The off-white exterior walls glimmered with a pearly sheen under the twilight, columns extending to support the house’s clean and simple dome; the iron railings of the terrace reflected a faint light, and several clusters of unknown vine-like green plants climbed upward, adding a touch of green to the building itself.
Retracting his gaze from the exquisitely designed three-story small villa in front of him, Xia Nan turned his head to look at Jeff beside him, his expression surprised.
In his impression, this honest and thrifty convoy captain always wore a set of coarse linen clothes washed to a faded white, and when living and eating outside, he would save whenever he could.
Appearing extremely frugal.
Therefore, he never associated words like "wealthy" or "luxurious" with the other person.
He only thought that Jeff’s life was difficult, and his earnings from working outside barely filled his family members’ stomachs.
Feeling overwhelmed by the hospitality, even though Xia Nan was told that an empty room was prepared for him, he had already prepared to sleep in the living room before coming.
He had even mentally prepared a script, thinking about how he should politely decline when Jeff and his wife insisted on giving up their bedroom for him without hurting their self-esteem.
But what he didn’t expect was.
After closing the tailor shop’s door, he followed Jeff home.
The distance between the buildings on both sides gradually expanded, the attire of pedestrians on the road became increasingly clean and tidy, and even the frequency of guards patrolling significantly increased.
The previously surrounding meat stalls with swarming flies and reeking stench and brothels with pink-lit ambiguous signs had disappeared.
Replaced by bookstores and high-end clothing stores, which were rarely seen before.
He even saw a few noble-looking people adorned with gold and silver, followed by servants.
Clearly, they were approaching the city center.
Then, there was the exquisite villa in front of them, whose expensive cost was apparent at a glance.
"It’s been some years. I remember when I bought it, Lilina was just starting school not long before."
"In the blink of an eye, she’s graduated. Time waits for no one..."
Jeff stood by the roadside, hands on his waist, speaking with emotion.
Xia Nan’s expression remained unchanged, but a touch of envy inadvertently appeared deep in his eyes.
Neum is one of the most important core cities in the Pan Yun Province of the Sevia Kingdom.
In the world from before, it was almost equivalent to a provincial capital, definitely a tier-two or tier-three city.
To own such a house in this area...
It can be said, even as someone who had struggled for years in a big internet company in the previous world, he couldn’t possibly afford it.
Now thinking back, he realizes he had been a bit presumptuous.
Seeing Jeff’s typically thrifty style, he assumed his life wouldn’t be too affluent.
In fact, Xia Nan should have known.
In this world, any industry related to "adventurers" would have risk factors and income levels increased geometrically.
Before retiring, Jeff was a genuine convoy captain who frequently hired adventurers as guards.
He was quite well-known in River Valley Town and was an old acquaintance of "Rock Hammer" Barn.
After working for so many years and being so frugal himself, saving enough for retirement was very easy.
In some ways, if one had to say, using "life’s winner" to describe him wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
His wife, who has accompanied him since before their success, a complete pair of children, even though he’s lost a leg, but having retired comfortably at the age of forty or fifty, with a well-maintained three-story small building, a tailor shop, and enough savings for retirement.
Even in the past world where technology was developed, this is the retired life that most ordinary people dreamed of.
The villa’s front door was gently opened, and a group of three entered the house.
"Mom, come out quickly, see who’s here!"
Home again, Lilina was not as restrained and cautious as she was in the shop, appearing exceptionally lively.
She ran towards the kitchen, cheerfully shouting.
Soon, a middle-aged woman, also in her forties or fifties, with noticeable crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes, wearing an apron, was pulled out from the kitchen by Lilina.
Seeing Xia Nan at the door, it was clear she froze for a moment, her puzzled gaze sweeping over his face and equipment.
Clearly, she didn’t recognize him.
This was very normal, after all, they hadn’t met before.
However, her face still maintained a polite and warm smile.
Her eyes turned to Jeff beside her.
"Xia Nan." Jeff no longer introduced in detail as before, just smiled and uttered the name.
Then, Xia Nan clearly saw the woman’s eyes light up instantly.
The original hint of detachment in her smile disappeared entirely, replaced with immense enthusiasm.
"Oh, you finally came."
"Please sit down! Please sit down! Make yourself at home."
"Our Jeff has been nagging every day, asking when he might see you again; since you’re here this time, have a good few days to rest and recover your body."
He saved the mainstay of the family.
Clearly, the name "Xia Nan" was very familiar to Jeff’s family, just that they hadn’t seen him in person and couldn’t match the name to the face before.
Now with Jeff’s mention, his wife instantly responded as well.
Xia Nan had just walked through the door, barely steadying himself, and was pulled onto the living room sofa, surrounded by warm inquiries.
The fruit and snacks on the coffee table in front of him were stuffed into his arms without any reservation.
The almost overflowing enthusiasm was something even Xia Nan found a bit overwhelming.
"Alright, Daisy, let him rest for a bit."