Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 219: Don’t Overwork Yourself

The wheelchair slowly moved across the stone pathway in the garden.

Eleanor leaned back in her chair, turned her head, and her gaze gently swept across Nathaniel beside her.

His profile remained handsome, but there was a trace of worry in his brows that she couldn’t comprehend; likely, he was troubled by the matters concerning Julian and Josephine.

"Nathaniel."

She suddenly spoke, her voice soft and gentle, "Did Henny and Mom go to Arctica?"

Nathaniel paused his hand pushing the wheelchair, his tone without emotion: "Yes, I just sent them to the airport."

Eleanor replied with a low "hm," then asked: "And you? Is work at the company keeping you busy lately? Don’t stay up too late; it’s not good for your health."

She knew she couldn’t help him much; she could only offer trivial words of concern.

"It’s fine." Nathaniel’s answer remained brief, yet the speed at which he pushed the wheelchair slowed, "Are you taking the medicine the doctor prescribed, as scheduled?"

"Yes, Vivian makes sure I take them every day." Eleanor smiled, but there was loneliness in her eyes, "Don’t worry about me all the time; I know my own body and will be cautious."

Hearing this, Nathaniel glanced at Vivian, indifferently.

Vivian obediently followed behind, softly calling, "...Brother."

"Yes, make sure to visit Eleanor and chat with her more often when you have time."

"I know, I come over every day."

Vivian, like a student, was cautious throughout.

In the past...

Her brother treated her well, even defended her, and had many heated arguments with Josephine over it.

At the time, she thought her brother had fallen for her, liked her. She was confident enough to believe she could defeat Josephine.

But now...

She finally knew the truth.

Her brother was kind to her purely because she resembled her aunt, purely out of regard for her aunt.

As they spoke.

The two had already reached the doorstep.

Nathaniel bent down, gently picking Eleanor up from the wheelchair, his movements gentle, unlike the usual decisive President Gallagher.

Eleanor leaned in his arms, able to catch the faint scent of cologne on him.

The scent accompanied her for over a decade, but now it made her nose tingle.

"Nathaniel." She wrapped her arms around his neck, her voice carrying a slight choke, "If... if I’m not here in the future, take care of yourself, don’t go head-to-head with others, okay?"

Nathaniel tightened his hold on her, gently placing her on the sofa, avoiding her gaze: "Don’t overthink things, focus on resting and recuperating."

He didn’t want to discuss the topic of "not being here" with her, even though he was aware that Eleanor’s health wouldn’t hold out for long.

Eleanor noticed his evasive gaze, understood, and didn’t pursue the matter.

She merely pulled his hand over and gently touched the wound in his palm left by the glass cup.

The scar wasn’t completely healed, its faint trace still visible.

"Does your hand still hurt?" she asked.

"I had dinner prepared."

"Good."

During dinner.

Despite her frailty, Eleanor continuously served him food, "Eat more, you’ve gotten so thin lately, your eyes even look sunken."

Nathaniel: "You should eat more, and drink more soup."

"Is it delicious?"

"Mm, delicious."

Eleanor: "These dishes were all made by Vivian herself, in accordance with your taste preferences."

Nathaniel froze for a moment, "Thank you for your hard work."

"It’s what I should do."

Vivian sat beside them, watching the two serve each other dishes; she felt a faint prickling in her heart, quickly lowering her head to shovel rice into her bowl, "Brother, Aunt, eat more; if there isn’t enough, I’ll add more dishes."

By relation.

She should call Nathaniel uncle.

But she had called him brother since she was little and was unwilling to change.

Eleanor smiled, her eyes gentle as she looked at her: "No need to busy yourself; this is enough. Don’t just concentrate on eating, have more ribs; you’ve gotten thinner lately too."

Saying this, she placed a tenderly cooked rib into Vivian’s bowl.

Vivian raised her head, meeting Eleanor’s gaze, her heart warmed, yet slightly pained; she quickly nodded, "Thank you, Aunt."

Nathaniel didn’t say much, only occasionally echoing Eleanor’s words, his gaze frequently drifting toward his phone.

He was waiting for news from Andy.

About Leo Ford’s signed documents and Julian and Josephine’s latest whereabouts.

Eleanor noticed but didn’t bring it up, only served him another bowl of warm chicken soup: "Have some soup to warm your stomach, and don’t skip meals even when busy."

Nathaniel accepted the bowl, his fingertips touching the warm porcelain, inexplicably softening his heart, he said softly, "Thank you."

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..."

His phone vibrated incessantly.

Glancing at it, they were calls from Jay and Evelyn.

Nathaniel’s eyebrows furrowed even tighter, and he directly silenced the phone.

Eleanor paused, seeing this.

"Why not answer?"

"Nothing, just some nuisance calls."

"..." Eleanor hesitated for a moment, understandingly looking at him.

"Was it Miss Thornton?"

"..." Nathaniel’s pupils contracted, frozen on the spot.

He thought she was unaware of his and Evelyn’s situation.

Unexpectedly, she already knew.

"Eleanor, I..."

Eleanor gave him a gentle smile, considerately saying, "You don’t need to explain. Do what you want to do! I understand; there must be reasons for your difficulties."

She had known Nathaniel for a long time.

She was clear about his personality.

Therefore, she knew he couldn’t possibly like a woman like Evelyn.

Naturally, she wouldn’t feel jealous.

The only woman who could make her jealous was Josephine.

As long as he didn’t seek Josephine out.

Then, she didn’t care whom he went to see.

"Eleanor, don’t think too much, I’m doing this purely for work reasons."

"I know, I also worry about you."

Eleanor gently patted his hand resting on the table, her eyes devoid of any grievance, only concern: "I know it’s hard for you, managing the company while dealing with these issues. Just don’t wear yourself out, take care of yourself for Henny’s sake."

Nathaniel Gallagher looked at her transparent understanding, and instead, a sense of inexplicable guilt welled up in his heart.

His Adam’s apple moved slightly, but he said nothing more.

Some things, he didn’t need to explain to her, she could guess on her own.

His entanglement with Evelyn Thorne was nothing more than a means to use her.

"I’m full, and I have something to do tonight, so I won’t stay to accompany you."

"Tomorrow night, I will definitely spend time with you."

Eleanor Churchill nodded compliantly, "Okay, don’t work too late."

"You should also go to bed early."

"Alright."

Vivian Shaw came over after clearing the dishes, noticing the somewhat heavy atmosphere between the two, she quickly tried to lighten the mood: "Auntie, I just made some tremella soup, how about I serve some for you and brother to try?"

Eleanor Churchill smiled and nodded, "Sure, thank you for your hard work, Vivian."

Nathaniel Gallagher seized the opportunity to get up, grabbing the coat from the back of his chair: "I have something to handle, I have to leave first. You guys enjoy the tremella soup."

"Won’t you stay a little longer?"

A trace of reluctance flashed in Eleanor’s eyes, but she still didn’t try to stop him, "Be careful on the road, don’t drive too fast."

"Alright." Nathaniel responded and quickly turned to leave the room.

As soon as he sat in the car.

He switched his phone back from silent mode.

The screen immediately popped up several messages from Evelyn Thorne.

All were questioning why he didn’t answer the phone and saying she was going to find him at the company.

Frowning with irritation, Nathaniel set Evelyn Thorne’s messages to "Do Not Disturb" and texted Andy: "Handle Evelyn Thorne’s matter, don’t let her come to the company and make a fuss."

Andy quickly replied: "Understood, President Gallagher."

The car started moving.

Nathaniel watched the scenery outside the window blur past, Eleanor’s words "I know it’s hard for you" echoed in his mind.

He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.

For the first time, he felt his calculations and tactics seemed somewhat clumsy in the face of Eleanor’s clarity.

But it was just a momentary feeling.

He soon pushed down this emotion.

Now was not the time to be soft-hearted.

After dealing with Julian Grant, after sweeping away all the troubles, it wouldn’t be too late to make amends for this guilt.

...

Josephine Thompson and Julian Grant were next.

After leaving Audenburg, they went to Kensington.

"Josephine, the map has been printed."

Josephine Thompson immediately leaned over, her eyes falling on the printed map, her fingertips lightly touching the intersection of "Eagle’s Beak Peak" and "Crescent River": "Look at this tripod-shaped symbol, it was mentioned in my parents’ notes as well. ’Star Tripod’ corresponds to the constellation positions during The Dawnveil Dynasty. Perhaps we need to combine it with the star chart of that era to pinpoint the exact location."

Julian Grant spread the printed paper on the hotel desk, then pulled up the satellite map of Kensington on his tablet, comparing them: "The ’Eagle’s Beak Peak’ is still there, but the ’Crescent River’ has changed course several times. We need to check the local chronicles to see where the original river course was during The Dawnveil Dynasty."

As he spoke, he opened a browser and searched for "Kensington The Dawnveil Dynasty Crescent River course."

Soon, several related archaeological papers popped up.

"Look at this one, it says the main course of the Crescent River during The Dawnveil Dynasty was near the current location of Opengate, about two kilometers west of its current path."

Josephine Thompson leaned in to look at the tablet screen, her eyes lighting up: "Then we can first mark the approximate location of the Crescent River during The Dawnveil Dynasty on the satellite map, and correspond it with Eagle’s Beak Peak, it might help narrow down the area."

The two were head-to-head.

One marked the river course on the printed paper, while the other adjusted the satellite map’s scale on the tablet. Unknowingly, more than an hour passed.

As the sky outside gradually darkened, Julian Grant finally lifted his hand to rub his sore shoulders: "Let’s take a break, go get something to eat, and pick up a copy of the Opengate local chronicles on the way back. There might be more detailed records of the landmarks from The Dawnveil Dynasty."

Josephine nodded, packing up their things, then suddenly remembered something, raising her head to ask him: "Do you think Nathaniel Gallagher will figure out we came to Kensington?"

Julian Grant was momentarily stunned, then curled his lips into a smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair: "Even if he guesses, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already asked a friend to keep an eye on Nathaniel Gallagher’s movements. If he dares to come to Kensington, we’ll be prepared."

Seeing the confidence in Julian Grant’s eyes.

Josephine’s anxiety instantly melted away. She got up with him: "Let’s hurry then. I know a place nearby with an old, famous Beijing cuisine restaurant, the food there is especially good."

The two of them walked out of the Thompson Residence courtyard together.

The evening breeze rustled the sycamore leaves along the street.

Walking beside Julian Grant’s tall silhouette, Josephine couldn’t help but ask: "Do you think my parents were like us back then, searching for clues on the map bit by bit?"

Julian Grant slowed down, holding her hand, the warmth of his fingers passing over: "They probably had an even harder time. Back then, there were no satellite maps, they could only traverse the mountaintops on foot. But they had each other for company, just like we do now."

Josephine felt a warmth in her heart and nodded vigorously.

The two strolled along the street, soon arriving at the famous Beijing cuisine restaurant.

As soon as they sat down. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Julian Grant picked up the menu, fluently ordering several dishes: "One roast duck, plus the Three Explosions, pea cake, and your favorite candied haw.

"For the rest, serve us a few of your signature dishes."

"Sure."

Josephine watched him, her eyes filled with laughter: "How did you know I love this?"

"I heard you mention it once last time," Julian Grant raised his eyebrows, "Besides, don’t all girls like sweet stuff?"

The dishes were quickly served.

The roast duck was crispy on the outside, wrapped in a thin pancake with sweet bean sauce, a bite full of satisfaction.

Halfway through the meal.

Julian Grant suddenly remembered something, pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, and handed it to Josephine Thompson after flipping to a certain page: "Look, this is what I noted while researching today, during The Dawnveil Dynasty, there was a ’Astral Temple’ in Opengate near Eagle’s Beak Peak. It might be related to ’Star Tripod as Key.’"

Josephine Thompson took the notebook, seeing the dense writing on the page, she was filled with emotion.

Even during meals, he hadn’t forgotten to look for clues.

"Then should we go to the Eagle’s Beak Peak area tomorrow? Maybe we can find the remains of Astral Temple."

"That’s exactly the plan." Julian Grant said, placing a piece of duck meat into her bowl, "But we need to get up early tomorrow, the mountain road is tough, so we must be prepared."

The two chatted while eating, the topic ranging from map clues to old stories of Kensington, the atmosphere light and sweet.

By the time they left the restaurant.

The night had deepened, and the streetlights cast a warm yellow glow.

Julian Grant draped his coat over Josephine Thompson’s shoulders, speaking softly: "It’s cool at night, don’t catch a chill."

Josephine Thompson snugged into the coat.

Leaning against him, she suddenly felt, no matter how many difficulties lay ahead.

As long as Julian Grant was with her, she was afraid of nothing.

Back at the courtyard.

Julian Grant laid the tablet on the table, pulling up the aerial map of the terrain around Eagle’s Beak Peak, his fingers circling an area on the screen: "Tomorrow we’ll first scout the route in person. After confirming the approximate range, we’ll have to find a reliable outdoor team."

"Given the complex mountain terrain, there are many undeveloped areas, it’s too dangerous for just the two of us."

Josephine Thompson leaned in, looking at the treacherous mountain paths on the screen, nodding: "My dad mentioned in his notes that the rear slope of Eagle’s Beak Peak is covered with loose rocks and prone to landslides during rain. It’s wise to find a team, but we must find people we trust not to leak the information."

Julian Grant tapped on the screen, pulling up a contact list: "I know an outdoor guide, we went on a desert expedition together before, he’s reliable and keeps secrets well. I’ll send him a message now to bring some people over, along with equipment."

He quickly typed out the message and sent it, and within minutes, the other party replied: "No problem, arriving in Opengate by noon tomorrow, bringing all the necessary equipment, selecting only the most experienced team members."