietly while the wind rustled through the leaves and grass. The stream gurgled softly before them.

Ruediger didn’t notice the fleeting mischief in Lariette’s eyes once he finished his share of food. He took a few sips of the tea, then put the cup down when she suddenly jumped to her feet.

"Eddy! Let’s go and play!"