Chapter 1732

chapter1732

It was clear that if no one was talking about it, the issue must be quite serious.

"Guess I'll just go home and study my script!" Charles thought to himself.

Once again, he realized that finding a girlfriend wasn't worth the effort. The fleeting curiosity he'd had recently could be put on hold. Filming and working with scripts were far more fulfilling.

Just a few minutes later, his manager called. "There's an outdoor reality show about experiencing rural life. Would you be interested in joining? I checked the participant list—it's pretty good. Plus, you could treat it like a mini-vacation, and the pay is decent."

"Outdoor life?" Charles's interest was piqued.

"Yep, in the countryside. Didn't you say you wanted to take a break and go on a trip? This would be a great opportunity to connect with nature," his manager encouraged.

Knowing Charles had grown up in the countryside, the manager was confident he'd enjoy this type of program. Plus, it was a chance for Charles to show a different side of himself to his fans.

Charles thought for a moment. "You decide. As long as there aren't any annoying people, I'm fine with it."

"Of course not! There are three female celebrities in the lineup, and all of them have good reputations. Trust me, I've screened everything carefully," the manager assured him.

He knew Charles's personality all too well-despite being a superstar, Charles despised arrogance and laziness on set.

"Alright then."

...

In a private room of a stew restaurant, steam billowed from the stew as it bubbled

with a variety of ingredients, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.

Natalie was practically drooling. "I didn't even bother adjusting to the time difference. I've been craving this! And I've missed you like crazy!"

"Here, look at your favorites. They're ready. Dig in!" Skylar said, genuinely touched.

Natalie's return was sudden. Just a while ago, she'd said she wouldn't be able to visit for the foreseeable future, and Skylar had been planning to visit her abroad. Yet here she was, back already.

Skylar couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about this trip.

Natalie eagerly took a bite, her face lighting up with delight. The more she ate, the happier she looked.

"Nothing beats the authentic taste here! Even when the ingredients are air- shipped, they don't taste the same. This is heavenly!"

"Delicious right? I even got other things that you like. It's all here," Skylar said. She had called the

restaurant right after Natalie's phone restagrant

call to ensure everything was fresh and perfect.

Natalie nodded enthusiastically. "You know me so well! It's amazing, absolutely amazing."

"How long are you staying this time?" Skylar asked as she ate.

Natalie's eyes flickered. "Not sure. I'm planning to stay for a while to spend time with my parents."

Skylar understood immediately and guessed there might be trouble. Natalie had returned alone this time without bringing her children. "Your parents must miss you a lot."

"They're not in great health right

now. Once I've had a chance to rest, I plan to take them for a thorough checkup at the hospital. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease," Natalie said, her tone tinged with emotion.

The years of only seeing her parents through video calls had muted her sense of their aging. Seeing them in person now, the signs were unmistakable-gray hair had multiplied.

Skylar nodded. "If you need help, just call me."

"I can bring them to the hospital myself. I know you're really busy these days. Let's just grab meals and go shopping when we can.

"But seriously, Skylar, how do you still look the same after all these years? Your skin is so firm—I'm so jealous!" Natalie stared at Skylar's face, full of envy.

She had started doing small cosmetic treatments herself to maintain her skin's smoothness and glow.

Skylar laughed. "It's just good lighting. I've been working so hard lately, I've even got fine lines around my eyes."

Skylar was at peace with the idea of aging. Time would inevitably leave its marks.

Halfway through the meal, Natalie finally revealed the real reason for her sudden return. "Are you wondering why I came back so suddenly?"

"Are you ready to talk about it?" Skylar asked, genuinely concerned.

Natalie shrugged. "It's not a big deal, really. I've just grown tired of being a stay-at-home mom. Even though I have some business to manage in Flance, I'm just fed up with

Life

abroad.

"Plus, I found out that Austin's family has been secretly arranging mistresses for

him. It made me so uncomfortable, and we ended up having a huge fight."