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.”
Chloe Malan sent her a message, “Olive, you have a home, remember? When are you coming back?”
Olive Steele teased her, “Do you want me to come back or are you looking for someone else?”
“Shut up.”
“Stop lying to yourself, will you? If you miss him, say you miss him; if you don’t miss him, say you don’t
miss him. It’s nothing embarrassing. You’re not a pure innocent girl anymore. So, what’s the harm? If
you have something to say to him, tell me, I’ll pass it on.”
“Why should I tell you? Do you think I can’t tell him myself?”
“Is there a progress?”
“Shut up. You’re teasing this old lady, aren’t you?”
Olive Steele smiled and shook her head, “You’re not old, Chloe. Will you stop saying that?”
“Men can call themselves old men. Why can’t women call themselves old lady? I like it though.”
“Alright. Have it your way.”
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 Malan’s temper. Mrs. Hoyle was a prude and she had no tolerance for rudeness.
A few seconds later, Chloe Malan sent a message again, “Oh, by the way, Mr. Gao found his long lost
daughter.”
“Are you sure?!” Olive Steele’s eyebrows jumped.
“He confirmed it himself I was there this afternoon to take some photos. Wait a minute, I’ll search the
photos and send it to you. Take a closer look at the photos. I personally feel that she’s legit. I mean,
she has Mr. Geve’s eyes.”
After a while, Chloe Malan sent the photos. An unfamiliar woman’s 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?
“I haven’t heard from them for a while and suddenly this thing happen.” Olive Steele said. She guessed
that her man didn’t know about this either. Had he known this, he would have told her the first time.
“It’s a long story and a fate. The woman’s name is Susan. She’s 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.”
It took a while for Olive Steele for say, “Really?”
She deeply questioned this woman.
“Yes. It’s a pity you were not there. Had you been there, you would definitely cry.”
“Maybe.” she was not a cold hearted woman. It’s just that this Susan…
Chloe Malan suddenly asked, “Olive, have you ever thought about finding your own biological
parents?”
“Why are you bringing this up?”
“Nothing. I’m just wondering that, are you afraid you will offend your adoptive mother and father by
mentioning this?”
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.
“Let’s talk about this later. Tell me more about Susan.”
“She will stay in China for a period of time. He wouldn’t 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 I’m telling
you now. I think the happiest man right now will be your man. You know what I mean, right?”
“Shut up.” Olive Steele rolled her eyes.
Although her man didn’t mind her being a parasite, but being a parasite was so boring. She also didn’t
want to end up being a dissatisfied housewife.
“Why should I shut up? Don’t forget to come back for Uncle and Aunt Geve anniversary. They are
looking forward to seeing you guys.”
“How is the MV shot?”
“It’s almost done. Why?”
“That’s good.”
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, “What are you thinking about?”
“Look at this photo.” Olive Steele opened the photo Chloe Malan sent her.
“She’s not as beautiful as my wife.”
Olive Steele gave him a funny look.
“Seriously, do you think this woman looks like Uncle Geve?”
After listening to her question, Alan Hoyle stopped teasing her and looked at the photo carefully, “Do
you mean that this woman is the daughter of Mr. Geve is looking for?”
Olive Steele opened her chat room with Chloe Malan and showed it to him, “I feel suspicious, and so I
want you to investigate this woman.”
“Kent Bai and I assigned so many people to look for the long lost daughter, but we couldn’t find her.
Now, she came at their door. I can assign some people to investigate her hidden motive, but why do
you think she’s untrustworthy?” Alan Hoyle asked.
“It’s a feeling.” there were many coincidences in the world. No matter how carefully arranged, if it was
staged, it would leave trail. She didn’t 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, “Sis, I can smell the porridge you cooked
from a mile away. Can I have some?”
“Mom, I want to eat some too.”
Olive Steele got up, “Okay. Everyone can have a bowl.”
Ada Hoyle rushed to hug her, “I love you, Sis.”
Olive Steele was happy. Although she couldn’t please Mrs. Hoyle, at least her sister-in-law didn’t 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, “Sis, you’re a good modern woman. You’re doing well in the workplace, you’re a
good wife and a mother as well. My brother is lucky to marry you.”
Alan Hoyle said, “You should learn more from your sister-in-law.”
“I can’t. I wasn’t born to be in the kitchen. I will only burn the kitchen if you let me cook.” Ada Hoyle
sighed, “I think my husband better find a chef to cook for us in the future. It’s good to have the food
serves for you.”
“Yeah. Why not?” Alan Hoyle teased her.
Ada Hoyle punched his brother, “Sis, look at your man. He scolds me. You should teach him a lesson.”
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.
“I will send the porridge to your mother.”
“I’ll come with you.” Alan Hoyle said.
Ada Hoyle said jokingly, “Brother, why so nervous? Mom doesn’t eat people. You always stick to sister-
in-law like a post-it. Mom will be jealous.”
Olive Steele smiled, “Right. It’s just a bowl of porridge. I can handle it. You can rest assured.”
When she went up, the door of the old lady’s 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.
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