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    Charlie grinned as he said, “Reflecting on Uncle, everything is going well. How about you and Angie?”


    “We’re doing great!” Orrin responded with enthusiasm, nodding vigorously. At that moment, Angie, standing beside him, looked at Charlie on the screen and cheerfully remarked, “Charlie, when will you visit Eastcliff for a few days? Uncle Orrin has been talking about you a lottely. Honestly, he brings you up several times a day—my ears are starting to feel sore from it!”


    Charlie replied with a warm smile, “Uncle Orrin and Angie, as soon as I wrap up my work, I’ll make it a priority toe to Eastcliff and see both of you.”


    On the other side of Orrin, Stefanie muttered with annoyance, “What do you mean by just looking at them? What about me? Am I not worth watching?”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Quickly, Charlie chuckled and said, “Of course I want to see you too! I misspoke. I’ll make time for you, Uncle Orrin, and Angie! Is that better?”


    Stefanie smirked triumphantly and replied, “Now that sounds right!”


    Then, Orrin interjected, “By the way, Charlie, I heard that your aunt has gone to Aurous Hill?”


    “Yes,” Charlie responded with a slight smile. “Uncle Orrin, did you hear about it?”


    Orrin chuckled, “Your grandpa called me this morning and filled me in on you and your aunt.”


    Surprised, Charlie asked, “He knows I’ve met with you?”


    Orrin shook his head, “Not exactly. He thought I hadn’t received your message yet, so he decided to share your news with me.”


    Charlie, puzzled, inquired, “Why would he want to tell you all this?”


    Orrin smiled knowingly, “It seems he mainly wanted to share your updates and also asked if I was still willing to honor the promise I made with your father about you marrying my daughter.”


    Charlie felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.


    It seemed that Grandpa still hoped to bring him back into the Wade family fold and arrange for him to marry Stefanie.


    Noticing Charlie’s difort, Orrin quickly reassured him, “Charlie, don’t feel pressured by this. I told your grandfather that I would honor my promise, but I also emphasized that whatever happens must respect the wishes of the children.”


    He continued, “Take your time. I assured him that our family will wait for you for three years, and we truly will.”


    Charlie nodded appreciatively, saying, “Thank you for your understanding, Uncle Orrin.”


    Orrin waved off the gratitude, “No need to be so formal with me; I’m here for you.”


    Then he added, “Oh, your grandfather also asked me to encourage you. After all, you and your aunt are family. Try not to let things get too heated, and don’t let it disrupt your peace.”


    Charlie sighed and said, “Uncle Orrin, my aunt is quite overbearing, and my grandfather doesn’t rein her in. When she arrived in Aurous Hill, she drank too much and spread rumors about me to my mother-inw. It’s honestly quite intolerable.”<fn166f> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? </fn166f>


    Orrin nodded in agreement, “Your aunt is known for being difficult, especially in Eastcliff. I didn’t expect her trip to Aurous Hill would lead to this.”


    Charlie replied indifferently, “If she weren’t so excessive, I wouldn’t want to engage with her at all.”


    Orrin chuckled softly, “Your grandfather really wants me to persuade you. If you can, consider returning to the Wade family home. With this year’s Spring Festival behind us, and the Lantern Festivaling up, March is nearly here. He hopes you can join him for the ancestor worship ceremony at Wade Mountain.”


    Charlie raised an eyebrow in surprise, “An ancestor worship ceremony?”


    “Yes,” Orrin confirmed. “The Wade family traditionally holds this ceremony every twelve years. This year is significant as Wade Mountain has been developed for over three years, and the construction waspletedst spring. The ancestral tomb was moved therest fall, making this the first Spring Festival celebrated with the tomb relocated.”


    “Your grandfather intends to host a grand ceremony for ancestor worship. Not just immediate family members, but many branches of the Wade family from across the country will attend. As the grandson of the Wade family, he hopes you’ll be there to pay respects to your parents as well.”


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