CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 171: I’LL BE YOUR HUSBAND FROM NOW ON

"What’s wrong?" Josephine looked up at him.

Seeing him spit the meat onto the empty ground beside him, she frowned slightly.

Julian Grant’s face looked slightly unpleasant, mixed with a bit of embarrassment. "It’s... too greasy, I’m feeling a bit queasy."

Several staff members who were eating nearby turned to look, their eyes curious.

Today’s meal was so tough, yet he’s still so picky?

With everyone’s gaze on him, Julian Grant felt even more uncomfortable and tightened his grip on his chopsticks.

"Haha... I... I don’t like pork."

Uncle Lewis noticed the situation, and his previously enthusiastic smile instantly dropped.

He glared at Julian Grant, firmly remembering his face.

Daring to despise his cooking?

Next time he comes for food, don’t blame his ladle for shaking.

Josephine didn’t say much, knowing that with such a picky mouth, she couldn’t force him.

She picked out a small river shrimp from her lunch box and offered it, "Try this? It’s lighter, and fried quite crispy."

Julian Grant hesitated for a moment before taking it and putting it in his mouth.

The shell was crispy.

It’s basically without meat, so he chewed casually a couple of times and swallowed, still feeling the tightness in his throat.

"If you really can’t eat, don’t force yourself." Seeing his troubled expression, Josephine fished out a piece of chocolate from the side pocket of her canvas bag, "Want something to fill your stomach? I also have some biscuits in my bag."

Julian Grant took the chocolate, the sound of the wrapper paper unusually clear in the quiet open space.

He peeled the paper and took a small bite, the sweet taste slightly suppressing the queasy feeling.

He’s grown up never having trouble over food.

"Do you eat this every day here?" His voice was a bit muffled.

"Pretty much."

Josephine took a bite of her rice, "If you truly can’t bear it, you can leave now. You’d make it to the city before dark."

Julian Grant immediately looked up, his eyes filled with stubbornness, "Who says I can’t handle it? I’m just... just not used to it yet."

He stuffed the remaining chocolate into his mouth, murmuring, "I’ll eat something more later, I’ll definitely manage."

Josephine noticed his stubbornness and chose not to point it out, instead speeding up her eating.

The sun set, stretching their shadows long.

From the distant mountains, came the calls of some unknown birds.

Julian Grant snuck a glance at the little bugs crawling around him and quickly shifted his gaze, tightening his grip on his lunch box.

On the side.

Shane Lynch felt a pang in his heart watching this scene and instinctively turned away.

Before Julian Grant came.

He always sat with her during meals.

Talking while eating.

Now that Julian Grant suddenly appeared, he felt compelled to keep his distance from her.

Others might not know Julian Grant.

But he did.

And knowing Julian Grant’s intense pursuit of Josephine, he knew he couldn’t compete.

After finishing the meal.

Josephine picked up her lunch box to wash.

"Josephine..." Julian Grant hesitated to speak.

He wanted to persuade her to return and not stay in this harsh place, suffering unnecessarily.

But he also knew he couldn’t persuade her.

If he wanted to be with her, he had to follow her pace. Accommodate her, integrate into her life.

After doing the dishes.

Josephine led him to the dormitory, "Let’s go! Back to the dorm!"

"Mm-hmm." Julian Grant hurriedly followed her, carrying his bag.

The accommodation was about five minutes from here.

Arriving at the dormitory.

In front were some simple containers.

Besides the container rooms, there were a few tents pitched.

Because Josephine is a girl, special arrangements were made for her to have her own container room.

As for others.

Typically, three to five people shared a room, or two people shared a tent.

Of course.

No pain, no gain.

Though the work and environment were tough.

The staff’s treatment and salary were quite good.

So, no one complained.

Josephine took out a key and opened the door, entering the container room.

"Come on in!"

Julian Grant followed her into the dark room.

Inside, there was only a small bed, a mosquito net, and a broken electric fan; almost nothing else.

Taking a look around, Julian Grant felt both heartache and helplessness, "Josephine, is this where you’ve been living for the past six months?"

Josephine was bending over to plug in the fan, glanced back at him, her face unmoved, "Yeah, you get used to it."

The fan slowly started spinning, stirring up a breeze laced with a dusty scent.

She pulled open the curtains, letting the dim light flood in, barely illuminating the corners of the room.

There were a few dark stains on the walls.

The edges of the bed board were worn, the corner piled with several boxes of materials, covered with a thin layer of dust.

Josephine pointed at the small table by the bed with a chuckle, "See, I brought a lamp and a folding chair, convenient for reading or sorting data at night."

Her tone was calm and satisfied.

No one would guess that she was once Audenburg’s first socialite, the ex-wife of the city’s foremost tycoon.

Julian Grant found it hard to speak, his throat choked up.

If it hadn’t been for Nathaniel Gallagher.

She probably wouldn’t have fallen into such hardship.

"Josephine, there’s not even a wardrobe here..." he muttered, his gaze sweeping over the few slightly faded work clothes draped at the end of the bed.

"Not many clothes, just fold them and keep them in the box," Josephine replied, picking up a towel from the table. "I’m going to fetch some water to wipe my face. You can take a break first."

Watching her leave the room, Julian Grant suddenly quickened his pace to catch up, "Let me do it! Just tell me where the water is?"

Josephine pointed to a nearby water reservoir, "It’s over there, by the pond. Remember to let the water settle in a bucket for a while before using it."

Julian Grant nodded but hesitated slightly.

As he reached the spot.

There was indeed a pond, the water flowing and looking fairly clean.

Taking a deep breath, he nevertheless picked up a bucket and walked over.

Josephine stood at the door, watching his back, sighed softly.

She knew he was uncomfortable.

But archaeology is always like this, behind the glamorous results is always hard and genuine labor.

A little while later.

Julian Grant returned with half a bucket of water.

Having never done such work before, he swayed the bucket side to side, spilling half the water.

Placing the bucket on the ground, he watched Josephine wring a towel with the water, his voice hoarse, "Tonight... where do I sleep?"

"Oh, I talked to Captain Zimmerman, he said you can stay next door with Lynch," Josephine replied, wiping her face. "But... it might be even simpler than mine, no fan."

Julian Grant swallowed heavily, "Josephine, can I sleep with you, please?"

"What?"

Julian Grant quickly explained, "Don’t misunderstand, I mean I could lay on the floor next to your bed."

"I’ll sleep on the floor, don’t worry, I won’t have any improper thoughts."

"Of course, if you want me to sleep on the bed, I won’t object either."

Josephine: "Don’t joke, it’s inconvenient to share a room, you’d better go stay with Shane instead."

"Why is it inconvenient? Just think of me as your sister! Besides, I’m going to be your husband..."