Save Myself from Desperation

Seeing Valentin’s birthday approaching, there were only a few days left.

Ashley became increasingly anxious, not having decided on a birthday. gift for him.

It had to be a proper gift, considering it was his birthday, a day that came only once a year. Joseph came to the Kingsley Villa every few days.

Seeing Joseph’s smug expression, Ashley came up with an idea and promptly called him over, leading him to a gazebo in the garden for a chat.

This gazebo was Ashley's favorite spot in the Kingsley Villa.

It situated next to a vast artificial lake where a gentle breeze rustled. through the pleasant scenery.

Since Valentin was still at the company and hadn’t returned yet, Ashley intended to extract some information from Joseph. Seated on the bench inside the gazebo, Joseph raised an eyebrow inquisitively. “What’s up, Ashley?”

Ashley cleared her throat, subtly inquiring, “Have you prepared a birthday gift for Valentin?”

Joseph replied, “Of course!”

Ashley continued with a smile, “And what kind of gift have you prepared for him?”

Joseph, arms folded, raised an eyebrow mischievously. “That's a secret!”

Ashley was speechless..

Ashley didn’t expect him to be so cautious.

Joseph rolled his eyes around and quickly assessed the situation. “Ashley, are you still struggling with what to give Valentin for his birthday? It seems like you’re really taking this birthday seriously.”

Ashley, sitting across from him, waved her hand. “Regardless of how seriously | am taking it, he has given me so many gifts before. | should reciprocate properly, shouldn't I?”

09:16

Hearing this, Joseph became gossipy out of curiosity. “What kind of gifts. did Valentin give you before? Tell me!” Ashley once again became speechless.

How could he be so gossipy all the time?

Joseph rubbed his chin, realizing how rare it was that Ashley was putting in effort to choose a birthday gift for Valentin. As a self-proclaimed love strategist, he felt a sudden sense of duty to provide some guidance.

Excited by the idea of this divine mission, Joseph quickly darted to Ashley’s side and exclaimed, “Ashley, what was the birthday gift you gave Valentin last time?”

“The last time?” Ashley pondered for a moment.

It turned out that the last time she gave Valentin a birthday gift was a long time ago.

Joseph

betwee “ore grief on his face, wondering how things got so strained

between them. He asked, “Tell me about the gifts you gave him on his. birthday when you were kids.”

Ashley, feeling a bit embarrassed, touched her nose. “Well, the gifts | gave him back then were handmade, not anything valuable.”

“No! Ashley, don’t belittle yourself!TM

Gifts made by Ashley would undoubtedly be precious to Valentin, possibly treasured until now. Joseph was so curious that he could not help but ask, “Ashley, when did you meet Valentin?”

Ashley casually observed the scenery outside the gazebo. “Just when we were kids, a few years old.” Joseph, feeling curious, begged her to say more. “Tell me about it, Ashley, I’m really curious!”

Ashley recalled the first time she met Valentin. Back then, he was different from his current self.

At that time, she lived in the countryside with her grandparents.

09:16

During that time, her grandpa was immersed in farming. Although he planted various crops, none of them bore fruit. Peanuts wouldn't yield. peanuts, and beans wouldn't produce beans..

But her grandma and grandpa had a strong bond, and her grandpa always had his way. So, the three of them moved to the countryside. together.

Zain brought his grandson to visit Ashley’s grandfather.

It was the first time Ashley laid eyes on Valentin.

Amidst the summer cicada’s song, the wind blew the leaves, making the gentle rustle.

The young boy with soft hair, fair skin, and exquisite features s He looked prettier than all the kids she had seen. However, his eyes seemed lifeless, cold, and distant, unlike the livel expression typical of other children.

While Zain and Ashley’s grandfather were discussing matters, Ashley took Valentin outside to play.

Ashley liked this pretty young boy. Despite her efforts to engage him in conversation and show him around the bridges and trees and the location to see the cricket fight, he remained silent.

Ashley couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong with him, considering his lack of speech and expression. She even thought of the term “amentia” she had learned from a book a couple of days earlier.

Feeling sad for him, Ashley asked Valentin to wait in the shade of trees. outside while she went home briefly.

Worried that he was an amentia, Ashley reminded him not to run around and stay under the shadow of trees.

Valentin gave her a glance, expressionless, without saying anything.

Running back home in her floral dress, Ashley took out her favorite fruit-flavored milk and invited this dummy boy to share it. However, when she returned with the milk, she found several

mischievous village kids surrounding Valentin, seemingly ready to tease

him.

Ashley rushed over, shooing the kids away.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

Looking at this pretty dummy mentally handicapped boy, Ashley held his hand and reassured him with a smile, “Don’t worry, these kids can’t beat me. I'll protect you!”

Valentin looked at her for a while but withdrew his hand from hers in the

end.

Later, Valentin’s grandfather, Zain, returned home, but Valentin stayed behind to spend some time there.

Ashley liked this pretty boy a lot, was delighted to have him around, and wanted to play with him every day.

However, Valentin, being reserved and seemingly mentally challenged, kept to his room and showed little interest in playing. One day, Ashley decided to make a flower crown with wildflowers and grass and went to Valentin’s room to give it to him. Valentin was practicing calligraphy in his room.

Upon lively running towards him, Ashley accidentally knocked over an ink bottle on his table.

Black ink spilled everywhere, staining her pretty dress.

Panicking, Ashley tried to wipe it off with her hands, but it soaked into the fabric.

Feeling distressed, she was surprised to hear Valentin, who had been taken for a mentally handicapped boy, say, “I'll help you.” Ashley was shocked to find out that Valentin wasn’t a dummy and he could talk, her eyes widening.

After spending more time with him, Ashley discovered that Valentin was neither mentally challenged nor dumb. In fact, he was quite intelligent.

Moreover, he could laugh. Once, she pestered him and told him a joke which made him laugh.

Ashley’s eyes widened as if she had found something surprising. “Your look even better when you smile! No, no, you were already handsome, but you’re even more handsome when you smile!”

From that day on, Valentin smiled more often, no longer as cold and distant as before. 475

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Reflecting on these old memories, Ashley thought they had been forgotten in the depths of her mind, but certain scenes and phrases. remained vividly etched, resistant to fade with the passage of time.

Sharing these memories, Ashley recounted to Joseph the first time she met Valentin.

Joseph, slapping his forehead, suddenly became enlightened. “I remember now, Ashley. The first time you met Valentin, he wasn't in the right state because the Kingsley family encountered some issues at that time.”