The rich porridge fragrance filled the whole kitchen. Olive Steele stirred it evenly in the pot with a spoon and then changed it to a small fire and boiled it slowly.
She was very happy that the old lady gave her a signal of peace. Although her manner of speaking was still very stiff, almost like a command, but anyone could hear that the old lady finally opened her heart for her.
The kitchen was huge. She grabbed her laptop and put it on the table, while waiting for the porridge, she handled the hotel work.â
Chloe Malan sent her a message, âOlive, you have a home, remember? When are you coming back?â
Olive Steele teased her, âDo you want me to come back or are you looking for someone else?â
âShut up.â
âStop lying to yourself, will you? If you miss him, say you miss him; if you donât miss him, say you donât miss him. Itâs nothing embarrassing. Youâre not a pure innocent girl anymore. So, whatâs the harm? If you have something to say to him, tell me, Iâll pass it on.â
âWhy should I tell you? Do you think I canât tell him myself?â
âIs there a progress?â
âShut up. Youâre teasing this old lady, arenât you?â
Olive Steele smiled and shook her head, âYouâre not old, Chloe. Will you stop saying that?â
âMen can call themselves old men. Why canât women call themselves old lady? I like it though.â
âAlright. Have it your way.â
Olive Steele surrendered. This was how Chloe Malan talked. It was a habit. She had always been outspoken and Olive Steele was familiar with it. The old lady, however, would probably faint if she had to face Chloe Malanâs temper. Mrs. Hoyle was a prude and she had no tolerance for rudeness.
A few seconds later, Chloe Malan sent a message again, âOh, by the way, Mr. Gao found his long lost daughter.â
âAre you sure?!â Olive Steeleâs eyebrows jumped.
âHe confirmed it himself I was there this afternoon to take some photos. Wait a minute, Iâll search the photos and send it to you. Take a closer look at the photos. I personally feel that sheâs legit. I mean, she has Mr. Geveâs eyes.â
After a while, Chloe Malan sent the photos. An unfamiliar womanâs face was displayed on the 14 inch laptop screen. She was laughing, crying, hugging, and holding hands with the Geves. It was touching.
The woman had a good bone structure and good temperament. The first impression people might get was that the woman was educated. But, who was she?
âI havenât heard from them for a while and suddenly this thing happen.â Olive Steele said. She guessed that her man didnât know about this either. Had he known this, he would have told her the first time.
âItâs a long story and a fate. The womanâs name is Susan. Sheâs a high roller from Business Administration Department of Stanford University in the US. She was adopted by Chinese-American at the age of three and has lived in the States ever since. She went to Luo City for a business trip. It was her first time coming back to China. She was hospitalized because of acclimatization and met Aunt Gene by coincidence. You know, Aunt Geve has eagle eyes. It was summer, so she wore thinner clothes. Aunt Geve happened to see the jade pendant on her neck which was exactly the same as her own, so she went forward to ask. You can guess what happened next. They cried, hugged, and everything.â
It took a while for Olive Steele for say, âReally?â
She deeply questioned this woman.
âYes. Itâs a pity you were not there. Had you been there, you would definitely cry.â
âMaybe.â she was not a cold hearted woman. Itâs just that this Susanâ¦
Chloe Malan suddenly asked, âOlive, have you ever thought about finding your own biological parents?â
âWhy are you bringing this up?â
âNothing. Iâm just wondering that, are you afraid you will offend your adoptive mother and father by mentioning this?â
It was not about which one was better between giving birth or raising someone. Her adoptive parents had regarded her as her own for so many years and it was such a blessing to actually find a family that treat her like part of them. She had to discuss it with them and got their approval. At least, she had to respect them for taking care of her for so many years.
âLetâs talk about this later. Tell me more about Susan.â
âShe will stay in China for a period of time. He wouldnât let me tell you saying that he would wait for you to return to Luo City to give you a surprise, but you know, I cannot keep my mouth shut so Iâm telling you now. I think the happiest man right now will be your man. You know what I mean, right?â
âShut up.â Olive Steele rolled her eyes.
Although her man didnât mind her being a parasite, but being a parasite was so boring. She also didnât want to end up being a dissatisfied housewife.
âWhy should I shut up? Donât forget to come back for Uncle and Aunt Geve anniversary. They are looking forward to seeing you guys.â
âHow is the MV shot?â
âItâs almost done. Why?â
âThatâs good.â
Olive Steele sat there for a long time feeling that something was wrong. Suddenly, a long lost daughter of a wealthy family appeared out of blue. She was curious whether it was a coincidence or staged.
Alan Hoyle hugged her from behind. She looked up seeing his smiling face leaning over.
He pecked her lips and grabbed a small chair next to him, âWhat are you thinking about?â
âLook at this photo.â Olive Steele opened the photo Chloe Malan sent her.
âSheâs not as beautiful as my wife.â
Olive Steele gave him a funny look.
âSeriously, do you think this woman looks like Uncle Geve?â
After listening to her question, Alan Hoyle stopped teasing her and looked at the photo carefully, âDo you mean that this woman is the daughter of Mr. Geve is looking for?â
Olive Steele opened her chat room with Chloe Malan and showed it to him, âI feel suspicious, and so I want you to investigate this woman.â
âKent Bai and I assigned so many people to look for the long lost daughter, but we couldnât find her.
Now, she came at their door. I can assign some people to investigate her hidden motive, but why do you think sheâs untrustworthy?â Alan Hoyle asked.
âItâs a feeling.â there were many coincidences in the world. No matter how carefully arranged, if it was staged, it would leave trail. She didnât believe this woman.
What a lame answer, he thought. He felt that his wife hide something from him.
Ada Hoyle and Annie came interrupting their conversation, âSis, I can smell the porridge you cooked from a mile away. Can I have some?â
âMom, I want to eat some too.â
Olive Steele got up, âOkay. Everyone can have a bowl.â
Ada Hoyle rushed to hug her, âI love you, Sis.â
Olive Steele was happy. Although she couldnât please Mrs. Hoyle, at least her sister-in-law didnât hate her and the man she loved stood on her side unswervingly. She was not alone. She had backings.
When the porridge was cooked just right, she took a wet towel and put the pot off the stove.
Ada Hoyle smiled, âSis, youâre a good modern woman. Youâre doing well in the workplace, youâre a good wife and a mother as well. My brother is lucky to marry you.â
Alan Hoyle said, âYou should learn more from your sister-in-law.â
âI canât. I wasnât born to be in the kitchen. I will only burn the kitchen if you let me cook.â Ada Hoyle sighed, âI think my husband better find a chef to cook for us in the future. Itâs good to have the food serves for you.â
âYeah. Why not?â Alan Hoyle teased her.
Ada Hoyle punched his brother, âSis, look at your man. He scolds me. You should teach him a lesson.â
Olive Steele laughed at the bickering brother and sister. She heated a frying pan and cooked two appetizers. Then, she poured the porridge to the bowls, added some chopped onion for it, and placed them on the tray.
âI will send the porridge to your mother.â
âIâll come with you.â Alan Hoyle said.
Ada Hoyle said jokingly, âBrother, why so nervous? Mom doesnât eat people. You always stick to sister-
in-law like a post-it. Mom will be jealous.â
Olive Steele smiled, âRight. Itâs just a bowl of porridge. I can handle it. You can rest assured.â
When she went up, the door of the old ladyâs room as half opened. Doctor Gu had left. She thought that the old lady was lying in bed, but she saw standing in the balcony. She looked lonely in the dim lights.
Olive Steele admired her secretly. She was the woman her husband doted on. She lived a smooth life first half of her life and suddenly, the sky fell before her eyes. She protected her children and replaced the role of her husband. She was not weak.
Although in the process, she mistook her enemies for benefactors, she never fell down. Even though she was once weak enough to rely on machines to keep on breathing, still, she stood up strongly.