While she spoke, the old lady leaned in close to Ashley and tugged her aside with a mischievous grin. “Come on, let me share some of my secrets!” Ashley instinctively wanted to refuse—She wasn’t that kind of girl! But everything the old lady whispered was just so tempting… Only now did Ashley start to understand how she and the old man stayed so loving all these years—turns out, there were methods behind it! No wonder, even at their age, the old man still doted on her endlessly. He followed her around like a love-struck teenager. To keep things private, the old lady even pulled Ashley outside the courtyard and shooed away the others before leaning in to speak softly. That’s when the old man appeared, walking toward them with a steaming cup in his hand. “Sweetheart, I brought you some warm water. I checked the temperature—it's just right. Let me know if you want more.” The old lady beamed and took the cup. “Thank you, honey!” That one sweet word seemed to light up the old man’s whole face. He grinned like a fool, cheeks wrinkling with delight. No one knew how, after all these years, this little trick still worked like magic on him. After drinking the water, the old lady smiled even more and thanked him again in that same sugary voice. The old man, overjoyed, took the empty cup with a bounce in his step and asked, “Want some more?” She shook her head. “I’m good. You should go check if Arthur needs any help.” “Oh—right, right!” he said quickly, shuffling off toward the courtyard. But even as he walked away, he kept looking back over his shoulder. “If you need anything, just call me, alright? Don’t try to tough it out.” The old lady nodded repeatedly until he finally, reluctantly, disappeared around the corner. Ashley stood there, wide-eyed.She gave the old lady a very visible thumbs-up. “You’re amazing. I’m seriously impressed.” The two of them were barely a few steps apart, and yet that farewell looked like someone going off to war. All the sweet nothings, the worried glances, the back-and-forth—it was honestly more romantic than anything she and Arthur had ever done. The old lady gave a smug little laugh. “Told you—I've got skills!” And then she leaned in again to keep whispering her secrets. Now that Ashley had seen the evidence with her own eyes, she listened even more intently. Meanwhile, Arthur finally stepped out from the house. The old man was waiting for him with the exact same knowing grin the old lady had worn earlier. “Arthur, got completely knocked out by your little wifey, didn’t you?” Arthur glanced toward Ashley and the old lady, then back at the old man. Even with his usual thick skin, his cheeks reddened slightly. The old man chuckled. “Arthur, I’ve been around the block. You’re at the same stage me and my wife were back in the day.” He turned and waved to the old lady across the courtyard. She turned and waved right back. For a moment, it looked like a scene out of a fairy tale—two lovers separated by a heavenly bridge. Arthur couldn’t help himself. “You guys are barely ten steps apart…” “Ah ah!” The old man interrupted, wagging a finger. “Arthur, this isn’t about distance—it’s called romantic tension!” Then he leaned in, eyes gleaming. “You see how my wife and I are still so close after all these years? There’s a reason for that.” He winked conspiratorially. “You and your little missy are made for each other. Want me to teach you a few tricks?” He looked like a master preparing to pass down some ancient secret art—and Arthur couldn’t help being curious. So, inside the courtyard, Arthur and the old man stood whispering together.Outside, the old lady and Ashley were doing the exact same thing. At one point, Arthur glanced up and met Ashley’s eyes. He copied the old man’s gesture and waved to her with a playful smile. Sure enough, it worked like a charm—Ashley blushed and waved back shyly. Arthur still didn’t know exactly what the old lady and Ashley were whispering about, but in that moment, he could guess. They kept talking for a long time—until someone from Benjamin’s side came by to summon them for the banquet. Finally, Arthur and Ashley reluctantly said goodbye to their “mentors.” Arthur looked bashful as he grinned. “Sir, I’m buying you a drink tomorrow.” Not tonight, he added to himself. Tonight… I’ve got more important things to do.