After her rebirth
Chapter 55

After thinking it over for a sec, Katniss didn't make a big deal out of it. She just packed up the leftover ingredients. The next day, she hit up the supermarket, grabbed some more stuff, and hauled everything over to the Hamilton Manor to get ready.

When she rolled up to the Hamilton Manor, she spotted some fresh rose bushes planted in the little garden by the entrance. Since they were grafted roses, they were popping in all sorts of colors: bright red, soft pink, orange-yellow, and snow- white. Each flower was vibrant and beautiful, like a splash of spring in the cool autumn air.

She couldn't help herself and leaned in to take a whiff. The sweet, elegant scent hit her like a gentle kiss on the cheek.

She thought, 'These flowers smell amazing.'

Walking into the house, she saw Maximilian chilling by the floor-to-ceiling window, nose deep in a newspaper. He didn't even glance up when she walked in, just kept to himself.

She chirped, "Maximilian, your flowers are gorgeous!"

Hearing that, Maximilian finally looked up from his paper, sitting there surrounded by roses, and flashed her a gentle smile.

That smile? It totally threw Katniss for a loop. When a good-looking guy smiles like that, it can really make your heart skip a beat.

Katniss quickly nodded, feeling a bit awkward, and dashed to the kitchen.

With a guy like Maximilian, she didn't dare entertain any wild thoughts. She just needed to focus on curing his illness!

Still, while asking Felix where to put stuff, she couldn't help but think about that handsome face she just saw.

In her past life, with someone like Maximilian around, why did she ever go for Desmond?

Isn't it true that people always chase after those who don't like them?

When Katniss finally got down to making the medicinal meal, she totally zoned in, focusing hard on prepping the ingredients. Felix watched for a bit and couldn't help but click his tongue. This medicinal meal wasn't something just anyone could whip up; it looked super complicated.

Felix had thought about learning a bit so he could make it for himself when he retired.

But after watching, he threw in the towel.

An hour and a half later, Katniss finally emerged from the kitchen, while Felix had already gone out to water the flowers.

She dragged a round table from the corner of the living room over to Maximilian and then went back to the kitchen to bring out porridge, a few appetizers, and some creamy oatmeal cookies. "Maximilian, you may have the medicinal meal for lunch today."

"Okay." Maximilian set down his newspaper.

Katniss grabbed a chair, planning to chill for a bit. As she came back, her eyes caught the news on the newspaper.

The first headline was all about how the real estate market was gonna boom in the next ten years.

Katniss couldn't help but lean in to see which author had such foresight, "This author knows what's up. The real estate market in the next decade is gonna be more than just good; it's gonna be crazy prosperous. Prices have only gone up a bit now, but in a few years, they'll skyrocket by tens or hundreds of times. Maximilian, you should snag a few more properties now. Trust me, you won't regret it." Maximilian glanced at her, looking puzzled. "You follow real estate too?"

"It's just my hunch, but Maximilian, trust me on this." Katniss said earnestly, "I'm planning to save up and buy two or three properties myself. That way, if I ever wanna take a break from work, I can live off the rental income."

"You can have all the money in the world, but it won't mean anything if you're not healthy and happy." She looked him straight in the eyes, saying, "As long as you're alive, there's hope. If you're gone, then everything is truly lost." Thinking about her crazy past life, Katniss straightened up and gazed out the window, "Not for anything else, but just to see the sun rise in the east and set in the west every day, or to look at the flowers you like, you gotta live happily." Now, the folks from the Manners family meant less to Katniss than these few flowers outside.

At least these flowers made her happy just by looking at them.

Katniss turned back to look directly at Maximilian, saying, "Maximilian, you gotta live well, to be safe and happy for a lifetime."

Even though Katniss was looking at Maximilian, it didn't seem like she was really seeing him.

Even though she was talking to him, it wasn't a command; it was more like a wish.

No one just goes around telling people to live their best life

Maximilian didn't ask, his eyes flickered, and he avoided her gaze.

After a bit, he replied in a slightly hoarse voice, "Yeah, I'll live well."

Katniss's lips instantly curled up, feeling super happy.

But Maximilian quickly added, "I'm hoping to stick around long enough to see you become a rich woman."

Katniss laughed out loud.

Why hadn't she noticed before that Maximilian had such a funny side?

Maximilian stared at her face, looking kinda puzzled as to why she was laughing.

Katniss served him food with a warm smile and then sat down herself, "Maximilian, you don't mind if I join you for lunch, do you?"

"I don't mind." Maximilian's voice seemed to go back to its usual coldness.

But Katniss inexplicably felt that his vibe wasn't as distant as before.

After a bit, Felix came in too. Katniss made him sit at the table to join them.

Felix wanted to resist, but Maximilian told him to sit down, so he did.

At the table, Katniss occasionally chatted with Felix, mostly Felix praising her cooking skills. Maximilian listened from the side, and the atmosphere was super warm.

Seeing the good vibes, Katniss tentatively asked, "Felix, why can't he walk anymore?"

Felix hesitated, a trace of sadness flashing in his eyes, "Maximilian used to be able to walk, but his health went downhill over time. The more medicine he took, the less he could walk, and in recent years, he completely lost the ability to walk." Katniss felt a bit relieved.

The reason she hadn't mentioned treating Maximilian's legs before was that his body was too weak at the time. The priority was to nourish his body and make sure he got enough sleep.

Lately she felt his body had been recovered well, but she was afraid he had some unspeakable reason, so she had delayed until now.

If it was due to the side effects of too much medication and the previous toxins, then treating it would be easier than if it were caused by something like a car accident.

"Then after lunch, I'll take a look at Maximilian's legs."

Felix was overjoyed and quickly agreed, "Katniss, you can treat legs too?"

Katniss said, "My grandma's acupuncture skills are pretty famous in our area, and she has a technique for treating legs. I can try it on Maximilian."

Katniss quietly observed Maximilian's expression.

Sure enough, hearing that his legs might be treatable, Maximilian's expression stayed as stoic as ever.

She really wondered what could make his perpetually stoic face show other emotions.

"Thanks in advance, Katniss!" Felix was almost moved to tears, "I heard that your grandma's acupuncture skills were extraordinary and that she used to be a medical teacher who taught many students. That's why I searched everywhere for her. Although we couldn't find her, we met you. It seems everything in this world is destined!"

Maximilian's body wouldn't have lasted a few more years, but thankfully, god sent Katniss, his savior, to his side!